LIL CHAMP FOOD STORES INC
S-4, 1997-12-19
GROCERY STORES
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<PAGE>
 
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 1997
                                                    Registration No. ___________
================================================================================

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                            ----------------------
                                   FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                          The Securities Act of 1933
                            ----------------------
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                              <C>
           Delaware                             5411                     56-1574463
(State or other jurisdiction of      (Primary Standard Industrial         (Employer
incorporation or organization)       Classification Code Number)       Identification No.)
</TABLE>

                                 P.O. Box 1410
                              1801 Douglas Drive
                      Sanford, North Carolina  27331-1410
                                (919) 774-6700
   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                 of registrant's principal executive offices)
                            ----------------------
                       See Table of Co-Registrants below
                            ----------------------
                                William T. Flyg
                        Senior Vice President, Finance,
                     Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
                               The Pantry, Inc.
                                 P.O. Box 1410
                              1801 Douglas Drive
                      Sanford, North Carolina  27331-1410
                                (919) 774-6700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                            ----------------------
                                  Copies to:

                           Cynthia M. Dunnett, Esq.
                              Riordan & McKinzie
                            300 South Grand Avenue
                                  29th Floor
                        Los Angeles, California  90071
                            ----------------------

       Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
  As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

    If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box:   [_]

    If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [_]

    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [_]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        Amount to       Proposed maximum       Proposed maximum        Amount of
                                                           be          offering price per     aggregate offering    registration fee
Title of each class of securities to be registered      registered          unit/(1)/             price/(1)/
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>                     <C>                   <C> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007             $200,000,000            100.0%              $200,000,000         $59,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guarantees of the 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes                                                                    
 due 2007                                                   --                  --                      --              None/(2)/
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
     pursuant to Rule 457(f)(2).
(2)  Pursuant to Rule 457(n).
                            ----------------------
          The Registrant and the Co-Registrants hereby amend this Registration
Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date
until the Registrant and the Co-Registrants shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become
effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until
this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the
Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                            Table of Co-Registrants
                            -----------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          I.R.S.
                                   State or Other         Primary Standard               Employer
                                    Jurisdiction       Industrial Classification      Identification
       Name                       of Incorporation          Code Number                   Number
- ----------------------      ----------------------     -------------------------   ---------------------
<S>                          <C>                      <C>                          <C>
  Sandhills, Inc.(1)                  Delaware                   6799                    51-0347722
Lil' Champ Food Stores,                Florida                   5411                    59-1147100
      Inc.(2)
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                 <C> 
(1)  Address, including zip code and telephone number, including    913 Market Street, Suite 806
     area code, of principal executive office of co-registrant.     Wilmington, Delaware 19801
                                                                    (302) 576-5745 

(2)  Address, including zip code and telephone number, including    9143 Phillips Highway, Suite 200
     area code, of principal executive office of co-registrant.     P.O. Box 23180
                                                                    Jacksonville, Florida 32241-3180
                                                                    (904) 464-7200 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

                 Subject to Completion dated December 19, 1997
PROSPECTUS

                                The Pantry, Inc.

                             Offer to Exchange its
            10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2007,
              which have been registered under the Securities Act,
                       for any and all of its outstanding
             10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2007

  The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on    , 1998,
unless extended.

                            ----------------------

  The Pantry, Inc. (the "Company") hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this Prospectus (the "Prospectus") and the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal" and together
with this Prospectus, the "Exchange Offer"), to exchange $1,000 principal amount
of its 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2007 (the "Exchange
Notes") which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a registration statement (the "Registration
Statement") of which this Prospectus is a part, for each $1,000 principal amount
of its outstanding 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2007 (the
"Notes"), of which $200.0 million principal amount is outstanding as of the date
hereof.

  The Company will accept for exchange any and all validly tendered Notes prior
to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on                 , 1998, unless extended
(the "Expiration Date").  Notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of
$1,000.  Tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date.  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned
upon any minimum principal amount of Notes being tendered for exchange.
However, the Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary conditions.  In the
event the Company terminates the Exchange Offer and does not accept for exchange
any Notes, the Company will promptly return the Notes to the holders thereof.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer.  See "The
Exchange Offer."

  The Exchange Notes will be obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt
as the Notes, and will be entitled to the benefits of the same indenture (the
"Indenture"). See "Description of Exchange Notes". The form and terms of the
Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms of the Notes in all material
respects except that the Exchange Notes have been registered under the
Securities Act and hence do not include certain rights to registration
thereunder and do not contain transfer restrictions or terms with respect to the
special interest payments applicable to the Notes. The Notes were issued on
October 23, 1997 pursuant to an offering exempt from registration under the
Securities Act. See "The Exchange Offer".

                                                     Continued on following page

   This Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to
holders of the Notes on                 , 1998.

   See "Risk Factors" on page 15 for information that should be considered in
connection with this offering.

                            ----------------------

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
       AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
         THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
            COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
                PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
                             IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                            ----------------------

             The date of this Prospectus is                 , 1998.
<PAGE>
 
(Continuation of cover page)

     The Exchange Notes are being offered hereunder in order to satisfy certain
obligations of the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
October 23, 1997 (the "Exchange Offer Registration Rights Agreement"), by and
among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined) and the Initial Purchasers (as
defined herein), a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.  The Exchange Offer
is intended to satisfy the Company's obligations under the Exchange Offer
Registration Rights Agreement to register the Notes under the Securities Act.
Once the Exchange Offer is consummated, the Company will have no further
obligations to register any of the Notes not tendered by the holders of the
Notes (the "Holders") for exchange.  See "Risk Factors--Consequences to Non-
Tendering Holders of Notes".

     Based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") set forth in several no-action letters to third
parties, the Company believes that the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in exchange for Notes may be offered for resale, resold and
otherwise transferred by holders thereof without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act. However,
any Holder who is an "affiliate" of the Company or who intended to participate
in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes (i)
cannot rely on the interpretation by the staff of the Commission set forth in
the above referenced no-action letters, (ii) cannot tender its Notes in the
Exchange Offer, and (iii) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or
transfer of the Notes, unless such sale or transfer is made pursuant to an
exemption from such requirements. See "Risk Factors--Consequences to Non-
Tendering Holders of Notes". In addition, each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in
exchange for Notes where such Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities and not acquired
directly from the Company. The Company has agreed that for a period of 180 days
after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-
dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PARAGRAPH, THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED FOR AN
OFFER TO RESELL, RESALE OR OTHER TRANSFER OF EXCHANGE NOTES.

     Notes were initially represented by two Global Notes (as defined herein) in
fully registered form, each registered in the name of a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as depository. The Exchange Notes exchanged
for Notes represented by the Global Notes may be initially represented by one or
more global securities ("Global Exchange Note") in fully registered form, each
registered in the name of the nominee of DTC. The Global Exchange Note will be
exchangeable for Exchange Notes in registered form, in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples thereof as described herein. The Exchange Notes in global
form will trade in The Depository Trust Company's Same-Day Funds Settlement
System, and secondary market trading activity in such Exchange Notes will
therefore settle in immediately available funds. See "Description of Exchange
Notes--Form, Denomination and Book-Entry Procedures".

     The Exchange Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to 10 1/4% per annum
from their date of issuance. Interest on the Exchange Notes is payable semi-
annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 1998.
Holders whose Notes are accepted for exchange will receive, in cash, accrued
interest thereon to, but not including, the date of issuance of the Exchange
Notes. Such interest will be paid with the first interest payment on the
Exchange Notes. Interest on the Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue
interest upon cancellation of the Notes and issuance of the Exchange Notes.

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
(Continuation of cover page)

     The Exchange Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after October 15, 2002, at the redemption
prices set forth herein plus accrued interest to the date of redemption. In
addition, the Company, at its option, may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of
the original principal amount of the Exchange Notes at any time and from time to
time prior to October 15, 2000 at a redemption price equal to 110.25% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the redemption date with the
Net Proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings (as defined); provided that,
at least $130 million in principal amount of Exchange Notes remains outstanding
immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption and that any such
redemption occurs within 60 days following the closing of any such Public Equity
Offering. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined herein), the Company
will be required to make an offer to purchase all outstanding Exchange Notes at
a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of repurchase. See "Description of the Exchange Notes--
Change of Control Offer." There can be no assurance that the Company will have
sufficient funds or will be contractually permitted by outstanding Senior
Indebtedness to pay the required purchase price for any or all Exchange Notes
tendered by holders upon a Change of Control.

     The Notes are, and the Exchange Notes will be, general unsecured
obligations of the Company subordinate in right of payment to all existing and
future Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) of the Company and senior in
right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Exchange
Notes will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of the
Company. The Exchange Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed, on an unsecured
senior subordinated basis, as to payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest, jointly and severally, by certain current and future Restricted
Subsidiaries (as defined herein) of the Company (the "Guarantors"). The Exchange
Notes will be structurally subordinated to indebtedness of any of the Company's
subsidiaries that are not Guarantors.

     Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Notes.
Following completion of the Exchange Offer, the Company does not intend to list
the Exchange Notes on a national securities exchange or to seek approval for
quotation through the Nasdaq National Market. The Initial Purchasers have
informed the Company that they currently intend to make a market in the Exchange
Notes. However, the Initial Purchasers are not obligated to do so and any such
market making may be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no
assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop or be
maintained for the Exchange Notes. As the Notes were issued and the Exchange
Notes are being issued to a limited number of institutions who typically hold
similar securities for investment, the Company does not expect that an active
public market for the Exchange Notes will develop. In addition, resales by
certain holders of the Notes or the Exchange Notes of a substantial percentage
of the aggregate principal amount of such notes could constrain the ability of
any market maker to develop or maintain a market for the Exchange Notes. To the
extent that a market for the Exchange Notes should develop, the market value of
the Exchange Notes will depend on prevailing interest rates, the market for
similar securities and other factors, including the financial condition,
performance and prospects of the Company. Such factors might cause the Exchange
Notes to trade at a discount from face value. See "Risk Factors--Lack of Public
Market for the Exchange Notes". The Company has agreed to pay the expenses of
the Exchange Offer.

     This Prospectus incorporates documents by reference which are not presented
herein or delivered herewith. These documents are available upon request from
William T. Flyg, Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary, The Pantry, Inc., P.O. Box 1410, 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North
Carolina 27331-1410, telephone number (919) 774-6700.


                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-4 (together with all amendments
thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act for the
registration of the Exchange Notes offered hereby. As permitted by the rules and
regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Exchange Notes offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement
and to the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this
Prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not
necessarily complete. With respect to each such contract or other document filed
with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is
made to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and
each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference.

     Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company will be subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Exchange Act") for a
period following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The
Registration Statement, the exhibits and schedules forming a part thereof and
the reports and other information filed by the Company with the Commission in
accordance with the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and will also be available for
inspection and copying at the regional offices of the Commission located at 7
World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and at Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
Copies of such material may also be obtained upon written request from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a
World Wide Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. While
any Notes remain outstanding, the Company will make available, upon request, to
any holder and any prospective purchaser of the Notes the information required
by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act during any period in which the
Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Any such
request should be mailed to The Pantry, Inc., 1801 Douglas Drive, Post Office
Box 1410, Sanford, North Carolina 27330. Telephone requests may be directed to
the Corporate Secretary at (919) 774-6700.

     The Indenture provides that, following the filing date of this Registration
Statement and for so long as any of the Exchange Notes are outstanding, the
Company will file with the Commission the periodic reports required to be filed
with the Commission under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is
subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company will also,
within 15 days of filing each such report with the Commission, provide the
Trustee and the holders of the Exchange Notes with annual reports containing the
information required to be contained in Form 10-K promulgated under the Exchange
Act, quarterly reports containing the information required to be contained in
Form 10-Q promulgated under the Exchange Act, and from time to time such other
information as is required to be contained in Form 8-K promulgated under the
Exchange Act. If filing such reports with the Commission is prohibited by the
Exchange Act, the Company will also provide copies of such reports to
prospective purchasers of the Exchange Notes upon written request.


                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY


     The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in
this Prospectus. Reference is made to, and this summary is qualified in its
entirety by, the more detailed information and financial statements, including
the notes thereto, contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. Unless the context
otherwise requires, "The Pantry" refers to The Pantry, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, before the Lil' Champ Acquisition (as defined herein), the term
"Lil' Champ" refers to Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc. and the term "Company"
refers to The Pantry and its subsidiaries (including Lil' Champ) on a combined
basis after the Lil' Champ Acquisition. All references to a fiscal year of The
Pantry and the Company refer to a year ending on the last Thursday in September
for a stated year (e.g., "fiscal 1997" refers to the year ended September 25,
1997). All references to a fiscal year of Lil' Champ refer to a year ending on
the last Saturday in December for a stated year. Unless otherwise indicated, all
references to non-financial data are as of September 25, 1997.

                                  The Company

     On October 23, 1997, The Pantry, Inc., the largest convenience store
operator in North Carolina and South Carolina, purchased Lil' Champ Food Stores,
Inc. (the "Lil' Champ Acquisition"). Lil' Champ is the largest convenience store
chain in northern Florida, operating 488 convenience stores located in 33
counties in northern Florida and southeastern Georgia. The combination of The
Pantry and Lil' Champ has created the third largest independent convenience
store chain in the United States (based on number of stores) with 878 stores and
a strong concentration in the Southeast.

     The Pantry. The Pantry is the largest operator of convenience stores in
North Carolina and South Carolina, where 289 of its 390 stores are located. The
other 101 Pantry stores are located in western Kentucky, Tennessee and southern
Indiana. The Pantry operates its convenience stores under the name "The Pantry,"
primarily in smaller towns and suburban areas. The Pantry's stores offer a broad
selection of affordable, high quality merchandise and services, including
tobacco products, beer, soft drinks, self-service fast food and beverages,
publications, dairy products, groceries, health and beauty aids, video games and
money orders. In its Kentucky and Indiana stores, The Pantry also sells lottery
products. In addition, self-service gasoline is sold at 364 Pantry stores, 314
of which sells gasoline under brand names including Amoco, British Petroleum
(BP), Exxon, Shell and Texaco. Since fiscal 1994, merchandise sales (including
commissions from services) and gasoline sales have each averaged approximately
50% of total revenues. Management believes The Pantry has the following
principal strengths:

     .     Leading market position. The Pantry, which commenced operations in
           1967, is a leading operator of convenience stores in the Southeast.
           Since 1979, The Pantry has operated the largest number of convenience
           stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, and currently has
           approximately twice the number of stores as its largest competitor.
           Throughout its operating history, The Pantry has captured many prime
           locations in its market areas. The Pantry's geographically
           concentrated store base in North Carolina and South Carolina
           generates operational and marketing efficiencies and enhances its
           negotiating position with suppliers.

     .     Attractive markets. North Carolina and South Carolina are among the
           fastest growing states in terms of population, employment and gross
           state product. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of
           these two states increased 8.5% for the period from 1990 through
           1996, compared to the national average of 6.4% over the same period.
           According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in these
           two states increased 7.8% for the period from 1990 through 1996,
           compared to the national average of 6.7% over the same period.
           According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the gross state product
           of these two states increased 12.6% for the period from 1990 through
           1994, compared to the national average of 8.2% during the same
           period. Additionally, approximately 23% of The Pantry stores are
           located in coastal resort areas which attract vacationing customers,
           who tend to shop more frequently at convenience stores and are less
           sensitive to prices than local populations.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     .     Experienced management. Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal
           1996, The Pantry hired a new management team led by Peter J. Sodini.
           This team, with an average of 31 years of experience in various
           retailing industries, has been successful in improving The Pantry's
           operating and financial performance. Specific strategies implemented
           by The Pantry's new senior management team include: improving
           merchandising and supplier relationships, increasing expense
           controls, repositioning and rebranding gasoline operations,
           completing "tuck in" acquisitions, upgrading store facilities and
           increasing management depth to facilitate The Pantry's growth plans.

     .     Branded gasoline offerings. The Pantry derives significant benefits
           from offering such branded gasolines as Amoco, British Petroleum
           (BP), Exxon, Shell and Texaco at 314 locations. Such benefits include
           increased customer traffic, higher gasoline margins, improved
           merchandise sales and a built-in credit card customer base. In
           addition, The Pantry receives reimaging allowances and marketing
           support from these branded gasoline suppliers which are used to
           upgrade facilities and maintain The Pantry's attractive customer
           image.

     .     Attractive customer image. The Pantry prides itself on building a
           local, repeat customer base by emphasizing competitive prices, fully
           stocked stores, prompt and friendly customer service, cleanliness and
           safety at convenient, well-lighted locations. The Pantry's new
           merchandising programs, which offer expanded product selections
           tailored to local markets, have increased merchandise sales, gross
           margins and inventory turnover.

     Lil' Champ. Lil' Champ is a leading operator of convenience stores in
Florida and the largest convenience store operator in northern Florida. Lil'
Champ's 488 stores, operated under the name "Lil' Champ", are located primarily
in northern Florida and Georgia, with 151 stores concentrated in the
Jacksonville, Florida area. Like The Pantry, Lil' Champ stores offer a broad
selection of affordable, high quality merchandise and services. Self-service
gasoline is sold at 434 Lil' Champ stores, 202 of which sell gasoline under
brand names including British Petroleum (BP), Chevron, Fina, and Texaco. In
addition, Lil' Champ has developed a food service operation which includes 49 
in-store quick service restaurants ("QSRs") offering national brands such as
Taco Bell, A&W Root Beer, Long John Silver's and Pizza Hut. Since fiscal 1994,
merchandise sales (including commissions from services) and gasoline sales have
averaged approximately 46% and 54% of total revenues, respectively. Management
believes Lil' Champ's strong financial performance is a result of the following
key strengths:

     .     Leading market position. As the largest convenience store chain in
           northern Florida, Lil' Champ has a strong regional identity. In its
           core Jacksonville, Florida market area, Lil' Champ operates 151
           stores, approximately three times as many stores as its largest
           competitor. Lil' Champ's geographically concentrated store base in
           northern Florida generates operational and marketing efficiencies and
           enhances its negotiating position with suppliers.

     .     Attractive markets. Northern Florida is a rapidly growing market for
           convenience stores. Lil' Champ stores are located predominantly in
           Florida, which is one of the fastest growing states in terms of
           population, employment and gross state product. According to the U.S.
           Census Bureau, the population of Florida increased 10.6% for the
           period from 1990 through 1996, compared to the national average of
           6.4% over the same period. Jacksonville is among the fastest growing
           metropolitan areas in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau
           of Labor Statistics, employment in Florida increased 8.4% for the
           period from 1990 through 1996, compared to the national average of
           6.7% over the same period. According to the U.S. Department of
           Commerce, the gross state product of Florida increased 10.7% for the
           period from 1990 through 1994, compared to the national average of
           8.2% during the same period.

     .     Prime store locations. During its 26 years of operation, Lil' Champ
           has selectively chosen its store locations as new residential areas
           and interstate routes have been developed. Management believes that
           many of Lil' Champ's stores are in developed areas where current land
           prices and

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
           the unavailability of suitable plots make it difficult for
           competitors to replicate Lil' Champ's existing store base.

                              Operating Strategy

     Management's strategic goal is to continue to capitalize on and enhance the
Company's position as a leading convenience store retailer in the Southeast.
Management believes that the Company, with its established market positions,
extensive network of locations and attractive customer image, will have a
significant competitive advantage in generating operating efficiencies and
pursuing "tuck in" acquisitions. Management intends to continue utilizing
operating strategies that have been successfully employed at The Pantry.
Elements of management's strategic plan include the following:

     .     Focus on merchandising mix and margins. The Company's merchandising
           strategy is to offer a broader and more locally defined variety of
           products than is provided by other convenience stores, with
           particular emphasis on "fresh" food and beverage offerings, general
           merchandise and monthly promotional displays. This tailored product
           mix appeals to the tastes and needs of local customers and improves
           inventory turnover. During the summer season, for example, the
           Company's stores in resort areas carry more vacation oriented items
           such as large souvenir assortments, beachwear, beach toys and beach
           chairs. Furthermore, specific improvements have been implemented to
           enhance the breadth, quality and presentation of The Pantry's
           cigarette, coffee, prepared foods, general merchandise and novelty
           product offerings. These improvements have contributed to increases
           in merchandise sales and gross profit margin. Management believes
           there are opportunities to increase Lil' Champ's revenues and gross
           profit margin by applying elements of The Pantry's merchandising
           strategy to the Lil' Champ operations.

     .     Leverage relationships with suppliers. An important element of the
           Company's operating strategy is developing and maintaining strong
           relationships with its merchandise and gasoline suppliers. The Pantry
           represents an attractive distribution channel to suppliers given its
           geographically concentrated store base and demonstrated ability to
           increase its merchandise sales and gasoline volumes. These factors
           enhance The Pantry's ability to obtain favorable terms from key
           suppliers. Management believes opportunities exist to similarly
           leverage Lil' Champ's supply relationships, given its high geographic
           concentration. Moreover, management believes the consolidation of the
           purchasing power of The Pantry and Lil' Champ will lead to additional
           cost savings.

     .     Strengthen expense controls. The Pantry has significantly reduced its
           operating expenses as a percentage of sales by eliminating redundant
           positions, outsourcing certain non-core functions to third parties,
           renegotiating supply and service agreements and implementing improved
           employee training and retention, risk management and inventory shrink
           procedures and programs. Management believes that additional savings
           will be achieved by introducing The Pantry's expense control
           procedures in the Lil' Champ operations.

     .     Improve gasoline operations. The Company will continue to focus on
           improving gasoline sales volumes at existing locations through its
           "Major Market" improvement program. The program involves (i)
           increasing the competitiveness of The Pantry's gasoline pricing,
           while maintaining acceptable profit margins, (ii) upgrading gasoline
           facilities and equipment and (iii) selectively rebranding stores. The
           Pantry has successfully implemented this program at 100 stores in
           four markets (representing 40% of The Pantry's gasoline volume) as
           evidenced by increased comparable store gasoline volumes of
           approximately 25% at these stores for the six months ended September
           25, 1997 compared to the prior year period. As part of this effort,
           The Pantry is consolidating its gasoline purchasing among a select
           number of branded gasoline suppliers. Since February 1997, The Pantry
           has rebranded 71 stores with Shell gasoline pursuant to a long-term
           supply agreement and anticipates a total of 180 stores will be
           rebranded upon full implementation of the Shell rebranding program in
           1998. Benefits of consolidating gasoline purchases include

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
           lower costs through volume rebates as well as obtaining allowances
           from certain gas suppliers for advertising and reimaging, which
           includes upgrading gasoline equipment by installing multi-product
           dispensers ("MPDs") and pay-at-the-pump credit card readers
           ("CRINDs"). While Lil' Champ has historically maintained competitive
           gasoline prices, management believes that Lil' Champ can achieve cost
           savings and volume increases through similar gasoline equipment
           upgrades and rebranding. For example, only 29 Lil' Champ stores
           currently have CRINDs compared to 131 stores at The Pantry.

     .     Upgrade store facilities and equipment. The Pantry's store renovation
           program is an integral part of the Company's operating strategy. The
           Pantry continually evaluates the performance of individual stores and
           periodically upgrades store facilities and equipment based on sales
           volumes, the lease term for leased locations and management's
           assessment of the potential return on investment. Typical upgrades
           include improvements to interior fixtures and equipment for self-
           service food and beverages, interior lighting, in-store restrooms for
           customers and exterior lighting and signage. The upgrading program
           for The Pantry's gasoline operations typically includes upgrading
           canopies, the addition of automated gasoline dispensing and payment
           equipment to enhance customer convenience and service and the
           installation of underground petroleum storage tank ("UST") leak
           detection and other equipment in accordance with applicable
           Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") environmental regulations.
           The Pantry remodeled a total of 70 stores in seven markets in fiscal
           1997. The total cost of these remodels was $4.6 million, a portion of
           which was paid for by branded gasoline suppliers. Since remodeling,
           these stores have achieved merchandise sales and gasoline gallon
           increases of 7.3% and 22.6%, respectively, as compared to the
           comparable period of the prior year. At its Lil' Champ stores the
           Company intends to implement a program of cosmetic upgrades,
           including new paint and interior lighting, in addition to selectively
           upgrading gasoline facilities and equipment. Management believes that
           its store upgrade program offers an opportunity to improve the
           performance of Lil' Champ operations.

     .     Pursue "tuck in" acquisitions and new store development. Management
           believes there are opportunities to increase the Company's sales and
           gain operating efficiencies through store acquisitions and new store
           development. The Pantry's "tuck in" acquisition strategy focuses on
           acquiring individual stores or small chains within The Pantry's
           existing market area. The Pantry's "tuck in" acquisition program is
           complemented by new store development in existing markets with strong
           growth characteristics. By pursuing this growth strategy, the Company
           believes it can increase its market share and improve operating
           results, while taking advantage of such markets' favorable growth
           prospects. During the current fiscal year, The Pantry has acquired a
           total of 35 stores in five separate transactions, with aggregate
           annual revenues of $45.0 million. All of the acquired stores are in
           locations within The Pantry's existing markets. Management believes
           these acquisitions are made on favorable terms and will provide
           opportunities to improve merchandise sales, gross margins and
           gasoline volumes and eliminate overhead related to the acquired
           stores. The Company will continue to pursue this acquisition strategy
           in its primary markets including the newly acquired Lil' Champ
           markets.

                    Synergies of the Lil' Champ Acquisition

     Through the Lil' Champ Acquisition, management anticipates that the Company
will improve operating profit by (i) negotiating more favorable arrangements
with suppliers of merchandise and other services due to increased purchasing
volumes; (ii) concentrating Lil' Champ gasoline purchases among fewer suppliers
to achieve lower supply costs and more favorable advertising and reimaging
allowances; and (iii) reducing operating expenses through improved expense
controls, the elimination of certain overlapping administrative costs and the
renegotiation of outside service arrangements such as property and general
liability insurance, employee benefits, environmental services, equipment
purchasing and gas hauling. Although the operations of Lil' Champ are integrated
with The Pantry, the Company will continue to operate the Lil' Champ locations
under the "Lil' Champ" name in order to

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
capitalize on its strong regional identity.  There can be no assurance that such
synergies or cost savings will be realized or that there will not be delays in
achieving such synergies or cost savings.

                               The Transactions

     The Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Notes Offering and the Equity Investment.
On October 23, 1997, The Pantry purchased all of the capital stock of Lil' Champ
for $132.7 million in cash and repaid all outstanding indebtedness of Lil'
Champ. The purchase price, the refinancing of existing Lil' Champ debt, and the
fees and expenses of the Lil' Champ Acquisition were financed with the proceeds
from the offering of the Notes (the "Notes Offering"), cash on hand and the
purchase by existing stockholders and management of the Company of an additional
$32.4 million of the Company's capital stock in connection with the Lil' Champ
Acquisition (the "Equity Investment").

     The New Credit Facility. On October 23, 1997, the Company entered into a
new bank credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") consisting of a $45.0
million revolving credit facility and a $30.0 million acquisition facility. The
New Credit Facility has availability for letter of credit usage, is secured by
substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors and is
guaranteed by the Guarantors. See "Description of Other Indebtedness--New Credit
Facility."

     The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. On October 23, 1997, the
Company purchased $51.0 million in principal amount of the Company's 12% Series
B Senior Notes due 2000 (the "Senior Notes") at a purchase price of 110% of the
aggregate principal amount of each tendered Senior Note plus accrued and unpaid
interest up to, but not including, the date of purchase (the "Tender Offer").
The Company obtained consents (the "Consent Solicitation") from the holders of
the Senior Notes to amendments and waivers to certain of the covenants contained
in the indenture governing the Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes Indenture"). The
Senior Notes Indenture contains covenants including restrictions on the
Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness and make acquisitions. The
Company obtained consents to, among other things, permit the offering of the
Notes, the Lil' Champ Acquisition and the New Credit Facility described herein.
The consideration paid in respect of validly delivered, and not revoked,
consents was 1-3/4% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes for which
consents have been validly delivered and not revoked. See "Description of Other
Indebtedness--Senior Notes."

     The Notes Offering, the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Equity Investment, the
New Credit Facility, the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are sometimes
referred to herein collectively as the "Transactions."

                                 Risk Factors

     Holders of the Notes should consider carefully all of the information set
forth in this Prospectus, and in particular, the information set forth on page
15 under "Risk Factors" before tendering the Notes in exchange for the Exchange
Notes.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                            Terms of Exchange Notes

Issuer....................    The Pantry, Inc.

Securities Offered........    $200.0 million principal amount of 10 1/4% Senior
                              Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Exchange
                              Notes").

Maturity Date.............    October 15, 2007.

Interest Rate.............    The Exchange Notes will bear interest at a rate of
                              10 1/4% per annum.

Interest Payment Dates....    Interest will accrue on the Exchange Notes from
                              the date of issuance (the "Issue Date") and will
                              be payable semi-annually on each April 15 and
                              October 15, commencing April 15, 1998.

Ranking...................    The Exchange Notes will be general unsecured
                              obligations of the Company subordinate in right of
                              payment to all existing and future Senior
                              Indebtedness (as defined herein) of the Company
                              and senior in right of payment to any subordinated
                              indebtedness of the Company. The Exchange Notes
                              will be effectively subordinated to any secured
                              indebtedness of the Company. As of September 25,
                              1997, on a pro forma basis and after giving effect
                              to the consummation of the Notes Offering and the
                              Transactions, the aggregate principal amount of
                              all Senior Indebtedness would have been
                              approximately $50.3 million, and the Guarantors
                              would have had approximately $12.8 million of
                              Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein),
                              excluding guarantees of Senior Indebtedness. In
                              addition, the Company is permitted to incur Senior
                              Indebtedness of up to $75.0 million under the New
                              Credit Facility. As of September 25, 1997, $8.6
                              million of letters of credit were issued under the
                              New Credit Facility, and the Company could have
                              incurred an additional $66.4 million of Senior
                              Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility.

Guarantees................    The Exchange Notes will be unconditionally
                              guaranteed, on an unsecured senior subordinated
                              basis, as to the payment of principal, premium, if
                              any, and interest, jointly and severally (the
                              "Guarantees"), by all current and future direct
                              and indirect Restricted Subsidiaries of the
                              Company having either assets or stockholders'
                              equity in excess of $25,000 (the "Guarantors").
                              Each Guarantee will be subordinated to all
                              Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor.
                              The Exchange Notes will be structurally
                              subordinated to all indebtedness and other
                              liabilities of any of the Company's subsidiaries
                              that are not Guarantors. See "Description of the
                              Exchange Notes--Certain Covenants--Limitation on
                              Creation of Subsidiaries" and "Description of the
                              Exchange Notes--Guarantees."

Optional Redemption.......    The Exchange Notes will be redeemable at the
                              option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any
                              time on or after October 15, 2002, at the
                              redemption prices set forth herein plus accrued
                              interest to the date of redemption. In addition,
                              the Company, at its option, may redeem in the
                              aggregate up to 35% of the original principal
                              amount of the Exchange Notes at any time and from
                              time to time prior to October 15, 2000 at a
                              redemption price equal to 110.25% of the principal
                              amount thereof plus accrued interest to the
                              redemption date with the Net Proceeds of one or

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                              more Public Equity Offerings, provided that at
                              least $130.0 million principal amount of Exchange
                              Notes remains outstanding immediately after the
                              occurrence of any such redemption and that any
                              such redemption occurs within 60 days following
                              the closing of any such Public Equity Offering.

Change of Control.........    In the event of a Change of Control (as defined
                              herein), the Company will be required to make an
                              offer to purchase all outstanding Exchange Notes
                              at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount
                              thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
                              date of repurchase. See "Description of the
                              Exchange Notes--Change of Control Offer." There
                              can be no assurance that the Company will have
                              sufficient funds or will be contractually
                              permitted by outstanding Senior Indebtedness to
                              pay the required purchase price for any or all
                              Exchange Notes tendered by holders upon a Change
                              of Control.

Certain Covenants.........    The Indenture will contain covenants for the
                              benefit of the holders of the Exchange Notes that,
                              among other things, restrict the ability of the
                              Company and any Restricted Subsidiaries (as
                              defined) to: (i) incur additional Indebtedness;
                              (ii) pay dividends and make distributions; (iii)
                              issue stock of subsidiaries; (iv) make certain
                              investments; (v) repurchase stock; (vi) create
                              liens; (vii) enter into transactions with
                              affiliates; (viii) enter into sale and leaseback
                              transactions; (ix) merge or consolidate the
                              Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (x)
                              transfer and sell assets. These covenants are
                              subject to a number of important exceptions. See
                              "Description of the Exchange Notes--Certain
                              Covenants."

Exchange Offer; Registration
Rights....................    Holders of Exchange Notes are not entitled to any
                              exchange rights with respect to the Exchange
                              Notes. Holders of Notes are entitled to certain
                              exchange rights pursuant to the Exchange Offer
                              Registration Rights Agreement. Under the Exchange
                              Offer Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
                              is required to offer to exchange the Notes for the
                              Exchange Notes having substantially identical
                              terms which have been registered under the
                              Securities Act. This Exchange Offer is intended to
                              satisfy such obligation. The form and terms of the
                              Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms
                              of the Notes in all material respects except that
                              the Exchange Notes have been registered under the
                              Securities Act and hence do not include certain
                              rights to registration thereunder and do not
                              contain transfer restrictions or terms with
                              respect to the special interest payments
                              applicable to the Notes. Once the Exchange Offer
                              is consummated, the Company will have no further
                              obligations to register any of the Notes not
                              tendered by the Holders for exchange. See "Risk
                              Factors--Consequences to Non-Tendering Holders of
                              Notes".

Use of Proceeds...........    The Company will not receive any proceeds from the
                              Exchange Offer.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                              The Exchange Offer

The Exchange Offer........    $1,000 principal amount of Exchange Notes in
                              exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of
                              Notes. As of the date hereof, $200.0 million in
                              aggregate principal amount of Notes were
                              outstanding. The Company will issue the Exchange
                              Notes to Holders on or promptly after the
                              Expiration Date.

                              Based on an interpretation by the staff of the
                              Commission set forth in no-action letters issued
                              to third parties, the Company believes that
                              Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange
                              Offer in exchange for Notes may be offered for
                              resale, resold and otherwise transferred by
                              Holders thereof without compliance with the
                              registration and prospectus delivery provisions of
                              the Securities Act provided that such Exchange
                              Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such
                              holders' business and such holders have no
                              arrangement with any person to participate in the
                              distribution of such Exchange Notes. However, the
                              Company does not intend to request the Commission
                              to consider, and the Commission has not
                              considered, the Exchange Offer in a no-action
                              letter and there can be no assurance that the
                              Commission would make a similar determination with
                              respect to the Exchange Offer. However, any Holder
                              who is an "affiliate" of the Company or who
                              intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for
                              the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes (i)
                              cannot rely on the interpretation by the staff of
                              the Commission set forth in the above referenced
                              no-action letters, (ii) cannot tender its Notes in
                              the Exchange Offer, and (iii) must comply with the
                              registration and prospectus delivery requirements
                              of the Securities Act in connection with any sale
                              or transfer of the Notes, unless such sale or
                              transfer is made pursuant to an exemption from
                              such requirements. See "Risk Factors--Consequences
                              to Non-Tendering Holders of Notes".

                              Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes
                              for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer
                              must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
                              in connection with any resale of such Exchange
                              Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
                              acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
                              broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
                              is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
                              Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be
                              amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
                              used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales
                              of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Notes
                              where such Notes were acquired by such broker-
                              dealer as a result of market-making activities or
                              other trading activities and not acquired directly
                              from the Company. The Company has agreed that for
                              a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it
                              will make this Prospectus available to any broker-
                              dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
                              See "Plan of Distribution."

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Expiration Date...........    5:00 p.m., New York City time, on ________ __,
                              1998, unless the Exchange Offer is extended, in
                              which case the term "Expiration Date" means the
                              latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer
                              is extended.

Interest on the Exchange 
 Notes; Accrued Interest 
 on the Notes.............    The Exchange Notes will bear interest from their
                              issuance date. Holders whose Notes are accepted
                              for exchange will receive, in cash, accrued
                              interest thereon to, but excluding, the issuance
                              date of the Exchange Notes. Such interest will be
                              paid with the first interest payment on the
                              Exchange Notes. Interest on the Notes accepted for
                              exchange will cease to accrue upon cancellation of
                              the Notes and issuance of the Exchange Notes.
                              Holders of Notes whose Notes are not exchanged
                              will receive the accrued interest payable 
                              on __________ __, 1998 on such date in accordance
                              with the terms of the Indenture.

Condition to the Exchange 
 Notes....................    The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
                              conditions. The conditions are limited and relate
                              in general to proceedings which have been
                              instituted or laws which have been adopted that
                              might impair the ability of the Company to proceed
                              with the Exchange Offer. As of ________ __, 1998, 
                              none of these events had occurred, and the Company
                              believes their occurrence to be unlikely. If any
                              such conditions do exist prior to the Expiration
                              Date, the Company may (i) refuse to accept any
                              Notes and return all previously tendered Notes,
                              (ii) extend the Exchange Offer or (iii) waive such
                              conditions. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions."

Procedures for Tendering 
 Notes....................    Each Holder of Notes wishing to accept the
                              Exchange Offer must complete, sign and date the
                              Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, in
                              accordance with the instructions contained herein
                              and therein, and mail or otherwise deliver such
                              Letter of Transmittal, or such facsimile, together
                              with such Notes to be exchanged and any other
                              required documentation to United States Trust
                              Company of New York, as Exchange Agent, at the
                              address set forth herein and therein or effect a
                              tender of such Notes pursuant to the procedures
                              for book-entry transfer as provided for herein. By
                              executing the Letter of Transmittal, each Holder
                              will represent to the Company that, among other
                              things, the Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to
                              the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the
                              ordinary course of business of the person
                              receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such
                              person is the Holder, that neither the Holder nor
                              any such other person has an arrangement or
                              understanding with any person to participate in
                              the distribution of such Exchange Notes and that
                              neither the Holder nor any such person is an
                              "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the
                              Securities Act, of the Company. Each broker-dealer
                              that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
                              in exchange for Notes, where such Notes were
                              acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
                              market-making activities or other trading

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                              activities and not acquired directly from the
                              Company, must acknowledge that it will deliver a
                              prospectus in connection with any resale of such
                              Exchange Notes. See "The Exchange Offer--
                              Procedures for Tendering" and "Plan of
                              Distribution."

Special Procedures for 
 Beneficial Owners........    Any beneficial owner whose Notes are registered in
                              the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank,
                              trust company or other nominee and who wishes to
                              tender such Notes in the Exchange Offer should
                              contact such registered Holder promptly and
                              instruct such registered Holder to tender on such
                              beneficial owner's behalf. If such beneficial
                              owner wishes to tender on such owner's own behalf,
                              such owner must, prior to completing and executing
                              the Letter of Transmittal and delivering its
                              Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to
                              register ownership of the Notes in such owner's
                              name or obtain a properly completed bond power
                              from the registered Holder. The transfer of
                              registered ownership may take considerable time
                              and may not be able to be completed prior to the
                              Expiration Date. See "The Exchange Offer--
                              Procedures for Tendering."

Guaranteed Delivery 
 Procedures...............    Holders of Notes who wish to tender their Notes
                              and whose Notes are not immediately available or
                              who cannot deliver their Notes, the Letter of
                              Transmittal or any other documents required by the
                              Letter of Transmittal to United States Trust
                              Company of New York, as Exchange Agent, or cannot
                              complete the procedure for book-entry transfer,
                              prior to the Expiration Date must tender their
                              Notes according to the guaranteed delivery
                              procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--
                              Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."

Withdrawal Rights.........    Tenders may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00
                              p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

Acceptance of Notes and
 Delivery of Exchange 
 Notes....................    The Company will accept for exchange any and all
                              Notes which are properly tendered in the Exchange
                              Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
                              the Expiration Date. The Exchange Notes issued
                              pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be delivered
                              promptly following the Expiration Date. Any Notes
                              not accepted for exchange will be returned without
                              expense to the tendering Holder thereof as
                              promptly as practicable after the expiration or
                              termination of the Exchange Offer. See "The
                              Exchange Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."

Certain Tax 
 Considerations...........    The exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will
                              not be a taxable event for Federal income tax
                              purposes.  See "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
                              Considerations."

Exchange Agent............    United States Trust Company of New York is serving
                              as Exchange Agent in connection with the Exchange
                              Offer.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
General

     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1801 Douglas
Drive, Sanford, North Carolina 27331-1410 and its telephone number is (919) 774-
6700.

                            Additional Information

     For additional information regarding the Exchange Notes, see "Description
of Exchange Notes" and "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
           Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information of
                           The Pantry and Lil' Champ

     The following summary historical statement of operations data have been
derived from the audited financial statements of The Pantry and Lil' Champ. The
unaudited pro forma financial data for the year ended September 25, 1997
includes the historical results of The Pantry and give effect to the
Transactions and other acquisitions/ dispositions as if they had occurred on
September 25, 1997, for purposes of the balance sheet data, and on September 27,
1996, for purposes of the statement of operations data. See "Summary--The
Transactions." The selected financial data for Lil' Champ for the nine months
ended September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997 are derived from financial
statements that have not been audited. In the opinion of management, the
unaudited financial data for Lil' Champ includes all adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial position and results of operations for these periods. The results of
operations for these periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of
operations for any future period. The information contained in this table should
be read in conjunction with The Pantry's audited consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto at September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997 and
for each of the three years in the period ended September 25, 1997 and Lil'
Champ's audited financial statements and notes thereto at December 30, 1995 and
December 28, 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
28, 1996 included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Pantry                                                               
                                                                       
                                                                       
                                                                                                  Pro Forma   
                                                          Year Ended                              Year Ended   
                                --------------------------------------------------------------    September  
                                September     September    September    September   September        25,    
                                 30, 1993     29, 1994     28, 1995     26, 1996    25, 1997       1997(a)  
                                ----------    ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------    ---------- 
                                (53 weeks)    (52 weeks)   (52 weeks)   (52 weeks)  (52 weeks)
                                                     (dollars in thousands)
<S>                             <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>           <C> 
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues:
  Merchandise sales..........    $191,881      $189,244     $187,380     $188,091    $202,440      $ 443,571
  Gasoline sales.............     175,690       175,083      187,165      192,737     220,166        525,060
  Commissions................       4,362         4,466        4,516        3,979       4,787         13,379
                                 --------      --------     --------     --------    --------      ---------
 
Total revenues...............     371,933       368,793      379,061      384,807     427,393        982,010
Cost of Sales:
  Merchandise................     126,352       123,142      121,976      125,979     132,846        291,982
  Gasoline...................     154,617       153,476      161,179      167,610     197,268        472,112
                                 --------      --------     --------     --------    --------      ---------
 
Gross profit.................      90,964        92,175       95,906       91,218      97,279        217,916
Store operating expenses.....      54,074        53,201       56,206       57,841      60,208        138,297
General and administrative                           
 expenses....................      16,840        17,893       18,159       17,127      16,796         31,451  
Environmental remediation           
 charges.....................         --            --           --           --          --           3,381(e) 
Restructuring charges........         --            --           --         2,184(d)      --             --
Impairment of long-lived         
 assets......................         --            --           --         3,034(d)      --             -- 
Income from operations.......      10,216        10,917       10,071        1,874      10,771         20,987           
Interest expense.............      (7,434)      (12,047)     (13,240)     (11,992)    (13,039)       (28,486)
Due diligence costs..........         --            --        (1,181)(c)      --          --
Net income (loss)............    $  2,633      $   (480)(b) $ (4,245)(b) $ (8,114)       (975)        (4,034)
Other Financial Data:
EBITDA (f)...................      20,594        22,030       22,252       15,590      21,568         50,827(g)
Ratio of earnings to fixed            
 charges (h).................         1.3x          --           --           --          --             -- 
Ratio of EBITDA to Interest           
 Expense.....................         2.8x          1.8x         1.7x         1.3x        1.7x           1.8x 
Net cash provided by (used in):
  Operating activities.......      14,423        (4,120)      11,903        5,415       7,338         19,195
  Investing activities.......      (9,788)      (10,612)     (15,281)      (7,204)    (25,079)      (163,141)
  Financing activities.......      (2,302)       25,955         (950)      (3,872)     15,750        157,661
Capital expenditures.........      11,193         9,862       16,650        7,084      14,749         30,131
 
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                           As of September 25,
                                                                  1997
                                                         -----------------------
                                                         Historical    Pro Forma
                                                         ----------   ----------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>
Balance Sheet Data:                               
Working capital (deficit).............................      (8,245)       5,595
Total assets..........................................     142,799      383,013
Total debt (i)........................................     101,302      263,129
Shareholders' equity (deficit)........................     (17,873)       7,205
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lil' Champ                                                   Year Ended                                Nine Months Ended
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------
                                    December     December     December     December     December    September    September
                                    26, 1992     25, 1993     31, 1994     30, 1995     28, 1996     28, 1996     28, 1996
                                   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                   (52 weeks)   (52 weeks)   (53 weeks)   (52 weeks)   (52 weeks)   (39 weeks)   (39 weeks)
                                                       (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Statement of Operations Data:  
Revenues:                      
 Merchandise sales.............     $212,110     $209,741     $212,310     $217,282     $226,146     $171,322     $177,426
 Gasoline sales................      229,709      237,714      248,507      257,056      278,905      207,208      214,676
 Commissions...................        6,616        7,645        7,683        7,978        8,164        5,979        5,971
                                    --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Total revenues.................      448,435      455,100      468,500      482,316      513,215      384,509      398,073
Cost of Sales:                 
 Merchandise...................      137,483      137,547      139,054      143,598      148,877      112,909      116,879
 Gasoline......................      209,252      211,212      219,736      227,592      251,614      186,110      193,499
                                    --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
Gross profit...................      101,700      106,341      109,710      111,126      112,724       85,490       87,695
Store operating expenses.......       65,785       66,698       68,524       70,289       73,721       55,486       56,339
General and administrative         
 expenses......................       16,160       16,418       17,965       15,452       14,191       11,397       12,581
Environmental remediation                                                                                                
 charges.......................          --           --           --           --           --           --         3,381 (e)
Income from operations.........        7,239       11,095       11,267       13,817       13,451       10,168        6,405
Interest expense...............       (5,358)      (4,684)      (3,938)      (3,219)      (2,670)      (1,994)      (1,712)
Net income.....................     $  1,534     $  4,505     $  5,326     $  7,486     $  7,447     $  5,417     $  3,058
</TABLE>

- ---------------------

(a) Pro forma amounts reflect the Lil' Champ Acquisition, Notes Offering, Equity
    Investment, and Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation.  See "Unaudited Pro
    Forma Financial Data."

(b) In fiscal 1994, The Pantry recorded an extraordinary loss of $671,000, net
    of taxes, related to the early extinguishment of debt. In fiscal 1995, The
    Pantry adopted, SFAS No. 112, "Employer's Accounting for Postretirement
    Benefits," and, as a result, recorded a cumulative effect for a change in
    accounting principle of $(960,000), net of taxes.

(c) During fiscal 1995, The Pantry expended $1,181,000 in due diligence costs
    related to the evaluation of the potential purchase of a regional
    convenience store company.  The proposed transaction was abandoned and, as a
    result, the costs incurred in connection with the prospective acquisition
    were charged to earnings in fiscal 1995.

(d) During 1996, The Pantry recorded restructuring charges of $2,184,000
    pursuant to a formal plan to restructure its corporate offices. The costs
    include: $1,484,000 for employee severance; $350,000 for employee moving
    costs; and $350,000 for charges associated with the investment by FS&Co. and
    CMC. Substantially all of these amounts were expended during fiscal 1996.

    During fiscal 1996, The Pantry early-adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for
    the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
    Of." Pursuant to SFAS No. 121, The Pantry evaluated its long-lived assets
    for impairment on a store-by-store basis by comparing the sum of the
    projected future undiscounted cash flows attributable to each store to the
    carrying value of the long-lived assets (including an allocation of
    goodwill, if appropriate) of that store. Based on this evaluation, The
    Pantry determined that certain long-lived assets were impaired and recorded
    an impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying value and
    the fair value of property and equipment and goodwill of $415,000 and
    $2,619,000, respectively.

(e) During the nine months ended September 27, 1997, Lil' Champ performed a
    comprehensive review of the status of its stores as it relates to
    environmental remediation and recorded an additional charge of
    $3,381,000.  

(f) "EBITDA" represents income (loss) before depreciation and amortization,
    interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), restructuring charges,
    impairment of long-lived assets, extraordinary loss, cumulative effect of
    change in accounting principle, the write-off of due

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
    diligence costs incurred in connection with a potential purchase of a
    regional convenience store company that was abandoned in 1995, and a 1997
    charge for establishing a reserve for environmental remediation.  EBITDA is
    not a measure of performance under generally accepted accounting principles,
    and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from
    operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data prepared
    in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as a measure
    of profitability or liquidity.  The Company has included information
    concerning EBITDA as one measure of an issuer's historical ability to
    service debt.  EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more
    meaningful than, income from operations or cash flow as an indication of the
    Company's operating performance.

(g) Pro forma EBITDA, as presented, includes the effect of the pro forma
    adjustments and does not reflect certain additional adjustments which
    management believes are relevant to evaluating the future operating
    performance of the Company.  The following additional adjustments, which
    eliminate the impact of certain nonrecurring charges and reflect the
    estimated impact of management's business and operating strategy, are based
    on estimates and assumptions made and believed to be reasonable by the
    Company and are inherently uncertain and subject to change.  There can be no
    assurance that the estimated impact of management's business and operating
    strategy will be realized or that there will not be delays in achieving the
    estimated improvements or enhancements described below.  The following
    calculation should not be viewed as indicative of actual or future results.
    The following table reflects the effects of these items:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended
                                                               September 25,
                                                                   1997
                                                               -------------
 
     <S>                                                       <C>  
     Pro forma EBITDA.........................................    $50,827
     Additional adjustments:                                  
      Nonrecurring noncompete payments(1).....................        500
      Improvement in gross profit(2)..........................      2,700
      Improvement in store operating expense(3)...............      2,900
      Enhancements related to a certain other acquisition(4)..        600
                                                                  -------
       Total adjustments......................................      6,700
                                                                  -------
     Adjusted pro forma EBITDA................................    $57,527
                                                                  =======
</TABLE>
     ----------------------------------
     (1) In May 1990, DUSA purchased Huntley's Jiffy Stores ("Huntley's") and,
         in 1991, Huntley's was merged into Lil' Champ. In connection with this
         acquisition, Lil' Champ incurred a consulting fee payable to the
         Huntley family of approximately $0.5 million per year. This obligation
         expires in April 1998.

     (2) This adjustment gives effect to (i) a 1.0% improvement (as a percent of
         merchandise sales, excluding cigarette sales), or $1.7 million, in Lil'
         Champ's merchandise gross margin and (ii) purchasing benefits to the
         Company of approximately $1.0 million as a result of the combined
         Company's increased purchasing volume. Management believes these
         improvements are achievable by applying The Pantry's merchandising and
         buying practices to the Lil' Champ operation and consolidating the
         Company's purchases. These savings are expected to be achieved through
         the renegotiation and consolidation of the Company's principal supply
         contracts, including those related to general merchandise and grocery,
         cigarettes, beer, coffee, magazines, and dairy.

     (3) This adjustment gives effect to a 1.25% improvement (as a percent of
         merchandise sales) in Lil' Champ's store operating expense margin,
         which management believes is achievable by implementing cost control
         programs at Lil' Champ similar to those successfully implemented at The
         Pantry beginning in fiscal 1996. These savings are expected to be
         achieved in the following areas: store labor, supplies, repair and
         maintenance, workers' compensation and general liability insurance.

     (4) This adjustment gives effect to enhancements made in connection with a
         certain other acquisition The Pantry has made, including store
         remodeling and conversions from unbranded to branded gasoline.

(h) For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges:  (i)
    earnings consist of income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense) and
    extraordinary items plus fixed charges and (ii) fixed charges consist of
    interest expense, amortization of deferred financing costs, preferred stock
    dividends and the portion of rental expense representative of interest
    (deemed to be one-third of rental expense).  The Pantry's earnings were
    inadequate to cover fixed charges by $0.2 million, $3.6 million, $10.8
    million and $1.0 million for fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
    respectively.  On a pro forma basis, The Pantry's earnings were inadequate
    to cover fixed charges by $4.8 million for the year ended September 25,
    1997.

(i) Total debt includes capital lease obligations.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
This Prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  All
statements other than statements of historical facts included in this
Prospectus, including without limitation, certain statements under the sections
"Summary", "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information of The
Pantry", "Selected Historical Financial Information of Lil' Champ," "Unaudited
Pro Forma Financial Data", "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations", "Business" and Pro Forma Consolidated
Financial Statements and the notes thereto located elsewhere herein regarding
the Company's financial position, business strategy, prospects and other related
matters, may constitute such forward-looking statements.  Although the Company
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be
correct.  Actual results could differ materially from the Company's expectations
as a result of a number of factors, including without limitation those set forth
below and those located elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                  RISK FACTORS

     In evaluating the Exchange Offer, Holders of the Notes should carefully
consider the following factors in addition to the other information contained in
this Prospectus.

Leverage and Liquidity; Loss History

     The Company is highly leveraged. The Company has entered into the indenture
governing the Notes (the "Indenture") pursuant to which it borrowed money in
order to finance the Lil' Champ Acquisition, refinance certain outstanding
indebtedness of Lil' Champ and refinance a portion of the Senior Notes. In
addition, the Company has entered into the New Credit Facility to provide
additional working capital for the Company. After giving effect to the
Transactions, the Company's consolidated indebtedness as of September 25, 1997
(including the remaining Senior Notes) would have been approximately $263.1
million. In addition, the Company is permitted to incur additional indebtedness
of up to $75.0 million under the New Credit Facility. As of September 25, 1997,
$8.6 million of letters of credit were issued under the New Credit Facility, and
the Company could have incurred an additional $66.4 million of Senior
Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility. This increased indebtedness of the
Company in comparison to that of The Pantry and Lil' Champ on a historical basis
may reduce the flexibility of the Company to respond to changing business and
economic conditions.

     The Company's high degree of leverage may have important consequences for
the Company, including: (i) the ability of the Company to obtain additional
financing for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures or other
purposes, if necessary, may be impaired or such financing may not be available
on terms favorable to the Company; (ii) a substantial portion of the Company's
cash flow will be used to pay the Company's interest expense and, after 1999,
for principal repayment, which will reduce the funds that would otherwise be
available to the Company for its operations and future business opportunities;
(iii) a decrease in net operating cash flows or an increase in expenses of the
Company could make it difficult for the Company to meet its debt service
requirements and force it to modify its operations; (iv) the Company may be more
highly leveraged than its competitors, which may place it at a competitive
disadvantage; and (v) the Company's high degree of leverage may make it more
vulnerable to a downturn in its business or the economy generally. If the
Company is unable to comply with the terms of its debt agreements and fails to
generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, it may be required
to refinance all or a portion of its existing debt or to obtain additional
financing. In addition, the Senior Notes mature in 2000 and the Company will
need to refinance the outstanding principal balance of the Senior Notes. There
can be no assurance that any such refinancing would be possible or that any
additional financing could be obtained, particularly in view of the Company's
anticipated high levels of debt, the fact that a significant portion of the
Company's assets will be given as collateral to secure senior indebtedness of
the Company and the debt incurrence restrictions under its existing debt
agreements. Any inability of the Company to service its indebtedness or obtain
additional financing, as needed, would have a material adverse effect on the
Company and could cause the Company to reduce its capital expenditure and
expansion activities. In addition, the Company could be forced to default on its
debt obligations and, as an ultimate remedy, seek protection under the federal
bankruptcy laws.

     The Pantry experienced net losses of $4.2 million, $8.1 million and $1.0
million for fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.  After giving effect to
the Transactions, the Company would have a net loss of $4.0 million (excluding
the effect of charges, net of tax, related to costs of the Tender Offer and
Consent Solicitation and write-off of deferred financing costs in connection
with the repurchase of $51.0 million of the Senior Notes ($4.6 million

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
and $1.4 million, respectively)) for fiscal 1997.  The Pantry's earnings were
inadequate to cover fixed charges in each of fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997 by $3.6
million, $10.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.  After giving effect to
the Transactions, the Company's earnings would be inadequate to cover fixed
charges for fiscal 1997 by $4.8 million.

Subordination of Notes, Exchange Notes and the Guarantees

     The Notes and the Guarantees are, and the Exchange Notes will be,
subordinated to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company and Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantors, respectively,
whether existing upon the consummation of the Notes Offering or thereafter
incurred. In addition, the Notes are, and the Exchange Notes will be,
subordinated to the Senior Notes in right of payment and the Guarantors will
guarantee, on a senior basis, the Senior Notes. As of September 25, 1997, on a
pro forma basis and after giving effect to the Transactions, the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all Senior Indebtedness would have been
approximately $50.3 million, and the Guarantors would have had approximately
$12.8 million of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (excluding guarantees of Senior
Indebtedness). In addition, the Company is permitted to incur Senior
Indebtedness of up to $75.0 million under the New Credit Facility. As of
September 25, 1997, $8.6 million of letters of credit were issued under the
New Credit Facility, and the Company could have incurred an additional $66.4
million of Senior Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility. The Notes are, and
the Exchange Notes will be, structurally subordinated to indebtedness and other
liabilities of any of the Company's subsidiaries that are not Guarantors. In the
event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or the
Guarantors, the assets of the Company and the Guarantors will be available to
pay obligations on the Notes and the Exchange Notes only after all Senior
Indebtedness and Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, as the case may be, have been
paid in full, and there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts
due on any or all of the Notes and the Exchange Notes then outstanding. The
indebtedness under the New Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien
on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors now owned
or hereafter acquired and is guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Company may not
pay principal or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or the Exchange Notes
if certain Senior Indebtedness, including indebtedness under the New Credit
Facility, is not paid when due unless such amount has been paid in full. In
addition, if any default occurs with respect to such Senior Indebtedness, and
certain other conditions are satisfied, the Company may not make any payments on
the Notes or the Exchange Notes for a designated period of time. Finally, if any
judicial proceeding is pending with respect to any such default in payment on
any Senior Indebtedness, or other default with respect to certain Senior
Indebtedness, including indebtedness under the New Credit Facility, or if the
maturity of the Notes or the Exchange Notes is accelerated because of a default
under the Indenture and such default constitutes a default with respect to any
Senior Indebtedness, the Company may not be able to make any payment on the
Notes or the Exchange Notes.

Restrictive Debt Covenants

     The Senior Notes Indenture and the New Credit Facility contain a number of
significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the
Company and its subsidiaries to (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay
dividends and make distributions; (iii) redeem or repurchase capital stock; (iv)
make loans and investments; (v) create liens; (vi) merge or consolidate the
Company or any of its subsidiaries; (vii) transfer and sell assets; (viii)
engage in transactions with affiliates; and (ix) alter the business the Company
conducts.  In addition, the New Credit Facility will also restrict the ability
of the Company to (a) prepay, redeem or purchase debt and (b) make capital
expenditures, and will require the Company to comply with financial covenants
with respect to (w) a minimum interest coverage ratio; (x) a minimum EBITDA; (y)
a maximum leverage ratio; and (z) a maximum capital expenditure allowance.

     The Indenture contains a number of covenants for the benefit of the holders
of the Notes that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and
any Restricted Subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay
dividends and make distributions; (iii) issue stock of subsidiaries; (iv) make
certain investments; (v) repurchase stock; (vi) create liens; (vii) enter into
transactions with affiliates; (viii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
(ix) merge or consolidate the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and (x)
transfer and sell assets. See "Description of Exchange Notes--Certain
Covenants."

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     The Company's ability to meet the financial ratios and financial tests
contained in the New Credit Facility can be affected by events beyond its
control, and there can be no assurance that the Company will meet those ratios
and tests.  A breach of any of the covenants under the Senior Notes Indenture,
the New Credit Facility or the Indenture could result in a default under the
Senior Notes Indenture, the New Credit Facility and/or the Indenture.  If an
event of default occurs under the Senior Notes Indenture, the New Credit
Facility or the Indenture, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts
outstanding thereunder, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due
and payable.  If the Company is unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under
the New Credit Facility could proceed against the collateral granted to them to
secure that indebtedness.  If the Company were unable to borrow under the New
Credit Facility due to a default or failure to meet certain specified borrowing
base prerequisites for borrowing, it could be left without sufficient liquidity.
See "Description of the Exchange Notes" and "Description of Other Indebtedness--
New Credit Facility."

Challenges of Business Integration

     The full benefits of a business combination of The Pantry and Lil' Champ
(and, to a lesser extent, the continuation by The Pantry of its "tuck in"
acquisition strategy) will require the integration of each company's
administrative, finance, sales and marketing organizations, the coordination of
each company's sales efforts, and the implementation of appropriate operations,
financial and management systems and controls in order to capture the
efficiencies and the cost reductions that are expected to result from the Lil'
Champ Acquisition. This will require substantial attention from the Company's
management team. The diversion of management attention, as well as any other
difficulties which may be encountered in the transition and integration process,
could have an adverse impact on the revenue and operating results of the
Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to integrate
the operations of The Pantry and Lil' Champ successfully. There can also be no
assurance that the synergies or cost savings expected to result from the Lil'
Champ Acquisition will be realized or that there will not be delays in achieving
such synergies or cost savings.

Dependence on Gasoline and Tobacco Sales

     Gasoline revenues have averaged approximately 50% of The Pantry's total
revenues and 54% of Lil' Champ's total revenues over the past three fiscal
years.  The volume of gasoline sold by the Company and the profit margins
associated with these sales are affected by numerous factors outside of the
Company's control, including the supply and demand for these products and the
pricing policies of competitors.

     Since the Company typically has no more than a seven-day supply of
gasoline, it is susceptible to interruptions in the supply of gasoline at its
facilities and to increases in the cost of gasoline. However, the Company has
not to date experienced a serious interruption in the supply of gasoline.
Although the Company can rapidly adjust its pump prices to reflect higher
gasoline costs, it can be adversely affected if it is required to reduce its
gasoline profit margins in such an environment. In addition, sharp increases in
gasoline prices have historically tended to lead to temporary declines in
gasoline sales volumes. The Company experienced rapid increases in gasoline
prices during the latter part of 1990, for example, due to a combination of the
effects of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and recessionary conditions in the United
States. Although the Company's results were adversely affected by these sharp
price increases, the effects of the increases were relatively brief as the
markets returned to normal within several months.

     In the future, unforeseeable interruptions in world fuel markets may cause
shortages in, or a total curtailment of, fuel supplies.  Moreover, a substantial
portion of the oil refining capacity in the United States is controlled by major
oil companies.  These companies could in the future determine to limit the
amount of gasoline sold to independent operators such as the Company.  In
addition, any new standards that the EPA may impose on refiners that would
necessitate changes in the refining process could limit the volume of petroleum
products available from refiners in the future.  A material decrease in the
volume of gasoline sold for an extended time period would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.  Similarly, an extended
period of instability in the price of gasoline could adversely affect the
Company's results.  See "Business--Gasoline Operations."

     Sales of tobacco products have averaged approximately 13% of The Pantry's
total revenues and 11% of Lil' Champ's total revenues over the past three fiscal
years.  National and local campaigns to discourage smoking

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
in the United States, as well as increases in taxes on cigarettes and other
tobacco products, may have a material impact on the Company's sales of tobacco
products and there can be no assurance that such sales levels can be maintained.
In addition, the pending national tobacco settlement could lead to price
increases for tobacco products as well as restrictions on promotional
activities, which could adversely impact the Company's financial performance.
The Company would attempt to pass any price or tax increases on to its
customers, but there can be no assurance that doing so would not adversely and
significantly affect demand.  See "Business--Merchandise Sales."

Competition

     The convenience store and retail gasoline industries are highly
competitive. The performance of individual stores can be affected by changes in
traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing stores. Major
competitive factors include, among others, location, ease of access, gasoline
brands, pricing, product and service selections, customer service, store
appearance, cleanliness and safety. In addition, factors such as inflation,
increased labor and benefit costs and the availability of experienced management
and hourly employees may adversely affect the convenience store industry in
general and the Company's stores in particular.

     The Company competes with numerous other convenience store chains,
franchisees of other convenience stores chains, local owner-operated convenience
stores and grocery stores, and convenience stores owned and operated by major
oil companies. In addition, the Company's stores offering self-service gasoline
compete with gasoline service stations, including service stations operated by
major oil companies. The Company's stores also compete to some extent with
supermarket chains, drug stores, fast food operations and other similar retail
outlets. In some of the Company's markets, certain competitors, particularly
major oil companies, have been in existence longer and have substantially
greater financial, marketing and other resources than the Company. See
"Business--Competition."

Effects of Weather, Seasonality and Regional Concentration

     Weather conditions in the Company's operating area have a significant
effect on its operating results. When weather conditions are favorable,
particularly during the spring and summer vacation season, customers are more
likely to purchase higher profit margin items at the Company's stores, such as
fast foods, fountain drinks and other beverages, and more gasoline at its
gasoline locations. As a result, the Company typically generates higher revenues
and gross margins during warmer weather months, which fall within the Company's
third and fourth quarters. If weather conditions are not favorable during these
periods, the Company's operating results and cash flow from operations would be
adversely affected. Over the past five years, The Pantry averaged 65% of its
EBITDA in the second half of its fiscal year. In addition, the Company has a
significant number (19%) of stores concentrated in coastal areas in the
southeastern United States, and is therefore exposed to risks associated with
the weather conditions at these areas. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Quarterly Results and
Seasonality." Substantially all of the Company's stores are located in the
Southeast region. As a result, the Company's results of operations are subject
to a significant degree to general economic conditions in that region and in the
event of an economic downturn in the Southeast, the Company's financial
condition could be adversely impacted.

Environmental Matters

     The Company's business is subject to extensive federal, state and local
government regulations, including regulations relating to building, zoning and
environmental requirements, particularly environmental laws regulating USTs.
Federal, state and local regulatory authorities have adopted regulations
governing USTs, a portion of which are being phased in over a period extending
to December 1998.  The UST regulations require the Company to make significant
expenditures for compliance with corrosion protection requirements and required
spill/overfill equipment by December 1998.  Failure to comply with any of such
laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on the Company.  The
Company anticipates it will spend an aggregate $5.5 million in 1998 to comply
with these regulations.

     Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations,
the Company, as the owner or operator of its locations, may be liable for the
costs of removal or remediation of contamination at these or its

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
former locations, without regard to whether it knew of, or was responsible for,
the presence of such contamination.  The failure to properly remediate such
contamination may subject the Company to liability to third parties and may
adversely affect the ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow money
using such property as collateral.  Additionally, persons who arrange for the
disposal or treatment of certain hazardous or toxic substances may also be
liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at sites where
they are located, whether or not such site is owned or operated by such person.
Although the Company does not typically arrange for the treatment or disposal of
such hazardous substances, the Company may be considered as having arranged for
the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, may
be liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other related
costs, including governmental fines, and injuries to persons, property and
natural resources.

     The Company estimates that its expenditures for remediation over the next
five years will be approximately $4.5 million. In addition, a substantial amount
will be expended for remediation on behalf of the Company by state trust funds
established in the Company's operating areas or other responsible third parties
(including insurers). To the extent such third parties do not pay for
remediation as anticipated by the Company, the Company will be obligated to make
such payments, which could materially adversely affect the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. Reimbursements from state trust funds will
be dependent on the continued solvency of these funds. The State of Florida
trust fund will cease accepting new claims for reimbursement for releases
discovered after December 31, 1998. However, the State of Florida trust fund
will continue to reimburse claims for remedial work performed on sites that were
accepted into its program before December 31, 1998. Historically, a significant
portion of the Lil' Champ environmental claims have been covered by this trust
fund. As a result, the Company will have to rely on private indemnity, available
third-party insurance or self insure with respect to certain future UST related
problems at its Florida store locations. Under the Acquisition Agreement, the
Company has no recourse against Docks U.S.A., Inc., the former stockholder of
Lil' Champ, for environmental liabilities and is required to indemnify it
against any environmental liabilities arising from past or future operations of
Lil' Champ. The Company may incur additional substantial expenditures for
remediation of contamination that has not been discovered at existing locations
or locations which the Company may acquire in the future. There can be no
assurance that the Company has identified all environmental liabilities at all
of its current and former locations; that material environmental conditions not
known to the Company do not exist; that future laws, ordinances or regulations
will not impose material environmental liability on the Company, or that a
material environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more
of the Company's locations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
of Operations and Financial Condition--Liquidity and Capital Resources," and
"Business--Government Regulation and Environmental Matters."

Government Regulation

     The Company's operations are subject to federal and state laws governing
such matters as wage rates, overtime, working conditions, citizenship
requirements and alcohol and tobacco sales. A violation of these laws could
adversely impact the Company's financial condition. At the federal level, there
are proposals under consideration from time to time to increase minimum wage
rates and to introduce a system of mandated health insurance which could
adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations and
such impact could be material. See "Business--Government Regulation and
Environmental Matters."

Control of Company

     Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated, through its affiliated investment funds
(collectively, "FS&Co."), controls approximately 83% of the voting securities of
the Company on a fully diluted basis.  As a result, FS&Co. has the ability to
control the Company's management, policies and financing decisions.  See
"Management" and "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners."

Change of Control

     Upon a Change of Control, the Company will be required to offer to
repurchase all of the outstanding Notes and Exchange Notes at 101% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase. There
can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient funds available or
will be permitted by its other debt agreements to repurchase the Notes and
Exchange Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control. In

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
addition, a Change of Control may cause a default under the New Credit Facility
and other Senior Indebtedness of the Company, in which case the subordination
provisions of the Notes and Exchange Notes would require payment in full of all
such Senior Indebtedness of the Company before repurchase of the Notes and
Exchange Notes.  See "Description of the Exchange Notes--Subordination" and
"Description of the Exchange Notes--Change of Control Offer."  The inability to
repay Senior Indebtedness, if accelerated, and to repurchase all of the tendered
Notes and Exchange Notes, would constitute an event of default under the
Indenture.

Lack of Public Market for the Exchange Notes

     The Exchange Notes are being offered to the Holders of the Notes.  Prior to
this Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the Notes.  The Company
does not intend to apply for listing of the Exchange Notes on any securities
exchange or for quotation through the Nasdaq National Market.  The Initial
Purchasers have informed the Company that they currently intend to make a market
in the Exchange Notes.  However, the Initial Purchasers are not obligated to do
so and any such market making may be discontinued at any time without notice.
Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will
develop or be maintained for the Exchange Notes.  As the Notes were issued and
the Exchange Notes are being issued to a limited number of institutions who
typically hold similar securities for investment, the Company does not expect
that an active public market for the Exchange Notes will develop.  In addition,
resales by certain holders of the Notes or the Exchange Notes of a substantial
percentage of the aggregate principal amount of such notes could constrain the
ability of any market maker to develop or maintain a market for the Exchange
Notes.  To the extent that a market for the Exchange Notes should develop, the
market value of the Exchange Notes will depend on prevailing interest rates, the
market for similar securities and other factors, including the financial
condition, performance and prospects of the Company.  Such factors might cause
the Exchange Notes to trade at a discount from face value.

Fraudulent Conveyance

     The incurrence by the Company of indebtedness such as the Exchange Notes
may be subject to review under relevant state and federal fraudulent conveyance
laws if a bankruptcy case or lawsuit is commenced by or on behalf of unpaid
creditors of the Company. Under these laws, if a court were to find that, after
giving effect to the sale of the Notes, the application of the net proceeds
therefrom, and the issuance of the Exchange Notes, either (a) the Company
incurred such indebtedness with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding
creditors or contemplated insolvency with a design to prefer one or more
creditors to the exclusion in whole or in part of others or (b) the Company
received less than reasonably equivalent value or consideration for incurring
such indebtedness and (i) was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such
transactions, (ii) was engaged in a business or transaction for which the assets
remaining with the Company constituted unreasonably small capital or (iii)
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to
pay such debts as they matured, such court may subordinate such indebtedness to
presently existing and future indebtedness of the Company, avoid the issuance of
such indebtedness and direct the repayment of any amounts paid thereunder to the
Company's creditors or take other action detrimental to the holders of such
indebtedness.

     The Company's obligations under the Notes are, and the Exchange Notes will
be, guaranteed by the Guarantors. The incurrence by a Guarantor of a Guarantee
may be subject to review under relevant state and federal fraudulent conveyance
laws if a bankruptcy case or lawsuit is commenced by or on behalf of unpaid
creditors of such Guarantor. Under these laws, if a court were to find that
either (a) a Guarantee was incurred by a Guarantor with the intent of hindering,
delaying or defrauding creditors or such Guarantor contemplated insolvency with
a desire to prefer one or more creditors to the exclusion in whole or in part of
others or (b) such Guarantor received less than reasonably equivalent value or
consideration for incurring such Guarantee and (i) was insolvent or rendered
insolvent by reason of such transaction, (ii) was engaged in a business or
transaction for which the assets remaining with such Guarantor constituted
unreasonably small capital or (iii) intended to incur, or believed that it would
incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they matured, such court
may subordinate such Guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of
such Guarantor, avoid the issuance of such Guarantee and direct the repayment of
any amounts paid thereunder to such Guarantor's creditors or take other action
detrimental to the holders of such Guarantee. A legal challenge of a Guarantee
on fraudulent conveyance grounds,

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
may, among other things, focus on the benefits, if any, realized by the
Guarantor as a result of the issuance by the Company of the Notes and the
Exchange Notes.

     To the extent any Guarantee were avoided as a fraudulent conveyance or held
unenforceable for any other reason, holders of the Notes and the Exchange Notes
would cease to have any claim in respect of such Guarantor and would be
creditors solely of the Company and any Guarantor whose Guarantee was not
avoided or held unenforceable.  In such event, the claims of the holders of the
applicable Notes and the Exchange Notes against the issuer of an invalid
Guarantee would be subject to the prior payment of all liabilities and preferred
stock claims of such Guarantor.  There can be no assurance that, after providing
for all prior claims and preferred stock interests, if any, there would be
sufficient assets to satisfy the claims of the holders of the applicable Notes
and the Exchange Notes relating to any voided portions of any of the Guarantees.

     The measure of insolvency for purposes of determining whether a transfer is
avoidable as a fraudulent transfer varies depending upon the law of the
jurisdiction which is being applied.  Generally, however, a debtor would be
considered insolvent if the sum of all its liabilities, including contingent
liabilities, were greater than the value of all its property at a fair
valuation, or if the present fair saleable value of the debtor's assets were
less than the amount required to repay its probable liabilities on its debts,
including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and matured.

     Based upon financial and other information currently available to it,
management of the Company believes that the indebtedness to be retired with the
proceeds of the Notes Offering was, and the Notes, the Exchange Notes and the
Guarantees are being, incurred for proper purposes and in good faith and that at
the time it incurred the indebtedness to be retired with the proceeds of the
Notes Offering the Company was, and at the time the Notes, the Exchange Notes
and the Guarantees are issued the Company and each Guarantor, as the case may
be, will be, (i) neither insolvent nor rendered insolvent thereby, (ii) in
possession of sufficient capital to run its business effectively and (iii)
incurring debts within its ability to pay as the same mature or become due.  See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources." In reaching these conclusions, the
Company has relied upon various valuations and estimates of future cash flow
that necessarily involve a number of assumptions and choices of methodology.  No
assurance can be given, however, that the assumptions and methodologies chosen
by the Company would be adopted by a court or that a court would concur with the
Company's conclusions.

Consequences to Non-Tendering Holders of Notes and Requirements for Transfer of
Exchange Notes

     Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company will have no further
obligation to register the Notes.  Thereafter, any Holder of Notes who does not
tender its Notes in the Exchange Offer, including any Holder which is an
"affiliate" (as that term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of the
Company which cannot tender its Notes in the Exchange Offer, will continue to
hold restricted securities which may not be offered, sold or otherwise
transferred, pledged or hypothecated except pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144 A
under the Securities Act or pursuant to any other exemption from registration
under the Securities Act relating to the disposition of securities, provided
that an opinion of counsel is furnished to the Company that such an exemption is
available.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     This Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy certain of the Company's
obligations under the Exchange Offer Registration Rights Agreement.  The Company
will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Notes
offered in the Exchange Offer.  In consideration for issuing the Exchange Notes
as contemplated in this Prospectus, the Company will receive in exchange Notes
in like principal amount, the form and terms of which are the same in all
material respects as the form and terms of the Exchange Notes except that the
Exchange Notes have been registered under the Securities Act and do not contain
transfer restrictions or terms with respect to the special interest payments
applicable to the Notes.  The Notes surrendered in exchange for Exchange Notes
will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued.  Accordingly, issuance of
the Exchange Notes will not result in any increase in the indebtedness of the
Company.

     Net proceeds from the Notes Offering were approximately $194.5 million.
Such proceeds, together with cash on hand and the proceeds of the Equity
Investment, were used (i) to finance the Lil' Champ Acquisition (including
repayment of Lil' Champ indebtedness), (ii) to acquire $51.0 million aggregate
principal amount of the Senior Notes and pay premium and interest in respect
thereof pursuant to the Tender Offer and to make payments required by the
Consent Solicitation, and (iii) to pay related fees and expenses. As of the date
hereof, $49.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes are
outstanding. The Senior Notes currently bear interest at the rate of 12.5% per
annum and mature in 2000. Lil' Champ indebtedness that was repaid from the net
proceeds of the sale of Notes consisted of approximately $10.7 million aggregate
principal amount of indebtedness to Societe Generale at a weighted interest rate
of approximately 6.0% per annum as of August 31, 1997. See "Summary--The
Transactions." Approximately $13.6 million of net proceeds from the Notes
Offering were available for general corporate purposes.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company on an
actual basis and on a pro forma basis as adjusted to give effect to the
Transactions as if they had occurred on September 25, 1997. This table should be
read in conjunction with "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data" and the notes
thereto, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and The Pantry's and Lil' Champ's financial statements
and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                 Pantry        Lil' Champ                     Pro Forma
                                                 Actual          Actual                      As Adjusted
                                              September 25,   September 27,    Pro Forma    September 25,
                                                  1997            1997        Adjustments       1997
                                              -------------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>
                                                                (dollars in thousands)
Current maturities of long-term debt and                     
 capital lease obligations.................      $    318        $ 11,690     $(10,700)(a)     $  1,308
                                                 --------        --------     --------         --------
                                                             
Long-term debt:                                              
Senior notes...............................       100,000             --       (51,000)(a)     $ 49,000
Notes......................................           --              --       200,000 (b)      200,000
Capitalized leases and other debt..........           984          11,837          --            12,821
                                                 --------        --------     --------         --------
     Total long-term debt..................       100,984          11,837      149,000          261,821
                                                 --------        --------     --------         --------
Shareholders' equity (deficit):                              
Preferred stock............................           --              --           --               --
Common stock...............................             1               1           (1)(c)            1
Additional paid in capital.................         5,396          67,966      (36,966)(c)       36,396
Retained earnings (deficit)................       (23,270)         29,958      (35,880)(c)      (29,192)
                                                 --------        --------     --------         --------
     Total shareholders' equity (deficit)..       (17,873)         97,925      (72,847)           7,205
                                                 --------        --------     --------         --------
          Total capitalization.............      $ 83,429        $121,452     $ 65,453         $270,334
                                                 ========        ========     ========         ========
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(a) Reflects the repayment of Lil' Champ debt in connection with the Lil' Champ
    Acquisition and the repurchase of $51.0 million of the Senior Notes in
    connection with the Tender Offer.
(b) Reflects the issuance of the Notes in connection with the Notes Offering.
(c) Reflects the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Additional   Retained
                                                Common     Paid-in    Earnings
                                                 Stock     Capital    (Deficit)
                                                ------   ----------   ---------
                                                    (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>      <C>          <C>
Proceeds, net of $1.4 million of expenses,   
 related to the Equity Investment.............   $--      $ 31,000     $    --
                                               
Elimination of Lil' Champ historical         
 shareholders' equity.........................     (1)     (67,966)     (29,958)
                                               
Nonrecurring charges, net of tax, related to 
 the costs of the Tender Offer and write-off 
 of deferred financing costs..................    --           --        (5,922)
                                                 ----     --------     --------
  Total adjustments to shareholders' equity...   $ (1)    $(36,966)    $(35,880)
                                                 ====     ========     ========
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purposes of the Exchange Offer

     The Notes were issued and sold by the Company on October 23, 1997 to CIBC
Wood Gundy Securities Corp. and First Union Capital Markets Corp. (collectively,
the "Initial Purchasers"), who subsequently resold the Notes to (a) "qualified
institutional buyers" (in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act) and
(b) non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under
the Securities Act.  In connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the
Company and the Initial Purchasers entered into the Exchange Offer Registration
Rights Agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to use its best efforts to
cause a registration statement with respect to the Exchange Offer to become
effective within 150 days of October 23, 1997, the date of issuance of the
Notes.  However, in the event that applicable interpretations of the staff of
the Commission do not permit the Company to effect such an Exchange Offer, or if
for any other reason the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 210 days of
the Issue Date or, under certain circumstances, if the Initial Purchasers or
other holders shall so request, the Company and the Guarantors will, at their
own expense, (a) as promptly as practicable, file a shelf registration statement
covering resales of the Notes (the "Shelf Registration Statement"), (b) use
their respective best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be
declared effective under the Securities Act and (c) use their respective best
efforts to keep effective the Shelf Registration Statement until two years after
the Issue Date.

     The Exchange Offer is being made by The Pantry to satisfy its obligations
pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Rights Agreement.  The form and
terms of the Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms of the Notes in
all material respects except that the Exchange Notes have been registered under
the Securities Act and hence do not include certain rights to registration
thereunder and do not contain transfer restrictions or terms with respect to the
special interest payments applicable to the Notes.  Once the Exchange Offer is
consummated, The Pantry will have no further obligations to register any of the
Notes not tendered by the Holders for exchange.  See "Risk Factors--Consequences
to Non-Tendering Holders of Notes".  A copy of the Exchange Offer Registration
Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part.

     Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission set forth in
several no-action letters issued to third parties, the Company believes that
Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Notes may
be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof
without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of
the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have no such
arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange
Notes.  However, the Company does not intend to request the Commission to
consider, and the Commission has not considered, the Exchange Offer in a no-
action letter and there can be no assurance that the Commission would make a
similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer.  However, any Holder
who is an "affiliate" of the Company or who intends to participate in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes (i) cannot
rely on the interpretation by the staff of the Commission set forth in the above
referenced no-action letters, (ii) cannot tender its Notes in the Exchange
Offer, and (iii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or transfer of
the Notes, unless such sale or transfer is made pursuant to an exemption from
such requirements.  See "Risk Factors--Consequences to Non-Tendering Holders of
Notes".

     In addition, each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own
account in exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired by such broker-
dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and
not acquired directly from the Company, must acknowledge that it will deliver a
copy of this Prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.
See "Plan of Distribution".

     Except as aforesaid, this Prospectus may not be used for an offer to
resell, resale or other transfer of Exchange Notes.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
Terms of the Exchange Offer

     General

     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer set
forth in this Prospectus and in the Letter of Transmittal, the Company will
accept any and all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date.  The Company will issue $1,000
principal amount of Exchange Notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal
outstanding Notes accepted in the Exchange Offer.  Holders may tender some or
all of their Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.  However, Exchange Notes may
be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000.

     As of October 23, 1997, there was $200.0 million aggregate principal amount
of the Notes outstanding and one registered Holder of Notes.  This Prospectus,
together with the Letter of Transmittal, is being sent to such registered Holder
as of                      , 1998.

     In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company arranged for the
Notes to be issued and transferable in book-entry form through the facilities of
DTC, acting as depository.  The Exchange Notes also will be issued and
transferable in book-entry form through DTC.  See "Description of Exchange
Notes--Form, Denomination and Book-Entry Procedures."

     The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Notes when,
as and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange
Agent.  The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering Holders of Notes
for the purpose of receiving the Exchange Notes from the Company.

     If any tendered Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid
tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise,
certificates for any such unaccepted Notes will be returned, without expense, to
the tendering Holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the Expiration
Date.

     Holders of Notes who tender in the Exchange Offer will not be required to
pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the Letter
of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer.  The Company will pay the expenses, other than certain
applicable taxes, of the Exchange Offer.  See "--Fees and Expenses."

     Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments

     The term "Expiration Date" shall mean                 , 1998, unless the
Company in its sole discretion, extends the Exchange Offer, in which case the
term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date to which the Exchange Offer is
extended.

     In order to extend the Expiration Date, the Company will notify the
Exchange Agent and the record Holders of Notes of any extension by oral or
written notice, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.  Such notice may
state that the Company is extending the Exchange Offer for a specified period of
time or on a daily basis until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date on
which a specified percentage of Notes are tendered.

     The Company reserves the right to delay accepting any Notes, to extend the
Exchange Offer, to amend the Exchange Offer or to terminate the Exchange Offer
and not accept Notes not previously accepted if any of the conditions set forth
herein under "--Conditions" shall have occurred and shall not have been waived
by the Company by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension,
amendment or termination to the Exchange Agent.  Any such delay in acceptance,
extension, amendment or termination will be followed as promptly as practicable
by oral or written notice thereof.  If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner
determined by the Company to constitute a material change, the Company will
promptly disclose such amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the
Holders of such amendment and the Company will extend the Exchange Offer for a
period of five to 10 business days, depending upon the significance of the
amendment and the manner of

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
disclosure to Holders of the Notes, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire
during such five to 10 business day period.

     Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to make public
announcement of any extension, amendment or termination of the Exchange Offer,
the Company shall have no obligation to publish, advertise, or otherwise
communicate any such public announcement, other than by making a timely release
to the Dow Jones News Service.

Accrued Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Notes

     The Exchange Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to 10 1/4% per annum
from their date of issuance.  Interest on the Exchange Notes is payable semi-
annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 1998.
Holders whose Notes are accepted for exchange will receive, in cash, accrued
interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of issuance of the Exchange Notes.
Such interest will be paid with the first interest payment on the Exchange
Notes.  Interest on the Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue upon
cancellation of the Notes and issuance of the Exchange Notes.  Holders of Notes
whose Notes are not exchanged will receive the accrued interest payable on April
15, 1998.

Procedures for Tendering

     To tender in the Exchange Offer, a Holder must complete, sign and date the
Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have the signatures thereon
guaranteed if required by Instruction 4 of the Letter of Transmittal, and mail
or otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile, together with
the Notes and any other required documents, to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

     Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's Book-Entry
Transfer Facility system may make book-entry delivery of the Notes by causing
DTC to transfer such Notes into the Exchange Agent's account in accordance with
DTC's procedure for such transfer.  Although delivery of Notes may be effected
through book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, the Letter
of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees
and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and
received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth in "--
Exchange Agent" below prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date.  DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS PROCEDURES DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

     The tender by a Holder will constitute an agreement between such Holder and
the Company in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein and in the Letter of Transmittal.

     Delivery of all documents must be made to the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth below.  Holders may also request their respective brokers, dealers,
commercial banks, trust companies or nominees to effect the above transactions
for such Holders.

     The method of delivery of Notes and the Letter of Transmittal and all other
required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of the
Holders.  Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that Holders use an
overnight or hand delivery service.  In all cases, sufficient time should be
allowed to assure timely delivery.  No Letter of Transmittal or Notes should be
sent to the Company.

     Only a Holder of Notes may tender such Notes in the Exchange Offer.  The
term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name
Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any other person who has
obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered Holder.

     Any beneficial holder whose Notes are registered in the name of its broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender
should contact such registered Holder promptly and instruct such registered
Holder to consent and/or tender on its behalf.  If such beneficial Holder wishes
to tender on its own behalf, such beneficial Holder must, prior to completing
and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering its Notes, either make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Notes

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
in such Holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the
registered Holder.  The transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.

     Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below)
unless the Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered
Holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the
account of an Eligible Institution.  In the event that signatures on a Letter of
Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be
guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the
United States (an "Eligible Institution").

     If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered Holder of any Notes listed therein, such Notes must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate bond powers signed as the name of the registered
Holder or Holders appears on the Notes.

     If the Letter of Transmittal or any Notes or powers of attorney are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Company,
evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.

     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of tendered Notes and withdrawal of tendered Notes will
be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be
final and binding.  The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and
all Notes not properly tendered or any Notes the Company's acceptance of which
would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful.  The Company also
reserves the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender
as to particular Notes.  The Company's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties.  Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Notes must be cured
within such time as the Company shall determine.  Neither the Company, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification
of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Notes, nor shall any of
them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.  Tenders of
Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been
cured or waived.  Any Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly
tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or
waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders of Notes,
unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable
following the Expiration Date.

     In addition, the Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to
purchase or make offers for any Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the
Expiration Date or, as set forth under "--Conditions," to terminate the Exchange
Offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase Notes in the open
market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.  The terms of any
such purchases or offers could differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer.

     By tendering, each Holder will represent to the Company that, among other
things, the Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being
obtained in the ordinary course of such Holder's business, that such Holder has
no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such
Exchange Notes, and that such Holder is not an "affiliate", as defined under
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company.  If the Holder is a broker-
dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for
Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities and not acquired directly from the Company, such Holder by
tendering will acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with
any resale of such Exchange Notes.  See "Plan of Distribution."

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

     Holders who wish to tender their Notes and (i) whose Notes are not
immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Notes, the Letter of
Transmittal or any other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date, may effect a tender if:

     (a) The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;

     (b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the
name and address of the Holder of the Notes, the certificate number or numbers
of such Notes and the principal amount of Notes tendered, stating that the
tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof) together with the certificate(s) representing the Notes to be
tendered in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer
into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC of Notes delivered electronically) and
any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by
the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and

     (c) Such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), as well as the certificate(s) representing all tendered
Notes in proper form for transfer (or confirmation of a book-entry transfer into
the Exchange Agent's account at DTC of Notes delivered electronically) and all
other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the
Exchange Agent within five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date.

Upon request of the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be sent
to Holders who wish to tender their Notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth above.

Withdrawal of Tenders

     Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at
any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.  To
withdraw a tender of Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written or facsimile
transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its
address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.  Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the
person having deposited the Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii)
identify the Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers
and principal amount of such Notes), (iii) be signed by the Holder in the same
manner as the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such
Notes were tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be
accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee with respect
to the Notes register the transfer of such Notes into the name of the person
withdrawing the tender, and (iv) specify the name in which any such Notes are to
be registered, if different from that of the Depositor.  All questions as to the
validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will
be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding on
all parties.  Any Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly
tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no Exchange Notes will be issued
with respect thereto unless the Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered.  Any
Notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for payment will be
returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such Holder as soon as
practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange
Offer.  Properly withdrawn Notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described above under "--Procedures for Tendering" at any time prior
to the Expiration Date.

Conditions

     Notwithstanding any other term of the Exchange Offer, the Company will not
be required to accept for exchange, or exchange Exchange Notes for, any Notes
not theretofore accepted for exchange, and may terminate

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
or amend the Exchange Offer as provided herein before the acceptance of such
Notes, if any of the following conditions exist:

     (a) the Exchange Offer, or the making of any exchange by a Holder, violates
applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the Commission; or

     (b) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or by
or before any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer which, in
the sole judgment of the Company, might impair the ability of the Company to
proceed with the Exchange Offer; or

     (c) there shall have been adopted or enacted any law, statute, rule or
regulation which, in the sole judgment of the Company, might materially impair
the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer.

     If any such conditions exist, the Company may (i) refuse to accept any
Notes and return all tendered Notes to exchanging Holders, (ii) extend the
Exchange Offer and retain all Notes tendered prior to the expiration of the
Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the rights of Holders to withdraw such
Notes (see "--Withdrawal of Tenders") or (iii) waive certain of such conditions
with respect to the Exchange Offer and accept all properly tendered Notes which
have not been withdrawn or revoked.  If such waiver constitutes a material
change to the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly disclose such waiver in
a manner reasonably calculated to inform Holders of Notes of such waiver.

     The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at any time and
from time to time in its sole discretion.  The failure by the Company at any
time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any
such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be
asserted at any time and from time to time.

     In addition to the foregoing conditions, if, because of any change in
applicable law or applicable interpretations thereof by the Commission, the
Company is not permitted to complete the Exchange Offer, then the Company shall
file a Shelf Registration Statement.  Thereafter, the Company's obligation to
consummate the Exchange Offer shall be terminated.

Exchange Agent

     United States Trust Company of New York has been appointed as Exchange
Agent for the Exchange Offer.  Questions and requests for assistance, requests
for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and
requests for Notices of Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the Exchange
Agent addressed as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
By Registered or Certified Mail:          By Overnight Courier and By Hand after
                                          4:30 p.m.:
<S>                                       <C> 
United States Trust Company of New York   United States Trust Company of New 
P.O. Box 844 Cooper Station               York
New York, New York 10276                  770 Broadway, 13th Floor
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services      New York, New York 10003 

By Hand before 4:30 p.m.:                 By Facsimile:

United States Trust Company of New York   (212) 780-0592
111 Broadway                              Attention: Customer Service
New York, New York 10006
Attention:  Lower Level                   Confirm by telephone:
            Corporate Trust Window        (800) 548-6565
</TABLE>

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
Fees and Expenses

    The expenses of soliciting tenders will be borne by the Company.  The
principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, additional solicitation
may be made by telegraph, telephone or in person by officers and regular
employees of the Company and its affiliates.

    The Company will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.  The Company, however, will pay
the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will
reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
The Company may also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding
copies of the Prospectus and related documents to the beneficial owners of the
Notes, and in handling or forwarding tenders for exchange.

    The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will
be paid by the Company, are estimated in the aggregate to be approximately
$100,000, and include fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent and Trustee under
the Indenture and accounting and legal fees.

    The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.  If, however, certificates representing
Exchange Notes or Notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for
exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name
of, any person other than the registered Holder of the Notes tendered, or if
tendered Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person
signing the Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any
reason other than the exchange of Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the
amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or
any other persons) will be payable by the tendering Holder.  If satisfactory
evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with
the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to such tendering Holder.

Accounting Treatment

    The Exchange Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Notes,
which is face value as reflected in the Company's accounting records on the date
of the exchange.  Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be
recognized upon consummation of the Exchange Offer.  The issuance costs incurred
in connection with the Exchange Offer will be capitalized and amortized over the
term of the Exchange Notes.

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA


    The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data (the
"Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data") of the Company have been derived by the
application of pro forma adjustments to the historical financial statements of
The Pantry and Lil' Champ for the periods indicated.  The adjustments are
described in the accompanying notes.

    The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data give effect to the Transactions as if
these transactions occurred as of September 25, 1997, for purposes of the
balance sheet data, and on September 27, 1996, for purposes of the statement
of operations data.  The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data do not give effect
to any transactions other than the Transactions and those discussed in the
accompanying notes.  The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data are provided for
informational purposes only and do not purport to represent the results of
operations or financial position of the Company had the transactions in fact
occurred on such dates, nor do they purport to be indicative of the financial
position or results of operations as of any futures date or for any future
period.

    The Lil' Champ Acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase method
of accounting.  The total cost of the Lil' Champ Acquisition will be allocated
to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based
upon their respective fair values as of the time the Lil' Champ Acquisition was
consummated.  The excess of the purchase price over the historical basis of the
net assets acquired has not been allocated in the accompanying Unaudited Pro
Forma Financial Data.  The pro forma adjustments are based upon available
information and upon certain assumptions that management believes are
reasonable.  The actual allocation of the purchase price, however, and the
resulting effect on income from operations may differ significantly from the pro
forma amounts included herein.

    The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data and accompanying notes should be read
in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes thereto and
the other financial information included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
                     UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET DATA
                               September 25, 1997
                             (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Historical                 Adjustments
                                                            --------------------------     -------------------
                                                            The Pantry      Lil' Champ       The Transactions        Pro Forma
                                                            ----------      ----------     -------------------       ---------
<S>                                                         <C>             <C>             <C>                       <C>
Assets:
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $  3,347       $  9,506            $ 17,674 (a)         $ 30,527
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
  Certificates of deposit...................................       --             805                 --                   805
  Receivables, net..........................................     2,101          3,154                 --                 5,255
  Inventories...............................................    17,161         18,017                 --                35,178
  Prepaid expenses..........................................     1,204          1,881                 --                 3,085
  Property held for sale....................................     3,323            --                  --                 3,323
  Deferred income taxes.....................................     1,142            --                  --                 1,142
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
    Total current assets....................................    28,278         33,363              17,674               79,315
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
Property and equipment, net.................................    77,986        129,554                 --               207,540
Other assets:
  Goodwill, net.............................................    20,318         13,625              40,495 (b)           74,438
  Deferred lease cost, net..................................       314            --                  --                   314
  Deferred financing cost, net..............................     4,578            --                6,989 (c)           11,567
  Environmental receivables, net............................     6,511          1,521                 --                 8,032
  Deferred income taxes.....................................       156            --                  --                   156
  Other.....................................................     4,658          1,042              (4,049)(a)            1,651
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
     Total other assets.....................................    36,535         16,188              43,435               96,158
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
Total assets................................................  $142,799       $179,105            $ 61,109             $383,013
                                                              ========       ========            ========             ========

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
   Current maturities of long-term debt.....................  $     33       $ 10,700            $(10,700)(a)         $     33
   Current maturities of capital lease
    obligations.............................................       285            990                 --                 1,275
   Accounts payable.........................................    19,057         20,378                 --                39,435
   Accrued expenses.........................................    17,148         16,329                (500)(d)           32,977
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
     Total current liabilities..............................    36,523         48,397             (11,200)              73,720
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
Senior notes payable, 12%, due November 15, 2000............   100,000            --              (51,000)(a)           49,000
Senior subordinated notes...................................       --             --              200,000 (a)          200,000
Other long-term debt........................................       305            --                  --                   305
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
  Total long-term debt......................................   100,305            --              149,000              249,305
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
Other non-current liabilities:
  Environmental reserve.....................................     7,806          3,150                 --                10,956
  Capital lease obligations.................................       679         11,837                 --                12,516
  Employment obligations....................................     1,341            --                  --                 1,341
  Accrued dividends on preferred stock......................     7,958            --                  --                 7,958
Deferred income taxes.......................................       --           9,824              (3,844)(e)            5,980
  Other.....................................................     6,060          7,972                 --                14,032
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
    Total other non-current liabilities.....................    23,844         32,783              (3,844)              52,783
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock...........................................       --             --                  --                   --
  Common stock..............................................         1              1                  (1)(f)                1
  Additional paid-in capital................................     5,396         67,966             (36,966)(a)(f)        36,396
  Retained earnings (deficit)...............................   (23,270)        29,958             (35,880)(f)          (29,192)
    Total shareholders' equity..............................   (17,873)        97,925             (72,847)               7,205
                                                              --------       --------            --------             --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity..................  $142,799       $179,105            $ 61,109             $383,013
                                                              ========       ========            ========             ========
</TABLE>
 
              See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet Data

                                       32
<PAGE>


                Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet Data
 
(a)  Reflects the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cash Inflows:
<S>                                                                   <C>
Proceeds from issuance of Notes...................................... $200,000
Proceeds from Equity Investment......................................   32,400
                                                                      -------- 
Total cash inflows...................................................  232,400
                                                                      -------- 
 
Cash Outflows:
Purchase price of Lil' Champ Acquisition (net of cash 
 in escrow of $4,049)................................................  128,651
Repayment of existing Lil' Champ debt................................   10,700
Repurchase of Senior Notes...........................................   51,000
Payment of accrued interest related to Senior Notes and
 existing Lil' Champ debt............................................    2,375
Costs related to the Tender Offer....................................    7,000
Transaction expenses.................................................   15,000
                                                                      --------
Total cash outflows..................................................  214,726
                                                                      --------
Net cash inflows..................................................... $ 17,674
                                                                      ========
</TABLE>

(b)  For purposes of the pro forma information, the excess of the purchase price
     over the historical net assets of Lil' Champ has been considered to be
     goodwill and other intangible assets, pending the completion of appraisals
     and other purchase price allocation adjustments.  The adjustment reflects
     the following:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
Purchase price of Lil' Champ Acquisition............................. $132,700
Allocation of transaction expenses to the Lil' Champ Acquisition.....    4,500
Severance, net of tax................................................    1,220
Elimination of historical shareholders' equity of Lil' Champ.........  (97,925)
                                                                      -------- 
                                                                      $ 40,495
                                                                      ========
</TABLE>

(c)  Reflects the (i) write-off of deferred financing costs upon the repurchase
     of $51.0 million of the Senior Notes ($2.1 million) and (ii) allocation of
     transaction expenses related to the Notes Offering ($9.1 million).

(d)  Reflects the (i) repayment of accrued interest in connection with the
     repayment of existing Lil' Champ debt and the repurchase of $51.0 million
     of the Senior Notes ($2.4 million) and (ii) severance incurred in
     connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition ($1.9 million).

(e)  Reflects the tax effects of (i) costs related to the Tender Offer and
     Consent Solicitation and write-off of deferred financing costs in
     connection with the repurchase of $51.0 million of the Senior Notes and
     (ii) severance incurred in connection with the acquisition of Lil' Champ.

(f)  Reflects the (i) proceeds, net of $1.4 million of transaction expenses,
     from the Equity Investment of $31.0 million, (ii) elimination of historical
     shareholders' equity of Lil' Champ and (iii) nonrecurring charges, net of
     tax, related to the costs of the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation
     and write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with the repurchase
     of $51.0 million of the Senior Notes (approximately $4.6 million and $1.4
     million, respectively).

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA

                         Year Ended September 25, 1997
                             (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Historical
                                                 -----------------------
                                                        Year Ended
                                                 -----------------------
                                                                Latest
                                                                Twelve
                                                                Months
                                                                 Ended
                                                  September    September
                                                  25, 1997     27, 1997                     Pro Forma Adjustments
                                                 ----------    ---------       ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            Other
                                                                  Lil'                                  Acquisitions/
                                                 The Pantry      Champ         The Transactions        Dispositions(f)    Pro Forma
                                                 ----------    ---------       ----------------        ---------------    ---------
                                                 (52 weeks)    (52 weeks)
<S>                                              <C>           <C>             <C>                     <C>                <C>
Revenues:
Merchandise sales...............................   $202,440     $232,250        $     --                 $ 8,881         $443,571
 Gasoline sales.................................    220,166      286,373              --                  18,521          525,060
 Commissions....................................      4,787        8,156              --                     436           13,379
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
 Total revenues.................................    427,393      526,779              --                  27,838          982,010
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
Cost of Sales:
 Merchandise....................................    132,846      152,847              --                   6,289          291,982
 Gasoline.......................................    197,268      259,003              --                  15,841          472,112
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
 Total cost of sales............................    330,114      411,850              --                  22,130          764,094
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
Gross profit....................................     97,279      114,929              --                   5,708          217,916
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
Store operating expenses........................     60,208       74,574              --                   3,295          138,077
General and administrative
 expenses.......................................     16,796       15,375            (500)(a)                  --           31,671
Environmental remediation charge..............           --        3,381              --                      --            3,381 
Depreciation and amortization...................      9,504       11,911           2,306 (b)                  79           23,800
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
 Total operating expenses.......................     86,508      105,241           1,806                   3,374          196,929
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
Income from operations..........................     10,771        9,688          (1,806)                  2,334           20,987
Other income (expense):
 Interest.......................................    (13,039)      (2,388)        (13,042)(c)                 (17)         (28,486)
 Miscellaneous..................................      1,293        1,370              --                      (4)           2,659
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
 Total other expenses...........................    (11,746)      (1,018)        (13,042)                    (21)         (25,827)
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
Income (loss) before income taxes...............       (975)       8,670         (14,848)                  2,313           (4,840)
Income tax benefit (expense)....................         --       (3,582)          5,198 (d)                (810)             806
                                                   --------     --------        ---------                -------         --------
Net income (loss)...............................   $   (975)    $  5,088        $ (9,650)(e)             $ 1,503         $ (4,034)
                                                   ========     ========        ========                 =======         ========
</TABLE>

         See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
           Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data

(a)  Historically, Lil' Champ paid Docks U.S.A., Inc. ("DUSA"), Lil' Champ's
     parent company, service agreement fees.  The service agreement has been
     terminated concurrent with the Lil' Champ Acquisition and will not be
     replaced by a similar arrangement.
(b)  The Lil' Champ Acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase method
     of accounting. Under the purchase method of accounting, the total purchase
     price will be allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and
     liabilities assumed by The Pantry based on their respective fair values as
     of the acquisition date based upon valuations and other studies not yet
     available. For purposes of the pro forma information, the excess of the
     purchase price over the historical net assets of Lil' Champ has been
     considered to be goodwill and other intangible assets, pending the
     completion of appraisals and other purchase price allocation adjustments.
     Assuming the pro forma remaining excess purchase costs to be allocated will
     be amortized over a weighted-average period of approximately 30 years, the
     resulting amortization is approximately $1.4 million for the year ended
     September 25, 1997. Additionally, deferred financing costs incurred in
     connection with the Notes Offering will be amortized over 10 years. The
     resulting amortization is approximately $0.9 million for the year ended
     September 25, 1997.
(c)  Reflects additional interest expense to be incurred by the Company in
     connection with the Notes Offering, and reductions in interest expense for
     the repayment of existing Lil' Champ debt and the repurchase of Senior
     Notes as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Principal   Interest
                                                          ---------   --------
                                                         (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>
      Notes Offering..................................    $200,000    $20,500
      Repayment of existing Lil' Champ Debt...........      10,700     (1,140)
      Repurchase of Senior Notes......................      51,000     (6,318)
                                                                      ------- 
                                                                      $13,042
                                                                      =======
</TABLE>

(d)  Adjusts income tax benefit for assumed tax effect of pro forma adjustments
     using an estimated 35% rate.
(e)  Net income (loss) excludes the effect of charges, net of tax, related to
     the costs of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation and write-off of
     deferred financing costs in connection with the repurchase of $51.0 million
     of the Senior Notes ($4.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively).
(f)  Subsequent to fiscal 1996, The Pantry has acquired 35 stores, acquired 23
     third-party gasoline operations and disposed of 21 stores.  This adjustment
     gives effect to the acquisitions and dispositions as if they occurred at
     the beginning of the period.

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
             SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                 OF THE PANTRY

          The following selected historical consolidated statement of operations
and balance sheet data have been derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements of The Pantry.  The information contained in this table should be
read in conjunction with The Pantry's audited consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto at September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997 and for each of
the three years in the period ended September 25, 1997 included elsewhere in
this Prospectus.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Year Ended
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      September 30,        September 29,    September 28,    September 26,          September 25,
                                          1993                 1994             1995             1996                   1997
                                      ------------         -------------    -------------    -------------          -------------
                                       (53 weeks)           (52 weeks)       (52 weeks)       (52 weeks)              (52 weeks)
<S>                                   <C>                  <C>              <C>              <C>                    <C>
Statement of Operations Data
Revenues:
  Merchandise sales..................  $191,881             $189,244         $187,380         $188,091               $202,440
  Gasoline sales.....................   175,690              175,083          187,165          192,737                220,166
  Commissions........................     4,362                4,466            4,516            3,979                  4,787
                                       --------             --------         --------         --------               --------
Total revenues.......................   371,933              368,793          379,061          384,807                427,393
Cost of Sales:
  Merchandise........................   126,352              123,142          121,976          125,979                132,846
  Gasoline...........................   154,617              153,476          161,179          167,610                197,268
                                       --------             --------         --------         --------               --------
Gross profit.........................    90,964               92,175           95,906           91,218                 97,279

Store operating expenses.............    54,074               53,201           56,206           57,841                 60,208
General and administrative expenses..    16,840               17,893           18,159           17,127                 16,796
Restructuring charges................       --                   --               --             2,184(4)                 --
Impairment of long-lived assets......       --                   --               --             3,034(4)                 --
Depreciation and amortization........     9,834               10,164           11,470            9,158                  9,504
                                       --------             --------         --------         --------               --------
Income from operations...............    10,216               10,917           10,071            1,874                 10,771
Interest expense.....................    (7,434)             (12,047)         (13,240)         (11,992)               (13,039)
Due diligence costs..................       --                   --            (1,181)(2)          --                     --
Income (loss) before income taxes
 and other items.....................     3,326                 (181)          (3,639)         (10,778)                  (975)
Income tax benefit (expense).........      (693)                 372              354            2,664                    --
Cumulative effect of change in
 accounting principle................       --                   --              (960)(3)          --                     --
Extraordinary loss...................       --                  (671)(1)          --               --                     --
Net income (loss)....................  $  2,633             $   (480)        $ (4,245)        $ (8,114)              $   (975)
Other Financial Data
EBITDA(5)............................  $ 20,594             $ 22,030         $ 22,252         $ 15,590               $ 21,568
Net cash provided by (used in):
  Operating activities...............    14,423               (4,120)          11,691            5,415                  7,338
  Investing activities...............    (9,788)             (10,612)         (15,281)          (7,204)               (25,079)
  Financing activities...............    (2,302)              25,955             (738)          (3,872)                15,750
  Capital expenditures(6)............    11,193                9,862           16,650            7,084                 14,749
Ratio of earnings to fixed
 charges(7)..........................       1.3x                 --               --               --                     --
Operating Data
Merchandise gross margin.............      34.2%                34.9%            34.9%            33.0%                  34.4%
Gasoline gallons sold
 (in millions).......................     156.9                158.5            160.3            160.7                  179.4
Retail price per gallon..............  $  1.120             $  1.105         $  1.168         $  1.199               $  1.227
Gross profit per gallon..............  $  0.134             $  0.136         $  0.162         $  0.156               $   .128
Store Data
Number of stores (end of period).....       415                  406              403              379                    390
Average sales per store
 (in thousands):
  Merchandise sales..................     451.5                460.4            462.7            479.8                  525.8
  Gasoline gallons...................     398.1                423.7            440.3            448.8                  501.2
Comparable store sales growth:(8)
  Merchandise sales..................       4.3%                 3.3%            -0.8%             2.8%                   8.5%
  Gasoline gallons...................       5.7%                 5.2%             0.2%            -4.3%                   7.2%
Balance Sheet Data
Working capital (deficit)............  $    547             $  6,652         $   (761)        $ (6,513)              $ (8,245)
Total assets.........................   105,672              124,015          127,720          120,880                142,799
Total debt(9)........................    63,468              102,382          101,798          101,431                101,302
Shareholders' deficit................   (11,576)             (12,087)         (16,332)         (27,547)               (17,873)
</TABLE>

                                                   (footnotes on following page)

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
___________________________

(1)  In fiscal 1994, The Pantry recorded an extraordinary loss of $671,000, net
     of a taxes, related to the early extinguishment of debt.
(2)  During fiscal 1995, The Pantry expended $1,181,000 in due diligence costs
     related to the evaluation of the potential purchase of a regional
     convenience store company.  The proposed transaction was abandoned and, as
     a result, the costs incurred in connection with the prospective acquisition
     were charged to earnings in fiscal 1995.
(3)  In fiscal 1995, The Pantry adopted, SFAS No. 112, "Employer's Accounting
     for Postretirement Benefits," and, as a result, recorded a cumulative
     effect for a change in accounting principle of $(960,000), net of taxes.
(4)  During 1996, The Pantry recorded restructuring charges of $2,184,000
     pursuant to a formal plan to restructure its corporate offices.  The costs
     include:  $1,484,000 for employee severance; $350,000 for employee moving
     costs; and $350,000 for charges associated with the investment by FS&Co.
     and CMC.  Substantially all of these amounts were expended during fiscal
     1996.
     During fiscal 1996, The Pantry early-adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for
     the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be
     Disposed Of."  Pursuant to SFAS No. 121, The Pantry evaluated its long-
     lived assets for impairment on a store-by-store basis by comparing the sum
     of the projected future undiscounted cash flows attributable to each store
     to the carrying value of the long-lived assets (including an allocation of
     goodwill, if appropriate) of that store.  Based on this evaluation, The
     Pantry determined that certain long-lived assets were impaired and recorded
     an impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying value and
     the fair value of property and equipment and goodwill of $415,000 and
     $2,619,000, respectively.
(5)  "EBITDA" represents income (loss) before depreciation and amortization,
     interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), restructuring charges,
     impairment of long-lived assets, extraordinary item, cumulative effect of
     change in accounting principle and the write-off of due diligence costs
     incurred in connection with a potential purchase of a regional convenience
     store company that was abandoned in 1995.  EBITDA is not a measure of
     performance under generally accepted accounting principles, and should not
     be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating
     activities and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as a measure
     of profitability or liquidity.  The Pantry has included information
     concerning EBITDA as one measure of an issuer's historical ability to
     service debt.  EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or
     more meaningful than, income from operations or cash flow as an indication
     of The Pantry's operating performance.
(6)  For the fiscal year ended 1993, capital expenditures included the purchase
     by The Pantry of its corporate office building in April 1993 for $3.9
     million and the purchase by The Pantry of four previously leased stores in
     August 1993 for $3.2 million.  Purchases of assets to be held for sale are
     excluded from these amounts.
(7)  For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges: (i)
     earnings consist of income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense) and
     extraordinary item plus fixed charges and (ii) fixed charges consist of
     interest expense, amortization of deferred financing costs, preferred stock
     dividends and the portion of rental expense representative of interest
     (deemed to be one-third of rental expense).  The Pantry's earnings were
     inadequate to cover fixed charges by $0.2 million, $3.6 million, $10.8
     million and $1.0 million for fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
     respectively.
(8)  The stores included in calculating same stores sales growth are stores that
     were in operation for both fiscal years of the comparable period.  The same
     stores sales results for fiscal 1993, which was a 53-week year, has been
     adjusted to reflect a 52-week year.
(9)  Total debt includes capital lease obligations.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
            SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF LIL' CHAMP

     The following selected historical statement of operations and balance sheet
data have been derived from the audited financial statements of Lil' Champ.  The
selected financial data for Lil' Champ for the nine months ended September 28,
1996 and September 27, 1997 are derived from financial statements that have not
been audited.  In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial data
includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of
operations for these periods.  The results of operations for these periods are
not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any future period.
The information contained in this table should be read in conjunction with Lil'
Champ's audited financial statements and notes thereto at December 28, 1996 and
December 30, 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
28, 1996 included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Year Ended                                  Nine Months Ended
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------      ------------------------
                                    December     December    December     December    December        September    September
                                    26, 1992     25, 1993    31, 1994     30, 1995    28, 1996        28, 1996     27, 1997
                                   ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  ----------      ----------    ----------
                                   (52 weeks)   (52 weeks)  (53 weeks)   (52 weeks)  (52 weeks)      (39 weeks)    (39 weeks)
                                                                      (dollars in thousands)                    
<S>                                <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>                         <C>           <C>
Statement of Operations Data                                                                                    
Revenues:                                                                                                       
  Merchandise sales................ $212,110     $209,741    $212,310     $217,282    $226,146        $171,322     $177,426
  Gasoline sales...................  229,709      237,714     248,507      257,056     278,905         207,208      214,676
  Commissions......................    6,616        7,645       7,683        7,978       8,164           5,979        5,971
                                    --------     --------    --------     --------    --------        --------     --------
    Total revenues.................  448,435      455,100     468,500      482,316     513,215         384,509      398,073
Cost of Sales:                                                                                                  
  Merchandise......................  137,483      137,547     139,054      143,598     148,877         112,909      116,879
  Gasoline.........................  209,252      211,212     219,736      227,592     251,614         186,110      193,499
                                    --------     --------    --------     --------    --------        --------     --------
Gross profit.......................  101,700      106,341     109,710      111,126     112,724          85,490       87,695
Store operating expenses...........   65,785       66,698      68,524       70,289      73,721          55,486       56,339
General and administrative                                                                                      
 expenses..........................   16,160       16,418      17,965       15,452      14,191          11,397       12,581
Environmental remediation                                                                                       
 charges(1)........................      --           --          --           --          --              --         3,381
Depreciation and amortization......   12,516       12,130      11,954       11,568      11,361           8,439        8,989
                                    --------     --------    --------     --------    --------        --------     --------
Income from operations.............    7,239       11,095      11,267       13,817      13,451          10,168        6,405
Interest expense...................   (5,358)      (4,684)     (3,938)      (3,219)     (2,670)         (1,994)      (1,712)
Income before income taxes.........    3,138        7,713       9,059       12,471      12,428           9,039        5,281
Income tax expense.................    1,604        3,208       3,733        4,985       4,981           3,622        2,223
Net income......................... $  1,534     $  4,505    $  5,326     $  7,486    $  7,447        $  5,417     $  3,058
Other Financial Data                                                                                            
EBITDA(2).......................... $ 21,012     $ 24,527    $ 24,951     $ 27,258    $ 26,459        $ 19,472     $ 19,363
Net cash provided by (used in):                                                                                 
  Operating activities.............   17,297       15,979      20,175       17,821      23,022          21,219       22,579
  Investing activities.............   (9,575)      (6,699)     (5,820)     (11,345)    (14,645)        (12,948)      (9,476)
  Financing activities.............   (3,959)      (9,829)    (13,967)      (9,783)     (2,420)        (14,238)     (23,107)
Depreciation and amortization......   12,516       12,130      11,954       11,568      11,361           8,439        8,989
Capital expenditures...............    9,905        8,208       7,738       11,977      21,353          16,124       10,153
Ratio of earnings to fixed                                                                                      
 charges(3)........................      1.4x         2.1x        2.4x         3.1x        3.3x            3.2x         2.3x
Operating Data                                                                                                  
Merchandise gross margin...........     35.2%        34.4%       34.5%        33.9%       34.2%           34.1%        34.1%
Gasoline gallons sold                                                                                           
 (in millions).....................    203.4        211.5       216.5        219.5       224.2           168.3        169.8
Retail price per gallon............ $  1.129     $  1.124    $  1.148     $  1.171    $  1.244        $  1.231     $  1.264
Gross profit per gallon............ $  0.101     $  0.125    $  0.133     $  0.134    $  0.122        $  0.125     $  0.125
Store Data                                                                                                      
Number of stores (end of                                                                                        
 period)...........................      541          518         508          501         495             499          488
Average sales per store                                                                                         
 (in thousands):                                                                                                
  Merchandise sales................    388.0        395.4       415.6        430.0       452.8           342.7        361.4
  Gasoline gallons.................    428.4        453.1       472.9        485.3       509.3           382.4        389.7
Comparable store sales growth(4):                                                                               
  Merchandise sales................     -2.3%         0.3%        1.3%         4.7%        4.1%            3.3%         3.7%
  Gasoline gallons.................      --           2.9%        2.3%         1.3%        1.9%            3.2%        -0.6%
Balance Sheet Data                                                                                              
Working capital.................... $  3,913     $  3,805    $  4,390     $  1,804    $  8,147        $ (9,012)    $(15,034)
Total assets.......................  190,208      185,732     179,784      176,537     191,507         178,732      179,105
Total debt(5)......................   77,965       68,143      54,661       44,878      46,634          33,786       23,527
Shareholder's equity...............   70,103       74,608      79,934       87,420      94,867          92,837       97,925
</TABLE>


                                                   (footnotes on following page)

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
______________________
(1)  During the nine months ended September 27, 1997, Lil' Champ performed a
     comprehensive review of the status of its stores as it relates to
     environmental remediation and recorded an additional charge of
     $3,381,000.
(2)  "EBITDA" represents income before depreciation and amortization, interest
     expense, income tax expense and a 1997 charge for establishing a reserve
     for environmental remediation.  EBITDA is not a measure of performance
     under generally accepted accounting principles, and should not be
     considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating
     activities and other income or cash flow statement data prepared in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as a measure
     of profitability or liquidity.  Lil' Champ has included information
     concerning EBITDA as one measure of an issuer's historical ability to
     service debt.  EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or
     more meaningful than, income from operations or cash flow as an indication
     of Lil' Champ's operating performance.
(3)  For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges: (i)
     earnings consist of income before income tax expense plus fixed charges and
     (ii) fixed charges consist of interest expense and the portion of rental
     expense representative of interest (deemed to be one-third of rental
     expense).
(4)  The stores included in calculating same stores sales growth are stores that
     were in operation for both fiscal years of the comparable period.  The same
     stores sales results for fiscal 1994, which was a 53-week year, has been
     adjusted to reflect a 52-week year.
(5)  Total debt includes capital lease obligations.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following discussion of each of The Pantry's and Lil' Champ's historical
results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements of The Pantry and Lil' Champ and the notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.  The following discussion and analysis
covers periods before completion of the Transactions.  See "Risk Factors" and
"Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data" for a further discussion relating to the
effect that the Transactions described herein may have on The Pantry and Lil'
Champ.

General

     The Pantry was founded in 1967 with the opening of its first location in
Sanford, North Carolina.  The Pantry subsequently grew through a combination of
internal growth and strategic acquisitions to become the largest convenience
store chain in North Carolina and South Carolina.  In 1977, The Pantry acquired
two companies, McMillan in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Little Giant in
Fayetteville, North Carolina, adding a total of 80 stores.  In 1979, The Pantry
added 121 stores with its acquisitions of Caper House in Greenville, South
Carolina and In and Out in Gaffney, South Carolina.  In 1981, The Pantry
acquired Quik Pic in Madisonville, Kentucky, adding another 114 stores to the
chain.

     During the early 1990s, The Pantry's operating strategy focused on
enhancing financial performance by maintaining high merchandise and gasoline
gross margins relative to its primary competitors.  By late 1995, this strategy
had become unsustainable and was leading to declining same store merchandise
sales and gasoline gallons and, consequently, deteriorating financial
performance.

     In related transactions in November 1995 and August 1996, FS&Co. and Chase
Manhattan Capital, L.P. (as successor to Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation)
("CMC") acquired a 76.9% and 23.1% interest in The Pantry, respectively.  Within
two months after this initial investment, The Pantry recruited a new management
team led by Peter J. Sodini.  This team, with an average of 31 years of
experience in various retailing industries, has been successful in improving The
Pantry's operating and financial performance.  Specific strategies implemented
by The Pantry's new senior management team include: improving merchandising and
supplier relationships, increasing expense controls, repositioning and
rebranding gasoline operations, implementing the "tuck in" acquisition program,
upgrading store facilities and increasing management depth to facilitate the
Company's growth plans.  See "Business--Operating Strategy."

     In December 1996, FS&Co. invested additional equity in The Pantry, thereby
increasing its aggregate ownership interest to approximately 83.6%.  These funds
were used in 1997 to acquire a total of 35 convenience stores in North Carolina
and South Carolina in five separate transactions, to purchase the gasoline
operations and equipment at 23 existing Pantry stores from a third-party
operator and to upgrade existing store facilities.  The Pantry continues to
supplement its "tuck in" acquisition strategy with new site development in
primary locations within selected markets.  The Pantry continually evaluates
individual store performance and facility conditions and closes underperforming
stores.

     On October 23, 1997, The Pantry purchased Lil' Champ from Docks U.S.A.,
Inc. and consummated the other Transactions.  See "Summary--The Transactions,"
"Business--Lil' Champ" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data."

Results of Operations of The Pantry

     The Pantry's operations for fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997 each contained
52 weeks.  The following table sets forth certain of The Pantry's results as a
percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            Fiscal Year Ended
                                                          --------------------- 
                                                          1995    1996     1997
                                                          ----    ----     ----
<S>                                                       <C>     <C>      <C>
Revenues:
 Merchandise sales..................................      49.4%   48.9%    47.4%
 Gasoline sales.....................................      49.4    50.1     51.5
 Commissions........................................       1.2     1.0      1.1
                                                          ---------------------
  Total revenues....................................     100.0   100.0    100.0
 Gross profit.......................................      25.3    23.7     22.8
Operating, general and administrative expenses......      20.1    20.8     18.0
Depreciation and amortization.......................       2.5     2.4      2.2
Income from operations..............................       2.7     0.5      2.5
</TABLE>


     Fiscal 1997 Compared to Fiscal 1996

     Revenues.  Total revenues increased 11.1% in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996.
This increase is attributable to significant revenue increases in merchandise,
gasoline and commissions despite a reduction in average store count compared to
the prior year.

     Merchandise revenues increased 7.6% in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996 due to
increased volume in major categories, a general increase in the price of
cigarettes and growth in new merchandising programs and categories.  Same store
merchandise sales increased 8.5% over fiscal 1996 and average merchandise sales
per store increased as the Company closed or sold 25 lower volume stores while
acquiring or opening 36 new stores.

     Gasoline sales increased 14.2% in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996 primarily
due to the Company's competitive pricing strategy, the closing of
underperforming stores and acquiring or opening 36 new stores with average
gasoline volume greater than the Company's overall average.  Additionally, the
average retail price per gallon in fiscal 1997 was $1.23 versus an average
retail price per gallon in fiscal 1996 of $1.20.  This average retail price is
indicative of the Company's more competitive gasoline pricing strategy, general
gasoline market conditions and increased price competition from other gasoline
marketers in certain markets.  The Company's same store gasoline volume increase
of 7.2% in fiscal 1997 can be attributed to more competitive pricing and a
relatively mild 1996-1997 winter season compared to the prior year.

     Commission revenues increased 20.3% in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996 due to
the expansion and enhancement of existing commission related programs and the
introduction of new programs in selected markets.

     Gross Profit.  Gross profit for fiscal 1997 increased 6.6% or $6.1 million
from fiscal 1996 as a result of the increases in merchandise, gasoline and
commission revenues discussed above and an increase in merchandise gross profit
margin from 33.0% in fiscal 1996 to 34.4% in fiscal 1997.  Overall gross profit
margin declined from 23.7% in fiscal 1996 to 22.8% in fiscal 1997 due to the
decrease in gasoline margin per gallon from $0.156 in 1996 to $0.128 in 1997.
The decrease in gasoline gross profit margin is attributable to a shift in the
Company's pricing practices and less favorable conditions in the wholesale and
retail gasoline markets.

     Store Operating Expenses.  Store operating expenses increased in fiscal
1997 over fiscal 1996 in terms of total dollars, but decreased as a percentage
of merchandise sales.  Store expenses increased due to increases in store
personnel related expenses of $1.0 million, real estate lease expense of $0.9
million and equipment rental expense of $0.5 million.  The increase in store
personnel related expenses is attributable to increased customer traffic and
transaction volume.  The increase in real estate leases is attributable to the
consummation of several sale/leaseback transactions.  The increase in equipment
rental expense is primarily attributable to the Company roll-out of a frozen
drink program to a majority of stores.

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses
for fiscal 1997 decreased 1.9% from fiscal 1996.  The decrease in both total
dollar terms and as a percentage of merchandise sales is attributable to
improved fiscal management of major expense categories.

     Income from Operations.  Income from operations increased from $1.9 million
in fiscal 1996 to $10.8 million in fiscal 1997.  The increase is attributable to
the items discussed above, as well as nonrecurring restructuring charges and
charges for impairment of long-lived assets of $2.2 million and $3.0 million,
respectively, in fiscal 1996 which were not present in fiscal 1997.

     Interest Expense.  Interest expense for fiscal 1997 increased $1 million
from 1996 due to (i) a temporary interest rate increase on the Company's Senior
Notes from 12% to 12 1/2% (see "Item 8.  Consolidated Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data - Note 4.  Long-Term Debt") and (ii) a nonrecurring decrease
of $0.6 million related to an interest accrual that was reversed in fiscal 1996
and did not occur in fiscal 1997.   The accrual had been recorded related to a
potential income tax issue that was resolved in The Pantry's favor in fiscal
1996.

     Income Tax Benefit (Expense).  The Company's income tax benefit decreased
in fiscal 1997 due to a $9.8 million decrease in pre-tax loss compared to the
prior year and the computation of the Company's tax liability for fiscal 1997.
Additionally, no income tax benefit was recorded in fiscal 1997, which was
principally attributable to an increase in the valuation allowance for state
deferred income tax assets of approximately $325,000.

     Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.  EBITDA
represents income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense,
income tax (expense) benefit, restructuring charges, impairment of long-lived
assets, extraordinary item and write-off of acquisition due diligence costs.
EBITDA for fiscal 1997 increased $6.0 million from 1996 due to the items
discussed above.

     Fiscal 1996 Compared to Fiscal 1995

     Revenues.  Total revenues increased 1.5% in fiscal 1996 from fiscal 1995
and the increase was attributable to significant improvements in same store
merchandise sales in the third and fourth quarters.  

     Merchandise sales increased 0.4% in fiscal 1996 from fiscal 1995 due to an
increase in same store sales which was partially offset by a reduction in the
total number of stores. The increase in same store sales came from increased
sales of cigarettes and improved and new merchandising programs. At the
beginning of fiscal 1996, in response to same store merchandise decreases in
fiscal 1995, The Pantry lowered the retail prices in several major categories
and late in fiscal 1996 began to introduce new merchandising and marketing
programs in selected markets. These programs included the addition of off-shelf
merchandise displays to its stores, new products and the modification of certain
of its ongoing merchandise programs such as its novelty and fresh food programs.
During the year, especially in the third and fourth quarters, The Pantry
experienced significant increases in the volume sold of cigarettes and other
major categories over fiscal 1995. Together, along with other changes including
the change in wholesale grocer supplier to McLane Company, Inc., same store
sales increased 2.8% over fiscal 1995. Average merchandise sales per store
increased as The Pantry shut down or sold 28 lower volume stores while opening
up four new stores.

     Gasoline sales increased 3.0% in fiscal 1996 from fiscal 1995 due to an
increase in retail price per gallon and a slight increase in total volume sold
which offset a decrease in same store sales volume.  The average retail price
per gallon in fiscal 1996 was $1.20 versus an average retail price per gallon in
fiscal 1995 of $1.17.  The Pantry raised its retail prices in response to higher
costs charged by its suppliers.  Total gasoline volume increased, despite the
same store volume decrease of 4.3%, as The Pantry benefited from a full year's
operation at the ten high volume stores opened in fiscal 1995 and from the
operations at the four high volume stores opened in fiscal 1996.

     Gross Profit.  Gross profit for fiscal 1996 decreased from fiscal 1995 as
The Pantry experienced lower margins on its merchandise sales and a lower gross
profit per gallon on its gasoline volume.  These lower margins offset the
increase in sales.  The gross margin on merchandise sales was 33.0% in fiscal
1996 compared to 34.9% in fiscal 1995.  The primary reason for the decrease in
merchandise gross margin was the decrease in cigarette margins resulting from
The Pantry lowering its retail prices to become more competitive.  The Pantry
includes purchase rebates, mark-downs, inventory spoilage and shrink in its
merchandise gross profit computation.  Gasoline

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
gross profit decreased 3.3% in fiscal 1996 from fiscal 1995 as the gross profit
per gallon in fiscal 1996 decreased to $0.1564 cents per gallon from $0.1621
cents per gallon in fiscal 1995.

     Store Operating Expenses.  Store operating expenses increased in fiscal
1996 over fiscal 1995 both in terms of total dollars and as a percentage of
merchandise sales.  Store expenses increased due to an increase in rent expense
associated with the new stores opened in fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996 and non-
recurring advertising expenses related to the first quarter introduction of Bean
Street Coffee Company coffee.  In addition, fiscal 1995 store operating expense
benefited from the one time positive effect totaling $750,000 which resulted
from the qualification of a contaminated site for reimbursement under a state
tank fund.  Fiscal 1996 store expenses were 30.8% of merchandise sales, up from
30.0% of merchandise sales in fiscal 1995.

     General and Administrative Expenses.  Fiscal 1996 general and
administrative expenses, exclusive of restructuring charges, were down 5.7%.
The decrease in general and administrative expenses was due to lower workers'
compensation expense resulting from improved management control in this area,
lower incentive compensation expense (bonuses) due to lower fiscal 1996
operating results and lower recruiting expenses, which were partially offset by
an increase in medical benefit costs and management development costs resulting
from The Pantry's November 1995 convention.

     Restructuring Charges.  During fiscal 1996, after disappointing operating
results, management changes were made, including the hiring of new senior
managers.  The Pantry also released certain personnel, including certain former
officers.  The Pantry accrued for all liabilities due under employment contracts
due to these former officers and paid severance compensation to others in
accordance with a pre-existing severance plan.  Additionally, concurrent with
the investment by FS&Co. and CMC in The Pantry, The Pantry bought out the
contract of its former CEO for $0.8 million.  Additional expenses included in
this line item consist of moving expenses to move new employees and additional
charges associated with the investment by FS&Co. and CMC in The Pantry.

     Income from Operations.  Income from operations decreased as a result of
the items discussed above as well as the fiscal 1996 $3.0 million write-down of
certain long-lived assets in accordance with The Pantry's adoption of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 (SFAS No. 121), "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets."

     Interest Expense.  Interest expense for fiscal 1996 decreased as a $0.6
million interest accrual that was recorded in fiscal 1995 was reversed in fiscal
1996.  The accrual had been recorded related to a potential income tax issue
that was resolved in The Pantry's favor in fiscal 1996.

     Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change.  During the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1995, The Pantry adopted, retroactive to September 30, 1994, Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 112 (SFAS No. 112), "Employer's Accounting
for Postemployment Benefits" and restated its first quarter results to reflect
the adoption.  SFAS No. 112 requires that employers expense the costs of
postemployment benefits over the service lives of employees if certain
conditions are met.  The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS No. 112 as of
September 30, 1994 was an after-tax charge of $1.0 million.

     Acquisition Due Diligence Costs.  During fiscal 1995, The Pantry spent
approximately $1.2 million in due diligence costs related to the evaluation of
the potential purchase of a regional convenience store company.  The proposed
transaction was abandoned and as a result, the costs incurred in connection with
the prospective acquisition were charged to earnings in fiscal 1995.

     Income Tax Benefit.  Income tax benefit increased in fiscal 1996 as a
result of the increase in The Pantry's pre-tax loss.  The increase in benefit
was partially offset by the non-deductible write-off of goodwill associated with
the adoption of SFAS No. 121.

     Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.  EBITDA
represents income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense,
income tax (expense) benefit, restructuring charges, impairment of long-lived
assets, extraordinary item and write-off of acquisition due diligence costs.
Exclusive of the impact of SFAS No. 121, EBITDA decreased for fiscal 1996 due to
a combination of the decrease in gross profit discussed

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
above and the increases in store operating and general and administrative
expenses previously discussed.  The resulting EBITDA/interest expense coverage
for fiscal 1996 was 1.3 to 1.

Quarterly Results and Seasonality

     The Pantry has historically generated approximately 54% of its revenues
during its third (April, May, June) and fourth (July, August and September)
fiscal quarters due to increased consumer spending activity in its market areas
resulting from the warmer weather and increased consumer travel in the spring
and summer, particularly in coastal resort locations.  This seasonality effect
is partially offset by Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday travel and shopping
periods, as well as stores in non-seasonal locations, such as urban and military
base markets, and contra-seasonal locations, such as college towns where
revenues are typically higher in the winter months.  Additionally, The Pantry
experiences seasonal fluctuations in its merchandise gross margin and gross
profit per gallon.  Due to this seasonality and the high portion of its costs
that are fixed, The Pantry typically generates approximately 65% of its
operating income and EBITDA during its third and fourth quarters.  The Pantry
seeks to mitigate seasonal fluctuations in cash flows by reducing inventory and
labor hours and using its line of credit to provide cash and working capital in
its first and second fiscal quarters.  The table below provides quarterly data
for selected operating items:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Fiscal Year 1996                                Fiscal Year 1997
                                   ------------------------------------------       ----------------------------------------
                                    1st Qtr    2nd Qtr    3rd Qtr    4th Qtr        1st Qtr    2nd Qtr    3rd Qtr    4th Qtr
                                    -------    -------    -------    -------        -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>    
Merchandise Sales (% volume           
  contribution)...............      23.4%      22.0%      26.8%      27.9%          23.4%      22.1%      26.0%      28.5%

Gasoline Gallons (% volume          
  contribution)...............      24.1%      24.8%      25.3%      25.8%          23.0%      22.3%      26.5%      28.2%
 
Merchandise Gross Margin %....      34.2%      32.5%      32.1%      33.4%          33.5%      34.5%      34.3%      35.2%

Gasoline Gross Profit per        
  Gallon......................      $0.152     $0.165     $0.176     $0.179         $0.126     $0.118     $0.125     $0.139
</TABLE>


Results of Operations of Lil' Champ

  Lil' Champ's operations for the fiscal years ended December 30, 1995 and
December 28, 1996 each contained 52 weeks.  The fiscal year ended December 31,
1994 contained 53 weeks.  The following table sets forth Lil' Champ's results as
a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Year Ended December             Nine Months Ended
                                                  --------------------------    ------------------------------
                                                                                September 28,    September 27,
                                                     1994     1995     1996        1996             1997
                                                  --------------------------    ------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>              <C>
Revenues:
 Merchandise sales.............................       45.3%    45.0%    44.1%       44.6%            44.6%
 Gasoline sales................................       53.0     53.3     54.3        53.9             53.9
 Commissions...................................        1.7      1.7      1.6         1.5              1.5
                                                  --------------------------    ------------------------------
  Total revenues...............................      100.0    100.0    100.0       100.0            100.0
Gross profit...................................       23.4     23.0     22.0        22.2             22.0
Operating, general and administrative
 expenses......................................       18.5     17.7     17.1        17.4             17.3
 
Depreciation and amortization..................        2.5      2.4      2.2         2.2              2.3
Income from operations.........................        2.4      2.9      2.7         2.6              1.6
</TABLE>

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
     Nine Months Ended September 27, 1997 Compared to Nine Months Ended
September 28, 1996

     Revenues.  Total revenues for the nine months ended September 27, 1997
increased 3.5% from the comparable period in the prior year to $398.1 million.
This increase is attributable to higher merchandise sales, gasoline sales and
commissions, despite a 1.8% reduction in the average store count during this
period.

     Total merchandise sales increased 3.6% for the first nine months of 1997 as
compared to the first nine months of 1996 primarily as the result of a same
store merchandise sales increase of 3.7%.  The increase in merchandise sales for
the period is attributable to the addition of branded fast food operations in
certain stores and increased sales of tobacco products, beer, general
merchandise and health and beauty care items.

     Gasoline revenues for the nine months ended September 27, 1997 increased
3.6% over the same period in the prior year.  This increase reflects higher
retail price per gallon and total gallons sold of 2.7% and 0.9%, respectively.
Higher retail gasoline prices for the period were attributable to increases in
wholesale costs which were passed on to consumers.

     Gross Profit.  Gross profit for the nine months ended September 27, 1997
increased 2.6% from the comparable period in the prior year as a result of
increases in merchandise and gasoline gross profit of 3.7% and 0.4%,
respectively.  For the nine months ended September 27, 1997, merchandise gross
profit as a percentage of sales remained flat at 34.1% when compared with the
same period in 1996.  However, increased sales related to branded fast food
operations resulted in a higher total gross profit.  Gasoline gross profit per
gallon remained flat at $0.125 for the same periods.  This decrease in gasoline
gross margins is attributable to slightly less favorable conditions in the
retail gasoline markets.

     Store Operating and General and Administrative Expenses.  Store operating
expenses increased 1.5% in the first nine months of 1997 as compared to the
comparable period in 1996 as a result of higher store labor and rental expenses.
As a percentage of merchandise sales, store operating expense decreased to 31.8%
from 32.4% for these periods.  General and administrative expenses for the nine
months ended September 27, 1997 increased 10.4% over the same period in the
prior year due to higher personnel expenses and an increase in third party
professional services associated with the sale of Lil' Champ.  General and
administrative expenses as a percentage of merchandise sales increased to 7.1%
from 6.7%.  Lil' Champ took a $3.4 million charge in the nine month period ended
September 27, 1997 to establish a reserve for the remediation of environmental
contamination.

     Income from Operations.  Income from operations for the nine months ended
September 27, 1997 decreased to $6.4 million from $10.2 million for the nine
months ended September 28, 1996 primarily as a result of the $3.4 million
environmental charge discussed above.  Excluding the effects of the
environmental charge, income from operations would have only decreased by 3.8%.

     Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.  EBITDA
represents income (loss) before interest expense, income tax benefit (expense),
depreciation and amortization and the 1997 charge for establishing a reserve for
environmental remediation.  EBITDA is not a measure of performance under
generally accepted accounting principles, and should not be considered as a
substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities and other income
or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, or as a measure of profitability or liquidity.  EBITDA
remained constant over the first nine months of 1997 as compared to 1996, $19.4
million and $19.5 million, respectively.

     Interest Expense.  Interest expenses for Lil' Champ arises from bank
borrowings, notes held by Lil' Champ's parent and interest on capitalized lease
obligations.  For the nine months ended September 27, 1997 interest expense
decreased slightly to $1.7 million from $2.0 million for the comparable period
in the prior year.  This decrease resulted from lower average bank borrowings
during 1997.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
     Fiscal 1996 Compared to Fiscal 1995

     Revenues.  Total revenues for the year ended December 28, 1996 increased
6.4% from the prior year to $513.2 million.  This increase is attributable to
higher merchandise sales, gasoline sales and commissions, despite a 1.2%
reduction in the average store count during this period.

     Total merchandise sales increased 4.1% for the year ended December 28, 1996
as compared to the year ended December 30, 1995, primarily as the result of a
same store merchandise sales increase of 4.1%.  The merchandise sales increase
for the year is attributable to the net addition of 16 branded fast food
locations, increased sales of tobacco products and beer and improvements in Lil'
Champ's coffee program, including the installation of cappuccino equipment in
certain stores.  In addition, Lil' Champ's merchandise sales benefitted from the
change in wholesale suppliers to McLane Company in April 1996 which resulted in
improved inventory selection, more timely deliveries and reduced out of stocks.

     Gasoline revenues for the year ended December 28, 1996 increased 8.5% over
1995 as a result of increases in retail price per gallon and total gallons sold
of 6.2% and 2.1%, respectively.  Retail gasoline prices increased in 1996 due to
cost increases at the wholesale level.  The increase in gasoline gallons sold
reflects a same store gasoline gallon increase of 1.9% as well as the opening of
four new higher-than-average volume stores which were partially offset by the
closing of five lower-than-average volume stores during the year.

     For the year ended December 28, 1996, commission revenue increased 2.3%
over the prior year to $8.2 million.  This increase resulted from the
introduction of video gaming machines in certain Georgia stores and higher
lottery commission income.

     Gross Profit.  Gross profit for the year ended December 28, 1996 increased
1.4% from the prior year to $112.7 million.  Factors contributing to higher
gross profits were increases in merchandise gross profit of 4.9% and commission
revenues of 2.3%, partially offset by a decrease in gasoline gross profit of
7.4%.  Merchandise gross profit margin increased to 34.2% in 1996 from 33.9% in
1995, reflecting increased sales of high margin branded fast food.  Gasoline
gross profit per gallon decreased to $0.122 in 1996 from $0.134 in 1995 as a
result of Lil' Champ's inability to pass along all of the gasoline supply cost
increases experienced during the year due to a more competitive retail gasoline
environment.

     Store Operating and General and Administrative Expenses.  Store operating
expenses increased 4.9% for the year ended December 28, 1996 over the prior year
due primarily to increased store labor costs related to higher sales volumes.
Store operating expenses as a percentage of merchandise sales increased to 32.6%
in 1996 from 32.3% in 1995.  General and administrative expenses for the year
ended December 28, 1996 decreased 8.2% from the prior year due to lower workers
compensation expense and a reversal of a closed store reserve related primarily
to a store that remained open following improved performance.  General and
administrative expenses as a percentage of merchandise sales decreased in 1996
to 6.3% from 7.1% in 1995.

     Income from Operations.  Income from operations for the year ended December
28, 1996 decreased slightly to $13.5 million from $13.8 million for the year
ended December 30, 1995.  This decrease is attributable to lower gasoline gross
profit, offset partially by increased merchandise gross profit and lower general
and administrative expenses.

     Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.  EBITDA
represents income (loss) before interest expense, income tax benefit (expense)
and depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA for the year ended December 28, 1996
was $26.5 million, a 2.9% decrease from 1995.

     Interest Expense.  Interest expense for Lil' Champ arises from bank
borrowings, notes held by Lil' Champ's parent and interest on capitalized lease
obligations.  Interest expense in 1996 decreased to $2.7 million from $3.2
million in 1995.  This decrease reflects the reduction of debt outstanding
during 1996.

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
     Fiscal 1995 Compared to Fiscal 1994

     Revenues.  Total revenues for the year ended December 30, 1995 increased
2.9% from the 53-week prior year to $482.3 million.  On a comparable 52-week
basis, total revenues in 1995 increased 4.9% over 1994.  This increase resulted
from higher merchandise sales, gasoline sales and commissions, despite a 1.1%
reduction in the average store count during this period.

     Total merchandise sales were 2.3% higher for the year ended December 30,
1995 as compared to the year ended December 31, 1994.  On a comparable 52-week
basis, merchandise sales increased 4.3% in 1995.  This increase resulted
primarily from a same store merchandise sales increase of 4.7% on a 52-week
basis.  The increase in merchandise sales for the year is attributable to the
addition of branded fast food operations in certain stores, more promotional
cigarette sales activity, improvements in Lil' Champ's frozen carbonated
beverage offerings and the introduction of a new prepaid phone card program.

     Gasoline revenues for the year ended December 30, 1995 increased 3.4% as
compared to the prior year.  The increase was 5.4% on a comparable 52-week
basis.  Higher gasoline revenue resulted from increases in retail price per
gallon and total gallons sold (on a 52-week basis) of 4.0% and 3.3%,
respectively.  The increase in gasoline gallons sold reflects a same store
gasoline gallon increase of 1.3% on a comparable 52-week basis and the opening
of three new stores, partially offset by the closing of 21 lower-than-average
volume stores.

     For the year ended December 30, 1995, commission revenue increased 3.8%
over the prior year to $8.0 million.  This increase is attributable to increased
money orders and the benefits of a new pay phone service contract.

     Gross Profit.  Gross profit for the year ended December 30, 1995 increased
1.3% from the prior year to $111.1 million.  The increase consisted of increases
in gasoline gross profit, merchandise gross profit and commission revenue of
2.4%, 0.6% and 3.8%, respectively.  Merchandise gross profit margin decreased to
33.9% in 1995 from 34.5% in 1994 due to increased sales of lower margin private
label cigarettes and increased soft drink promotions.  Gasoline gross profit per
gallon increased to $0.134 in 1995 from $0.130 in 1994 as a result of the
closure of 21 underperforming stores and the opening of three new stores with
higher-than-average gasoline gross margins.

     Store Operating and General and Administrative Expenses.  Store operating
expenses increased 2.6% for the year ended December 30, 1995 over the prior
year.  This increase was due to the introduction of branded fast food in certain
stores and higher gas maintenance and tank removal costs related to store
closings.  These factors were partially offset by lower labor and other store
variable costs in 1995 related to the 52-week year as compared to the 53-week
year in 1994.  Store operating expenses as a percentage of merchandise sales for
the year were flat compared to 1994 at 32.3%.  General and administrative
expenses for the year ended December 30, 1995 decreased 14.0% from the prior
year primarily because of a $1.5 million write-down of the Eli Witt investment
in 1994 and the impact of one additional week in 1994.  General and
administrative expenses as a percentage of merchandise sales decreased in 1995
to 7.1% from 8.5% in 1994.

     Income from Operations.  Income from operations for the year ended December
30, 1995 increased to $13.8 million from $11.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 1994 primarily due to the reduction in general and administrative
expenses.

     Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.  EBITDA
represents income (loss) before interest expense, income tax benefit (expense)
and depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA for the year ended December 30, 1995
increased 9.2% from the prior year to $27.3 million.

     Interest Expense.  Interest expense for Lil' Champ arises from bank
borrowings, notes held by Lil' Champ's parent and interest on capitalized lease
obligations.  Interest expense in 1995 decreased to $3.2 million from $3.9
million in 1994.  This decrease reflects the reduction of debt outstanding
during 1995.

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

     The Pantry

     Due to the nature of The Pantry's business, substantially all sales are for
cash, and cash provided by operations is The Pantry's primary source of
liquidity.  Capital expenditures, acquisitions and interest expense represent
the primary uses of funds.  The Pantry has relied primarily upon cash provided
by operating activities, supplemented as necessary from time to time by
borrowings under its working capital line, sale-leaseback transactions, asset
dispositions and equity investments, to finance its operations, pay interest and
fund capital expenditures and acquisitions.  Cash provided by operating
activities in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997 totaled $11.7 million,
$5.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

     The Pantry also had $3.3 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand at
September 25, 1997.  Capital expenditures in fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996 and fiscal
1997 were $16.7 million, $7.1 million and $14.7 million, respectively.  Capital
expenditures are primarily expenditures for existing store improvements, store
equipment, new store development and expenditures to comply with regulatory
statutes, including those related to the environment.  The Pantry finances
substantially all new store development and acquisition activity through cash
flow from operations and a sale-leaseback program or similar lease activity and
asset dispositions.  The Pantry spent $12.3 million related to its tuck-in
acquisition program for the year ended September 25, 1997.

     The Pantry's long-term debt at September 25, 1997 consisted primarily of
$100.0 million of the Senior Notes.  The interest payments on the Senior Notes
are due May 15 and November 15.  See "Description of Other Indebtedness--Senior
Notes".

     Lil' Champ

     Lil' Champ's primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operating
activities.  Capital expenditures, including costs associated with retrofitting
USTs to meet new regulatory standards, and debt service payments are Lil'
Champ's primary uses of funds.  Lil' Champ has relied primarily on cash flow
from operations, supplemented periodically with borrowings under its working
capital facility and intercompany loans from its parent, Docks de France and
proceeds from asset dispositions to finance its operations, make debt services
payments and fund capital expenditures.  Net cash provided by operating
activities for fiscal 1994, fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996 and the nine months
ended September 27, 1997 was $20.2 million, $17.8 million, $23.0 million and
$22.6 million, respectively.

     As of September 27, 1997, Lil' Champ had $9.5 million in cash and cash
equivalents.  Capital expenditures for fiscal 1994, fiscal 1995, fiscal 1996 and
the nine months ended September 27, 1997 were $7.7 million, $12.0 million, $21.4
million and $10.2 million, respectively.  Capital expenditures are primarily
related to gasoline equipment retrofits, including those related to complying
with environmental regulations, the installation of QSRs in existing stores, new
store development, store remodels and for maintenance purposes.  Lil' Champ's
revolving credit and letter of credit facilities were refinanced in connection
with the Lil' Champ Acquisition.

     The Company

     The Company's future liquidity needs will arise primarily from principal
and interest payments under its outstanding indebtedness, and from the funding
of its capital expenditures and acquisitions.  The Company has outstanding
approximately $263.1 million of indebtedness, including $200.0 million principal
amount of the Notes and $49.0 million principal amount of the Senior Notes.

     The Company has entered into the New Credit Facility, consisting of a $45.0
million revolving credit facility and a $30.0 million acquisition facility.  The
New Credit Facility has availability for letter of credit usage, is secured by
substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors and is
guaranteed by the Guarantors.  Principal and interest payments under the New
Credit Facility and interest payments on the Notes, the Exchange Notes and the
Senior Notes represent significant liquidity requirements for the Company.  The
loans under the New Credit Facility bear interest at floating rates based upon
the interest rate option elected by the Company.  See "Description of Other
Indebtedness--New Credit Facility." The Senior Notes are due in 2000.  The
Company

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
anticipates that it will refinance the Senior Notes, but there can be no
assurance that such refinancing can be obtained.

     Capital expenditures of the Company will primarily be expenditures for
existing store improvements, store equipment, new store development and
environmental expenditures.  Estimated capital expenditures for the Company are
approximately $30.0 million for 1998 and approximately $20.0 million for each
year thereafter through 2003.  "Tuck in" acquisition expenditures will be funded
by a combination of cash provided by operations, sale-leaseback transactions and
the acquisition facility portion of the New Credit Facility and are estimated at
$4.0 million for 1998 and thereafter $12.0 million per year through 2003.

     Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies have adopted various
regulations governing USTs that require the Company to make certain expenditures
for compliance.  Regulations enacted by the EPA in 1988 established requirements
for UST systems and ongoing monitoring of USTs.  The Pantry has upgraded
approximately 81% of Pantry locations, and approximately 71% of Lil' Champ
locations have been upgraded.  The Company plans to have all operating locations
in compliance in advance of the required date.  To meet these regulatory
requirements, the Company's estimated 1998 capital expenditures include an
estimated $1.0 million and $4.5 million for Pantry and Lil' Champ stores,
respectively.  For a more detailed discussion relating to USTs and other
regulatory requirements, see "Business--Government Regulation and Environmental
Matters."

     Due to the nature of the Company's business, substantially all sales will
be for cash, and cash provided by operations will be the Company's primary
source of liquidity.  Capital expenditures and debt service represent the
primary uses of funds.  The Company believes cash provided by operating
activities, supplemented as necessary from time to time by amounts available
under the New Credit Facility, will be sufficient to finance its operations,
service the interest payment on its debt, and fund capital expenditures for the
foreseeable future.

    Inflation.  General inflation has not had a significant impact on the 
Company over the past three years.  Management expects the cost of tobacco 
products to increase over the next several years and, as a result, expects 
merchandise revenues to increase and merchandise gross margin percentage to 
decline.  Management believes it can pass along these and other cost increases 
to its customers over the long-term and, therefore, does not expect inflation to
have a significant impact on the results of operations or financial condition in
the forseeable future.

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
                                    BUSINESS

Overview

     On October 23, 1997, The Pantry, Inc., the largest convenience store
operator in North Carolina and South Carolina, purchased Lil' Champ Food Stores,
Inc.  Lil' Champ is the largest convenience store chain in northern Florida,
operating 488 convenience stores located in 33 counties in northern Florida and
southeastern Georgia.  The combination of The Pantry and Lil' Champ has created
the third largest independent convenience store chain in the United States
(based on number of stores) with 878 stores and a strong concentration in the
Southeast.

     The Pantry.  The Pantry is the largest operator of convenience stores in
North Carolina and South Carolina, where 289 of its 390 stores are located.  The
other 101 Pantry stores are located in western Kentucky, Tennessee and southern
Indiana.  The Pantry operates its convenience stores under the name "The
Pantry," primarily in smaller towns and suburban areas.  The Pantry's stores
offer a broad selection of affordable, high quality merchandise and services,
including tobacco products, beer, soft drinks, self-service fast food and
beverages, publications, dairy products, groceries, health and beauty aids,
video games and money orders.  In its Kentucky and Indiana stores, The Pantry
also sells lottery products.  In addition, self-service gasoline is sold at 364
Pantry stores, 314 of which sells gasoline under brand names including Amoco,
British Petroleum (BP), Exxon, Shell and Texaco.  Since fiscal 1994, merchandise
sales (including commissions from services) and gasoline sales have each
averaged approximately 50% of total revenues.  Management believes The Pantry
has the following principal strengths:

    .     Leading market position.  The Pantry, which commenced operations in
          1967, is a leading operator of convenience stores in the Southeast.
          Since 1979, The Pantry has operated the largest number of convenience
          stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, and currently has
          approximately twice the number of stores as its largest competitor.
          Throughout its operating history, The Pantry has captured many prime
          locations in its market areas.  The Pantry's geographically
          concentrated store base in North Carolina and South Carolina generates
          operational and marketing efficiencies and enhances its negotiating
          position with suppliers.

    .     Attractive markets.  North Carolina and South Carolina are among the
          fastest growing states in terms of population, employment and gross
          state product.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of
          these two states increased 8.5% for the period from 1990 through 1996,
          compared to the national average of 6.4% over the same period.
          According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in these
          two states increased 7.8% for the period from 1990 through 1996,
          compared to the national average of 6.7% over the same period.
          According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the gross state product
          of these two states increased 12.6% for the period from 1990 through
          1994, compared to the national average of 8.2% during the same period.
          Additionally, approximately 23% of The Pantry stores are located in
          coastal resort areas which attract vacationing customers, who tend to
          shop more frequently at convenience stores and are less sensitive to
          prices than local populations.

    .     Experienced management.  Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal
          1996, The Pantry hired a new management team led by Peter J. Sodini.
          This team, with an average of 31 years of experience in various
          retailing industries, has been successful in improving The Pantry's
          operating and financial performance.  Specific strategies implemented
          by The Pantry's new senior management team include: improving
          merchandising and supplier relationships, increasing expense controls,
          repositioning and rebranding gasoline operations, completing "tuck in"
          acquisitions, upgrading store facilities and increasing management
          depth to facilitate The Pantry's growth plans.

    .     Branded gasoline offerings.  The Pantry derives significant benefits
          from offering such branded gasolines as Amoco, British Petroleum (BP),
          Exxon, Shell and Texaco at 314 locations.  Such benefits include
          increased customer traffic, higher gasoline margins, improved
          merchandise sales and a built-in credit card customer base.  In
          addition, The Pantry receives reimaging allowances and marketing
          support from these branded gasoline suppliers which are used to
          upgrade facilities and maintain The Pantry's attractive customer
          image.

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
    .     Attractive customer image. The Pantry prides itself on building a
          local, repeat customer base by emphasizing competitive prices, fully
          stocked stores, prompt and friendly customer service, cleanliness and
          safety at convenient, well-lighted locations. The Pantry's new
          merchandising programs, which offer expanded product selections
          tailored to local markets, have increased merchandise sales, gross
          margins and inventory turnover.

     Lil' Champ.  Lil' Champ is a leading operator of convenience stores in
Florida and the largest convenience store operator in northern Florida.  Lil'
Champ's 488 stores, operated under the name "Lil' Champ", are located primarily
in northern Florida and Georgia, with 151 stores concentrated in the
Jacksonville, Florida area.  Like The Pantry, Lil' Champ stores offer a broad
selection of affordable, high quality merchandise and services.  Self-service
gasoline is sold at 434 Lil' Champ stores, 202 of which sell gasoline under
brand names including British Petroleum (BP), Chevron, Fina, and Texaco.  In
addition, Lil' Champ has developed a food service operation which includes 49
in-store QSRs offering national brands such as Taco Bell, A&W Root Beer, Long
John Silver's and Pizza Hut.  Since fiscal 1994, merchandise sales (including
commissions from services) and gasoline sales have averaged approximately 46%
and 54% of total revenues, respectively.  Management believes Lil' Champ's
strong financial performance is a result of the following key strengths:

    .     Leading market position.  As the largest convenience store chain in
          northern Florida, Lil' Champ has a strong regional identity.  In its
          core Jacksonville, Florida market area, Lil' Champ operates 151
          stores, approximately three times as many stores as its largest
          competitor.  Lil' Champ's geographically concentrated store base in
          northern Florida generates operational and marketing efficiencies and
          enhances its negotiating position with suppliers.

    .     Attractive markets.  Northern Florida is a rapidly growing market for
          convenience stores.  Lil' Champ stores are located predominantly in
          Florida, which is one of the fastest growing states in terms of
          population, employment and gross state product.  According to the U.S.
          Census Bureau, the population of Florida increased 10.6% for the
          period from 1990 through 1996, compared to the national average of
          6.4% over the same period.  Jacksonville is among the fastest growing
          metropolitan areas in the United States.  According to the U.S. Bureau
          of Labor Statistics, employment in Florida increased 8.4% for the
          period from 1990 through 1996, compared to the national average of
          6.7% over the same period.  According to the U.S. Department of
          Commerce, the gross state product of Florida increased 10.7% for the
          period from 1990 through 1994, compared to the national average of
          8.2% during the same period.

     .    Prime store locations.  During its 26 years of operation, Lil' Champ
          has selectively chosen its store locations as new residential areas
          and interstate routes have been developed.  Management believes that
          many of Lil' Champ's stores are in developed areas where current land
          prices and the unavailability of suitable plots make it difficult for
          competitors to replicate Lil' Champ's existing store base.

Operating Strategy

     Management's strategic goal is to continue to capitalize on and enhance the
Company's position as a leading convenience store retailer in the Southeast.
Management believes that the Company, with its established market positions,
extensive network of locations and attractive customer image, will have a
significant competitive advantage in generating operating efficiencies and
pursuing "tuck in" acquisitions.  Management intends to continue utilizing
operating strategies that have been successfully employed at The Pantry.
Elements of management's strategic plan include the following:

    .     Focus on merchandising mix and margins.  The Company's merchandising
          strategy is to offer a broader and more locally defined variety of
          products than is provided by other convenience stores, with particular
          emphasis on "fresh" food and beverage offerings, general merchandise
          and monthly promotional displays.  This tailored product mix appeals
          to the tastes and needs of local customers and improves inventory
          turnover.  During the summer season, for example, the Company's stores
          in resort areas carry more vacation oriented items such as large
          souvenir assortments, beachwear,

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
          beach toys and beach chairs.  Furthermore, specific improvements have
          been implemented to enhance the breadth, quality and presentation of
          The Pantry's cigarette, coffee, prepared foods, general merchandise
          and novelty product offerings.  These improvements have contributed to
          increases in merchandise sales and gross profit margin.  Management
          believes there are opportunities to increase Lil' Champ's revenues and
          gross profit margin by applying elements of The Pantry's merchandising
          strategy to the Lil' Champ operations.

    .     Leverage relationships with suppliers.  An important element of the
          Company's operating strategy is developing and maintaining strong
          relationships with its merchandise and gasoline suppliers.  The Pantry
          represents an attractive distribution channel to suppliers given its
          geographically concentrated store base and demonstrated ability to
          increase its merchandise sales and gasoline volumes.  These factors
          enhance The Pantry's ability to obtain favorable terms from key
          suppliers.  Management believes opportunities exist to similarly
          leverage Lil' Champ's supply relationships, given its high geographic
          concentration.  Moreover, management believes the consolidation of the
          purchasing power of The Pantry and Lil' Champ will lead to additional
          cost savings.

    .     Strengthen expense controls.  The Pantry has significantly reduced
          its operating expenses as a percentage of sales by eliminating
          redundant positions, outsourcing certain non-core functions to third
          parties, renegotiating supply and service agreements and implementing
          improved employee training and retention, risk management and
          inventory shrink procedures and programs.  Management believes that
          additional savings will be achieved by introducing The Pantry's
          expense control procedures in the Lil' Champ operations.

    .     Improve gasoline operations.  The Company will continue to focus on
          improving gasoline sales volumes at existing locations through its
          "Major Market" improvement program.  The program involves (i)
          increasing the competitiveness of The Pantry's gasoline pricing, while
          maintaining acceptable profit margins, (ii) upgrading gasoline
          facilities and equipment and (iii) selectively rebranding stores.  The
          Pantry has successfully implemented this program at 100 stores in four
          markets (representing 40% of The Pantry's gasoline volume) as
          evidenced by increased comparable store gasoline volumes of
          approximately 25% at these stores for the six months ended September
          25, 1997 compared to the prior year period.  As part of this effort,
          The Pantry is consolidating its gasoline purchasing among a select
          number of branded gasoline suppliers.  Since February 1997, The Pantry
          has rebranded 71 stores with Shell gasoline pursuant to a long-term
          supply agreement and anticipates a total of 180 stores will be
          rebranded upon full implementation of the Shell rebranding program in
          1998.  Benefits of consolidating gasoline purchases include lower
          costs through volume rebates as well as obtaining allowances from
          certain gas suppliers for advertising and reimaging, which includes
          upgrading gasoline equipment by installing MPDs and CRINDs.  While
          Lil' Champ has historically maintained competitive gasoline prices,
          management believes that Lil' Champ can achieve cost savings and
          volume increases through similar gasoline equipment upgrades and
          rebranding.  For example, only 29 Lil' Champ stores currently have
          CRINDs compared to 131 stores at The Pantry.

    .     Upgrade store facilities and equipment. The Pantry's store renovation
          program is an integral part of the Company's operating strategy. The
          Pantry continually evaluates the performance of individual stores and
          periodically upgrades store facilities and equipment based on sales
          volumes, the lease term for leased locations and management's
          assessment of the potential return on investment. Typical upgrades
          include improvements to interior fixtures and equipment for self-
          service food and beverages, interior lighting, in-store restrooms for
          customers and exterior lighting and signage. The upgrading program for
          The Pantry's gasoline operations typically includes upgrading
          canopies, the addition of automated gasoline dispensing and payment
          equipment to enhance customer convenience and service and the
          installation of UST leak detection and other equipment in accordance
          with applicable EPA environmental regulations. The Pantry remodeled a
          total of 70 stores in seven markets in fiscal 1997. The total cost of
          these remodels was $4.6 million, a portion of which was paid for by
          branded gasoline suppliers. Since remodeling, these stores have
          achieved merchandise sales and gasoline gallon

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
          increases of 7.3% and 22.6%, respectively, as compared to the
          comparable period of the prior year.  At its Lil' Champ stores the
          Company intends to implement a program of cosmetic upgrades, including
          new paint and interior lighting, in addition to selectively upgrading
          gasoline facilities and equipment.  Management believes that its store
          upgrade program offers an opportunity to improve the performance of
          Lil' Champ operations.

    .     Pursue "tuck in" acquisitions and new store development.  Management
          believes there are opportunities to increase the Company's sales and
          gain operating efficiencies through store acquisitions and new store
          development.  The Pantry's "tuck in" acquisition strategy focuses on
          acquiring individual stores or small chains within The Pantry's
          existing market area.  The Pantry's "tuck in" acquisition program is
          complemented by new store development in existing markets with strong
          growth characteristics.  By pursuing this growth strategy, the Company
          believes it can increase its market share and improve operating
          results, while taking advantage of such markets' favorable growth
          prospects.  During the current fiscal year, The Pantry has acquired a
          total of 35 stores in five separate transactions, with aggregate
          annual revenues of $45.0 million.  All of the acquired stores are in
          locations within The Pantry's existing markets.  Management believes
          these acquisitions are made on favorable terms and will provide
          opportunities to improve merchandise sales, gross margins and gasoline
          volumes and eliminate overhead related to the acquired stores.  The
          Company will continue to pursue this acquisition strategy in its
          primary markets including the newly acquired Lil' Champ markets.

Synergies of the Lil' Champ Acquisition

     Through the Lil' Champ Acquisition, management anticipates that the Company
will improve operating profit by (i) negotiating more favorable arrangements
with suppliers of merchandise and other services due to increased purchasing
volumes; (ii) concentrating Lil' Champ gasoline purchases among fewer suppliers
to achieve lower supply costs and more favorable advertising and reimaging
allowances; and (iii) reducing operating expenses through improved expense
controls, the elimination of certain overlapping administrative costs and the
renegotiation of outside service arrangements such as property and general
liability insurance, employee benefits, environmental services, equipment
purchasing and gas hauling.  Although the operations of Lil' Champ are
integrated with The Pantry, the Company will continue to operate the Lil' Champ
locations under the "Lil' Champ" name in order to capitalize on its strong
regional identity.  There can be no assurance that such synergies or cost
savings will be realized or that there will not be delays in achieving such
synergies or cost savings.

The Convenience Store Industry

     Total convenience store industry sales rose 5.4% in 1996 over the prior
year to $151.9 billion, with 46.5% of revenues from merchandise sales and 53.5%
from gasoline.  This increase in sales compares favorably to the total increase
in retail sales and grocery store sales, which increased 5.3% and 3.2%,
respectively.  The industry employed over 772,000 people in 1996, an increase of
1.1% from 1995, and industry store count increased 1.1% to 94,200 in 1996, the
first increase since 1990.  The growth in store count marks a turning point for
an industry that has been restructuring, merging and downsizing for several
years.

     Industry pre-tax profitability fell during 1996 from the record levels of
the prior two years to $2.4 billion, but still represented the third highest
year of pre-tax profit in history.  For the first time since 1988, convenience
store chains with over 200 stores were more profitable than smaller category
chains.  This major reversal reflects the cost-cutting efforts by the larger
chains over the last few years, particularly in the area of general and
administrative costs.  These larger size companies are beginning to reap the
benefits of lower cost structures, investments in technology and economies of
scale.

     In 1996, merchandise sales grew 1.4% to $70.7 billion.  Tobacco was the
predominant category, comprising 26.4% of all merchandise purchases.  Fast food
in all forms contributed 13.9% to total merchandise purchases, and beer
represented 12.6%.  Total merchandise gross profit margin rose to $22.1 billion
in 1996 from $21.2 billion, and merchandise gross profit margin increased in
1996 to 31.2% from 30.4% in 1995.  This increase

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
was due to increasing sales in the higher margin foodservice items in proportion
to sales of lower margin tobacco products.

     The trend to combine gasoline operations with merchandise-selling stores
has played a key role in the growth of the industry.  Since 1988, the
convenience store industry has steadily increased its share of the market for
gasoline from 36.5% to 53.5% in 1996.  Its share is expected to increase to
almost 60% by the year 2000.  Gross margins per gallon have increased from
$0.105 in 1991 to $0.131 in 1996.  Management believes that the increase in
gasoline gross margins was due in part to the increased use of branded gasoline
in the industry.  The benefits of branded gasoline include name recognition, use
of an oil company's credit card program, and a more reliable supply source
during times of crisis, e.g., the Gulf War.  Total gasoline sales increased 9.1%
to $81.2 billion in 1996 from $74.4 billion in 1995 due primarily to increased
average retail gasoline prices and, to a lesser extent, increased usage.  During
1996, gasoline margins dropped to $0.131 from $0.134 in 1995 due to general
market conditions and increased price competition.

     The industry is in the midst of a consolidation trend with a number of
significant mergers and acquisitions in recent years.  This consolidation trend
is driven by the increasing costs of doing business, in particular, the
increasing costs of compliance with environmental laws and, more recently,
increasing technology requirements.  The 50 largest convenience store operators
in North America operate more than 45,500 stores, representing 49% of the total
93,200 stores for the industry.  Based on the number of stores, The Pantry was
ranked the 32nd largest operator in 1996 and the 33rd largest operator in 1997.
Lil' Champ was ranked the 29th largest operator for 1996 and 27th in 1997.  The
combined entities on a pro forma basis would have ranked 12th in 1996 and 14th
in 1997.  Of the ten largest chains in 1997, only the industry's number-one
ranked chain, Southland Corp. (7-Eleven), is an "independent"--not owned by an
oil company.  The Company is now the third largest independent convenience store
operator in the United States.

The Pantry

     On November 30, 1995, FS&Co. and CMC acquired ownership interests in The
Pantry.  Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 1996, The Pantry strengthened
its senior management team.  Peter J. Sodini, an experienced retail executive,
was hired in February 1996 and was appointed President and Chief Executive
Officer in June 1996.  Concurrently, several key executive positions were filled
including: Senior Vice President of Administration and Gasoline Marketing,
Senior Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Marketing.  In January
1997, a new Senior Vice President of Finance joined The Pantry.  In addition,
several other new employees were hired to fill other positions with specific
skill requirements.  These individuals all bring strong experience in retail
operations.

     The management team has reorganized The Pantry's management structure and
reporting relationships to improve organizational effectiveness, reduce
operating costs and increase profitability.  Having made progress towards
reducing overhead, the management team focused on reducing the acquisition cost
of goods and services.  At the same time, store expenses were examined and a
number of new policies and procedures were implemented to reduce costs,
particularly store labor.  These cost savings measures enabled The Pantry to
implement a number of initiatives designed to improve merchandising and increase
customer traffic, transaction size and same store sales volume and to focus on
the competitive repositioning of its gasoline operations.

     Merchandise Sales.  For the year ended September 25, 1997, The Pantry's
merchandise sales (including commissions from services) were 48.5% of total
revenues.  The Pantry's gross margins on merchandise sales after purchase
rebates, mark-downs, inventory spoilage and inventory shrink increased to 34.4%
for this period from 33.0% in the same period of the prior year.  Merchandise
sales per store for the year ended September 25, 1997 increased by 9.6% from the
comparable period for the previous year.

     The following table highlights certain information with respect to The
Pantry merchandise sales for the last two fiscal years:

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                       --------------------
                                                                         1996       1997
                                                                        -------    -------   
     <S>                                                                <C>        <C>  
     Merchandise sales (in millions)............................        $188.1     $202.4
     Average merchandise sales per store (in thousands).........        $479.8     $525.8
     Merchandise gross margins (after purchase rebates, mark-                              
      downs, inventory spoilage and inventory shrink)...........          33.0%      34.4% 
     Average number of stores...................................           392        385
</TABLE>

     The Pantry's stores generally carry approximately 4,200 stock keeping units
and offer a full line of convenience products, including tobacco products, beer,
soft drinks, self-service fast foods and beverages (including fountain beverages
and coffee), candy, newspapers and magazines, snack foods, dairy products,
canned goods and groceries, health and beauty aids and other immediate
consumables.  The Pantry has also developed an in-house food service program
featuring breakfast biscuits, fried chicken, deli and other hot food offerings.
The following table describes The Pantry's merchandise sales mix for the last
two fiscal years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Fiscal Year Ended
                                                    -----------------
                                                     1996        1997
                                                    ------      -----
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>
     Tobacco products........................       25.2%       27.8%
     Beer....................................       14.5        15.1
     Soft drinks.............................       13.8        13.7
     Self-service fast foods and beverages...        7.4         6.9
     General Merchandise.....................        6.0         6.4
     Candy...................................        5.0         4.8
     Newspapers and magazines................        5.7         5.0
     Snack foods.............................        4.5         4.6
     Dairy products..........................        2.8         2.8
     Bread/Cake..............................        2.3         2.1
     Grocery and Other.......................       12.8        10.8
                                                    ----        ---- 
      Total..................................       100%        100%
                                                    ====        ====
</TABLE>


     The Pantry purchases over 50% of its general merchandise (including most
tobacco products, candy, paper products, pet food and food service items) and
groceries from a single wholesale grocer, McLane Company, Inc. ("McLane").  In
addition, McLane supplies health and beauty aids, cigars, smokeless tobacco,
toys, and seasonal items to all stores.  However, there are adequate alternative
sources available to purchase this merchandise should a change from the current
wholesaler become necessary or desirable.  The Pantry purchases the balance of
its merchandise from a variety of other distributors.

     Gasoline Operations.  For the year ended September 25, 1997, The Pantry's
revenues from sales of gasoline were 51.5% of total revenues, and the number of
gallons sold on a company-wide and per store basis increased each by 11.7%, for
the year ended September 25, 1997, compared to fiscal 1996.  Since the beginning
of fiscal 1997, both the total gallons sold and the average volume per store
increased due to (i) more competitive pricing; (ii) the acquisition or opening
of 36 stores, which had in the aggregate higher than average gasoline volumes
and (iii) the upgrading of many locations with automated gasoline dispensing or
payment equipment such as the installation of MPDs or CRINDs.  MPDs and CRINDs
increase gasoline volume and the percentage of premium grade gasoline sold,
which typically has higher margins than lower grade gasoline.  To upgrade a
location with CRINDs, The Pantry can either retro-fit existing MPDs with CRINDs
or install new MPDs with CRINDs.  The Pantry installed a total of 64 CRINDs at
existing stores in fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997.  In addition, each of the new
stores opened since fiscal 1994 sell gasoline and have MPDs and CRINDs.

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
     The following table highlights certain information regarding The Pantry's
gasoline operations for the last two fiscal years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                         ----------------------
                                                                            1996         1997
                                                                         ---------    ---------
     <S>                                                                 <C>          <C>
     Operating data:
       Gasoline sales ($ in millions).........................             $192.7       $220.2
       Gasoline gallons sold (in millions)....................              160.7        179.4
       Average gallons sold per store (in thousands)..........              448.8        501.2
       Average retail price per gallon........................             $ 1.20       $ 1.23
       Average gross profit per gallon (in cents).............             $0.156       $0.128
 
       Locations selling gasoline.............................                352          364
       Number of company-owned branded locations..............                285          300
       Number of company-owned unbranded locations............                  6           35
       Number of third-party locations (branded & unbranded)..                 61           29
</TABLE>


     The decrease in gross profit per gallon in fiscal 1997 was due to The
Pantry's more competitive gasoline pricing strategy, general gasoline market
conditions and increased price competition from other gasoline marketers in
certain markets.

     Of the 364 Pantry stores that sold gasoline as of September 25, 1997, 314
(including third-party locations selling under these brands) or 86% were branded
under the Amoco, Ashland, British Petroleum (BP), Chevron, Citgo, Exxon, Shell
or Texaco brand names.  The Pantry has continually sought to increase the number
of its branded locations by opening new branded locations and by converting
unbranded locations to branded locations.

     As of September 25, 1997, The Pantry owned the gasoline operations at 335
locations and at 29 locations had gasoline operations that were operated under
third-party arrangements.  At company-operated locations, The Pantry owns the
gasoline storage tanks, pumping equipment and canopies, and retains 100% of the
gross profit received from gasoline sales.  In fiscal 1997, these locations
accounted for 90.0% of total gallons sold.  Under third-party arrangements, an
independent gasoline distributor owns and maintains the gasoline storage tanks
and pumping equipment at the site, prices the gasoline and pays The Pantry
approximately 50% of the gross profit.  In fiscal 1997, third-party locations
accounted for 10.0% of the total gallons sold by The Pantry.  In the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997, The Pantry purchased 23 third-party locations and
anticipates further reduction of third-party arrangements in the future.  The
Pantry has been phasing out third-party arrangements because its owned
operations are more profitable.

     The Pantry purchases its gasoline from major oil companies and independent
refiners.  There are 18 gasoline terminals in The Pantry's operating areas,
enabling The Pantry to choose from more than one distribution point for most of
its stores.  The Pantry's inventories of gasoline (both branded and unbranded)
turn approximately every seven days.

     Store Locations.  As of September 25, 1997, The Pantry operated 390
convenience stores located primarily in smaller towns and suburban areas in five
states.  Substantially all of The Pantry's stores are free standing structures
averaging approximately 2,400 square feet and provide ample customer parking.
The following table shows the geographic distribution by state of The Pantry's
stores at September 25, 1997:

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               Number of      Percent of
           State                 Stores      Total Stores
     ---------------------     ---------     ------------
     <S>                       <C>           <C>
     North Carolina.......       155             40.0%
     South Carolina.......       134             35.0
     Kentucky.............        56             14.0
     Tennessee............        24              6.0 
     Indiana..............        21              5.0
                                 ---            -----
          Total...........       390            100.0%
                                 ===            =====
</TABLE>


     Since fiscal 1994, The Pantry has opened a limited number of new stores and
closed or sold a substantial number of underperforming stores.  Beginning in
1997, The Pantry turned its attention from closing underperforming stores, which
management believes has largely been accomplished, to commencing its "tuck in"
acquisition program.  The following table summarizes these activities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Fiscal Year Ended
                                             ----------------------------
                                             1994    1995    1996    1997
                                             ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Number of stores at beginning of period...    415     406     403     379
Opened or acquired........................      1      10       4      36
Closed or sold............................    (10)    (13)    (28)    (25)
                                              ---     ---     ---     ---
Number of stores at end of period.........    406     403     379     390
                                              ===     ===     ===     ===
</TABLE>

     The Pantry continually evaluates the performance of each of its stores to
determine whether any particular store should be closed or sold based on its
sales trends and profitability.  In deciding to close or sell an underperforming
store, The Pantry considers such factors as store location, gasoline volumes and
margins, merchandise sales and gross profits, lease term, rental rate and other
obligations and the store's contribution to corporate overhead.  Although
closing or selling underperforming stores reduces revenues, The Pantry's
operating results typically improve since these stores were generally
unprofitable.

     Site Selection.  Most of The Pantry's stores are located in smaller towns
and suburban areas of medium size cities in its market areas.  In opening new
stores in recent years, The Pantry has focused on selecting store sites on
highly traveled thoroughfares in coastal resort areas and suburban markets of
larger cities or near exit and entrance ramps of highly traveled highways that
provide convenient access to the store location.  The Pantry's cost of opening
new stores in these high-traffic areas has been higher than it has incurred in
connection with its prior store development activities.  In selecting sites for
new stores, The Pantry uses an evaluation process designed to enhance its return
on investment by focusing on market area demographics, population density,
traffic volume, visibility, ingress and egress and economic development in the
market area.  The Pantry also reviews the location of competitive stores and
customer activity at those stores.  In fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997, The Pantry
opened an aggregate of five stores at an average cost of approximately $1.5
million per store.

     "Tuck In" Acquisitions.  In five separate transactions since April 1, 1997,
The Pantry has acquired 35 operating convenience stores in North Carolina and
South Carolina with aggregate annual revenues of $45.0 million.  Nineteen stores
are located in or around Charleston and Hilton Head, South Carolina, increasing
The Pantry's total number of stores in this area to over 50 and solidifying The
Pantry as the largest operator in this growing market.  The remaining 16
acquired stores are located in eastern North Carolina in markets where The
Pantry was previously under-represented or operated only a few locations.  These
"tuck in" acquisitions strengthen The Pantry's market share and name
recognition.  Additionally, management believes these acquisitions were made on
favorable terms and will provide opportunities to improve revenue, gross margins
and eliminate overhead related to the acquired stores.

     Upgrading of Store Facilities and Equipment.  During fiscal 1996 and fiscal
1997, The Pantry upgraded the facilities and equipment at many of its store
locations, including gasoline equipment upgrades, at a cost of

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
approximately $6.1 million and $9.2 million, respectively.  The Pantry's store
renovation program is an integral part of The Pantry's operating strategy.  The
Pantry continually evaluates the performance of individual stores and
periodically upgrades store facilities and equipment based on sales volumes, the
lease term for leased locations and management's assessment of the potential
return on investment.  Typical upgrades for many stores include improvements to
interior fixtures and equipment for self-service food and beverages, interior
lighting, in-store restrooms for customers and exterior lighting and signage.
The upgrading program for The Pantry's gasoline operations includes the addition
of automated gasoline dispensing and payment systems, such as MPDs and CRINDs,
to enhance customer convenience and service and the installation of UST leak
detection and other equipment in accordance with applicable EPA environmental
regulations.  See "Government Regulation and Environmental Matters."

     Store Operations.  Each store is staffed with a manager, an assistant
manager and sales associates, and most stores are open 24 hours, seven days a
week.  The Pantry's field operations organization is comprised of a network of
regional and district managers who, with The Pantry's corporate management,
evaluate store operations on a weekly basis.  The Pantry also monitors store
conditions, maintenance and customer service through a regular store visitation
program by district and regional management.

Lil' Champ

     Merchandise Sales.  For the nine months ended September 27, 1997, Lil'
Champ's sales of merchandise (including commissions from services) were 46.1% of
total revenues.  Lil' Champ's gross margins on merchandise sales after purchase
rebates, mark-downs, inventory spoilage and inventory shrink averaged
approximately 34.1% over that period.  Lil' Champ has made an effort to promote
its strongest gross margin products by (i) expanding fountain and coffee product
areas; (ii) improving the quality controls on deli items; and (iii) adding
branded fast food service to more of its stores.

     The following table highlights certain information with respect to Lil'
Champ merchandise sales for the last fiscal year and for the nine months ended
September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                                     Fiscal Year   -----------------------------    
                                                                        Ended      September 28,   September 27,
                                                                         1996          1996            1997
                                                                    ------------   -------------   -------------
     <S>                                                            <C>            <C>             <C>
     Merchandise sales (in millions).......................             $226.1         $171.3           $177.4
     
     Average merchandise sales per store (in thousands)....             $452.8         $342.7           $361.4
                                                                            
     Merchandise gross margins (after purchase rebates,             
       mark-downs, inventory spoilage and inventory
       shrink).............................................               34.2%          34.1%            34.1%
     Average number of stores..............................                499            500              491
</TABLE>


     Lil' Champ stores generally carry approximately 4,000 stock keeping units.
Tobacco, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks provided Lil' Champ with
approximately 60% of its total merchandise sales for the nine months ended
September 27, 1997.  Lil' Champ sells tobacco in all of its stores and sells
alcohol in all but six locations (five are not permitted by local law to sell
alcohol and one is restricted by the terms of its lease).  The following table
describes Lil' Champ's merchandise sales mix for the last fiscal year and for
the nine months ended September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997:

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                      -----------------------------
                                     Fiscal Year      September 28,   September 27,
                                     Ended 1996          1996             1997
                                     -----------      -------------   -------------
  <S>                                <C>              <C>             <C>
  Tobacco products..............         25.0%             24.8%            25.9%
  Alcoholic beverages...........         19.5              19.4             19.4
  Soft drinks...................         15.3              15.7             14.8
  Branded fast foods and deli...          3.7               3.6              4.0
  Candy.........................          4.3               4.3              4.2
  Newspapers and magazines......          4.0               3.9              3.7
  Snack foods...................          4.9               4.9              4.9
  Dairy products................          5.5               5.4              5.1
  Bakery........................          2.5               2.5              2.4
  General Merchandise...........         15.3              15.5             15.6
                                        -----             -----            -----
      Total.....................        100.0%            100.0%           100.0%
                                        =====             =====            =====
</TABLE>


     Lil' Champ operates 72 QSRs, with 49 stores offering customers nationally
branded fast food including Taco Bell (35 stores), A&W Root Beer (four stores),
Long John Silvers (five stores), Pizza Hut (four stores) and Sobiks Subs (one
store).  The remaining QSRs offer in-house branded hot foods and deli items
under the "Knockout Deli" name.

     As of April 1996, Lil' Champ switched its primary grocery supplier from The
Eli Witt Company to McLane, which is also the supplier for The Pantry.  McLane
is the largest supplier of groceries to convenience stores in the country.  For
non-grocery products, Lil' Champ does business with various other wholesalers
and is the largest customer for a number of these distributors.  For instance,
in Jacksonville, Lil' Champ is the largest customer of three major beer
wholesalers for Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing and Strohs Brewing.

     Gasoline Operations.  For the nine months ended September 27, 1997, Lil'
Champ's revenues from the sale of gasoline were approximately 53.9% of total
revenues, and the number of gallons sold on a company-wide and per store basis
increased by 0.9% and 1.9%, respectively, for the nine months ended September
27, 1997, compared to the same period in 1996.  As of September 25, 1997, Lil'
Champ had MPDs and CRINDs in 254 and 29 stores, respectively.  Management
believes that the installation of additional MPDs and CRINDs at the Lil' Champ
stores would increase gasoline volumes and gasoline gross margins at those
stores.

     The following table highlights certain information regarding Lil' Champ's
gasoline operations for the last fiscal year and for the nine months ended
September 28, 1996 and September 27, 1997:

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Nine Months Ended
                                                                 --------------------------
                                                   Fiscal Year   September 28,  September 27,
                                                   Ended 1996        1996           1997
                                                   -----------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>            <C>
Operating data:
  Gasoline sales ($ in millions).................       $278.9         $207.2         $214.7
  Gasoline gallons sold (in millions)............        224.2          168.3          169.8
  Average gallons sold per store (in thousands)..        509.3         $382.4         $389.7
  Average retail price per gallon................       $ 1.24         $ 1.23         $ 1.26
  Average gross profit per gallon (in cents).....       $0.122         $0.125         $0.125
 
Store data (at end of period):
  Locations selling gasoline.....................          438            441            434
  Number of company-owned branded locations......          200            198            202
  Number of company-owned unbranded locations....          238            243            232
</TABLE>

     While Lil' Champ sources its branded gasoline from seven different
suppliers, Chevron and British Petroleum (BP) account for 63% of the Company's
branded stores. In addition to branded gasoline, Lil' Champ purchases gasoline
from approximately 15 other sources which Lil' Champ then sells under its own
name.

     The upgrading program for Lil' Champ's gasoline operations has also
included the installation and retrofitting of UST leak detection and other
equipment in order to comply with EPA's UST Regulation and the related FDEP
Regulation. See "Government Regulation and Environmental Matters."

     Store Locations. As of September 25, 1997, Lil' Champ operated 488 stores
in Florida and Georgia. The Florida stores are concentrated in northern and
central Florida (from Jacksonville to Tampa). In Georgia, stores are located in
the southeast corner of the state and as far north as Savannah. The vast
majority of Lil' Champ stores constructed prior to 1992 average 2,400 square
feet, most of which are laid out in a 60' by 40' design. Newer stores can be
more than 3,400 square feet with the additional capacity designed to accommodate
larger fountain units, additional cooler door windows, branded fast food
operations and seating areas. In most stores, between 75% and 80% of the total
square footage is used as selling spacing. The following table shows the
geographic distribution by state of Lil' Champ stores at September 27, 1997:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            
                          Number of   Percent of 
        State              Stores    Total Stores 
- -----------------------   ---------  ------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>
Florida................         437            90%
Georgia................          51            10
                                ---           ---
     Total.............         488           100%
                                ===           ===
</TABLE>



     Lil' Champ continually evaluates the performance of its stores to determine
whether any particular store should be closed or sold based on its sales trends
and profitability. Since 1991, Lil' Champ has strategically closed stores in
locations which are no longer profitable and has pursued a selective approach to
new store openings. The three main criteria which lead to a store closing are:
(i) a prolonged history of loss, (ii) expiration of lease on an underperforming
or older store without future potential and (iii) the cost of upgrading to meet
environmental regulations. Following the Lil' Champ Acquisition, management will
review the Lil' Champ stores for additional closure candidates.

     Since fiscal 1994, Lil' Champ has opened a limited number of new stores and
closed or sold a substantial number of underperforming stores. The following
table summarizes these activities:

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Fiscal Year Ended             Nine Months Ended
                                           --------------------      -------------------------------
                                                                     September 28,     September 27,
                                           1994    1995    1996          1996              1997
                                           ----    ----    ----      ------------      ------------
<S>                                        <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>               <C> 
Number of stores at beginning of year...    518     508     501               501               495
Opened or acquired......................      2       4       4                 3                 1
Closed or sold..........................    (12)    (11)    (10)               (5)               (8)
                                            ---     ---     ---               ---               --- 
Number of stores at end of year.........    508     501     495               499               488
                                            ===     ===     ===               ===               === 
</TABLE>


     Upgrading of Store Facilities and Equipment. Lil' Champ has focused
approximately 33% of its capital expenditures for the last three years on
upgrading gasoline facilities and retrofitting of USTs in accordance with new
regulatory standards. The balance of Lil' Champ's capital expenditures during
this period have been used for general maintenance, new stores, remodelling and
installing fast food operations. For the nine months ended September 27, 1997,
Lil' Champ invested $5.2 million in gasoline equipment upgrades and retrofits
for USTs and $0.5 million for remodelling stores. Lil' Champ will complete its
environmental compliance projects in 1998.

     Site Selection. In recent years, Lil' Champ's new store development
activity has been limited primarily due to capital constraints. Additionally,
opening new stores in Lil' Champ's markets is a lengthy process due to land
availability and zoning regulations which may require more than one year until
opening. In the Jacksonville, Florida area, management of Lil' Champ estimates
that only seven new convenience stores were opened in 1996, one of which was a
Lil' Champ store. In August 1997, Lil' Champ opened one new store located in
Flagler County, Florida.

     Store Operations. Each store is staffed with a manager, an assistant
manager and a clerk. Most stores are open 18 hours, seven days a week, with
opening and closing times commensurate with customer traffic. Twenty-five
percent of the stores operate on a 24-hour basis. Lil' Champ's field operations
organization is comprised of a network of regional and district managers. Lil'
Champ also monitors store conditions, maintenance and customer service through a
regular store visitation program by district and regional management.

Competition

     The convenience store and retail gasoline industries are highly
competitive. The performance of individual stores can be affected by changes in
traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing stores. Major
competitive factors include, among others, location, ease of access, gasoline
brands, pricing, product and service selections, customer service, store
appearance, cleanliness and safety. In addition, factors such as inflation,
increased labor and benefit costs and the availability of experienced management
and hourly employees may adversely affect the convenience store industry in
general and the Company's stores in particular.

     The Company competes with numerous other convenience store chains,
franchisees of other convenience stores chains, local owner-operated convenience
stores and grocery stores, and convenience stores owned and operated by major
oil companies. In addition, the Company's stores offering self-service gasoline
compete with gasoline service stations, including service stations operated by
major oil companies. The Company's stores also compete to some extent with
supermarket chains, drug stores, fast food operations and other similar retail
outlets. In some of the Company's markets, certain competitors, particularly
major oil companies, have been in existence longer and have substantially
greater financial, marketing and other resources than the Company.

Trade Names, Service Marks and Trademarks

     The Company has registered or applied for registration of a variety of
trade names, service marks and trademarks for use in its business, including The
Pantry(TM), Worth(TM), Bean Street Coffee Company(TM), Big Chill(R), Lil'
Chill(R) and others, which the Company regards as having significant value and
as being important factors in the marketing of the Company and its convenience
stores. In connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Company acquired the
Lil' Champ Food Stores(TM) and Knock Out(TM) marks.

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
Government Regulation and Environmental Matters

     Many aspects of the Company's operations are subject to regulation under
federal, state and local laws. The most significant of such laws are summarized
below.

     General.  As of September 25, 1997, the Company is responsible for the 
remediation of contamination at 56 sites.  Other third parties are responsible 
for remediation of contamination at another 13 sites.  The Pantry has accrued 
$7,806,000 for estimated total future remediation costs at the sites for which 
it is responsible.  The Pantry anticipates that approximately $1,295,000 of 
these future remediation costs will not be reimbursed by state trust funds or 
covered by private insurance.  Of the remaining $6,511,000, The Pantry believes 
that (i) approximately $6,341,000 will be reimbursed from state funds based on 
prior acceptance of sites for reimbursement under these programs or anticipated 
acceptance based on date of discovery of contamination and program regulations 
and (ii) approximately $170,000 will be covered by insurance based on prior 
acceptance of sites for such coverage.  Reimbursements from state trust funds 
will be dependent upon the continued solvency of the various funds.  These 
estimates are based on consultants' and management's estimates of the cost of 
remediation, tank removal, and litigation associated with all known contaminated
sites as a result of releases (e.g. overfills, spills and UST system leaks). 
Although the Company is not aware of releases or contamination at other 
locations where it currently operates or has operated stores, any such releases 
or contamination could require substantial remediation costs, some or all of 
which may not be eligible for reimbursement from state trust funds.

      Several of the locations identified as contaminated are being cleaned up 
by third parties who have indemnified The Pantry as to responsibility for clean 
up matters.  Additionally, The Pantry is awaiting closure notices on several 
other locations which will release the Company from responsibility related to 
known contamination at those sites.

     Storage and Sale of Gasoline. The Company is subject to various federal,
state and local environmental laws. Federal, state, and local regulatory
agencies have adopted regulations governing USTs that require the Company to
make certain expenditures for compliance. In particular, at the federal level,
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, requires the EPA
to establish a comprehensive regulatory program for the detection, prevention
and cleanup of leaking USTs.

     In addition to the technical standards, the Company is required by federal
and state regulations to maintain evidence of financial responsibility for
taking corrective action and compensating third parties in the event of a
release from its UST systems. In order to comply with the applicable
requirements, The Pantry maintains a letter of credit in the aggregate amount of
$2.1 million issued by a commercial bank in favor of state environmental
agencies in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky
and Indiana and relies upon the reimbursement provisions of applicable state
trust funds.

     Regulations enacted by the EPA in 1988 established requirements for (i)
installing UST systems; (ii) upgrading UST systems; (iii) taking corrective
action in response to releases; (iv) closing UST systems; (v) keeping
appropriate records; and (vi) maintaining evidence of financial responsibility
for taking corrective action and compensating third parties for bodily injury
and property damage resulting from releases. These regulations permit states to
develop, administer and enforce their own regulatory programs, incorporating
requirements which are at least as stringent as the federal standards. The
following is an overview of the requirements imposed by these regulations:

     Leak Detection. The EPA and states' release detection regulations were
phased in based on the age of the USTs. All USTs were required to comply with
leak detection requirements by December 22, 1993. The Pantry utilizes two
approved leak detection methods for all Pantry-owned UST systems. Daily and
monthly inventory reconciliations are completed at the store level and at the
corporate support center. The daily and monthly reconciliation data is also
analyzed using statistical inventory reconciliation which compares the reported
volume of gasoline purchased and sold with the capacity of each UST system and
highlights discrepancies. The Pantry also performs annual leak detection tests.
Lil' Champ utilizes tank and line monitoring systems, monitoring wells,
inventory control and annual tank and line tests in its leak detection program.
The Company believes it is in full or substantial compliance with the leak
detection requirements applicable to its USTs.

     Corrosion Protection. The 1988 EPA regulations require that all UST systems
have corrosion protection by December 22, 1998. The Company began installing 
non-corrosive fiberglass tanks and piping in 1982. The Company has a
comprehensive plan to upgrade all of its steel tank UST systems to 1998
standards by December 22, 1998 through internal tank lining and cathodic
protection. Approximately 81% of Pantry stores' and 85% of Lil' Champ stores'
USTs have been protected from corrosion either through the installation of
fiberglass tanks or upgrading steel USTs with interior fiberglass lining or the
installation of cathodic protection.

     Overfill/Spill Prevention. The 1988 EPA regulations require that all sites
have overfill/spill prevention devices by December 22, 1998. The Company will
systematically install these devices on all Company-owned UST systems to meet
the regulations. Spill/overfill equipment has been installed for approximately
81% of Pantry store USTs and 73% of Lil' Champ store USTs.

     The Company anticipates that it will meet the 1998 deadline for installing
corrosion protection and spill/overfill equipment for all of its USTs and has
budgeted approximately $5.5 million of capital expenditures for these purposes
in fiscal 1998.

     State Trust Funds. All states in which the Company will operate UST systems
have established trust funds for the sharing, recovering and reimbursing of
certain cleanup costs and liabilities incurred as a result of releases from UST
systems. These trust funds, which essentially provide insurance coverage for the
cleanup of

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
environmental damages caused by the operation of UST systems, are funded by a
UST registration fee and a tax on the wholesale purchase of motor fuels within
each state. The Company has paid UST registration fees and gasoline taxes to
each state where it operates to participate in these trust programs and the
Company has filed claims and received reimbursement in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. The coverage afforded by each state
fund varies but generally provides from $150,000 to $1.0 million per site for
the cleanup of environmental contamination, and most provide coverage for third-
party liabilities. However, Florida does not provide coverage for third-party
claims, and Georgia does not provide coverage for third-party claims relating to
personal injury or diminution in property values. Costs for which the Company
does not receive reimbursement include but are not limited to: (i) the per-site
deductible; (ii) costs incurred in connection with releases occurring or
reported to trust funds prior to their inception; (iii) removal and disposal of
UST systems; and (iv) costs incurred in connection with sites otherwise
ineligible for reimbursement from the trust funds. The trust funds require the
Company to pay deductibles ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per occurrence
depending on the upgrade status of its UST system, the date the release is
discovered/reported and the type of cost for which reimbursement is sought. The
Company estimates that its expenditures for remediation over the next five years
will be approximately $4.5 million. In addition, a substantial amount will be
expended for remediation on behalf of the Company by state trust funds
established in the Company's operating areas or other responsible third parties
(including insurers). To the extent such third parties do not pay for
remediation as anticipated by the Company, the Company will be obligated to make
such payments, which could materially adversely affect the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. Reimbursements from state trust funds will
be dependent upon the continued maintenance and solvency of the various funds.
The State of Florida trust fund will cease accepting new claims for
reimbursement for releases discovered after December 31, 1998. However, the
State of Florida trust fund will continue to reimburse claims for remedial work
performed on sites accepted into its program before December 31, 1998.
Historically, a significant portion of the Lil' Champ's environmental claims
have been covered by this trust fund. As a result, the Company will have to rely
on private indemnity, available third-party insurance or self insure with
respect to certain future UST related problems at its Florida store locations.
See "Risk Factors--Environmental Matters."

     Sale of Alcoholic Beverages. In certain areas where stores are located,
state or local laws limit the hours of operation for the sale of certain
products, the most significant of which limit or govern the sale of alcoholic
beverages. State and local regulatory agencies have the authority to approve,
revoke, suspend or deny applications for and renewals of permits and licenses
relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages and to impose various restrictions
and sanctions. In many states, retailers of alcoholic beverages have been held
responsible for damages caused by intoxicated individuals who purchased
alcoholic beverages from them. While the potential exposure to the Company for
damage claims as a seller of alcoholic beverages is substantial, the Company has
adopted procedures intended to minimize such exposure. In addition, the Company
maintains general liability insurance which may mitigate the cost of any
liability.

     Store Operations. The Company's stores are subject to regulation by federal
agencies and to licensing and regulations by state and local health, sanitation,
safety, fire and other departments relating to the development and operation of
convenience stores, including regulations relating to zoning and building
requirements and the preparation and sale of food. Difficulties in obtaining or
failures to obtain the required licenses or approvals could delay or prevent the
development of a new store in a particular area.

     The Company's operations are also subject to federal and state laws
governing such matters as wage rates, overtime, working conditions and
citizenship requirements. At the federal level, there are proposals under
consideration from time to time to increase minimum wage rates and to introduce
a system of mandated health insurance which could affect the Company's results
of operations.

Legal Proceedings

     In the ordinary course of its business, the Company is party to various
legal actions which the Company believes are routine in nature and incidental to
the operation of its business. While the outcome of such actions cannot be
predicted with certainty, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of
these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the business, financial
condition or prospects of the Company. The Company makes routine applications to
state trust funds for the sharing, recovering and reimbursement of certain
cleanup costs and

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
liabilities incurred as a result of releases from UST systems.  See "Business--
Government Regulation and Environmental Matters."

Properties

     The Pantry owns the real property at 126 Pantry stores and leases the real
property at 264 Pantry stores. Lil' Champ operates 488 stores of which 213 are
owned and 275 are leased. Management believes that none of these leases is
individually material to the Company. Most of the Company's leases are net
leases requiring the Company to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.
Although the Company's leases expire at various times, approximately 80% of such
leases have terms, including renewal options, extending beyond the end of fiscal
2002. Of the Company's leases that expire prior to the end of fiscal 2002,
management anticipates that it will be able to negotiate acceptable extensions
of the leases for those locations that it intends to continue operating. When
appropriate, the Company has chosen to sell and then lease-back properties.
Factors leading to this decision include alternative desires for use of cash,
beneficial taxation, and minimization of the risks associated with owning the
property (especially changes in valuation due to population shifts,
urbanization, and/or proximity to high volume streets) and the economic terms of
such sale-leaseback transactions.

     The Pantry owns its corporate headquarters, a three-story, 51,000 square
foot office building in Sanford, North Carolina. Management believes that The
Pantry's headquarters are adequate for its present and foreseeable needs. Lil'
Champ leases a 21,538 square foot office facility in Jacksonville, Florida. This
lease expires October 31, 1998.

Employees

     As of September 25, 1997, The Pantry employed approximately 2,161 full-time
and 312 part-time employees. Fewer part-time employees are employed during the
winter months than during the peak spring and summer seasons. Of The Pantry's
employees, approximately 2,370 are employed in The Pantry's stores and 103 are
corporate and field management personnel. As of September 27, 1997, Lil' Champ
employed approximately 2,429 full-time and 331 part-time employees. Of Lil'
Champ's employees, approximately 2,560 are employed in Lil' Champ's stores and
200 are corporate and field management personnel. None of The Pantry's or Lil'
Champ's employees are represented by unions. The Company considers its employee
relations to be good with respect to each of The Pantry and Lil' Champ
operations.

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors
and executive officers of the Company as of November 30, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                        Age                    Position with the Company
- -------------------------   ---   ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>   <C>
Peter J. Sodini              56   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Dennis R. Crook              54   Senior Vice President, Administration and Gasoline Marketing
William T. Flyg              55   Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Douglas M. Sweeney           58   Senior Vice President, Operations
John H. Hearne               54   Vice President, Real Estate
Daniel J. McCormack          54   Vice President, Marketing
Ronald P. Spogli             49   Director
Charles P. Rullman           49   Director
Todd W. Halloran             35   Director
Jon D. Ralph                 33   Director
Christopher C. Behrens       36   Director
</TABLE>

     Peter J. Sodini, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, joined
The Pantry in February 1996 as Chief Operating Officer and was named President
and Chief Executive Officer in June 1996. Mr. Sodini has served as a director of
the Company since November 1995. Mr. Sodini is a director of Buttrey Food and
Drug Stores Company and Pamida Holding Corporation. From December 1991 to
November 1995, Mr. Sodini was Chief Executive Officer and a director of Purity
Supreme, Inc. Prior to 1991, Mr. Sodini held executive positions at several
supermarket chains including Boys Markets, Inc. and Piggly Wiggly Southern, Inc.

     Dennis R. Crook, Senior Vice President, Administration and Gasoline
Marketing, joined The Pantry in March 1996. From December 1987 to November 1995,
Mr. Crook was Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Labor Relations of
Purity Supreme, Inc.

     William T. Flyg, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Flyg joined The Pantry in January 1997. He was employed by Purity
Supreme, Inc. ("Purity") as Chief Financial Officer from January 1992 until the
Company was sold in November 1995, at which time he continued as an employee of
Purity until December 1996.

     Douglas M. Sweeney, Senior Vice President, Operations, joined The Pantry in
March 1996. From December 1991 to December 1995, Mr. Sweeney was Senior Vice
President, Operations of Purity Supreme, Inc.

     John H. Hearne, Vice President, Real Estate, joined the Company in 1984.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hearne was employed for 15 years by Sears,
Roebuck, and Company. He has been active in construction since 1965 and in
commercial real estate and property management since 1977. He holds a real
estate broker's license in both North Carolina and South Carolina.

     Daniel J. McCormack, Vice President, Marketing, joined The Pantry in March
1996. From 1989 to February 1996, Mr. McCormack was Director of Purchasing of
Purity Supreme, Inc.

     Ronald P. Spogli, Director, has been a director of the Company since
November 1995. He is a founding partner of FS&Co. which was founded in 1983. Mr.
Spogli is the Chairman of the Board and a director of EnviroSource, Inc. Mr.
Spogli also serves on the Boards of Directors of Calmar Inc., Buttrey Food and
Drug Stores Company, AFC Enterprises, Inc. and Brylane Inc.

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
     Charles P. Rullman, Director, has been a director of the Company since
November 1995. Mr. Rullman joined FS&Co. as a General Partner in 1995. From 1992
to 1995, Mr. Rullman was a General Partner of Westar Capital, a private equity
investment firm specializing in middle market transactions. Prior to joining
Westar, Mr. Rullman spent twenty years at Bankers Trust Company and its
affiliate BT Securities Corporation where he was a Managing Director and
Partner.

     Todd W. Halloran, Director, has been a director of the Company since
November 1995. Mr. Halloran joined FS&Co. in 1995. From 1994 to 1995 and from
1990 to 1994, Mr. Halloran was a Vice President and Associate at Goldman, Sachs
& Co., respectively, where he worked in the Mergers and Acquisition Department
and in the Principal Investment Area. Mr. Halloran is also a director of AFC
Enterprises, Inc.

     Jon D. Ralph, Director, has been a director of the Company since November
1995. Mr. Ralph joined FS&Co. in 1989. Prior to joining FS&Co., Mr. Ralph spent
three years at Morgan Stanley & Co. where he served as an Analyst in the
Investment Banking Division. Mr. Ralph is also a director of EnviroSource, Inc.

     Christopher C. Behrens, Director, has been a director of the Company since
February 1996. Since 1994, he has been a principal of Chase Capital Partners, an
affiliate of The Chase Manhattan Corporation engaged in the venture capital and
leveraged buyout business. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Behrens was a Vice President
in The Chase Manhattan Corporation's Merchant Banking Group. Mr. Behrens is a
director of Portola Packaging and a number of other private companies.

     Directors of the Company are elected annually and hold office until the
next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected
and qualified.


Executive Compensation

     The following table sets forth information with respect to the fiscal 1995,
fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997 compensation for services in all capacities of The
Pantry's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated
executive officers who were serving as executive officers during the last
completed fiscal year and two additional individuals for whom disclosures would
have been provided as an executive officer but for the fact that the individual
was not serving as an executive officer of the Company at the end of the last
fiscal year (collectively, the "Executive Officers").

                           Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                
                                                                   Annual Compensation
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                      Fiscal                            Other Annual      All Other  
  Name and Principal Position          Year     Salary       Bonus     Compensation(a)   Compensation(b)   
- -----------------------------------   ------   ---------   ---------   ---------------   ---------------      
<S>                                   <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>               <C> 
Peter J. Sodini....................     1997    $305,218    $150,000    $        5,908      $      2,500
President and Chief                     1996     124,086      50,000             3,392               --
  Executive Officer(c)

Dennis R. Crook....................     1997    $151,832    $ 70,000    $        1,025      $      2,019
Senior Vice President,                  1996      82,933      20,000            41,250               --
  Administration and
  Gasoline Marketing(d)

William T. Flyg....................     1997    $109,615    $ 54,000    $        3,076      $        --
Senior Vice President,
  Finance and Chief
  Financial Officer(e)

Douglas Sweeney....................     1997    $149,983    $ 72,000    $        2,593      $     2,014
Senior Vice President,                  1996      91,334      20,000             1,352              --
  Operations (f)
</TABLE> 

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                
                                                                   Annual Compensation
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                      Fiscal                            Other Annual      All Other  
  Name and Principal Position          Year     Salary       Bonus     Compensation(a)   Compensation(b)   
- -----------------------------------   ------   ---------   ---------   ---------------   ---------------      
<S>                                   <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>               <C> 
Daniel J. McCormack................     1997    $ 95,488    $ 45,000    $        4,269    $        1,279
Vice President,                         1996      45,334      15,000             5,934               --
  Marketing (g)

Eugene B. Horne, Jr................     1997    $102,925    $    --     $       11,436    $        2,617
Vice Chairman (h)                       1996     182,804      49,413            14,464             3,321
                                        1995     198,747     171,916            17,046             4,620

Mark C. King.......................     1997    $ 95,233    $    --             10,344    $        2,435
Senior Vice President,                  1996     119,923         --             11,280             2,885
  Finance (i)                           1995     100,000      26,607            10,670             3,723
 
</TABLE>
______________________
(a) Consists primarily of executive medical reimbursements, but includes car
    allowances for Mr. Horne in the amount of $10,400, $10,400 and $12,000 in
    fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and car allowances for Mr. King in
    the amount of $10,200 in each of fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
(b) Consists of matching contributions to the Company's 401(k) savings plan.
    See "---Benefit Plan".
(c) Mr. Sodini was appointed Chief Operating Officer in February 1996 and
    appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in June 1996
    and, accordingly, only fiscal year 1996 and 1997 information is provided.
(d) Dennis R. Crook was appointed Senior Vice President, Administration and
    Gasoline Marketing in March 1996 and, accordingly, only fiscal 1996 and
    fiscal 1997 information is provided.
(e) William T. Flyg was appointed Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief
    Financial Officer of the Company in January 1997 and, accordingly, only
    fiscal 1997 information is provided.
(f) Douglas M. Sweeney was appointed Senior Vice President, Operations in
    February 1996 and, accordingly, only fiscal year 1996 and 1997 information
    is provided.
(g) Daniel J. McCormack was appointed Director, Marketing in March 1996 and,
    accordingly, only fiscal year 1996 and 1997 information is provided.
(h) Mr. Horne served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from December 1,
    1995 until April 30, 1996.  Mr. Horne served as Vice Chairman of the Company
    from May 1996 until June 30, 1997 when he resigned from the Company.
(i) Mr. King served as Senior Vice President, Finance from July 1, 1993 to June
    30, 1997 when he resigned from the Company.

Executive Employment Contracts

     On October 1, 1997, The Pantry entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Sodini. This agreement contains customary employment terms and provides for
an annual base salary of $475,000, subject to annual adjustment by the Board of
Directors, participation in any benefit or bonus programs instituted by The
Pantry, participation in an incentive bonus program which provides for a payout
of a minimum of 25% upon the achievement of goals determined by the Board of
Directors, and other perquisites. This agreement terminates on September 30,
2000. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, if Mr. Sodini is terminated by The
Pantry prior to a "change in control" (as defined) with "just cause" (as
defined) or upon death or disability, Mr. Sodini shall be entitled to his then
effective compensation and benefits through the last day of his actual
employment by The Pantry (for termination for just cause or upon death) or his
effective date of termination, as determined by the Board of Directors (for
termination upon disability). In addition, if Mr. Sodini is terminated because
of death or disability, The Pantry shall pay to the estate of Mr. Sodini or to
Mr. Sodini, as the case may be, one year's pay (less amounts paid under any
disability plan). If Mr. Sodini is terminated by The Pantry prior to a change in
control without cause, Mr. Sodini shall be entitled to severance pay (including
regular benefits) through the term of the agreement until such time as he
engages in other employment. If Mr. Sodini is terminated by The Pantry following
a change in control without cause or Mr. Sodini terminates his employment for
"good reason" (as defined), Mr. Sodini shall be entitled to severance pay
(including regular benefits) for a period of 18 months from the termination
date, subject

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
to certain limitations. This agreement contains covenants prohibiting Mr.
Sodini, through the period ending on the later of (i) 18 months after
termination or (ii) such time at which he no longer receives severance benefits
from The Pantry, from competing with The Pantry or soliciting employees of The
Pantry for employment.

     On June 3, 1996, The Pantry entered into an employment agreement with Mr.
Crook. This agreement contains customary employment terms and provides for an
annual base salary of $150,000, subject to annual adjustment by the Board of
Directors and participation in any benefit or bonus programs instituted by The
Pantry. The agreement terminates on March 31, 1998. Pursuant to the terms of the
agreement, if Mr. Crook is terminated by The Pantry prior to a "change of
control" (as defined) without cause, Mr. Crook shall be entitled to severance
pay for the longer of the balance of the term or one year from the termination
date, subject to certain limitations. If Mr. Crook is terminated by The Pantry
following a change of control without cause or Mr. Crook terminates his
employment for "good reason" (as defined), Mr. Crook shall be entitled to
severance pay (including regular benefits) for a period of two years from the
termination date, subject to certain limitations. This agreement contains
covenants prohibiting Mr. Crook, for so long as he is employed by or receiving
severance benefits from The Pantry, from competing with The Pantry or soliciting
employment from employees of The Pantry.

Compensation of Directors

     Directors of The Pantry receive no compensation as directors. Directors are
reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in attending meetings.

Benefit Plan

     The Pantry sponsors a 401(k) employee retirement savings plan with Fidelity
Investments for eligible employees. Employees must be at least nineteen years of
age and have one year of service working at least 1,000 hours to be eligible to
participate in the 401(k) plan. Employees may contribute up to 15% of their
annual compensation and contributions are matched by The Pantry on the basis of
50% of the first 5% contributed. Matching contribution expense for The Pantry
was $346,000, $330,000 and $305,000 for fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     The Board of Directors of The Pantry determines the compensation of the
Executive Officers. During fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997, Mr. Sodini participated
in Board of Director deliberations regarding the compensation of The Pantry's
Executive Officers.

                                       70
<PAGE>
 
                SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     The following table sets forth certain information, as of November 30,
1997, with respect to the beneficial ownership of common stock by (i) each
person who beneficially owns more than 5% of such shares, (ii) each of the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, (iii) each director
of the Company and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a
group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                         
                                                         Amount of                    
                                                        and Nature                   
                                                       of Beneficial    Percentage 
        Name and Address of Beneficial Owner             Ownership       of Class
     --------------------------------------------      -------------    ---------- 
     <S>                                               <C>              <C> 
     Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated(1)........          193,134         83.2%
      Ronald P. Spogli(1)........................              --           --
      Charles P. Rullman(1)......................              --           --
      Jon D. Ralph(2)............................              --           --
      Todd W. Halloran(2)........................              --           --
 
     Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P.(3)............           32,743         17.6%
      Christopher C. Behrens(3)(4)...............            5,263          2.8%
 
     Peter J. Sodini.............................              889            *
     Dennis R. Crook.............................              --           --
     William T. Flyg.............................              --           --
     Douglas Sweeney.............................              --           --  
     Daniel J. McCormack.........................              --           --
 
     All directors and executive officers as a
      group (11 individuals).....................              --           --
 
</TABLE>
______________________
*   Less than 1.0%.
(1) Includes 46,000 shares issuable on the exercise of currently exercisable
    warrants. 141,441 shares and 5,693 shares of common stock are held of
    record, by FSEP III and FSEP International, respectively. As general partner
    of FS Capital Partners, L.P. ("FS Capital"), which is general partner of
    FSEP III, FS Holdings, Inc. ("FSHI") has the sole power to vote and dispose
    of the shares owned by FSEP III. As general partner of FS&Co. International,
    L.P. ("FS&Co. International"), which is the general partner of FSEP
    International, FS International Holdings Limited ("FS International
    Holdings") has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares owned by
    FSEP International. Messrs. Spogli and Rullman and Bradford M. Freeman,
    William M. Wardlaw, J. Frederick Simmons and John M. Roth are the sole
    directors, officers and shareholders of FSHI, FS International Holdings and
    Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated, and as such may be deemed to be the
    beneficial owners of the shares of the common stock and rights to acquire
    the common stock owned by FSEP III and FSEP International. The business
    address of Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated, FSEP III, FS Capital, FSHI and
    its sole directors, officers and shareholders is 11100 Santa Monica
    Boulevard, Suite 1900, Los Angeles, California 90025 and the business
    address of FSEP International, FS&Co. International and FS International
    Holdings is c/o Padget-Brown & Company, Ltd., West Winds Building, Third
    Floor, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies.
(2) Each of Messrs. Ralph and Halloran is an employee of an affiliate of Freeman
    Spogli & Co. Incorporated.
(3) The business address of Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P. is 380 Madison Avenue,
    12th Floor, New York, New York 10017.  Mr. Behrens is a principal at Chase
    Capital Partners, an affiliate of CMC.
(4) Mr. Behrens is a general partner of Baseball Partners, a New York general
    partnership, that is the beneficial owner of 5,263 shares of common stock.
    Mr. Behrens disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the
    extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

     The Pantry has outstanding 17,500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The
Series B Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share and
accrues cumulative dividends at the rate of 13% per annum. Each share of Series
B Preferred Stock is entitled to ten votes on all matters on which holders of
the Common Stock vote. FS&Co. owns the 17,500 outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock.

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

     In November 1995, FS&Co. and CMC purchased a 39.9% and 12.0% interest in
The Pantry, respectively. In August 1996, FS&Co. and CMC acquired an additional
approximately 37.0% and 11.1% interest in The Pantry, respectively. In December
1996, FS&Co. invested additional equity in The Pantry, thereby increasing its
aggregate ownership interest to approximately 83.6% on a fully diluted basis. In
October 1997, FS&Co., CMC and Peter J. Sodini purchased an aggregate of $32.4
million of the common stock of the Company in connection with the Lil' Champ
Acquisition, thereby changing FS&Co.'s aggregate ownership interest to
approximately 83.2% on a fully diluted basis. Mr. Sodini purchased 889 shares of
the common stock of the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $400,500,
payable $185,000 in cash and $215,500 in the form of a secured promissory note
in favor of the Company. FS&Co. and CMC have together invested $92.8 million in
the aggregate, $54.8 million of which has been invested in new equity securities
of The Pantry. In connection with FS&Co.'s previous investments in The Pantry,
The Pantry has paid transaction fees in the amount of $2.5 million to FS&Co. In
addition, in connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition, The Pantry paid a fee
in the amount of $2.0 million to FS&Co.

     In August 1996, FS&Co., CMC, The Pantry and other stockholders entered into
a stockholders' agreement whereby (i) FS&Co. was granted certain rights of first
offer prior to any transfer of securities, (ii) FS&Co. was granted certain 
"drag-along" rights with respect to the sale of securities, (iii) FS&Co., CMC
and other stockholders were granted certain "tag-along" rights to the sale of
securities by other stockholders, (iv) various transfer restrictions were agreed
upon by the stockholders and (v) certain Board representation rights of CMC were
established. In August 1996, FS&Co., CMC, The Pantry and other stockholders
entered into registration rights agreements relating to the common stock and
preferred stock of The Pantry whereby certain demand and "piggyback"
registration rights were granted to the stockholders. In connection with the
Equity Investment, the stockholders agreement and registration rights agreements
were amended to include Mr. Sodini as a party and make the shares purchased
subject to such agreements.

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

New Credit Facility

     The Company has entered into the New Credit Facility, which was co-arranged
by CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp. and First Union Capital Markets Corp.
Pursuant to the New Credit Facility, a syndicate of lenders ("Lenders") have
agreed to lend to the Company up to $75.0 million in the form of senior secured
credit facilities, consisting of a $45.0 million revolving credit facility (the
"Revolving Credit Facility") and a $30.0 million acquisition facility (the
"Acquisition Facility"). The Revolving Credit Facility has a letter of credit
sublimit of $20.0 million, of which [$10.8] million of letters of credit are
outstanding as of September 25, 1997.

     Use of Proceeds; Maturity. The New Credit Facility is available to the
Company and its subsidiaries (i) for working capital and general corporate
purposes of the Company, (ii) for issuing commercial and standby letters of
credit and (iii) for acquisitions. The New Credit Facility will mature on the
fifth anniversary of closing of the Lil' Champ Acquisition.

     Prepayment; Reduction of Commitments. The Company may borrow from time to
time under the Acquisition Facility through the second anniversary of the New
Credit Facility. The Acquisition Facility will convert to a term loan on the
second anniversary of the New Credit Facility, with scheduled amortization
through final maturity. In addition, borrowings under the New Credit Facility
are required to be prepaid, subject to certain exceptions, with (i) 100% of the
net after-tax cash proceeds of the sale or other disposition of any properties
or assets, other than net cash proceeds of sales or other dispositions (a) of
inventory in the ordinary course of business, (b) involving certain sale-
leaseback transactions, (c) that are reinvested within 270 days (subject to
certain exceptions) or (d) involving certain excluded transactions, (ii) 100% of
the net cash proceeds received from the issuance of equity securities (other
than under employee equity plans), and (iii) 100% of the net proceeds of certain
issuances of debt obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries. The New
Credit Facility must be prepaid in the event that the Senior Notes are not
refinanced by April 30, 2000.

     Voluntary prepayments are permitted in whole or in part, at the option of
the Company, in minimum principal amounts to be agreed upon, without premium or
penalty, subject to reimbursement of the Lenders' redeployment costs in the case
of prepayment of eurodollar borrowings other than on the last day of the
relevant interest period.

     Interest. The interest rate under the New Credit Facility is based, at the
option of the Company, upon either a eurodollar rate plus 2.50% per annum or a
base rate plus 1.00% per annum. If the Company achieves a leverage ratio (as
defined) of less than 4:0 to 1, after the first anniversary of the closing, the
margins will be reduced by 25 basis points each. A commitment fee of 0.50% per
annum will be charged on the unused portion of the New Credit Facility.

     Collateral and Guarantees. The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by all of
the Company's existing restricted subsidiaries (including Lil' Champ). The New
Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien in substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company and its respective restricted subsidiaries,
and the Guarantors now owned or acquired later, including a pledge of all of the
shares of the Company's respective existing and future subsidiaries.

     Covenants. The New Credit Facility contains covenants restricting the
ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among others, (i) incur
additional debt, (ii) declare dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock,
(iii) prepay, redeem or purchase debt, (iv) incur liens, (v) make loans and
investments, (vi) make capital expenditures, (vii) engage in mergers,
acquisitions and asset sales, (viii) engage in transactions with affiliates. The
Company is also required to comply with financial covenants with respect to (a)
a minimum interest coverage ratio, (b) a minimum pro forma EBITDA, (c) a maximum
pro forma leverage ratio, and (d) a maximum capital expenditure allowance.

     Events of Default. Events of default under the New Credit Facility include
but are not limited to (i) the Company's failure to pay principal when due or
interest after a grace period, (ii) the Company's material breach

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
of any covenant, representation or warranty contained in the loan documents,
(iii) customary cross-default provisions, (iv) events of bankruptcy, insolvency
or dissolution of the Company or its subsidiaries, (v) the levy of certain
judgments against the Company, its subsidiaries, or their assets, (vi) the
actual or asserted invalidity of security documents or guarantees of the Company
or its subsidiaries, and (vii) a change of control of the Company.

     The preceding discussion of certain of the provisions of the New Credit
Facility is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the provisions of the New Credit Facility.

Senior Notes

     The Company's 12% Series B Senior Notes due 2000 are senior unsecured
obligations of the Company and senior to the Notes. Currently, the principal
amount of the Senior Notes outstanding is approximately $49.0 million. Interest
accrues at a rate of 12% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 15 and November
15. Currently, interest on the Senior Notes accrues at a rate of 12.5% in
accordance with the requirements of the Senior Notes Indenture because The
Pantry's fixed charge coverage ratio was below a minimum specified level on the
relevant measurement date. The Senior Notes are redeemable at the option of the
Company, on or after November 15, 1998, at the redemption price of 104%,
together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
The Senior Notes are guaranteed, on a senior basis, by the Guarantors.

     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Senior Notes
Indenture), each holder of the Senior Notes may require the Company to
repurchase all or a portion of such holder's Senior Notes at a purchase price in
cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.

     The Senior Notes Indenture contains certain restrictive covenants,
including, but not limited to, covenants with respect to the following matters:
(i) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the issuance of
certain capital stock; (ii) limitations on restricted payments; (iii)
limitations on the sales of assets and issuance of subsidiary stock; (iv)
limitations on lines of business; (v) limitations on transactions with
affiliates; (vi) limitations on liens; (vii) restrictions on mergers,
consolidations and the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and its subsidiaries to another person; and (viii) limitations on
dividends and other payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries. The Senior
Notes Indenture provides for customary events of default.

     In connection with the Consent Solicitation, the Company obtained consents
from holders of the Senior Notes to a waiver (the "Waiver") with respect to the
application to the Lil' Champ Acquisition of one of the restrictive covenants of
the Senior Notes Indenture, and to the amendment of the Senior Notes Indenture
in certain other respects (the "Amendments" and, together with the Waiver, the
"Waiver and Amendments"). Promptly after receipt by the Company of the consent
of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Senior Notes outstanding, the Company entered into a supplemental indenture
implementing the Waiver and Amendments.

     The Waiver waived the requirement of Section 4.17 of the Senior Notes
Indenture that a "fairness opinion" of an independent investment banking firm be
obtained in connection with: (i) the assignment by a subsidiary of The Pantry
to, and the assumption by, The Pantry of the Acquisition Agreement; and (ii) the
delivery to Docks U.S.A., Inc., the stockholder of Lil' Champ, in partial
satisfaction of the purchase price (for the benefit of The Pantry), of $4.0
million placed in escrow by a subsidiary of The Pantry pursuant to the
Acquisition Agreement. The Amendments modified the definition of Restricted
Investment: (i) to permit the Company to reinvest in PH Holding Corporation, a
wholly owned subsidiary of The Pantry, funds that PH Holding Corporation returns
to, or expends for the benefit of, the Company; (ii) to permit the Company to
invest in a subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as defined in the
Senior Notes Indenture) or in an entity that thereby becomes a subsidiary other
than an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and (iii) to permit subsidiaries to invest in
the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than any Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
The Amendments also modified Section 4.10 of the Senior Notes Indenture to
permit the Company to incur indebtedness under or pursuant to: (i) the New
Credit Facility; (ii) a Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio (as defined in
the Senior Notes Indenture) that is reduced to 2.00 to 1 from 2.25 to 1 until
November 15, 1998 and which will return to 2.25 to 1 thereafter; (iii) the
guarantees by certain of the Company's subsidiaries of the New Credit Facility,
the Notes and the Senior Notes; (iv) up to $14.0 million of

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
capital lease obligations and Permitted PP&E Financing (as defined in the Senior
Notes Indenture) not to exceed 10% of the Company's Consolidated Total Tangible
Assets (as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture); and (v) the issuance of the
Notes. The Amendments also added a new provision to the Senior Notes Indenture
governing the terms and conditions of the guarantee of the Senior Notes by
certain of the Company's subsidiaries. Finally, conforming changes to certain
definitions were made, and certain new definitions were added, as required for
the Amendments described above.

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES


     The Notes were, and the Exchange Notes will be, issued under an Indenture,
dated as of October 23, 1997 (the "Indenture") by and among the Company, the
Guarantors and United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the
"Trustee"), a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. Upon the effectiveness of this
Registration Statement filed under the Securities Act with respect to the
Exchange Notes, the Indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"). The terms of the Exchange Notes
include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by
reference to the TIA as in effect on the date of the Indenture. The Exchange
Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders of the Exchange Notes are
referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of them. The following is
a summary of the material terms and provisions of the Exchange Notes. This
summary does not purport to be a complete description of the Exchange Notes and
is subject to the detailed provisions of, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the Exchange Notes and the Indenture (including the definitions
contained therein). A copy of the form of Indenture may be obtained from the
Company by any holder or prospective investor upon request. Definitions relating
to certain capitalized terms are set forth under "-- Certain Definitions".
Capitalized terms that are used but not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture and such definitions are incorporated
herein by reference.

General

     The Exchange Notes will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $200.0
million. The Exchange Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the
Company, subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness of the Company
and senior in right of payment to any current or future subordinated
indebtedness of the Company.

     The Exchange Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed, on an unsecured
senior subordinated basis, as to payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest, jointly and severally, by all current and future direct and indirect
Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company having either assets or stockholders'
equity in excess of $25,000 (together with each other Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company which guarantees payment of the Exchange Notes pursuant to the
covenant described under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Creation of
Subsidiaries").

     The Notes and the Exchange Notes will be considered collectively to be a
single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without
limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and Offers to Purchase, and for
purposes of this "Description of Exchange Notes" all reference herein to
"Exchange Notes" shall be deemed to refer collectively to any Notes and the
Exchange Notes, unless the context otherwise requires.

Maturity, Interest and Principal

     The Exchange Notes will mature on October 15, 2007. The Exchange Notes will
bear interest at a rate of 10 1/4% per annum from the Issue Date until maturity.
Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each April 15 and October 15
commencing April 15, 1998, to holders of record of the Exchange Notes at the
close of business on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1,
respectively.

Optional Redemption

     The Exchange Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in
whole at any time or in part from time to time on or after October 15, 2002 at
the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal
amount thereof), together, in each case, with accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period
beginning on October 15 of each year listed below:

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Year                         Percentage
      ----                         ----------
      <S>                          <C>      
      2002......................    105.125%
      2003......................    103.417%
      2004......................    101.708%
      2005 and thereafter.......    100.000%
</TABLE>

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up
to 35% of the original principal amount of Exchange Notes at any time and from
time to time prior to October 15, 2000 at a redemption price equal to 110.25% of
the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the redemption date out of the Net Proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings; provided that at least $130.0 million of the principal amount of
Exchange Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of any such redemption and that any such redemption occurs within 60
days following the closing of any such Public Equity Offering.

     In the event of a redemption of fewer than all of the Exchange Notes, the
Trustee shall select the Exchange Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the
requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, or while
such Exchange Notes are listed, or if such Exchange Notes are not then listed on
a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in such other
manner as the Trustee shall deem fair and equitable. The Exchange Notes will be
redeemable in whole or in part upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior
written notice, mailed by first class mail to a holder's last address as it
shall appear on the register maintained by the Registrar of the Exchange Notes.
On and after any redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Exchange
Notes or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company shall fail to
redeem any such Exchange Note.

Subordination

     The indebtedness represented by the Exchange Notes will be, to the extent
and in the manner provided in the Indenture, subordinated in right of payment to
the prior indefeasible payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all existing
and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company. As of September 25, 1997, on a
pro forma basis and after giving effect to the Transactions, the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all Senior Indebtedness would have been
approximately $50.4 million, and the Guarantors would have had approximately
$13.1 million of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (excluding guarantees of Senior
Indebtedness). As of September 25, 1997, $8.6 million of letters of credit were
issued under the Senior Credit Facility, and the Company could have incurred an
additional $66.4 million of Senior Indebtedness under the Senior Credit
Facility.

     In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, arrangement, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or other
winding-up or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith whether
or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, relative to the Company or to its
creditors, as such, or to the Company's assets, whether voluntary or
involuntary, or any general assignment for the benefit of creditors or other
marshalling of assets or liabilities of the Company (except in connection with
the merger or consolidation of the Company or its liquidation or dissolution
following the transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, upon the terms
and conditions permitted under the circumstances described under "--Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets" below) (all of the foregoing referred to herein
individually as a "Bankruptcy Proceeding" and collectively as "Bankruptcy
Proceedings"), the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company will be
entitled to receive payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all amounts due
on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company (including any
interest accruing after the commencement of any such Bankruptcy Proceeding
whether or not such interest is an allowable claim enforceable against the
Company in any such proceeding) before the holders of the Exchange Notes are
entitled to receive or retain any payment or distribution of any kind on account
of the Exchange Notes. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Trustee or any holder of Exchange Notes receives any payment or distribution of
assets of the Company of any kind, whether in cash, property or securities,
including, without limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, in respect of the
Exchange Notes before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid and
satisfied in full in cash, then such payment or distribution will be held by the
recipient in trust for the benefit of holders of Senior Indebtedness and will be
immediately paid over or delivered

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives
to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness
remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution
to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness. By reason of such subordination,
in the event of any such Bankruptcy Proceeding, creditors of the Company who are
holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than other creditors
of the Company, including holders of the Exchange Notes.

     Upon the occurrence of a Payment Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness,
no payment or distribution of any kind or character (including, without
limitation, cash, property and any payment or distribution which may be payable
or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company
being subordinated to the payment of the Exchange Notes by the Company) may be
made by or on behalf of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
including, without limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, for or on account
of the Exchange Notes, or for or on account of the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition of any Exchange Notes, and neither the Trustee nor any holder or
owner of any Exchange Notes shall take or receive from the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly in any manner,
payment in respect of all or any portion of Exchange Notes commencing on the
date of receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the representative of the
holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness (the "Representative") of the
occurrence of such Payment Default, and in any such event, such prohibition
shall continue until such Payment Default is cured, waived in writing or
otherwise ceases to exist. At such time as the prohibition set forth in the
preceding sentence shall no longer be in effect, subject to the provisions of
the preceding and following paragraphs, the Company shall resume making any and
all required payments in respect of the Exchange Notes, including any missed
payments.

     Upon the occurrence of a Non-Payment Event of Default on Designated Senior
Indebtedness, no payment or distribution of any kind or character (including,
without limitation, cash, property and any payment or distribution which may be
payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the
Company being subordinated to the payment of the Exchange Notes by the Company)
may be made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
including, without limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, for or on account
of the Exchange Notes, or for or on account of the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition of any Exchange Notes, and neither the Trustee nor any holder or
owner of any Exchange Notes shall take or receive from the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly in any manner,
payment in respect of all or any portion of the Exchange Notes for a period (a
"Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date of receipt by the Trustee of
written notice from the Representative of such Non-Payment Event of Default
unless and until (subject to any blockage of payments that may then be in effect
under the preceding paragraphs) the earliest of (x) more than 179 days shall
have elapsed since receipt of such written notice by the Trustee, (y) such Non-
Payment Event of Default shall have been cured or waived in writing or otherwise
shall have ceased to exist or such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall have
been paid in full or (z) such Payment Blockage Period shall have been terminated
by written notice to the Company or the Trustee from the Representative, after
which, in the case of clause (x), (y) or (z), the Company shall resume making
any and all required payments in respect of the Exchange Notes, including any
missed payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture, in no
event shall a Payment Blockage Period commenced in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture described in this paragraph extend beyond 179 days
from the date of the receipt by the Trustee of the notice referred to above (the
"Initial Blockage Period"). Any number of additional Payment Blockage Periods
may be commenced during the Initial Blockage Period; provided, however, that no
such additional Payment Blockage Period shall extend beyond the Initial Blockage
Period. After the expiration of the Initial Blockage Period, no Payment Blockage
Period may be commenced until at least 180 consecutive days have elapsed from
the last day of the Initial Blockage Period. Notwithstanding any other provision
of the Indenture, no Non-Payment Event of Default with respect to Designated
Senior Indebtedness which existed or was continuing on the date of the
commencement of any Payment Blockage Period initiated by the Representative
shall be, or be made, the basis for the commencement of a second Payment
Blockage Period initiated by the Representative, whether or not within the
Initial Blockage Period, unless such Non-Payment Event of Default shall have
been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

     Each Guarantee will, to the extent set forth in the Indenture, be
subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness of the respective Guarantor and will be subject to the
rights of holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor to
initiate blockage periods, upon terms substantially comparable to the
subordination of the Exchange Notes to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company.

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
     If the Company or any Guarantor fails to make any payment on the Exchange
Notes or any Guarantee, as the case may be, when due or within any applicable
grace period, whether or not on account of payment blockage provisions, such
failure would constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture and would
enable the holders of the Exchange Notes to accelerate the maturity thereof. See
"--Events of Default."

     A holder of Exchange Notes by its acceptance of Exchange Notes agrees to be
bound by such provisions and authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee, on
its behalf, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate
the subordination provided for in the Indenture and appoints the Trustee its
attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

Certain Covenants

     The Indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:

     Limitation on Additional Indebtedness

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Indebtedness); provided that if no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the
incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Company or any of the Guarantors may incur
Indebtedness including Acquired Indebtedness if after giving effect to the
incurrence of such Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the proceeds
thereof, the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is at least 2.0
to 1.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors may incur
Permitted Indebtedness; provided that the Company will not incur any Permitted
Indebtedness that ranks junior in right of payment to the Exchange Notes that
has a maturity or mandatory sinking fund payment prior to the maturity of the
Exchange Notes.

     Limitation on Other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, incur, contingently or otherwise, any
Indebtedness that is both (i) subordinated in right of payment to any Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case
may be, and (ii) senior in right of payment to the Exchange Notes and the
Guarantees, as the case may be. For purposes of this covenant, Indebtedness is
deemed to be senior in right of payment to the Exchange Notes or the Guarantees,
as the case may be, if it is not explicitly subordinated in right of payment to
Senior Indebtedness at least to the same extent as the Exchange Notes and the
Guarantees, as the case may be, are subordinated to such Senior Indebtedness.

     Limitation on Restricted Payments

     The Company will not make, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, any Restricted Payment, unless:

     (a)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
          at the time of or immediately after giving effect to such Restricted
          Payment;

     (b)  immediately after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment,
          the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than
          Permitted Indebtedness) under "--Limitation on Additional
          Indebtedness" above; and

     (c)  immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
          aggregate of all Restricted Payments declared or made after the Issue
          Date does not exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the Company's Cumulative
          Consolidated Net Income (or minus 100% of any cumulative deficit in
          Consolidated Net Income during such period), (2) 100% of the aggregate
          Net Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale after the
          Issue Date of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock or
          Capital Stock of the Company issued to any Subsidiary of the

                                       79
<PAGE>
 
          Company) of the Company or any Indebtedness or other securities of the
          Company convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Capital
          Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Company which has
          been so converted, exercised or exchanged, as the case may be, and (3)
          without duplication of any amounts included in clause (c)(2) above,
          100% of the aggregate Net Proceeds received by the Company of any
          equity contribution from a holder of the Company's Capital Stock,
          excluding, in the case of clauses (c)(2) and (3), any Net Proceeds
          from a Public Equity Offering to the extent used to redeem the
          Exchange Notes. For purposes of determining under this clause (c) the
          amount expended for Restricted Payments, cash distributed shall be
          valued at the face amount thereof and property other than cash shall
          be valued at its fair market value.

     The provisions of this covenant shall not prohibit (i) the payment of any
distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at such
date of declaration such payment would comply with the provisions of the
Indenture, (ii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of
any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or Indebtedness subordinated to the
Exchange Notes by conversion into, or by or in exchange for, shares of Capital
Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), or in an amount
not in excess of the Net Proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other
than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other shares of Capital Stock of the
Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), (iii) the redemption or
retirement of Indebtedness of the Company subordinated to the Exchange Notes in
exchange for, by conversion into, or in an amount not in excess of the Net
Proceeds of, a substantially concurrent sale or incurrence of Indebtedness of
the Company (other than any Indebtedness owed to a Subsidiary) that is
contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Exchange Notes to at least
the same extent as the Indebtedness being redeemed or retired, (iv) the
retirement of any shares of Disqualified Capital Stock of the Company by
conversion into, or by exchange for, shares of Disqualified Capital Stock of the
Company, or in an amount not in excess of the Net Proceeds of the substantially
concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other shares of
Disqualified Capital Stock of the Company, (v) repurchases from employees of the
Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the termination of employment of
shares of the Company's Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) in
an amount not to exceed in the aggregate the sum of (A) $2 million plus (B) the
aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the sale to employees
of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) after
the Issue Date; (vi) the Company's provision of seller financing in the form of
purchase money mortgages in connection with sales of convenience stores and/or
sites; provided, that the aggregate amount of such seller financing does not
exceed $10 million at any time outstanding; (vii) the making of Investments in
Unrestricted Subsidiaries or other entities; provided that the Net Investment at
any time after the Issue Date shall not exceed $15 million; or (viii) the making
of other Restricted Payments not specifically permitted herein not in excess of
$5 million; provided that in calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted
Payments made subsequent to the Issue Date for purposes of clause (c) of the
immediately preceding paragraph, amounts expended pursuant to clause (i) and (v)
shall be included in such calculation.

     Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company shall
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Restricted
Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations
required by the covenant described above were computed, which calculations may
be based upon the Company's latest available financial statements, and that no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and no Default or
Event of Default will occur immediately after giving effect to any such
Restricted Payments.

     Limitation on Liens

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create, incur or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any Liens of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) upon any property
or asset of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any shares of
Capital Stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which
owns property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure Indebtedness
which is pari passu with or subordinate in right of payment to the Exchange
Notes, unless (i) if such Lien secures Indebtedness which is pari passu with the
Exchange Notes, then the Exchange Notes are secured on an equal and ratable
basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligation is no
longer secured by a Lien or (ii) if such Lien secures Indebtedness which is
subordinated to the Exchange Notes, any such Lien shall

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<PAGE>
 
be subordinated to the Lien granted to the holders of the Exchange Notes to the
same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Exchange Notes.

     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist any
transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation,
the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or services) with any
Affiliate (each an "Affiliate Transaction") or extend, renew, waive or otherwise
modify the terms of any Affiliate Transaction entered into prior to the Issue
Date unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is between or among the Company and
its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; or (ii) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction
are fair and reasonable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, and the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are at least as
favorable as the terms which could be obtained by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, in a comparable transaction made on an arm's-
length basis between unaffiliated parties. In any Affiliate Transaction (or any
series of related Affiliate Transactions which are similar or part of a common
plan) involving an amount or having a fair market value in excess of $2 million
which is not permitted under clause (i) above, the Company must obtain a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company certifying that such
Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (ii) above. In any Affiliate
Transaction (or any series of related Affiliate Transactions which are similar
or part of a common plan) involving an amount or having a fair market value in
excess of $10 million which is not permitted under clause (i) above, the Company
must obtain a favorable written opinion as to the fairness of such transaction
or transactions, as the case may be, from an Independent Financial Advisor.

     The foregoing provisions will not apply to (i) any Restricted Payment that
is not prohibited by the provisions described under "--Limitation on Restricted
Payments" above or any transaction that is permitted by the definition of
"Restricted Payment" (other than the transactions described in clauses (iv) and
(vii) of the definition of "Permitted Investments"), (ii) reasonable fees and
compensation paid to and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors or
employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as
determined in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors or senior
management or (iii) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or any
amendment thereto or any transaction contemplated thereby (including pursuant to
any amendment thereto) in any replacement agreement thereto so long as any such
amendment or replacement agreement is not more disadvantageous to the holders in
any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

     Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries

     The Company will not create or acquire, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to create or acquire, any Subsidiary other than (i) a
Restricted Subsidiary existing as of the Issue Date, or (ii) a Restricted
Subsidiary that is conducting or will conduct only a business similar or
reasonably related to the business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries
on the Issue Date, or (iii) an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that
each Restricted Subsidiary acquired or created pursuant to clause (ii) shall at
the time it has either assets or stockholders equity in excess of $25,000 have
executed a guarantee, substantially in the form attached to the Indenture (and
with such documentation relating thereto as the Trustee shall require,
including, without limitation a supplement or amendment to the Indenture and
opinions of counsel as to the enforceability of such guarantee), pursuant to
which such Restricted Subsidiary will become a Guarantor. See "Description of
the Exchange Notes--General."

     Limitation on Certain Asset Sales

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) the Company or such
applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at
the time of such sale or other disposition at least equal to the fair market
value of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of (as determined in good faith
by the Board of Directors of the Company, and evidenced by a board resolution);
(ii) not less than 80% of the consideration received by the Company or such
applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of (x) cash
or Cash Equivalents other than in the case where the Company is undertaking a
Permitted Asset Swap or (y) the assumption of any Indebtedness or liabilities
reflected on the balance sheet of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in
accordance with GAAP (other than Indebtedness that is

                                       81
<PAGE>
 
subordinated to or pari passu with the Exchange Notes); and (iii) the Asset Sale
Proceeds received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary are applied (a)
first, to the extent the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, elects, or is required, to prepay, repay or purchase indebtedness under
any then existing Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary within 270 days following the receipt of the Asset Sale Proceeds from
any Asset Sale; provided that any such repayment shall result in a permanent
reduction of the commitments thereunder in an amount equal to the principal
amount so repaid; (b) second, to the extent of the balance of Asset Sale
Proceeds after application as described above, to the extent the Company elects,
to an investment in assets (including Capital Stock or other securities
purchased in connection with the acquisition of Capital Stock or property of
another Person) used or useful in businesses similar or ancillary to the
business of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary as conducted on the
Issue Date; provided that (1) such investment occurs or the Company or any such
Restricted Subsidiary enters into contractual commitments to make such
investment, subject only to customary conditions (other than the obtaining of
financing), within 270 days following receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds and
(2) Asset Sale Proceeds so contractually committed are so applied within 360
days following the receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds; and (c) third, if on
such 270th day in the case of clauses (iii)(a) and (iii)(b)(1) or on such 360th
day in the case of clause (iii)(b)(2) with respect to any Asset Sale, the
Available Asset Sale Proceeds exceed $10 million, the Company shall apply an
amount equal to such Available Asset Sale Proceeds to an offer to repurchase the
Exchange Notes, at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the purchase date
(an "Excess Proceeds Offer"). If an Excess Proceeds Offer is not fully
subscribed, the Company may retain the portion of the Available Asset Sale
Proceeds not required to repurchase Exchange Notes.

     If the Company is required to make an Excess Proceeds Offer, the Company
shall mail, within 30 days following the date specified in clause (iii)(c)
above, a notice to the holders stating, among other things: (1) that such
holders have the right to require the Company to apply the Available Asset Sale
Proceeds to repurchase such Exchange Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to
100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to the purchase date; (2) the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30
days and not later than 45 days from the date such notice is mailed; (3) the
instructions that each holder must follow in order to have such Exchange Notes
purchased; and (4) the calculations used in determining the amount of Available
Asset Sale Proceeds to be applied to the purchase of such Exchange Notes.

     In the event of the transfer of substantially all of the property and
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety to a Person
in a transaction permitted under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets"
below, the successor Person shall be deemed to have sold the properties and
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries not so transferred for
purposes of this covenant, and shall comply with the provisions of this covenant
with respect to such deemed sale as if it were an Asset Sale.

     The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent
such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of
Exchange Notes pursuant to an Excess Proceeds Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the "Asset Sale"
provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under the "Asset Sale" provisions of the Indenture by virtue
thereof.

     Limitation on Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries

     The Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any
Preferred Stock (except Preferred Stock issued to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company) or permit any Person (other than the Company or a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company) to hold any such Preferred Stock unless
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur or assume
Indebtedness under "--Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" above (other than
Permitted Indebtedness) in the aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation value of the Preferred Stock to be issued.

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<PAGE>
 
     Limitation on Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries

     The Company will not (i) sell, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise convey or
dispose of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii)
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Capital Stock, other than
to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company. The foregoing
restrictions shall not apply to an Asset Sale made in compliance with "--
Limitation on Certain Asset Sales" above, the issuance of Preferred Stock in
compliance with "--Limitation on Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries"
above or the pledge or hypothecation of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company made in compliance with "--Limitation on Liens".

     Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
     Subsidiaries

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to (a)(i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (A) on
its Capital Stock or (B) with respect to any other interest or participation in,
or measured by, its profits or (ii) repay any Indebtedness or any other
obligation owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (b)
make loans or advances or capital contributions to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) encumbrances or restrictions
existing on the Issue Date to the extent and in the manner such encumbrances and
restrictions are in effect on the Issue Date, (ii) the Senior Credit Facility,
(iii) the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, (iv) applicable law,
(v) any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or
restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any
Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person
(including any Subsidiary of the Person), so acquired, (vi) customary non-
assignment provisions in leases or other agreements entered in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practices, (vii) Refinancing
Indebtedness; provided that such restrictions are no more restrictive, taken as
a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded, (viii) customary
restrictions in security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions restrict the
transfer of the property subject to such security agreements and mortgages or
(ix) customary restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such
Restricted Subsidiary.

     Limitation on Conduct of Business

     The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not engage in any
businesses which are not the same, similar or related to the businesses in which
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged in on the Issue Date or
which are in support of or ancillary to such businesses.

     Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction unless (i) the
consideration received in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is at least equal
to the fair market value of the property sold, as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Company and evidenced by a board resolution and
(ii) the Company could incur the Attributable Indebtedness in respect of such
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction in compliance with "--Limitation on Additional
Indebtedness" above; provided, that, for purposes of this covenant, clause (v)
of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness shall be deemed to include
Attributable Indebtedness relating to operating leases.

     Payments for Consent

     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by
way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of any Exchange Notes for or as
an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or
provisions of the Indenture

                                       83
<PAGE>
 
or the Exchange Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed
to be paid to all holders of the Exchange Notes which so consent, waive or agree
to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such
consent, waiver or agreement.

Change of Control Offer

     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall be obligated
to make an offer to purchase (the "Change of Control Offer") each holder's
outstanding Exchange Notes at a purchase price (the "Change of Control Purchase
Price") equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the Change of Control Payment Date (as defined) in
accordance with the procedures set forth below.

     Within 20 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall
(i) cause a notice of the Change of Control Offer to be sent at least once to
the Dow Jones News Service or similar business news service in the United States
and (ii) send by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Trustee and to each
holder of the Exchange Notes, at the address appearing in the register
maintained by the Registrar of the Exchange Notes, a notice stating:

          (1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this
     covenant and that all Exchange Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

          (2) the Change of Control Purchase Price and the purchase date (which
     shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 45 days from
     the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"));

          (3) that any Exchange Note not tendered will continue to accrue
     interest;

          (4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of
     Control Purchase Price, any Exchange Notes accepted for payment pursuant to
     the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change
     of Control Payment Date;

          (5) that holders accepting the offer to have their Exchange Notes
     purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to
     surrender the Exchange Notes to the Paying Agent at the address specified
     in the notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day preceding
     the Change of Control Payment Date;

          (6) that holders will be entitled to withdraw their acceptance if the
     Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third
     Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram,
     telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
     holder, the principal amount of the Exchange Notes delivered for purchase,
     and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such
     Exchange Notes purchased;

          (7) that holders whose Exchange Notes are being purchased only in part
     will be issued new Exchange Notes equal in principal amount to the
     unpurchased portion of the Exchange Notes surrendered;

          (8) any other procedures that a holder must follow to accept a Change
     of Control Offer or effect withdrawal of such acceptance; and

          (9) the name and address of the Paying Agent.

     On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent
lawful, (i) accept for payment Exchange Notes or portions thereof tendered
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent
money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Exchange Notes or portions
thereof so tendered and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee
Exchange Notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the
Exchange Notes or portions thereof tendered to the Company. The Paying Agent
shall promptly mail to each holder of Exchange Notes so accepted payment in an
amount equal to the purchase price for such Exchange

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<PAGE>
 
Notes, and the Company shall execute and issue, and the Trustee shall promptly
authenticate and mail to such holder, a new Exchange Note equal in principal
amount to any unpurchased portion of the Exchange Notes surrendered; provided
that each such new Exchange Note shall be issued in an original principal amount
in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

     The Indenture requires that if the Senior Credit Facility or other Senior
Indebtedness is in effect, or any amounts are owing thereunder or in respect
thereof, at the time of the occurrence of a Change of Control, prior to the
mailing of the notice to holders described in the second preceding paragraph,
but in any event within 20 days following any Change of Control, the Company
covenants to (i) repay in full all obligations and terminate all commitments
under or in respect of the Senior Credit Facility and all other Senior
Indebtedness the terms of which require repayment upon a Change of Control or
offer to repay in full all obligations and terminate all commitments under or in
respect of the Senior Credit Facility and all such Senior Indebtedness and repay
the Indebtedness owed to each such lender who has accepted such offer or (ii)
obtain the requisite consents under the Senior Credit Facility and all such
other Senior Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the Exchange Notes as
described above. The Company must first comply with the covenant described in
the preceding sentence before it shall be required to purchase Exchange Notes in
the event of a Change of Control; provided that the Company's failure to comply
with the covenant described in the preceding sentence constitutes an Event of
Default described in clause (iii) under "--Events of Default" below if not cured
within 30 days after the notice required by such clause. As a result of the
foregoing, a holder of the Exchange Notes may not be able to compel the Company
to purchase the Exchange Notes unless the Company is able at the time to
refinance all of the obligations under or in respect of the Senior Credit
Facility and all such other Senior Indebtedness or obtain requisite consents
under the Senior Credit Facility and all such other Senior Indebtedness.

     The Indenture will further provide that, (A) if the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary thereof has issued any outstanding (i) Indebtedness that
is subordinated in right of payment to the Exchange Notes or (ii) Preferred
Stock, and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is required to make a
change of control offer or to make a distribution with respect to such
subordinated Indebtedness or Preferred Stock in the event of a change of
control, the Company shall not consummate any such offer or distribution with
respect to such subordinated indebtedness or Preferred Stock until such time as
the Company shall have paid the Change of Control Purchase Price in full to the
holders of Exchange Notes that have accepted the Company's change of control
offer and shall otherwise have consummated the change of control offer made to
holders of the Exchange Notes and (B) the Company will not issue Indebtedness
that is subordinated in right of payment to the Exchange Notes or Preferred
Stock with change of control provisions requiring the payment of such
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock prior to the payment of the Exchange Notes in
the event of a Change in Control under the Indenture.

     The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of Exchange Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the
extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
the "Change of Control" provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under the "Change of Control" provisions of the
Indenture by virtue thereof.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

     The Company will not and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease,
convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety in one transaction or a series of
related transactions), to any Person unless: (i) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be the continuing Person, or the Person
(if other than the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary) formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, are sold, assigned, transferred,
leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed of shall be a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all
of the obligations of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, under the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees, and the
obligations thereunder

                                       85
<PAGE>
 
shall remain in full force and effect; (ii) immediately before and immediately
after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) immediately after giving effect to
such transaction on a pro forma basis the Company or such Person could incur at
least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) under
"--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" above; provided
that a Person that is a Guarantor may merge into the Company or another Person
that is a Guarantor without complying with this clause (iii).

     In connection with any consolidation, merger or transfer of assets
contemplated by this provision, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer and the supplemental indenture in respect
thereto comply with this provision and that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to such transaction or transactions have been complied
with.

     For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or
otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or
substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted
Subsidiaries of the Company the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed
to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of
the Company. In the case of a transfer of assets, upon the assumption of the
Company's obligations under the Indenture and the Exchange Notes by the
transferee in accordance with the provisions of this covenant, the Company will
be released from its obligations thereunder.

Guarantees

     The Exchange Notes will be guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by the
Guarantors. All payments pursuant to the Guarantees by the Guarantors are
subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness of each respective Guarantor, to the same extent and in the
same manner that all payments pursuant to the Exchange Notes are subordinated in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company.

     Notwithstanding any term or provision of the Indenture to the contrary, the
maximum aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed thereunder by any
Guarantor will not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed thereunder
by such Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to such
Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or
fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

     A Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its
Guarantee if (i) all of its assets or Capital Stock is sold, in each case in a
transaction in compliance with "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Certain Asset
Sales" above, or the Guarantor merges with or into or consolidates with, or
transfers all or substantially all of its assets in compliance with "Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets" above, and such Guarantor has delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that
all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have
been complied with or (ii) all other guarantees in respect of borrowed money
made by such Guarantor have been fully released and terminated.

Events of Default

     The following events are defined in the Indenture as "Events of Default":

          (i)   default in payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on
     the Exchange Notes whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise
     (whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by the subordination
     provisions of the Indenture);

          (ii)  default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the Exchange
     Notes;

          (iii) default by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the
     observance or performance of any other covenant in the Exchange Notes or
     the Indenture for 30 days after written notice from the

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<PAGE>
 
     Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount
     of the Exchange Notes then outstanding (except in the case of a default
     with respect to the "Change of Control" or "Merger, Consolidation or Sale
     of Assets" covenant which shall constitute an Event of Default with such
     notice requirement but without such passage of time requirement);

          (iv)   failure to pay at final maturity principal, interest or premium
     in an aggregate amount of $10 million or more with respect to any
     Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof (other
     than the Exchange Notes), or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness
     aggregating $10 million or more which default shall not be cured, waived or
     postponed pursuant to an agreement with the holders of such Indebtedness
     within 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture, or such
     acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled within 20 days after
     written notice as provided in the Indenture;

          (v)    any final judgment or judgments which can no longer be appealed
     for the payment of money in excess of $10 million shall be rendered against
     the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, and shall not be
     discharged for any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of
     enforcement shall not be in effect; and

          (vi)   certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or
     reorganization of the Company or any Material Restricted Subsidiary
     thereof; and

          (vii)  any of the Guarantees ceases to be in full force and effect or
     any of the Guarantees of a Material Restricted Subsidiary is declared to be
     null and void and unenforceable or any of the Guarantees of a Material
     Restricted Subsidiary is found to be invalid or any of the Guarantors
     denies its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason of release
     of a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture).

     The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold notice to the holders
of the Exchange Notes of any default (except in payment of principal or premium,
if any, or interest on the Exchange Notes) if the Trustee considers it to be in
the best interest of the holders of the Exchange Notes to do so.

     The Indenture will provide that if an Event of Default (other than an Event
of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization) shall have occurred and be continuing, then the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes
then outstanding may declare to be immediately due and payable the entire
principal amount of all the Exchange Notes then outstanding plus accrued but
unpaid interest to the date of acceleration (i) and the same shall become
immediately due and payable or (ii) if there are any amounts outstanding under
the Senior Credit Facility, shall become immediately due and payable upon the
first to occur of an acceleration under the Senior Credit Facility or 5 business
days after receipt by the Company and the representative under the Senior Credit
Facility of a notice of acceleration; provided, however, that after such
acceleration but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained
by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Exchange Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul
such acceleration if (i) all Events of Default, other than nonpayment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of
the acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture, (ii)
to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue
installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise
than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid, (iii) if the Company
has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for
its expenses, disbursements and advances and (iv) in the event of the cure or
waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in clause (iv) of the above
Events of Default, the Trustee shall have received an Officers' Certificate and
an opinion of counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived.  No
such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right
consequent thereto.  In case an Event of Default resulting from certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur, the principal, premium
and interest amount with respect to all of the Exchange Notes shall be due and
payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the
Trustee or the holders of the Exchange Notes.

     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange
Notes then outstanding shall have the right to waive any existing default or
compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Exchange Notes

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<PAGE>
 
and to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain limitations provided for in
the Indenture and under the TIA.

     No holder of any Exchange Note will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default and unless the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes shall have made written
request and offered reasonable indemnity to the Trustee to institute such
proceeding as Trustee, and unless the Trustee shall not have received from the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Exchange
Notes a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to
institute such proceeding within 60 days.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, such
limitations do not apply to a suit instituted on such Exchange Note on or after
the respective due dates expressed in such Exchange Note.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

     The Indenture provides that the Company may elect either (a) to defease and
be discharged from any and all of its and any Guarantor's obligations with
respect to the Exchange Notes (except for the obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of such Exchange Notes, to replace temporary or mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Exchange Notes, to maintain an office or agency in
respect of the Exchange Notes and to hold monies for payment in trust)
("defeasance") or (b) to be released from its obligations with respect to the
Exchange Notes under certain covenants contained in the Indenture ("covenant
defeasance") upon the deposit with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in
trust for such purpose, of money and/or non-callable U.S. government obligations
which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their
terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Exchange Notes, on the scheduled due dates
therefor or on a selected date of redemption in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture.  Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, (i) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel (as specified in the
Indenture) (A) to the effect that neither the trust nor the Trustee will be
required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, and (B) describing either a private ruling concerning the
Exchange Notes or a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, to the
effect that holders of the Exchange Notes or persons in their positions will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax
on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have
been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, (ii)
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date
of such deposit or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the
91st day after the date of deposit; (iii) such defeasance or covenant defeasance
shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the
Indenture, the Senior Credit Facility or any other material agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party
or by which the Company or any or its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound; (iv) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating
that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the
holders of the Exchange Notes over any other creditors of the Company or with
the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors
of the Company or others; (v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent provided for or relating to the defeasance or the covenant
defeasance have been complied with; (vi) the Company shall have delivered to the
Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that (A) the trust funds will not be
subject to any rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness, including, without
limitation, those arising under the Indenture and (B) after the 91st day
following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally; and (vii) certain other customary conditions
precedent are satisfied.

Modification of Indenture

     From time to time, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may, without
the consent of holders of the Exchange Notes, amend or supplement the Indenture
for certain specified purposes, including providing for uncertificated Exchange
Notes in addition to certificated Exchange Notes, and curing any ambiguity,
defect or inconsistency, or making any other change that does not materially and
adversely affect the rights of any holder.  The Indenture contains provisions
permitting the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, with the consent of

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<PAGE>
 
holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Exchange Notes, to modify or supplement the Indenture, except that no such
modification shall, without the consent of each holder affected thereby, (i)
reduce the amount of Exchange Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment,
supplement, or waiver to the Indenture, (ii) reduce the rate of or change the
time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on any Exchange
Note, (iii) reduce the principal of or premium on or change the stated maturity
of any Exchange Note or change the date on which any Exchange Notes may be
subject to redemption or repurchase or reduce the redemption or repurchase price
therefor, (iv) make any Exchange Note payable in money other than that stated in
the Exchange Note or change the place of payment from New York, New York, (v)
waive a default on the payment of the principal of, interest on, or redemption
payment with respect to any Exchange Note, (vi) make any change in provisions of
the Indenture protecting the right of each holder of Exchange Notes to receive
payment of principal of and interest on such Exchange Note on or after the due
date thereof or to bring suit to enforce such payment, or permitting holders of
a majority in principal amount of Exchange Notes to waive Defaults or Events of
Default; (vii) modify or change any provision of the Indenture or the related
definitions affecting the subordination or ranking of the Exchange Notes or any
Guarantee in a manner which adversely affects the holders of Exchange Notes; or
(viii) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Guarantee or
the Indenture otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

Reports to Holders

     So long as the Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of
the Exchange Act, it will continue to furnish the information required thereby
to the Commission and to the holders of the Exchange Notes.  The Indenture
provides that even if the Company is entitled under the Exchange Act not to
furnish such information to the Commission or to the holders of the Exchange
Notes, it will nonetheless continue to furnish such information to the
Commission (to the extent permitted by the Commission) and holders of the
Exchange Notes.

Compliance Certificate

     The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 90 days after the end
of the Company's fiscal year and on or before 45 days after the end of each of
the first, second and third fiscal quarters in each year an Officers'
Certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of
Default that has occurred.  If they do, the certificate will describe the
Default or Event of Default, its status and the intended method of cure, if any.

The Trustee

     The Trustee under the Indenture initially will be the Registrar and Paying
Agent with regard to the Exchange Notes.  The Indenture provides that, except
during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee will perform only
such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture.  During the
existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee will exercise such rights and
powers vested in it under the Indenture and use the same degree of care and
skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances
in the conduct of such person's own affairs.

Transfer and Exchange

     Holders of the Exchange Notes may transfer or exchange Exchange Notes in
accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar under such Indenture may require a
holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture.  The Registrar is not required to transfer or exchange any Exchange
Note selected for redemption and, further, is not required to transfer or
exchange any Exchange Note for a period of 15 days before selection of the
Exchange Notes to be redeemed.

     The registered holder of a Exchange Note may be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.

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Additional Information

     Anyone who receives this Prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture
without charge from the Company.

Certain Definitions

     Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the
Indenture.  Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all
such terms as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no
definition is provided.

     "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (including an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with any other Person or which is
assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person and, in
each case, not incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or
contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such merger,
consolidation or acquisition.

     "Adjusted Net Assets" of any Person at any date shall mean the lesser of
the amount by which (x) the fair value of the property of such Person exceeds
the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent
liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities),
but excluding liabilities under the Guarantee of such Person at such date and
(y) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person at such date
exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such
Person on its debts (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent
liabilities and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of
such Person in respect of the obligations of such Person under the Guarantee of
such Person), excluding Indebtedness in respect of the Guarantee of such Person,
as they become absolute and matured.

     "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specific Person, any other Person
that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.  For the
purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings,
the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and "under common control with"), as
used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of
such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or
otherwise; provided  that, for purposes of the covenant described under "--
Certain Covenants--Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates" beneficial
ownership of at least 10% of the voting securities of a Person, either directly
or indirectly, shall be deemed to be control.

     "Asset Acquisition" means (a) an Investment by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any other Person pursuant to which such
Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) the acquisition by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of the assets of any Person (other than
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) which constitute all or substantially
all of the assets of such Person or comprise any division or line of business of
such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the
ordinary course of business.

     "Asset Sale" means the sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other
disposition in any single transaction or series of related transactions of (i)
any Capital Stock of or other equity interest in any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company, (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of any business owned
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, or a division, line of
business or comparable business segment of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or (iii) any other asset or property of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary other than in the ordinary course of business; provided that Asset
Sale shall not include (a) any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other
disposition (1) to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary or to any other
Person if after giving effect thereto such other Person becomes a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or (2) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person as an
Investment in such Person provided that the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary receives consideration at the time at least equal to the fair market
value of such asset or properties and such Investment is included in clause
(viii) of the second paragraph of "Limitation on Restricted Payments"; (b) Sale
and Lease-Back Transactions completed within 270 days following the original
acquisition of the subject assets where the original

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<PAGE>
 
acquisition occurred after the date of the Indenture; (c) the disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis in a
manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described under "Consolidation,
Merger and Sale of Assets"; or (d) sales or dispositions of obsolete equipment
or other assets in the ordinary course of business.

     "Asset Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, (i) cash
received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from such
Asset Sale (including cash received as consideration for the assumption of
liabilities incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such Asset Sale),
after (a) provision for all income or other taxes measured by or resulting from
such Asset Sale, (b) payment of all brokerage commissions, underwriting and
other fees and expenses related to such Asset Sale, (c) provision for minority
interest holders in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such
Asset Sale, (d) repayment of Indebtedness that is required to be repaid in
connection with such Asset Sale and (e) deduction of appropriate amounts to be
provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a reserve,
in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets sold
or disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and
other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to
environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with
the assets sold or disposed of in such Asset Sale, and (ii) promissory notes and
other noncash consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company from such Asset Sale or other disposition upon the liquidation or
conversion of such notes or noncash consideration into cash.

     "Attributable Indebtedness" means, in respect of a Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction, as of the time of determination, the present value (discounted
according to GAAP at the cost of indebtedness implied in the lease) of the total
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the
lease included in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (including any period for
which such lease has been extended).

     "Available Asset Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the
aggregate Asset Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale that have not been applied in
accordance with clauses (iii)(a) or (iii)(b), and which have not yet been the
basis for an Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance with clause (iii)(c) of the
first paragraph of "Certain Covenants--Limitation on Certain Asset Sales."

     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether
or not voting) of corporate stock, partnership interests or any other
participation, right or other interest in the nature of an equity interest in
such Person including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock of
such Person, or any option, warrant or other security convertible into any of
the foregoing.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means, with respect to any Person,
Indebtedness represented by obligations under a lease that is required to be
capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the
amount of such Indebtedness shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations
determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) marketable direct obligations issued by, or
unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any
agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in
each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii)
marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of
America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"); (iii) commercial paper maturing no more
than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition,
having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody's; (iv)
certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within one year from
the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia
or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition thereof
combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000; (v) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of
the types described in clause (i) above entered into with any bank meeting the
qualifications

                                       91
<PAGE>
 
specified in clause (iv) above; and (vi) investments in money market funds which
invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in
clauses (i) through (v) above.

     A "Change of Control" of the Company will be deemed to have occurred at
such time as (i) any Person (including a Person's Affiliates and associates),
other than a Permitted Holder, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined under
Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange
Act) of 50% or more of the total voting or economic power of the Company's
Common Stock, (ii) any Person (including a Person's Affiliates and associates),
other than a Permitted Holder, becomes the beneficial owner of more than 33-1/3%
of the total voting power of the Company's Common Stock, and the Permitted
Holders beneficially own, in the aggregate, a lesser percentage of the total
voting power of the Common Stock of the Company than such other Person and do
not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or
designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company,
(iii) there shall be consummated any consolidation or merger of the Company in
which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to
which the Common Stock of the Company would be converted into cash, securities
or other property, other than a merger or consolidation of the Company in which
the holders of the Common Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to
the consolidation or merger hold, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of
the Common Stock of the surviving corporation immediately after such
consolidation or merger, or (iv) during any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by such
Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the
Company has been approved by 66-2/3% of the directors then still in office who
either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
recommendation for election was previously so approved) cease to constitute a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.

     "Common Stock" of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person that is
generally entitled to (i) vote in the election of directors of such Person or
(ii) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise participate in the
selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control
the management and policies of such Person.

     "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any
Person, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person during the four full fiscal quarters
(the "Four Quarter Period") for which financial information is available ending
on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate
the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the "Transaction Date") to
Consolidated Fixed Charges of such Person for the Four Quarter Period.  In
addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this
definition, "Consolidated EBITDA" and "Consolidated Fixed Charges" shall be
calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such
calculation to (i) the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the application of the
proceeds thereof) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any
incurrence or repayment of other Indebtedness (and the application of the
proceeds thereof), other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the
ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to working
capital facilities, occurring during the Four Quarter Period or at any time
subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the
Transaction Date, as if such incurrence or repayment, as the case may be (and
the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four
Quarter Period and (ii) any Asset Sales or Asset Acquisitions (including,
without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such
calculation as a result of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the
Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise being liable for Acquired
Indebtedness) and also including any EBITDA (provided that such EBITDA shall be
included only to the extent includable pursuant to the definition of
"Consolidated Net Income") attributable to the assets which are the subject of
the Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale during the Four Quarter Period) occurring
during the Four Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the
Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset
Sale or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence, assumption or liability for
any such Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter
Period.  If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or
indirectly guarantees Indebtedness of a third Person, the preceding sentence
shall give effect to the incurrence of such guaranteed Indebtedness as if such
Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person had directly incurred or
otherwise assumed such guaranteed Indebtedness.  Furthermore, in calculating
"Consolidated Fixed Charges" for purposes of determining the denominator (but
not the numerator) of this "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio," (1)
interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the

                                       92
<PAGE>
 
Transaction Date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be
deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest
on such Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction Date; (2) if interest on any
Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be
determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a
eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in
effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the
Four Quarter Period; and (3) notwithstanding clause (1) above, interest on
Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is
covered by one or more Interest Rate Agreements, shall be deemed to accrue at
the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of such
agreements.

     "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the sum, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, plus
(ii) the product of (x) the amount of all dividend payments on any series of
Preferred Stock of such Person (other than dividends paid in Capital Stock
(other the Disqualified Capital Stock)) paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or
accrued during such period times (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is one
and the denominator of which is one minus the then current effective
consolidated federal, state and local tax rate of such Person, expressed as a
decimal.

     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the aggregate amount of interest which, in conformity with GAAP, would
be set forth opposite the caption "interest expense" or any like caption on an
income statement for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis (including, but not limited to (i) imputed interest included
in Capitalized Lease Obligations, (ii) all commissions, discounts and other fees
and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financing, (iii) the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements and
other hedging obligations to the extent treated as interest expense under GAAP,
(iv) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, (v) amortization
of discount or premium, if any, and (vi) all other non-cash interest expense
(other than interest amortized to cost of sales)) plus, without duplication, all
net capitalized interest for such period and all interest incurred or paid under
any guarantee of Indebtedness (including a guarantee of principal, interest or
any combination thereof) of any Person, plus the amount of all dividends or
distributions paid on Disqualified Capital Stock (other than dividends paid or
payable in shares of Capital Stock of the Company) but excluding amortization of
financing fees and expenses.

     "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP; provided, however, that (a) the Net Income of any Person (the "other
Person") in which the Person in question or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
has less than a 100% interest (which interest does not cause the Net Income of
such other Person to be consolidated into the Net Income of the Person in
question in accordance with GAAP) shall be included only to the extent of the
amount of dividends or distributions paid to the Person in question or the
Restricted Subsidiary, (b) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Person in question that is subject to any consensual restriction or limitation
on the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions shall be
excluded to the extent of such restriction or limitation, (c)(i) the Net Income
of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests transaction for any period
prior to the date of such acquisition and (ii) any net gain or loss resulting
from an Asset Sale by the Person in question or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded,
(d) extraordinary gains and losses shall be excluded, (e) income or loss
attributable to discontinued operations (including, without limitation,
operations disposed of during such period whether or not such operations were
classified as discontinued) shall be excluded, (f) in the case of a successor to
the referent Person by consolidation or merger or as a transferee of the
referent Person's assets, any earnings of the successor corporation prior to
such consolidation, merger or transfer of assets shall be excluded, (g) any non-
recurring non-cash losses and charges shall be excluded, (h) for purposes of
calculations referred to under "Limitation on Restricted Payments" only, any net
income attributable to payments or dividends received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary that offset the amount of Investments made in reliance on
clause (ii) of the definition of "Net Investments" shall be excluded, and (i)
for purposes of clauses (c)(ii), (d) and (g) only, the associated tax effects in
respect of such period shall be excluded.

     "Consolidated Total Tangible Assets" means, with respect to any Person, the
total assets as would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of such person
minus unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service
marks, trade names, copyrights and all other items which would be treated as
intangibles on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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<PAGE>
 
     "Currency Agreement" means, for any Person, any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to
protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values.

     "Designated Senior Indebtedness," as to the Company or any Guarantor, as
the case may be, means any Senior Indebtedness or Guarantor Senior Indebtedness,
as the case may be, under (i) the Senior Credit Facility and (ii) any other
Indebtedness in an original principal amount (or committed availability) of at
least $25 million if the instrument governing the same expressly provides that
such Indebtedness is "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of the
Indenture.

     "Disqualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock of a Person or a
Restricted Subsidiary thereof which, by its terms (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the
option of the holder), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or
is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or
prior to the maturity date of the Exchange Notes, for cash or securities
constituting Indebtedness.  Without limitation of the foregoing, Disqualified
Capital Stock shall be deemed to include any Preferred Stock of a Person or a
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, with respect to either of which, under the
terms of such Preferred Stock, by agreement or otherwise, such Person or
Restricted Subsidiary is obligated to pay current dividends or distributions in
cash during the period prior to the maturity date of the Exchange Notes;
provided, however, that Preferred Stock of a Person or any Restricted Subsidiary
thereof that is issued with the benefit of provisions requiring a change of
control offer to be made for such Preferred Stock in the event of a change of
control of such Person or Restricted Subsidiary which provisions have
substantially the same effect as the provisions of the Indenture described under
"Change of Control," shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Capital Stock solely
by virtue of such provisions.

     "EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
for any period, an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Net Income
for such period, plus (ii) the provision for taxes for such period based on
income or profits to the extent such income or profits were included in
computing Consolidated Net Income and any provision for taxes utilized in
computing net loss under clause (i) hereof, plus (iii) Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period (but only including Redeemable Dividends in the
calculation of such Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent that such
Redeemable Dividends have not been excluded in the calculation of Consolidated
Net Income), plus (iv) depreciation for such period on a consolidated basis,
plus (v) amortization of intangibles for such period on a consolidated basis,
plus (vi) any other non-cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income for such
period, minus (b) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such
period, all for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and provided, however, that, for
purposes of calculating EBITDA during any fiscal quarter, cash income from a
particular Investment of such Person shall be included only (x) if cash income
has been received by such Person with respect to such Investment during each of
the previous four fiscal quarters, or (y) if the cash income derived from such
Investment is attributable to Cash Equivalents.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

     "fair market value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the price
which could be negotiated in an arm's-length, for cash, between a willing seller
and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or
compulsion to complete the transaction.  Fair market value shall be determined
by the Board of Directors of the Company acting reasonably and in good faith and
shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company
delivered to the Trustee.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
as in effect in the United States from time to time, except that, for purposes
of calculating financial ratios, GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting
principles utilized by the Company as of the Issue Date.

     "incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume,
guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness or other
obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any
such Indebtedness or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and
"incurrence," "incurred," "incurable,"

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<PAGE>
 
and "incurring" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided that
a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at
such time becoming Indebtedness shall not be deemed an incurrence of such
Indebtedness.

     "Indebtedness" means (without duplication), with respect to any Person, any
obligation at any time outstanding, secured or unsecured, contingent or
otherwise, which is for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the
lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion
thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or
representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
property (excluding, without limitation, any balances that constitute accounts
payable or trade payables, and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of business) if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would
appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance
with GAAP, and shall also include, to the extent not otherwise included (i) any
Capitalized Lease Obligations (excluding any imputed interest included therein)
of such Person, (ii) obligations secured by a lien to which the property or
assets owned or held by such Person is subject, whether or not the obligation or
obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed, to the extent of the fair
market value of such property or assets, (iii) guarantees of items of other
Persons which would be included within this definition for such other Persons
(whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of the
Guarantor), to the extent of the amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed, (iv)
all obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit,
banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction, (v) Disqualified Capital
Stock of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, and (vi) obligations
of any such Person under any Currency Agreement or any Interest Rate Agreement
applicable to any of the foregoing (if and to the extent such Currency Agreement
or Interest Rate Agreement obligations would appear as a liability upon a
balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP).  The amount of
Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such
date of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to
contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the
contingency giving rise to the obligation; provided that (i) the amount
outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount
is the principal amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized
portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as
determined in conformity with GAAP and (ii) Indebtedness shall not include any
liability for federal, state, local or other taxes.  Notwithstanding any other
provision of the foregoing definition, any trade payable arising from the
purchase of goods or materials or for services obtained in the ordinary course
of business shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries for purposes of this definition.  Furthermore,
guarantees of (or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting)
Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not
also be included.

     "Independent Financial Advisor" means an investment banking firm of
national reputation in the United States (i) which does not, and whose
directors, officers and employees or Affiliates do not, have a direct or
indirect financial interest in the Company and (ii) which, in the judgment of
the Board of Directors of the Company, is otherwise independent and qualified to
perform the task for which it is to be engaged.

     "Interest Rate Agreement" means, with respect to any Person, any interest
rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement
or other similar agreement designed to protect the party indicated therein
against fluctuations in interest rates.

     "Investments" means, with respect of any Person, directly or indirectly,
any advance, account receivable (other than an account receivable arising in the
ordinary course of business of such Person), loan or capital contribution to (by
means of transfers of property to others, payments for property or services for
the account or use of others or otherwise), the purchase of any Capital Stock,
bonds, notes, debentures, partnership or joint venture interests or other
securities of, the acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, of all or
substantially all of the business or assets or stock or other evidence of
beneficial ownership of, any Person or the making of any investment in any
Person.  Investments shall exclude (i) extensions of trade credit on
commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices of such
Person and (ii) the repurchase of securities of any Person by such Person.  For
the purposes of the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant, (i)
"Investment" shall include and be valued at the fair market value of the net
assets of any Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary
is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary and shall exclude the fair market value
of the net assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such
Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the
amount

                                       95
<PAGE>
 
of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of
all additional Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups,
write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment, reduced by the
payment of dividends or distributions in connection with such Investment or any
other amounts received in respect of such Investment; provided that no such
payment of dividends or distributions or receipt of any such other amounts shall
reduce the amount of any Investment if such payment of dividends or
distributions or receipt of any such amounts would be included in Consolidated
Net Income.  If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or
otherwise disposes of any Common Stock of any direct or indirect Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or
disposition, the Company no longer owns, directly or indirectly, greater than
50% of the outstanding Common Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary, the Company
shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or
disposition equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock of such
Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

     "Issue Date" means the date the Exchange Notes are first issued by the
Company and authenticated by the Trustee under the Indenture.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets of any Person, any
mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement, encumbrance, preference,
priority, or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including
without limitation, any Capitalized Lease Obligation, conditional sales, or
other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as
any of the foregoing).

     "Material Restricted Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary that, as of
the end of the most recent fiscal quarter accounted for 10% or more of the
Company's consolidated (i) total assets, (ii) shareholders' equity or (iii)
operating income (calculated for the four most recent fiscal quarters),
determined in each case in accordance with GAAP.

     "Net Cash Proceeds" means the aggregate amount of U.S. Legal Tender and
Cash Equivalents received by a Person from the sale of Capital Stock, after
payment of expenses, commissions and the like incurred in connection therewith.

     "Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the net
income (loss) of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Net Investment" means the excess of (i) the aggregate amount of all
Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures made by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary on or after the Issue Date (in the case of an
Investment made other than in cash, the amount shall be the fair market value of
such Investment as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary) over (ii) the sum of (a) the aggregate
amount returned in cash on or with respect to such Investments whether through
interest payments, principal payments, dividends or other distributions or
payments and (b) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or joint venture from the disposition of all or any portion of such
Investments (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company); provided, however, that
with respect to all Investments made in any Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint
venture the sum of clauses (a) and (b) above with respect to such Investments
shall not exceed the aggregate amount of all such Investments made in such
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

     "Net Proceeds" means (a) in the case of any sale of Capital Stock by or
equity contribution to any Person, the aggregate net proceeds received by such
Person, after payment of expenses, commissions and the like incurred in
connection therewith, whether such proceeds are in cash or in property (valued
at the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of such Person, at the time of receipt) and (b) in the case of any
exchange, exercise, conversion or surrender of outstanding securities of any
kind for or into shares of Capital Stock of the Company which is not
Disqualified Capital Stock, the net book value or principal amount of such
outstanding securities on the date of such exchange, exercise, conversion or
surrender (plus any additional amount required to be paid by the holder to such
Person upon such exchange, exercise, conversion or surrender, less any and all
payments made to the holders, e.g., on account of fractional shares and less all
expenses incurred by such Person in connection therewith).

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<PAGE>
 
     "Non-Payment Event of Default" means any event (other than a Payment
Default) the occurrence of which entitles one or more Persons to accelerate the
maturity of any Designated Senior Indebtedness.

     "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and
the Chief Financial Officer or any Treasurer of such Person that shall comply
with applicable provisions of the Indenture.

     "Payment Default" means any default, whether or not any requirement for the
giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, or any other condition to such
default becoming an event of default has occurred, in the payment of principal
of or premium, if any, or interest on or any other amount payable in connection
with Designated Senior Indebtedness.

     "Permitted Asset Swap" means any transfer of properties or assets by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in which 80% of the consideration
received by the transferor consists of properties or assets (other than cash)
that will be used in the business of the transferor; provided, that (i) the
aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company) of the property or assets (including cash) being
transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is not greater than the
aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company), of the property or assets (including cash) received
by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such exchange and (ii) the
aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company) of all property or assets transferred by the Company
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with exchanges in any
period of twelve consecutive months shall not exceed $20 million.

     "Permitted Holders" shall mean any member of senior management of the
Company, Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated or Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., and
any successor entity thereof controlled by the principals of Freeman Spogli &
Co. Incorporated or Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., as the case may be and any
entity controlled by either of them (other than any of their portfolio
companies).

     "Permitted Indebtedness" means:

          (i)   Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising
     under or in connection with the Senior Credit Facility in an aggregate
     principal amount not to exceed (x) $50 million outstanding at any time
     under an acquisition facility plus (y) the greater of (A) $45 million or
     (B) an amount equal to the product of 4.0% times the Company's consolidated
     total revenues for the four full fiscal quarters for which financial
     information is available ended immediately preceding the date of
     determination, determined in accordance with GAAP, under a revolving credit
     and letter of credit facility less, in the case of (x) or (y), any
     mandatory prepayment actually made thereunder (to the extent, in the case
     of payments of revolving credit borrowings, that the corresponding
     commitments have been permanently reduced) or scheduled payments actually
     made thereunder;

          (ii)  Indebtedness under the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees;

          (iii) Indebtedness not covered by any other clause of this definition
     which is outstanding on the Issue Date;

          (iv)  Indebtedness of the Company to any Wholly Owned Subsidiary and
     Indebtedness of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the Company or another
     Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

          (v)   Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations
     incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement or
     remodeling of property or assets in the ordinary course of business, which
     Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations do not in the
     aggregate exceed 10% of the Company's Consolidated Total Tangible Assets at
     any time;

          (vi)  Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements;

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<PAGE>
 
          (vii)  Refinancing Indebtedness;

          (viii) Indebtedness under the Senior Notes; and

          (ix)   additional Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
     Subsidiaries not to exceed $15 million in aggregate principal amount at any
     one time outstanding.

     "Permitted Investments" means Investments made on or after the Issue Date
consisting of:

          (i)    Investments by the Company, or by a Restricted Subsidiary
     thereof, in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

          (ii)   Investments by the Company, or by a Restricted Subsidiary
     thereof, in a Person, if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person
     becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) such Person is
     merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys
     substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a
     Restricted Subsidiary thereof;

          (iii)  Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

          (iv)   reasonable and customary loans made to employees not to exceed
     $1 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

          (v)    an Investment that is made by the Company or a Restricted
     Subsidiary thereof in the form of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes,
     debentures, partnership or joint venture interests or other securities that
     are issued by a third party to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
     solely as partial consideration for the consummation of an Asset Sale that
     is otherwise permitted under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Certain
     Asset Sales" above;

          (vi)   Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements entered into
     in the ordinary course of the Company's or its Restricted Subsidiaries
     business; and

          (vii)  recourse loans of up to an aggregate of $2 million outstanding
     at any time to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries made in
     connection with the purchase of Capital Stock of the Company (other than
     Disqualified Capital Stock).

     "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens on property or assets of, or any shares
of Capital Stock of or secured indebtedness of, any corporation existing at the
time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or at the
time such corporation is merged into the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens are not incurred in connection with, or
in contemplation of, such corporation becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or merging into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii)
Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that any such Lien does not
extend to or cover any Property, Capital Stock or Indebtedness other than the
Property, shares or debt securing the Indebtedness so refunded, refinanced or
extended, (iii) Liens in favor of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, (iv) Liens securing industrial revenue bonds, (v) Liens to secure
Purchase Money Indebtedness that is otherwise permitted under the Indenture;
provided that (a) any such Lien is created solely for the purpose of securing
Indebtedness representing, or incurred to finance, refinance or refund, the cost
(including sales and excise taxes, installation and delivery charges and other
direct costs of, and other direct expenses paid or charged in connection with,
such purchase or construction) of such Property, (b) the principal amount of the
Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such costs, and (c)
such Lien does not extend to or cover any Property other than such item of
Property and any improvements on such item, (vi) statutory liens or landlords',
carriers', warehouseman's, mechanics', suppliers', materialmen's, repairmen's or
other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which do not secure
any Indebtedness and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if a reserve or other
appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP
shall have been made therefor, (vii) other Liens securing obligations incurred
in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $5.0 million
in the aggregate at any one time outstanding, (viii) any extensions,
substitutions, replacements or renewals

                                       98
<PAGE>
 
of the foregoing, (ix) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges that
are not due or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
(x) Liens securing Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted to be incurred under
clause (v) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness"; provided that such
Lien does not extend to any property other than that subject to the underlying
lease.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
government (including any agency or political subdivision thereof).

     "Preferred Stock" means any Capital Stock of a Person, however designated,
which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to dividends,
distributions or liquidation proceeds of such Person over the holders of other
Capital Stock issued by such Person.

     "Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property owned by such Person whether or not included in the
most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries under
GAAP.

     "Public Equity Offering" means a public offering by the Company of shares
of its Common Stock (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) and
any and all rights, warrants or options to acquire such Common Stock.

     "Purchase Money Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness incurred in the
ordinary course of business by a Person to finance the cost (including the cost
of construction, improvement or remodeling) of an asset or property, provided,
that (x) the principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the sum of
(i) 100% of such cost and (ii) reasonable fees and expenses of such Person
incurred in connection therewith and (y) any lien or encumbrance securing such
Indebtedness is placed on such asset or property not more than 270 days after
its acquisition or the completion of construction, improvement or remodeling, as
the case may be.

     "Redeemable Dividend" means, for any dividend or distribution with regard
to Disqualified Capital Stock, the quotient of the dividend or distribution
divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income
tax rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the
issuer of such Disqualified Capital Stock.

     "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that refunds, refinances or
extends any Indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the Issue Date or other
Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, but only to the extent that
(i) the Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Exchange Notes to at
least the same extent as the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or
extended, if at all, (ii) the Refinancing Indebtedness is scheduled to mature
either (a) no earlier than the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or
extended, or (b) after the maturity date of the Exchange Notes, (iii) the
portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on
or prior to the maturity date of the Exchange Notes has a weighted average life
to maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal
to or greater than the weighted average life to maturity of the portion of the
Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or extended that is scheduled to mature
on or prior to the maturity date of the Exchange Notes, (iv) such Refinancing
Indebtedness is in an aggregate principal amount that is equal to or less than
the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount then outstanding under the
Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or extended, (b) the amount of accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, and premiums owed, if any, not in excess of
preexisting prepayment provisions on such Indebtedness being refunded,
refinanced or extended and (c) the amount of customary fees, expenses and costs
related to the incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness, and (v) such
Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred by the same Person that initially incurred
the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or extended, except that the Company
may incur Refinancing Indebtedness to refund, refinance or extend Indebtedness
of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that any
Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or extend Indebtedness incurred by
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date pursuant to the
terms of the Indenture and any Indebtedness incurred under the Senior Credit
Facility to refinance the Senior Exchange Notes need not comply with clauses
(ii) or (iii) above; provided, further, that for purposes of calculations made
under the Permitted Indebtedness definition, such Indebtedness may be treated as
Refinancing Indebtedness.

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<PAGE>
 
     "Restricted Payment" means any of the following: (i) the declaration or
payment of any dividend or any other distribution or payment on Capital Stock of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any payment made to
the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Capital Stock of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than (x)
dividends or distributions payable solely in Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Capital Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase
such Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), and (y) in the case
of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, dividends or distributions payable to
the Company or to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company), (ii) the purchase,
redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Capital Stock
owned by the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, excluding
Disqualified Capital Stock) or any option, warrants or other rights to purchase
such Capital Stock, (iii) the making of any principal payment on, or the
purchase, defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement
for value, prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled
sinking fund payment, of any Indebtedness which is subordinated in right of
payment to the Exchange Notes (other than subordinated Indebtedness acquired in
anticipation of satisfying a scheduled sinking fund obligation, principal
installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of
acquisition), (iv) the making of any Investment or guarantee of any Investment
in any Person other than a Permitted Investment, and (v) any designation of a
Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary on the basis of the
Investment by the Company therein and (vi) forgiveness of any Indebtedness of an
Affiliate of the Company to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company.  For purposes of determining the amount expended for Restricted
Payments, cash distributed or invested shall be valued at the face amount
thereof and property other than cash shall be valued at its fair market value.

     "Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of the Company other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary and includes all of the Subsidiaries of the Company
existing as of the Issue Date.  The Board of Directors of the Company may
designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Person that is to become a
Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such
action (and treating any Acquired Indebtedness as having been incurred at the
time of such action), (i) the Company could have incurred at least $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to "--
Certain Covenants--Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" above and (ii) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

     "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" means any arrangement with any Person
providing for the leasing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is
to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to such
Person in contemplation of such leasing.

     "Senior Credit Facility" means the Credit Agreement dated as of October 23,
1997, among the Company, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as
lenders thereunder, the Initial Purchasers, as co-arrangers and Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce, as syndication agent, and First Union National Bank,
as administrative agent, together with the related documents thereto (including,
without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents), in each
case as such agreements may be amended (including any amendment and restatement
thereof), supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including any
agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise
restructuring (including increasing the amount of available borrowings
thereunder (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted by the
"Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" covenant, whether or not under clause
(i) thereof) or adding Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company as additional
borrowers or guarantors thereunder) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under
such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same
or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

     "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on, and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations and
other amounts due pursuant to the terms of all agreements, documents and
instruments providing for, creating, securing or evidencing or otherwise entered
into in connection with (a) all Indebtedness of the Company owed to lenders
under the Senior Credit Facility, (b) all obligations of the Company with
respect to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement, (c) all
obligations of the Company to reimburse any bank or other person in respect of
amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments,
(d) all other Indebtedness of the Company which does not provide that it is to
rank pari passu with or subordinate to the Exchange Notes and (e) all deferrals,
renewals, refinancings, extensions and refundings of, and amendments,
modifications and supplements to, any of the Senior Indebtedness described
above.  Notwithstanding

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<PAGE>
 
anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness will not include
(i) Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, or to any Affiliate
of the Company or any of such Affiliate's Subsidiaries, (ii) Indebtedness
represented by the Exchange Notes, (iii) any Indebtedness which by the express
terms of the agreement or instrument creating, evidencing or governing the same
is junior or subordinate in right of payment to any item of Senior Indebtedness,
(iv) any trade payable arising from the purchase of goods or materials or for
services obtained in the ordinary course of business, (v) Indebtedness incurred
in violation of the Indenture, (vi) Indebtedness represented by Disqualified
Capital Stock and (vii) any Indebtedness to or guaranteed on behalf of, any
shareholders, director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company.

     "Subsidiary" of any specified Person means any corporation, partnership,
joint venture, association or other business entity, whether now existing or
hereafter organized or acquired, (i) in the case of a corporation, of which more
than 50% of the total voting power of the Capital Stock entitled (without regard
to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
officers or trustees thereof is held by such first-named Person or any of its
Subsidiaries; or (ii) in the case of a partnership, joint venture, association
or other business entity, with respect to which such first-named Person or any
of its Subsidiaries has the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such entity by contract or otherwise or if in
accordance with GAAP such entity is consolidated with the first-named Person for
financial statement purposes.

     "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) PH Holding Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, (b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (c) any other
Subsidiary of the Company which is classified after the Issue Date as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Company; provided that a Subsidiary may be so classified as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary only if such classification is in compliance with the "Limitation on
Restricted Payments" covenant.  The Trustee shall be given prompt notice by the
Company of each resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company
under this provision, together with a copy of each such resolution adopted.

     "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary, all of the
outstanding voting securities (other than directors' qualifying shares) of which
are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

     The Exchange Notes may be issued in the form of one or more global
securities (collectively, the "Global Exchange Note").  The Global Exchange Note
will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the DTC and registered in the name of
the DTC or its nominee.  Except as set forth below, the Global Exchange Note may
be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to the DTC or another nominee of
the DTC.  Investors may hold their beneficial interests in the Global Exchange
Note directly through the DTC if they have an account with the DTC or indirectly
through organizations which have accounts with the DTC.

     Depository Procedures

     DTC has advised the Company that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively,
the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
transactions in those securities between the Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of the Participants.  The Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchasers), banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.  Access to
DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect
Participants").  Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own
securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the
Indirect Participants.  The ownership interest and transfer of ownership
interest of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC
are recorded on the records of the Participants and the Indirect Participants.

     DTC has also advised the Company that pursuant to procedures established by
it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Exchange Notes, DTC will credit the accounts
of Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers with portions of the
principal amount of the Global Exchange Notes and (ii) ownership of such
interests in the Global Exchange Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of
ownership thereof will be effected only through, records

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<PAGE>
 
maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and
the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests
in the Global Exchange Notes).

     Investors in the Global Exchange Note may hold their interests therein
directly through DTC, if they are Participants in such system, or indirectly
through organizations (including Euroclear and CEDEL) which are Participants in
such system.

     The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
in definitive form of securities that they own.  Consequently, the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in a Global Exchange Note to such persons may be
limited to that extent.  Because DTC can act only on behalf of the Participants,
which in turn act on behalf of the Indirect Participants and certain banks, the
ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Exchange Note to
pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC
system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected
by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.  For certain
other restrictions on the transferability of the Exchange Notes, see "--Exchange
of Book-Entry Exchange Notes for Certificated Exchange Notes."

     Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Exchange Notes
will not have Exchange Notes registered in their names, will not receive
physical delivery of Exchange Notes in certificated form and will not be
considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any
purpose.

     Payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on a Global Exchange Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be
payable to DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder under the
Indenture.  Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee will
treat the persons in whose names the Exchange Notes, including the Global
Exchange Notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of
receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever.
Consequently, neither of the Company, the Initial Purchasers, the Trustee nor
any agent of the Company, the Initial Purchasers or the Trustee has or will have
any responsibility or liability for (i) any aspect or accuracy of DTC's records
or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to or payments
made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Exchange Notes,
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC's records or any
Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to the beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Exchange Notes, or (ii) any other matter
relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of the Participants or the
Indirect Participants.

     DTC has advised the Company that its current practice, upon receipt of any
payment in respect of securities such as the Exchange Notes (including principal
and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the
payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their respective
holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the relevant security as
shown on the records of DTC.  Payments by the Participants and the Indirect
Participants to the beneficial owners of the Exchange Notes will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices and will not be the responsibility
of DTC, the Trustee or the Company.  Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be
liable for any delay by DTC or any of the Participants in identifying the
beneficial owners of the Exchange Notes, and the Company and the Trustee may
conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC
or its nominee as the registered owner of the Global Exchange Notes for all
purposes.

     Interests in the Global Exchange Notes will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds
Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will
therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in all cases to the
rules and procedures of DTC and the Participants.  Transfers between
Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures and
will be settled in same-day funds.

     DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of Exchange Notes only at the direction of one or more
Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Exchange Notes
are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal
amount of the Exchange Notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or
have given such direction.  However, if any of the events described under "--
Exchange of Book Entry Exchange Notes for Certificated Exchange Notes" occurs,
DTC reserves the right

                                      102
<PAGE>
 
to exchange the Global Exchange Notes for legended Exchange Notes in
certificated form and to distribute such Exchange Notes to its Participants.

     The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the
Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

     Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers
of interests in the Global Exchange Note among accountholders in DTC, it is
under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and
such procedures may be discontinued at any time.  None of the Company, the
Initial Purchasers or the Trustee nor any agent of the Company, the Initial
Purchasers or the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by
DTC or its participants, indirect participants or accountholders of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their respective
operations.

     Exchange of Book-Entry Exchange Notes for Certificated Exchange Notes

     The Global Exchange Note is exchangeable for definitive Exchange Notes in
registered certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the Global Exchange Note and
the Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor depository or (y) has ceased
to be  a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company, at
its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance
of the Exchange Notes in certificated form or (iii) there shall have occurred
and be continuing a default or an Event of Default with respect to the Exchange
Notes.  In all cases, certificated Exchange Notes delivered in exchange for any
beneficial interests in the Global Exchange Note will be registered in the
names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of
DTC (in accordance with its customary procedures).

     Concerning the Trustee

     United States Trust Company of New York is the Trustee under the Indenture.

     Governing Law

     The Indenture and the Exchange Notes will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


                  CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     The following is a summary of the material federal income tax consequences
expected to result to Holders whose Notes are exchanged for Exchange Notes in
the Exchange Offer.  This discussion is a summary for general information only
and does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be
relevant to investors in light of such investor's personal circumstances.  This
discussion also does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences of
ownership of Exchange Notes not held as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to investors subject to special
treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as dealers in securities
or foreign currency, tax-exempt entities, financial institutions, insurance
companies, persons that hold the Exchange Notes as part of a "straddle," a
"hedge" or a "conversion transaction," persons that have a "functional currency"
other than the U.S. dollar, and investors in pass-through entities.  In
addition, this discussion does not describe any tax consequences arising under
U.S. federal gift and estate taxes (except to the limited extent set forth below
under "Non-U.S. Holders") or under the tax laws of any state, local or foreign
jurisdiction.

     This discussion is based upon the Code, existing regulations thereunder,
and current administrative rulings and court decisions.  All of the foregoing is
subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and any such change could
affect the continuing validity of this discussion.

                                      103
<PAGE>
 
     Holders of the Notes should consult their own advisors as to how their own
particular tax situation might be affected by the exchange of Notes for Exchange
Notes and the purchase, holding and disposition of their Exchange Notes.

                                  U.S. Holders

     The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax
consequences relevant to a holder of a Exchange Note that is (i) a citizen or
resident (as defined in Section 7701(b)(1) of the Code) of the United States,
(ii) a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof or therein, (iii) an estate, the income of which
is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source or (iv) a trust,
with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States
persons have the authority to control all its substantial decisions (a "U.S.
Holder").  Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a holder
other than a U.S. Holder are discussed separately below.

Stated Interest

     Interest on a Exchange Note should be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary
interest income at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with such
Holder's method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Sale, Exchange or Redemption of the Exchange Notes

     Upon the disposition of a Exchange Note by sale, exchange or redemption, a
U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference
between (i) the amount realized on the disposition (other than amounts
attributable to accrued interest not yet taken into income) and (ii) the U.S.
Holder's tax basis in the Exchange Note.  A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a
Exchange Note generally will equal the cost of the Exchange Note to the U.S.
Holder increased by amounts includable in income as market discount (if the U.S.
Holder elects to include market discount on a current basis) and reduced by any
bond premium amortized by any U.S. Holder.

     Assuming the Exchange Note is held as a capital asset, such gain or loss
(except to the extent that the market discount rules otherwise provide) will
generally constitute capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain
(taxable at a maximum rate of 20%) if a U.S. Holder who is an individual has
held such Exchange Note for longer than eighteen months and mid-term capital
gain (taxable at a maximum rate of 28%) if such a U.S. Holder has held such
Exchange Note for more than 12 months and less than 18 months.  Special rates
apply in the case of holders whose income is subject to tax at less than maximum
rates and for dispositions after 2000.

Exchange Offer

     The exchange of the Notes for the Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer should not constitute a taxable exchange.  As a result, (i) a U.S. Holder
should not recognize taxable gain or loss as a result of exchanging the Notes
for the Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, (ii) the holding period
of the Exchange Notes should include the holding period of the Notes exchanged
therefor and (iii) the adjusted tax basis of the Exchange Notes should be the
same as the adjusted tax basis of the Notes exchanged therefore immediately
before the exchange.

     The Company will be required to pay additional cash interest on the Notes
if it fails to comply with certain of its obligations under the Exchange Offer
Registration Rights Agreement.  Such additional interest should be taxable to a
U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time it accrues or is received in
accordance with such holder's regular method of tax accounting.  It is possible,
however, that the IRS may take a different position, in which case a U.S. Holder
might be required to include such additional interest in income as it accrues or
becomes fixed (regardless of such holder's regular method of tax accounting).

                                      104
<PAGE>
 
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

     Under the Code, a U.S. Holder of a Exchange Note may be subject, under
certain circumstances, to information reporting and or backup withholding at a
31% rate with respect to cash payments in respect of interest on, or the gross
proceeds from disposition of, a Exchange Note thereof.  This withholding
applies, only if a U.S. Holder (i) fails to furnish its social security or other
taxpayer identification number ("TIN") within a reasonable time after a request
therefor, (ii) furnishes an incorrect TIN, (iii) fails to report interest or
dividends properly, or (iv) fails, under certain circumstances to provide a
certified statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the TIN provided is
its correct number and that it is not subject to backup withholding.  Any amount
withheld from a payment to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules is
allowable as a credit (and may entitle such holder to a refund) against such
Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required
information is furnished to the IRS.  Certain persons are exempt from backup
withholding, including corporations and financial institutions.  Holders of
Exchange Notes should consult their tax advisors as to their qualification for
exemption from withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption.

                                Non-U.S. Holders

     The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income and estate
tax consequences relevant to a holder of a Exchange Note that is not (i) a
current or former citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation
organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof or therein or (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S.
federal income tax regardless of the source or (iv) a trust, with respect to
which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision
over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority
to control all its substantial decisions (a "Non-U.S. Holder").

     This discussion does not deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income and
estate taxation that may be relevant to any particular Non-U.S. Holder in light
of such Holder's personal circumstances, including holding the Exchange Notes
through a partnership.  For example, persons who are partners in foreign
partnerships or beneficiaries of foreign trusts or estates and who are subject
to U.S. federal income tax because of their own status, such as United States
residents or foreign persons engaged in a trade or business in the United
States, may be subject to U.S. federal income tax even though the entity is not
subject to income tax on disposition of its Exchange Note.

     For purposes of the following discussion, interest and gain on the sale,
exchange or other disposition of the Exchange Note will be considered "U.S.
trade or business income" if such income or gain is (i) effectively connected
with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business or (ii) in the case of a treaty,
resident, attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment (or to a fixed base) in
the United States.

Stated Interest

     Generally, any interest paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of a Exchange Note that
is not U.S. trade or business income will not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax if the interest qualifies as "portfolio interest." Interest on the Exchange
Notes will qualify as portfolio interest if (i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not
actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total voting power of all
voting stock of the Company and is not a "controlled foreign corporation" with
respect to which the Company is a "related person" within the meaning of the
Code, and (ii) the beneficial owner, under penalties of perjury, certifies that
the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person and such certificate provides the
beneficial owner's name and address.

     The gross amount of payments to a Non-U.S. Holder of interest that do not
qualify for the portfolio interest exception and that are not U.S. trade or
business income will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%,
unless a U.S. income tax treaty applies to reduce or eliminate withholding.
U.S. trade or business income will be taxed at regular U.S. federal income tax
rates rather than the 30% gross rate.  To claim the benefit of a tax treaty or
to claim exemption from withholding because the income is U.S. trade or business
income, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide a properly executed Form 1001 or 4224
(or such successor forms as the IRS designates), as applicable, prior to payment
of interest.  These forms must be periodically updated.  Under proposed
regulations, the Forms 1001 and 4224 will be replaced by Form W-8.  Also under
proposed regulations, a Non-U.S. Holder who is

                                      105
<PAGE>
 
claiming the benefits of a tax treaty may be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer
identification number and to provide certain documentary evidence issued by
foreign governmental authorities to prove residence in the foreign country.
Certain special procedures are provided in the proposed regulations for payments
through qualified intermediaries.

Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Exchange Notes

     Except as described below and subject to the discussion concerning backup
withholding, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or
redemption of a Exchange Note generally will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax, unless (i) such gain is U.S. trade or business income or (ii)
subject to certain exceptions, the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who holds
the Exchange Note as a capital asset and is present in the United States for 183
days or more in the taxable year of the disposition.

Federal Estate Tax

     Notes held (or treated as held) by an individual who is a Non-U.S. Holder
at the time of his or her death will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax,
provided that the individual did not actually or constructively, own 10% or more
of the total voting power of all voting stock of the Company, and income on the
Exchange Notes was not U.S. trade or business income.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

     The Company must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder any
interest that is subject to U.S. withholding tax or that is exempt from
withholding pursuant to a tax treaty or the portfolio interest exception.
Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the
provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the
country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.

     The regulations provide that backup withholding and information reporting
will not apply to payments of principal on the Exchange Notes by the Company to
a Non-U.S. Holder, if the Holder certifies as to its non-U.S. status under
penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption (provided that
neither the Company nor its paying agent has actual knowledge that the Holder is
a U.S. Holder or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact,
satisfied).

     The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of Exchange Notes to or
through the United States office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, will be subject
to information reporting and possible backup withholding unless the owner
certifies as to its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes an exception, provided that the broker does not have actual
knowledge that the holder is a U.S. Holder or that the conditions of any other
exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.  The payment of the proceeds from the
disposition of a Exchange Note to or through a non-U.S. office of a U.S. broker
that is not a "U.S. related person" will not be subject to information reporting
or backup withholding.  (For this purpose, a "U.S. related person" is (i) a
"controlled foreign corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) a
foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for the three-
year period ending with the close of its taxable year preceding the payment (or
for such part of the period that the broker has been in existence) is derived
from activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade
or business).

     In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of Exchange
Notes to or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is either a U.S. person
or a U.S. related person, the regulations require information reporting on the
payment unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the owner
is a Non-U.S. Holder and the broker has no knowledge to the contrary.  Backup
withholding will not apply to payments made through foreign offices of a broker
that is a U.S. person or a U.S. related person (absent actual knowledge that the
payee is a U.S. Holder).

     Proposed regulations provide similar rules but, in the case of payment of
proceeds inside the United States, may require an additional certification that
the beneficial owner has not and does not expect to be present in the United
States for a period of 183 days or more during the year.

                                      106
<PAGE>
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such Non-U.S.
Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the requisite
procedures are followed.

                                      107
<PAGE>
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.  This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in
exchange for Notes where such Notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities and not acquired directly from the
Company.  The Company has agreed that for a period of 180 days after the
Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.  In
addition, until       , 1998, all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange
Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.

     The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes
by broker-dealers.  Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or
more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices
related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.  Any such resale
may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may
receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or purchasers of any such Exchange Notes.  Any broker-dealer
that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a
distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of Exchange
Notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be
deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.  The Letter of
Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering
a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

     For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal.  The Company has agreed to pay the expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer and to the Company's performance of, or
compliance with, the Exchange Offer Registration Rights Agreement (other than
commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers) and will indemnify the
Holders of the Notes against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, in connection with the Exchange Offer.  Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and persons controlling the Registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.  In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



                                    EXPERTS

     The financial statements of The Pantry as of September 26, 1996 and
September 25, 1997 and for the years then ended, the financial statements of
Lil' Champ as of December 30, 1995 and December 28, 1996 and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 28, 1996, and the financial statement
schedule of The Pantry included elsewhere in the registration statement have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
reports appearing herein and elsewhere in the registration statement, and are
included in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing.

                                      108
<PAGE>
 
     The consolidated statements of operations, of cash flows and of changes in
shareholders' deficit for the year ended September 28, 1995 included in this
Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse
LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.


                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters with respect to the legality of the Exchange Notes
offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Riordan & McKinzie, a
Professional Corporation, Los Angeles, California.  Certain principals and
employees of Riordan & McKinzie are limited partners in a partnership which is a
limited partner of an FS&Co. investment fund that owns a majority of the
Company's equity interests.  See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners".

                                      109
<PAGE>
 

                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE PANTRY, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 AND
SEPTEMBER 25, 1997 AND FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER
25, 1997:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
<S>                                                                       <C>
 
          Independent Auditors' Report...................................  F-1
                                                                           
          Report of Independent Accountants..............................  F-2
                                                                           
          Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 26, 1996              
               and September 25, 1997....................................  F-3
                                                                           
          Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years               
               September 28, 1995, September 26, 1996,                     
               and September 25, 1997....................................  F-5
                                                                           
          Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders'               
               Deficit for the years ended September 28, 1995,             
               September 26, 1996, and September 25, 1997................  F-6
                                                                           
          Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years               
               ended September 28, 1995, September 26, 1996,               
               and September 25, 1997....................................  F-7
                                                                           
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.....................  F-9
</TABLE>

LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND 
DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 
28, 1996:

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                       <C>  
          Independent Auditors' Report...................................  F-33 
 
          Statements of Operations.......................................  F-36

          Statements of Shareholder's Equity.............................  F-37

          Statement of Cash Flows........................................  F-38

          Notes to Financial Statements..................................  F-39
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Pantry, Inc.
Sanford, North Carolina


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Pantry, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' deficit, and cash flows for
each of the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards 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. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of The Pantry, Inc. and subsidiaries
as of September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in fiscal 1996
the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121,
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
Be Disposed Of.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
December 5, 1997

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors
and Shareholders of
The Pantry, Inc.


In our opinion, the consolidated statements of operations, of cash flows and of
changes in shareholders' deficit for the year ended September 28, 1995 of The
Pantry, Inc. present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations
and cash flows of The Pantry, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the year ended
September 28, 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 audit. We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above. We have not audited the consolidated financial statements of The Pantry,
Inc. for any period subsequent to September 28, 1995.

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company adopted
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 112 (SFAS 112), Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits, during fiscal 1995.


/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
November 30, 1995

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                          --------------------------

                            (dollars in thousands)

                                                          September 26,           September 25,
                                                              1996                    1997
                                                              ----                    ----
<S>                                                       <C>                      <C> 
ASSETS
- ------
Current assets:
  Cash                                                    $    5,338               $   3,347
  Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful                                                
      accounts of $150 at 1996 and $150 at 1997)               2,860                   2,101
  Inventories (Note 2)                                        13,223                  17,161
  Prepaid expenses                                               775                   1,204
  Income taxes receivable                                         63                       -
  Property held for sale                                       2,816                   3,323
  Deferred income taxes (Note 6)                                 879                   1,142
                                                           ---------               --------- 
    Total current assets                                      25,954                  28,278
                                                           ---------               ---------
Property and equipment, net (Notes 3, 4, 7, 8 and 11)         65,455                  77,986
                                                           ---------               ---------
Other assets:                                                                               
  Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization of                                              
      $9,705 at 1996 and $10,396 at 1997) (Note 11)           16,852                  20,318
  Deferred lease cost (net of accumulated                                                   
      amortization of $8,911 at 1996 and $8,956 at 1997)         359                     314
  Deferred financing cost (net of accumulated                                               
      amortization of $2,884 at 1996 and $4,345 at 1997)       5,940                   4,578
  Environmental receivables (Note 9)                           5,162                   6,511
  Deferred income taxes (Note 6)                                 790                     156
  Escrow for Lil' Champ acquisition (Note 15)                      -                   4,049
  Other                                                          368                     609
                                                           ---------               ---------
    Total other assets                                        29,471                  36,535
                                                           ---------               --------- 
Total Assets                                               $ 120,880               $ 142,799 
                                                           =========               ========= 
</TABLE> 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.

                                       3

<PAGE>
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                          --------------------------
                            (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                              September 26,          September 25,
                                                                  1996                   1997
                                                                  ----                   ----
<S>                                                           <C>                    <C> 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
- -------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)                   $     16            $      33
  Current maturities of capital lease obligations (Note 7)             285                  285
  Accounts payable:                                                                            
    Trade                                                           15,666               16,035
    Money orders                                                     2,788                3,022
  Accrued interest (Note 4)                                          4,416                4,592
  Accrued compensation and related taxes                             2,338                3,323
  Income taxes payable (Note 6)                                          -                  296
  Other accrued taxes                                                2,135                2,194
  Accrued insurance                                                  3,629                3,887
  Other accrued liabilities                                          1,194                2,856
                                                                  --------            ---------  
    Total current liabilities                                       32,467               36,523
                                                                  --------            ---------                               
Long-term debt (Note 4)                                            100,148              100,305
                                                                  --------            ---------                               
Other noncurrent liabilities:                                                                  
  Environmental costs (Note 9)                                       6,232                7,806
  Capital lease obligations (Note 7)                                   982                  679
  Employment obligations (Note 8)                                    2,039                1,341
  Accrued dividends on preferred stock (Note 13)                     2,654                7,958
  Other                                                              3,905                6,060
                                                                  --------            ---------                               
    Total other noncurrent liabilities                              15,812               23,844
                                                                  --------            ---------                               
Shareholders' deficit:                                                                         
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized;                            
   25,999 issued and outstanding at September 26, 1996 and                                     
   43,499 issued and outstanding at September 25, 1997 (Note 13)         -                    -
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000 shares authorized;                                     
   100,000 issued and outstanding at September 26, 1996 and                                    
   114,029 issued and outstanding at September 25, 1997                  1                    1
  Additional paid-in capital                                       (10,557)               5,396
  Accumulated deficit                                              (16,991)             (23,270)
                                                                   -------            ---------                               
    Total shareholders' deficit                                    (27,547)             (17,873)
                                                                                               
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5, 7 and 9)                         -                    -
                                                                 ---------            ---------                             
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit                      $ 120,880            $ 142,799 
                                                                 =========            =========
</TABLE> 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.

                                       4

<PAGE>
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                     ------------------------------------
                            (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                   September 28,         September 26,       September 25,   
                                                       1995                  1996                1997        
                                                       ----                  ----                ----
                                                    (52 weeks)            (52 weeks)          (52 weeks)     
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                  <C>            
Revenues:                                                                                                    
  Merchandise sales                                $187,380                $188,091             $202,440     
  Gasoline sales                                    187,165                 192,737              220,166     
  Commissions                                         4,516                   3,979                4,787     
                                                   --------                --------             --------
                 Total revenues                     379,061                 384,807              427,393     
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Cost of sales:                                                                                               
  Merchandise                                       121,976                 125,979              132,846      
  Gasoline                                          161,179                 167,610              197,268      
                                                   --------                --------             --------
                 Total cost of sales                283,155                 293,589              330,114       
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Gross profit                                         95,906                  91,218               97,279                   
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Operating expenses:
  Store expenses                                     55,122                  56,567               58,928
  Store expenses - related parties (Note 8)           1,084                   1,274                1,280
  General and administrative expenses                18,159                  17,127               16,796
  Restructuring charges (Note 12)                         -                   2,184                    -
  Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 11)               -                   3,034                    -
  Depreciation and amortization                       9,505                   9,158                9,504
  Amortization of non-compete agreement               1,965                       -                    -
                                                   --------                --------             --------
                 Total operating expenses            85,835                  89,344               86,508
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Income from operations                               10,071                   1,874               10,771
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Other income (expense):
  Interest                                          (12,974)                (11,807)             (12,889)
  Interest - related parties (Note 8)                  (266)                   (185)                (150)
  Miscellaneous                                         711                    (660)               1,293
  Due diligence costs                                (1,181)                      -                    -
                                                   --------                --------             --------
                 Total other expense                (13,710)                (12,652)             (11,746)
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Loss before income taxes and cumulative effect
   of accounting change                              (3,639)                (10,778)                (975)
Income tax benefits (Note 6)                            354                   2,664                    -
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting
   change                                            (3,285)                 (8,114)                (975)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for
    post-employment benefits (net of income
    tax benefit of $640)                               (960)                      -                    -
                                                   --------                --------             --------
Net loss                                           $ (4,245)               $ (8,114)            $   (975)
                                                   ========                ========             ========
</TABLE> 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 

                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------

          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
          ----------------------------------------------------------
                            (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                             Preferred Stock     Common Stock                                                               
                             ---------------     ------------                                                                    
                                                                     Additional                                                  
                                        Par                 Par       Paid in                           Accumulated              
                             Shares    Value     Shares    Value     Capital        Other (1)  Total      Deficit      Total      
                             ------    -----     ------    -----     ----------     ---------  -----    ------------   -----
<S>                          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>            <C>        <C>      <C>            <C> 
Balance,
    September 29, 1994            -         -    100,000      1        6,999         (17,109)   (10,109)    (1,978)     (12,087)
Net loss                          -         -          -      -            -               -          -     (4,245)      (4,245)
                             ------     -----    -------     --      -------        --------   --------   --------     --------
Balance,                                                                                                  
    September 28, 1995            -         -    100,000      1        6,999         (17,109)   (10,109)    (6,223)     (16,332)
Net loss                          -         -          -      -            -               -          -     (8,114)      (8,114)
Net proceeds from                                                                                         
    stock issue              25,999         -     14,029      -         (447)              -       (447)         -         (447)
Dividends on preferred                                                                                    
    stock                         -         -          -      -            -               -          -     (2,654)      (2,654)
                             ------     -----    -------     --      -------        --------   --------   --------     --------
Balance,                                                                                                  
    September 26, 1996       25,999         -    114,029      1        6,552         (17,109)   (10,556)   (16,991)     (27,547)
Net loss                          -         -          -      -            -               -          -       (975)        (975)
Net proceeds from                                                                                         
    stock issue              17,500         -          -      -       15,953               -     15,953          -       15,953
Dividends on preferred                                                                                    
    stock                         -         -          -      -            -               -          -     (5,304)      (5,304)
                             ------     -----    -------     --      -------        --------   --------   --------     --------
Balance,                                                                       
    September 25, 1997       43,499     $   -    114,029     $1      $22,505        $(17,109)  $  5,397   $(23,270)    $(17,873)
                             ======     =====    =======     ==      =======        ========   ========   ========     ========
</TABLE> 

(1)
Represents excess of amount paid in 1987 leveraged buy-out over net book value
for "carry over" shareholders (Note 1).

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
                                  statements.


                                       6
<PAGE>
 

                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                     ------------------------------------

                            (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                    Year Ended
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                September 28,       September 26,       September 25,
                                                                    1995                1996                1997
                                                                    ----                ----                ----
                                                                 (52 weeks)          (52 weeks)          (52 weeks)
<S>                                                             <C>                 <C>                 <C> 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  Net loss                                                       $ (4,245)           $(8,114)            $   (975)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
   net cash provided by operating activities:
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting for
        post-employment benefits                                    1,600                  -                    -  
    Impairment of long-lived assets                                     -              3,034                    -  
    Depreciation and amortization                                  11,470              9,158                9,504  
    Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes                  (2,451)            (1,558)                 371  
    (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment                       2                470               (1,054) 
    Provision (benefit) for environmental expenses                   (418)               512                1,574  
    Provision for closed stores                                       292                673                  (11) 
    Write-off of property held for sale                                 -                168                    -   
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:                                                                
    Receivables                                                       394               (539)                (527) 
    Inventories                                                     1,694               (937)              (2,273) 
    Prepaid expenses                                                  119                 20                 (429) 
    Other non-current assets                                         (279)               432               (4,295) 
    Accounts payable                                                2,294              2,104                  603  
    Other current liabilities and accrued expenses                    (37)              (639)               3,393  
    Employment obligations                                           (140)              (255)                (698) 
    Other noncurrent liabilities                                    1,608                886                2,155  
                                                                 --------            -------             -------- 
Net cash provided by operating activities                          11,903              5,415                7,338  
                                                                 --------            -------             -------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                              
                                                                                                                   
  Additions to property held for sale (Note 7)                    (18,600)            (4,050)              (1,828) 
  Additions to property and equipment                             (16,650)            (7,084)             (14,749) 
  Proceeds from sale of property held for sale (Note 7)            19,436              2,462                1,345  
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                        533              1,468                2,315  
  Acquisitions of related businesses                                    -                  -              (12,162) 
                                                                 --------            -------             -------- 
Net cash used in investing activities                             (15,281)            (7,204)             (25,079)  
                                                                 ========            =======             ========
</TABLE> 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
                                  statements.

                                       7
<PAGE>
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                     ------------------------------------

                            (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                    Year Ended
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                September 28,       September 26,       September 25,
                                                                    1995                1996                1997
                                                                    ----                ----                ----
                                                                 (52 weeks)          (52 weeks)          (52 weeks)
<S>                                                             <C>                 <C>                 <C> 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  Principal repayments under capital leases                         (413)               (347)               (303)  
  Principal repayments of long-term debt                          (7,281)                (20)                (26)  
  Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                     7,267                   -                 200  
  Net proceeds from equity issue                                       -                (447)             15,953  
  Other financing costs                                             (523)             (3,058)                (74)  
                                                                 -------             -------             ------- 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                 (950)             (3,872)             15,750  
                                                                 -------             -------             ------- 
Net decrease in cash                                              (4,328)             (5,661)             (1,991)  
                                                                                                                  
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                         15,327              10,999               5,338  
                                                                 -------             -------             -------
CASH AT END OF YEAR                                              $10,999             $ 5,338             $ 3,347   
                                                                 =======             =======             =======
</TABLE> 

                     SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                      Year Ended
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                                 September 28,       September 26,       September 25,
                                                     1995                1996                1997
                                                     ----                ----                ----
<S>                                              <C>                 <C>                 <C> 
Cash paid (refunded) during the year:
  Interest                                        $12,650             $12,719             $12,863
                                                  =======             =======             =======
  Taxes                                           $ 1,197             $  (403)            $  (917)
                                                  =======             =======             =======
</TABLE> 

            SUPPLEMENTAL NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
            -------------------------------------------------------

During fiscal 1997, the Company acquired 35 stores, acquired the gasoline
operations at 23 third-party locations and disposed of 21 stores.  The net
assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                        Year Ended
                                       September 25,
                                           1997
                                           ----
<S>                                    <C> 
Inventories                             $ 1,665
Property and equipment                    6,374
Other noncurrent assets                       9
Accrued expenses                            (43)
                                        -------
                                        $ 8,005
Goodwill                                  4,157
                                        -------
Acquisitions of related business        $12,162
                                        =======
</TABLE>

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
                                  statements.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                  ------------------------------------------

NOTE 1 - HISTORY OF COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The Company
- -----------

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Pantry, Inc.
("The Pantry" or the "Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sandhills,
Inc. and PH Holding Corporation ("PH") and PH's wholly-owned subsidiaries, TC
Capital Management, Inc. and Pantry Properties, Inc.  All intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Pantry
owns and operates approximately 390 convenience stores in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Prior to November 2, 1993, The Pantry was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Montrose
Pantry Acquisition Corporation ("MPAC"), an entity formed to affect the 1987
leveraged buy-out of The Pantry.  On November 2, 1993, The Pantry was merged
into MPAC and MPAC's name was changed to The Pantry.  MPAC had no assets or
operations other than its investment in The Pantry.

On November 30, 1995, Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated, through its affiliates,
FS Equity Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("FSEP III") and FS
Equity Partners International, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("FSEP
International," collectively with FSEP III, "the FS Group") acquired a 39.9%
interest in the Company and Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation ("Chase")
acquired a 12.0% interest in the Company through a series of transactions which
included the purchase of common stock from certain shareholders and the purchase
of newly issued common and preferred stock.  The FS Group and Chase subsequently
acquired the remaining interests of approximately 37.0% and 11.1%, respectively,
on August 19, 1996 through the purchase of common and preferred stock from
certain shareholders.  On December 30, 1996, the Company issued and the FS Group
purchased additional preferred stock.  As of September 25, 1997, the Company was
owned 83.6% and 16.4% by the FS Group and Chase, respectively.

On October 23, 1997, The Pantry acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of
Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc. ("Lil' Champ") from Docks U.S.A., Inc. (the "Lil'
Champ Acquisition").  The combination of The Pantry and Lil' Champ has created
one of the largest independent convenience stores in the United States (based on
number of stores) with 878 stores primarily located in the Southeast.  The
acquisition was funded by a combination of Senior Subordinated Notes and an
additional equity investment by the FS Group and Chase (see Note 15 - Subsequent
Events).

Acquisition accounting
- ----------------------

MPAC acquired all of The Pantry's common stock in a leveraged buy-out as of
August 13, 1987.  Certain individuals and entities which held an ownership
interest in The Pantry retained approximately 45% of ownership interest after
the August 13, 1987 transaction.  A new basis of accounting was established as a
result of the acquisition to the extent of the "new" equity interests (partial
step-up).  The original basis of accounting was retained for those shareholders
that retained an equity interest in MPAC after the acquisition.  To the extent
of ownership change, the excess amount paid over The Pantry's net book value was
allocated to property and equipment, inventories, deferred lease cost and
goodwill based on relative fair market values. To the extent that certain
individuals and entities maintained their equity interests, the excess amount
paid over net book value was recorded as a debit in shareholders' deficit
($17,109,000).  Had there not been a partial step-up, this amount would have
been allocated to property and equipment, inventories, deferred lease cost and
goodwill based on relative fair market values.

Long-lived assets
- -----------------

In 1996, the Company early-adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of.  Accordingly, long-lived assets are
reviewed for impairment on a store-by-store basis whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable.  If an evaluation is required, the projected future undiscounted
cash flows attributable to each store would be compared to the carrying value of
the long-lived assets (including an allocation of goodwill, if appropriate) of
that store to determine if a write-down to fair value is required (see Note 11 -
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets).

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Goodwill
- --------

Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net
assets acquired, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods
to be benefited.  The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible
asset by determining whether amortization of the goodwill balance over its
remaining life can be recovered through estimated undiscounted future operating
results.  Estimated future results are based on a trend of historical results
for the trailing three fiscal years and management's estimate of future results
which indicate that the goodwill balances will be recovered over the various
periods remaining to be benefited.

Goodwill of $24,946,000 with accumulated amortization of $8,790,000 as of
September 25, 1997 related to the 1987 leveraged buy-out is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over 40 years.  Goodwill of $5,768,000 with accumulated
amortization of $1,606,000 as of September 25, 1997 related to acquisitions of
stores is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years.

Deferred lease cost
- -------------------

Deferred lease cost represents the value assigned to favorable leases acquired.
Such amounts are being amortized over the remaining term of the respective
leases.

Property held for sale
- ----------------------

Certain property is classified as current assets when management's intent is to
sell these assets in the ensuing fiscal year, and is recorded at the lower of
cost or fair value less cost to sale.

Deferred financing cost
- -----------------------

Deferred financing cost represents expenses related to issuing the Company's
long-term debt (see Note 4 - Long-Term Debt and Note 15 - Subsequent Events),
obtaining its lines of credit (see Note 5 - Lines of Credit), and obtaining
lease financing (see Note 7 - Leases).  Such amounts are being amortized over
the remaining term of the respective financing.

Property and equipment
- ----------------------

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and
amortization.  Depreciation and amortization is provided primarily by the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets for financial
statement purposes and by accelerated methods for income tax purposes.

Upon sale or retirement of depreciable assets, the related cost and accumulated
depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized.
Leased buildings capitalized in accordance with SFAS No. 13 are recorded at the
lesser of fair value or the discounted present value of future lease payments at
the inception of the leases.  Amounts capitalized are amortized over the
estimated useful lives of the assets or terms of the leases (generally 5 to 20
years) using the straight-line method.

Inventories
- -----------

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using
the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method.

Non-compete agreement
- ---------------------

Effective with the July 11, 1994, termination of a former officer of The Pantry,
the non-compete portion of a fiscal 1993 contract between the Company and the
former officer, which restricted the former officer and his affiliated companies
from operating convenience stores in competition with The Pantry, became the
principal source of value.  On June 30, 1995, the terms of this contract were
amended, including a change in the expiration of the non-compete period from
December 2001 to December 1996.  Due to the significance of the reduction of the
non-compete period, the unamortized balance of the non-compete asset was written
off in fiscal 1995.

Income taxes
- ------------

All operations of The Pantry and its subsidiaries are included in a consolidated
Federal income tax return.  Pursuant to SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes, The Pantry recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets for the
expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between financial
statement carrying amounts and the related tax bases.

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
Use of estimates
- ----------------

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted
- ----------------------------------------------------

In October 1996, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position ("SOP")
96-1, Environmental Remediation Liabilities.  SOP 96-1 contains authoritative
guidance on specific accounting issues that are present in the recognition,
measurement, display and disclosure of environmental remediation liabilities.
The provisions of SOP 96-1 are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1996 (the Company's 1998 fiscal year).  The Company does not
believe the adoption of SOP 96-1 will have a material effect on its consolidated
financial statements.

Accounting period
- -----------------

The Pantry operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Thursday in
September.  For 1995, 1996 and 1997, each of the Company's fiscal years
contained 52 weeks.

Reclassifications
- -----------------

Certain amounts in the fiscal 1995 and 1996 consolidated financial statements
have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Accounting Change
- -----------------

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1995, the Company adopted, retroactive to
September 30, 1994, SFAS No. 112, "Employer's Accounting for Postemployment
Benefits" and restated its first quarter results to reflect the adoption.  SFAS
No. 112 requires that employers expense the costs of postemployment benefits
over the service lives of employees if certain conditions are met.  The
cumulative effect of adopting SFAS No. 112 as of September 30, 1994 was an after
tax charge of $960,000.

NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES:
- -------------------- 

At September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997, inventories consisted of the
following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     1996       1997
                                   --------   --------
Inventories at FIFO cost:
<S>                                <C>        <C>
   Merchandise                     $13,841    $16,877
   Gasoline                          4,013      4,969
                                   -------    -------
                                    17,854     21,846
Less adjustment to LIFO cost:
   Merchandise                      (4,012)    (4,203)
   Gasoline                           (619)      (482)
                                   -------    -------
Inventories at LIFO cost           $13,223    $17,161
                                   =======    =======
</TABLE>
The positive effect on cost of sales of LIFO inventory liquidations was
$957,000, $68,000 and $4,141 for fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 3 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
- ------------------------------- 

At September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997, property and equipment consisted
of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1996            1997                                 
                                                                          ---------       ---------                               
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>                                    
 Land                                                                     $ 16,116        $ 16,109                               
 Buildings                                                                  28,731          29,928                               
 Gasoline equipment                                                         39,670          50,362                               
 Other equipment, furniture and fixtures                                    24,020          26,657                               
 Leasehold improvements                                                      8,403          10,743                               
 Automobiles                                                                   123             134                               
 Construction in progress                                                      110           1,471                               
                                                                          --------        --------                               
                                                                           117,173         135,404                               
 Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization                          (51,718)        (57,418)                               
                                                                          --------        --------                               
                                                                          $ 65,455        $ 77,986                               
                                                                          ========        ========                                
NOTE 4 - LONG-TERM DEBT:
- -----------------------
At September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997, long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

                                                                            1996            1997                                 
                                                                          --------        --------                               
Notes payable ("Senior Notes"); due November                                                                                     
 15, 2000; interest payable semi-annually at 12.5%                        $ 99,995        $ 99,995                               
Note payable; secured by certain property;                                                                                       
 due monthly through 2004; interest at 10%                                     169             137                               
Note payable; secured by certain property;                                                                                       
 due monthly through 2005; interest at 8%                                        -             206                               
                                                                          --------        --------                               
                                                                           100,164         100,338                               
Less - current maturities                                                      (16)            (33)                               
                                                                          --------        --------                               
                                                                          $100,148        $100,305                               
                                                                          ========        ========                                
</TABLE>

While the Senior Notes are unsecured, the terms of the Senior Notes contain
certain covenants restricting  (i) the use of proceeds from the offering; (ii)
the placing of liens on properties; (iii) certain "restricted payments" as
defined in the agreement; (iv) the incurrance of additional debt; (v) the sale
of assets; (vi) any merger, (vii) consolidation or change in control; (viii)
lines of business and (ix) transactions with affiliates. In addition, the
Indenture requires certain positive covenants including the maintenance of a
"Consolidated Fixed Charge Ratio" (the "Coverage Ratio") of greater than 1.69 to
1.0. On December 26, 1997 (the first "Measurement Date" in fiscal year 1997),
the Company's Coverage Ratio was less than 1.69 to 1.0 and, therefore, the
interest rate on the Senior Notes was temporarily increased to 12 1/2% and
remains at this rate as of December 5, 1997. The next Measurement Date is
December 25, 1997.

On October 23, 1997 in connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Company
completed the offering of $200 million of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2007 and, in a related transaction, completed a tender offer and consent
solicitation with respect to the $100 million of 12% Senior Notes due 2000.  The
tender offer resulted in the Company's purchase of $51 million in principal
amount of the Senior Notes at a purchase price of 110% of the aggregate
principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and other related fees (see
Note 15 - Subsequent Events).

NOTE 5 - LINES OF CREDIT:
- -------------------------

As of September 25, 1997, The Pantry had two bank lines of credit with borrowing
capacity limits of $10 million and $15 million, respectively.  The $10 million
line of credit bears interest at prime (8.50% at September 25, 1997) plus 0.5%.
As of September 25, 1997, there were no balances outstanding under the $10
million line of credit.  The $15 million line of credit secures the Company's
outstanding letters of credit of $8,563,000 at September 25, 1997.  During
fiscal 1997 and as of September 25, 1997, there were no draws against the
letters of credit.

On October 23, 1997 in connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Company
entered into a new bank credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") replacing
the $10 million and $15 million bank lines discussed above.  The New Credit
Facility consists of a $45 million revolving credit facility and a $30 million
acquisition facility.  The New Credit Facility has availability for letter of
credit usage, is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and
the Guarantors (as defined herein) and is guaranteed by the Guarantors (see Note
15 - Subsequent Events).

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES:
- --------------------- 

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are summarized below (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  1995        1996      1997
                ---------   --------   ------
Current:
<S>             <C>         <C>        <C>
   Federal       $ 1,033    $(1,111)   $ 163
   State             424          5     (534)
                 -------    -------    -----
                   1,457     (1,106)    (371)
                 -------    -------    -----
 Deferred:
   Federal        (1,839)    (1,074)     371
   State            (612)      (484)      --
                 -------    -------    -----
                  (2,451)    (1,558)     371
                 -------    -------    -----
                 $  (994)   $(2,664)   $  --
                 =======    =======    =====
</TABLE>
As of September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997, deferred tax liabilities
(assets) are comprised of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1996       1997
                                             --------   --------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>
Depreciation                                 $ 5,523    $ 6,513
Deferred lease cost                               16         27
Inventory                                        994        940
Other                                            491        469
                                             -------    -------
Gross deferred tax liabilities                 7,024      7,949
                                             -------    -------
Capital lease obligations                       (205)      (321)
Allowance for doubtful accounts                  (57)       (58)
Environmental expenses                          (410)      (500)
Accrued insurance reserves                    (1,391)    (1,607)
Accrued compensation                            (932)      (667)
Other                                           (478)      (616)
                                             -------    -------
Gross deferred tax assets                     (3,473)    (3,769)
                                             -------    -------
Net operating loss carryforwards              (2,921)    (2,622)
General business credits                      (1,695)    (1,846)
AMT Credits                                   (2,386)    (2,696)
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance        1,782      1,686
                                             -------    -------
                                             $(1,669)   $(1,298)
                                             =======    =======
</TABLE>
Reconciliations of income taxes at the Federal statutory rate (34%) to actual
taxes provided are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1995       1996      1997
                                                           --------   --------   ------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
Tax benefit at Federal statutory rate                      $(1,783)   $(3,665)    (332)
Tax benefit at state rate, net of Federal
   income tax benefit                                         (779)      (316)    (325)
Permanent differences:
    Amortization of goodwill                                   237      1,127      235
    Other                                                       75         14      248
Tax benefit from creation of general business credits         (175)        --     (151)
Interperiod tax allocation                                     920         --       --
Other                                                           --         --       --
Valuation allowance                                            511        176      325
                                                           -------    -------    -----
Net income tax benefit                                     $  (994)   $(2,664)   $  --
                                                           =======    =======    =====
</TABLE>

As of September 27, 1997 The Pantry had net operating loss carryforwards,
general business credits and AMT credits which can be used to offset future
Federal income taxes.  The benefit of these carryforwards is recognized, net of
a valuation allowance, as a reduction in the Company's net deferred tax asset.
Loss carryforwards as of September 25, 1997 have the following expiration dates
(in thousands):

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Federal      State
                                    ----------   -------
<C>                                 <S>          <C>
 1998                                    $----   $ 3,478
 1999                                     ----     5,526
 2000                                     ----     5,532
 2001                                     ----    10,034
 2002                                     ----     7,639
 2012                                      371      ----
                                          ----   -------
     Total loss carryforwards.           $ 371   $32,209
                                         =====   =======
</TABLE>

The valuation allowance increased $176,000 and $325,000 in 1996 and 1997,
respectively, to provide for state net economic loss carryforwards.  The
valuation allowance decreased $421,000 in 1997, which was primarily attributable
to the expiration of net operating loss carryforwards.

The State of North Carolina and the State of Tennessee have assessed Sandhills,
Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, with additional taxes plus penalties and
accrued interest totaling approximately $5.0 million, for the periods February
1, 1992 to September 26, 1996, respectively. The Company is contesting these tax
assessments and believes that it has meritorious defenses to the proposed
adjustments. Additionally, the Company believes that, in the event of a mutual
settlement, the assessment amount and related penalties would be substantially
reduced. Based on this, the Company believes the outcome of the audits will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results
of operations.

NOTE 7 - LEASES:
- --------------- 

The Pantry leases store buildings, office facilities and store equipment under
both capital and operating leases.  The asset balances related to capital leases
at September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997, are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1996       1997
                                      --------   --------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>
 Buildings                            $ 2,196    $ 2,196
 Less - accumulated amortization       (1,464)    (1,649)
                                      -------    -------
                                      $   732    $   547
                                      =======    =======
</TABLE>

Amortization expense related to capitalized leased assets was $269,000,
$261,000, and $185,000 for fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments as of September 25, 1997, for capital leases and
operating leases that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year are
as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Fiscal                                            Capital   Operating
   year                                             leases     leases
- ---------                                           -------   ---------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>
   1998                                              $  381     $ 8,447
   1999                                                 308       7,947
   2000                                                 193       7,146
   2001                                                 106       5,681
   2002                                                 103       4,961
   Thereafter                                           287      53,342
                                                     ------     -------
   Net minimum lease payments                         1,378     $87,524
                                                                =======
   Amount representing interest (8% to 20%)             414
                                                     ------
   Present value of net minimum lease payments          964
   Less - current maturities                            285
                                                     ------
                                                     $  679
                                                     ======
</TABLE>

The above amounts do not include total future minimum sublease rentals of
approximately $85,250 related to capital and operating leases.  Rental expense
for operating leases was approximately $6,759,000, $8,126,000 and $9,618,000 for
fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

NOTE 8 - RELATED PARTIES:
- -------------------------

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
Certain of the above leases are with partnerships and corporations controlled by
former shareholders, former officers and current and former directors of The
Pantry.  Rents under these leases were approximately $1,079,000, $1,274,000, and
$1,280,000 for fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively.  Such leases
expire at various intervals over the next twenty years.

During fiscal 1995, the Company sold certain convenience stores to an entity
controlled by former officers and current and former directors of the Company
for approximately $3,300,000, which approximated the Company's investment in
these properties.  These stores are currently being leased back from this entity
(rental amounts are included above).

Under the terms of a contract with a former officer, the Company is obligated to
pay the former officer certain amounts through September 30, 2000. The Company
has recorded a liability equal to the net present value of the payments due
under the contract and has classified the resulting annual interest expense as
related party interest.

NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
- -------------------------------------- 

As of September 25, 1997, The Pantry was contingently liable for outstanding
letters of credit in the amount of $8,563,000 related primarily to several areas
in which The Pantry is self-insured.  The letters of credit are not to be drawn
against unless The Pantry defaults on the timely payment of related liabilities.

The Pantry is involved in certain legal actions arising in the normal course of
business.  In the opinion of management, based on a review of such legal
proceedings, the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material
effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Environmental liabilities and contingencies
- -------------------------------------------

The Company is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws
and regulations governing underground petroleum storage tanks ("USTs") that
require The Pantry to make certain expenditures for compliance. In particular,
at the federal level, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended,
requires the EPA to establish a comprehensive regulatory program for the
detection, prevention, and cleanup of leaking USTs. Regulations enacted by the
EPA in 1988 established requirements for (i) installing UST systems; (ii)
upgrading UST systems; (iii) taking corrective action in response to releases;
(iv) closing UST systems; (v) keeping appropriate records; and (vi) maintaining
evidence of financial responsibility for taking corrective action and
compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage resulting from
releases. These regulations permit states to develop, administer and enforce
their own regulatory programs, incorporating requirements which are at least as
stringent as the federal standards. The following is an overview of the
requirements imposed by these regulations:

* Leak Detection: The EPA and states' release detection regulations were phased
  in based on the age of the USTs.  All USTs were required to comply with leak
  detection requirements by December 22, 1993. The Company utilizes two approved
  leak detection methods for all Company-owned UST systems.  Daily and monthly
  inventory reconciliations are completed at the store level and at the
  corporate support center.  The daily and monthly reconciliation data is also
  analyzed using Statistical Inventory Reconciliation ("SIR") which compares the
  reported volume of gasoline purchased and sold with the capacity of each UST
  system and highlights discrepancies.  The Company also performs annual leak
  detection tests.

* Corrosion Protection: The 1988 EPA regulations require that all UST systems
  have corrosion protection by December 22, 1998.  The Company began installing
  non-corrosive fiberglass tanks and piping in 1982.  The Company has a
  comprehensive plan to upgrade all its steel tank UST systems to 1998 standards
  by 1998 through internal tank lining and cathodic protection.  As of September
  25, 1997, approximately 81% of the Company's USTs have been protected from
  corrosion either through the installation of fiberglass tanks or upgrading
  steel USTs with interior fiberglass lining and the installation of cathodic
  protection.

* Overfill/Spill Prevention: The 1988 EPA regulations require that all sites
  have overfill/spill prevention devices by December 22, 1998. The Pantry is
  systematically installing devices on all Company-owned UST systems to meet
  these regulations. The Pantry has installed spill/overfill equipment for
  approximately 81% of its USTs.

The Pantry anticipates that it will meet the 1998 deadline for installing
corrosion protection and spill/overfill equipment for all of its USTs and has
budgeted approximately $1.0 million of capital expenditures for these purposes
in fiscal 1998. In addition to the technical standards, The Pantry is required
by federal and state regulations to maintain evidence of financial
responsibility for taking corrective action and compensating third parties in
the event of a release from its UST systems. In order to comply with this
requirement, The Pantry maintains a letter of credit in the aggregate amount of
$2.1 million issued by a commercial bank in favor of state environmental
enforcement agencies in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Indiana and Kentucky and relies on reimbursements from applicable state trust
funds.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
All states in which The Pantry operates or has operated UST systems have
established trust funds for the sharing, recovering, and reimbursing of certain
cleanup costs and liabilities incurred as a result of releases from UST systems.
These trust funds, which essentially provide insurance coverage for the cleanup
of environmental damages caused by the operation of UST systems, are funded by a
UST registration fee and a tax on the wholesale purchase of motor fuels within
each state. The Company has paid UST registration fees and gasoline taxes to
each state where it operates to participate in these programs and has filed
claims and received reimbursement in North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Tennessee. The coverage afforded by each state fund varies but generally
provides up to $1.0 million per site for the cleanup of environmental
contamination, and most provide coverage for third party liabilities. Costs for
which the Company does not receive reimbursement include but are not limited to:
(i) the per-site deductible; (ii) costs incurred in connection with releases
occurring or reported to trust funds prior to their inception;(iii) removal and
disposal of UST systems and (iv) costs incurred in connection with sites
otherwise ineligible for reimbursement from the trust funds. The trust funds
require the Company to pay deductibles ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per
occurrence depending on the upgrade status of its UST system, the date the
release is discovered/reported and the type of cost for which reimbursement is
sought. Reimbursement from state trust funds will be dependent upon the
maintenance and continued solvency of the various funds.

As of September 25, 1997, the Company is responsible for the remediation of
contamination at 56 sites.  Other third parties are responsible for remediation
of contamination at another 13 sites.  The Pantry has accrued $7,806,000 for
estimated total future remediation costs at the sites for which it is
responsible.  The Pantry anticipates that approximately $1,295,000 of these
future remediation costs will not be reimbursed by state trust funds or covered
by private insurance.  Of the remaining $6,511,000, The Pantry believes that (i)
approximately $6,341,000 will be reimbursed from state funds based on prior
acceptance of sites for reimbursement under these programs or anticipated
acceptance based on date of discovery of contamination and program regulations
and (ii) approximately $170,000 will be covered by insurance based on prior
acceptance of sites for such coverage.  Reimbursements from state trust funds
will be dependent upon the continued solvency of the various funds.  Remediation
cost estimates are based on consultants' and management's estimates of the cost
of remediation, tank removal, and litigation associated with all known
contaminated sites as a result of releases (e.g. overfills, spills and UST
system leaks).  Although the Company is not aware of releases or contamination
at other locations where it currently operates or has operated stores, any such
releases or contamination could require substantial remediation costs, some or
all of which may not be eligible for reimbursement from state trust funds.

Several of the locations identified as contaminated are being cleaned up by
third parties who have indemnified The Pantry as to responsibility for clean up
matters.  Additionally, The Pantry is awaiting closure notices on several other
locations which will release the Company from responsibility related to known
contamination at those sites.

NOTE 10 - BENEFIT PLANS:
- ----------------------- 

The Pantry sponsors a 401(k) Employee Retirement Savings Plan for eligible
employees.  Employees must be at least nineteen years of age and have one year
of service with at least 1,000 hours worked to be eligible to participate in the
plan.  Employees may contribute up to 15% of their annual compensation, and
contributions are matched by The Pantry on the basis of 50% of the first 5%
contributed.  Matching contribution expense was $346,000, $330,000, and $305,000
for fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

NOTE 11 - IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
- ----------------------------------------- 

In fiscal year 1996, the Company early-adopted SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of.
SFAS No. 121 establishes accounting standards for the impairment of long-lived
assets, certain identifiable intangibles and goodwill related to those assets to
be held and used and for long-lived and certain identifiable intangibles to be
disposed of.

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
Pursuant to SFAS No. 121, the Company evaluated its long-lived assets for
impairment on a store-by-store basis by comparing the sum of the projected
future undiscounted cash flows attributable to each store to the carrying value
of the long-lived assets (including an allocation of goodwill, if appropriate)
of that store.  Projected future cash flows for each store were estimated for a
period approximating the remaining lives of that store's long-lived assets,
based on earnings history, lease expiration dates and renewal periods, market
conditions and assumptions reflected in internal operating plans and strategies.
Based on this evaluation, the Company determined that certain long-lived assets
were impaired and recorded an impairment loss based on the difference between
the carrying value and the fair value of the assets.  Fair value was determined
based on an evaluation of each property's value.  The impairment consists of the
following assets (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
 Property, plant and equipment        $  415
 Goodwill                              2,619
                                      ------
   Total                              $3,034
                                      ======
</TABLE>

NOTE 12 - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES:
- -------------------------------

In fiscal year 1996, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $2,184,000
pursuant to a formal plan to restructure its corporate offices.  The costs
include $1,484,000 for employee severance; $350,000 for employee moving costs;
and $350,000 for legal costs related to the ownership litigation.  Substantially
all of these amounts were expended during fiscal 1996.

NOTE 13 - PREFERRED STOCK:
- ------------------------- 

As of September 25, 1997, preferred stock consists of 150,000 authorized shares.
Issued and outstanding shares at September 25, 1997 includes 25,999 shares which
have been designated as Series A and 17,500 shares designated as Series B, all
of which is held by FS Group. The Company is limited from paying dividends under
the terms and conditions of the Senior Notes Indenture, Senior Subordinated
Notes Indenture and the Certificate of Designation of Preferences of the Series
B Preferred Stock of The Pantry, Inc.

In addition, without consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, the
Company is restricted from: (i) the issuance of any securities with equal or
superior rights with respect to dividends or liquidation preferences, (ii) the
repurchase of any shares of, making of any dividend or distribution to, or any
reclassification with respect to any of the Company's outstanding shares of
capital stock, and (iii) amendment or modification of the Company's Article of
Incorporation or Bylaws so as to adversely affect the relative rights,
preferences, qualification, limitations or restrictions or the Series B
Preferred Stock.

  (a) Series A

     Except as required by Delaware law, the holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock (i) shall not be entitled to vote on any matter coming before the
stockholders of the Company and (ii) shall not be included in determining the
number of shares voting or entitled to vote on any such matters. The holders of
Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to cumulative dividends from the Company
on each share of Series A Preferred Stock at a semi-annual rate equal to $60.00
per share plus an amount determined by applying a twelve percent (12%) annual
rate compounded semi-annually to any accrued but unpaid dividend. Except as
limited by the Senior Note Indenture, Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture and
the Certificate of Designation of Preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock,
such dividends on the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
payable at such intervals as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time
to time determine and may be paid in cash or by issuing additional shares,
including fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at the rate of one
share for each $1,000 of dividends outstanding.

     Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company
available for distribution to its stockholders, whether such assets are capital,
surplus or earnings, before any payment or declaration and setting apart for
payment of any amount shall be made in respect of the outstanding shares of the
Company's Common Stock, but following the preferences of Series B Preferred
Stock as discussed herein, an amount equal to each $1,000 per share of Series A
Preferred Stock then outstanding, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon
to the date fixed for liquidation (whether or not declared), and no more. If
upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the assets to be distributed after satisfaction of the
preferences of Series B Preferred Stock among the holders of outstanding shares
of Series A Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such
stockholders of the full preferential amounts aforesaid, then the entire assets
of the Company to be distributed

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
ratably among the holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock
based on the full preferential amounts for the number of outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock held by each holder.

  (b) Series B

      At all meetings of the stockholders of the Company and in the case of any
actions of stockholders in lieu of a meeting and holder of the Series B
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to ten (10) votes per share and except as
required by Delaware law shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock as
a single class. The holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to
cumulative dividends from the Company on each share of Series B Preferred Stock
at a quarterly rate equal to $32.5 per share plus an amount determined by
applying a thirteen percent (13%) annual rate compounded quarterly to any
accrued but unpaid dividend. Except as limited by both the Senior Notes and
Senior Subordinated Notes Indentures, such dividends on the outstanding shares
of Series B Preferred Stock shall be payable at such intervals as the Board of
Directors of the Company may from time to time determine and may be paid in cash
or by issuing additional shares, including fractional shares of Series B
Preferred Stock, at the rate of one share for each $1,000 of dividends
outstanding.

     Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock, shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company
available for distribution to its stockholders, whether such assets are capital,
surplus or earnings, before any payment or declaration and setting apart for
payment of any amount shall be made in respect of the outstanding shares of any
other class or series of the Company's capital stock, including without
limitation, shares of Series A Preferred Stock and of Common Stock, an amount
equal to $1,000 per share of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding, plus all
accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for liquidation (whether
or not declared), and no more. If upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding
up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets to be
distributed among the holders of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock
shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such stockholders of the full
preferential amounts aforesaid, then the entire assets of the Company to be
distributed ratably among the holders of outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock based on the full preferential amounts for the number of
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by each holder.

NOTE 14 - SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION:
- -------------------------------------------- 

On October 23, 1997, the Company purchased all of the capital stock of Lil'
Champ Food Stores, Inc. ("Lil' Champ") (see Note 15 - Subsequent Events).
Sandhills, Inc., Lil' Champ and all future direct and indirect restricted
subsidiaries (together the "Guarantors"), jointly and severally, unconditionally
guaranteed, on an unsecured senior subordinated basis, the full and prompt
performance of The Pantry's obligations under its $200.0 million, 10 1/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes") and the related
Indenture, the issuance of which occurred on October 23, 1997. The Senior
Subordinated Notes will be exchanged for new notes (the "Exchange Notes";
together with the Senior Subordinated Notes, the "Notes") in an exchange offer
upon the effectiveness of The Pantry's pending Form S-4 Registration Statement.
The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms of
the Senior Subordinated Notes (which they replace) except that (i) the Exchange
Notes will be registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear
legends restricting the transfer thereof, and (ii) the holders of the Exchange
Notes will not be entitled to certain rights under the Registration Rights
Agreement by virtue of consummation of the exchange offer.

The Senior Subordinated Notes contain covenants that, among other things,
restrict the ability of The Pantry and any restricted subsidiary to: (i) incur
additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make distributions; (iii) issue
stock of subsidiaries; (iv) make certain investments; (v) repurchase stock; (vi)
create liens; (vii) enter into transaction with affiliates; (viii) enter into
sale-leaseback transactions; (ix) merge or consolidate The Pantry or any of its
subsidiaries; and (x) transfer and sell assets.

Management has determined that separate, full financial statements of the
Guarantor (Sandhills, Inc. as of September 25, 1997) would not be material to
investors and therefore such financial statements are not provided.  The
following supplemental combining financial statements present information
regarding the Guarantor and The Pantry.

The Pantry accounts for its wholly-owned subsidiaries on the equity basis.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform all of the financial
information to the financial presentation on a consolidated basis.  The
principal eliminating entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and
intercompany balances.


                                      18
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                THE PANTRY, INC.
                                 SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                          YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1995
                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                                          Guarantor    Non-Guarantor
                                           The Pantry    Subsidiary      Subsidiary     Eliminations      Total
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>
Revenues:
  Merchandise sales                          $187,380       $     -          $     -        $      -    $187,380
  Gasoline sales                              187,165             -                -               -     187,165
  Commissions                                   4,516             -                -               -       4,516
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total revenues                        379,061             -                -               -     379,061
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales:
  Merchandise                                 121,976             -                -               -     121,976
  Gasoline                                    161,179             -                -               -     161,179
        Total cost of sales                   283,155             -                -               -     283,155
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                   95,906             -                -               -      95,906
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses:
  Store expenses                               66,432             -                -         (11,310)     55,122
  Store expenses - related parties              1,084             -                -               -       1,084
  General and administrative expenses          18,089            45               25               -      18,159
  Depreciation and amortization                 9,494             5                6               -       9,505
  Amortization of non-compete agreement         1,965             -                -               -       1,965
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total operating expenses               97,064            50               31         (11,310)     85,835
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Income from operations                         (1,158)          (50)             (31)         11,310      10,071
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries             12,163             -                -         (12,163)          -
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense                            (14,449)            -              (17)          1,492     (12,974)
  Interest - related parties                     (266)            -                -               -        (266)
  Miscellaneous                                   161        13,091              260         (12,801)        711
  Due diligence costs                            (101)            -           (1,080)              -      (1,181)
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total other expense                   (14,655)       13,091             (837)        (11,309)    (13,710)
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Loss before income taxes                       (3,650)       13,041             (868)        (12,162)     (3,639)
Income tax benefit (expense)                      365        (4,434)            (120)          4,543         354
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before extraordinary item and
 cumulative
   effect of accounting change                 (3,285)        8,607             (988)         (7,619)     (3,285)
Cumulative effect of change in
 accounting for
   post-employment benefits (net of
    income tax benefit of $640)                  (960)            -                -               -        (960)
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss                                     $ (4,245)      $ 8,607          $  (988)       $ (7,619)   $ (4,245)
                                        ========================================================================
</TABLE>

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1995
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Guarantor        Non-Guarantor
                                                      The Pantry   Subsidiary        Subsidiary      Eliminations   Total
                                                      ----------   ----------      -------------     ------------   ----- 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>      
   Net Income (loss)                                    $(4,245)      $ 8,607            $(987)        $(7,620)   $(4,245) 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income                                                                                     
    (loss) to net cash provided by 
     operating activities:                                                                                                 
     Cumulative effect of change in                                                                                        
      accounting for post-employment benefits             1,600             -                -               -      1,600  
     Depreciation and amortization                       11,464             -                6               -     11,470  
     Provision for deferred income taxes                 (2,451)            -                -               -     (2,451) 
     Loss on sale of property and equipment                   2             -                -               -          2  
     Provision for environmental expenses                  (418)            -                -               -       (418) 
     Provision for closed stores                            292             -                -               -        292  
     Equity earnings of affiliates                       (7,620)            -                -           7,620          -  
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:                                                                       
     Receivables                                           (284)       (1,392)             (30)          2,100        394  
     Inventories                                          1,694             -                -               -      1,694  
     Prepaid expenses                                       121             -               (2)              -        119  
     Other non-current assets                              (322)          (58)             101               -       (279) 
     Accounts payable                                     2,294             -                -               -      2,294  
     Other current liabilities and accrued expenses        (126)          447              198            (556)       (37) 
     Employment obligations                                (140)            -                -               -       (140) 
     Other noncurrent liabilities                         2,871           281                -          (1,544)     1,608  
                                                        -------       -------            -----         -------    -------  
  Net cash provided by operating activities               4,732         7,885             (714)              -     11,903  
                                                        -------       -------            -----         -------    -------   
</TABLE>

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
          SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - CONTINUED
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1995
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                    Guarantor    Non-Guarantor                             
                                                     The Pantry    Subsidiary      Subsidiary     Eliminations     Total   
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                      
   Additions to property held for sale                   (7,853)            -          (10,747)              -    (18,600) 
   Additions to property and equipment                  (16,543)            -             (107)              -    (16,650) 
   Proceeds from sale of property held for sale           8,644             -           10,792               -     19,436  
   Proceeds from sale of property and equipment             533             -                -               -        533  
   Intercompany notes receivable (payable)               12,950       (12,950)               -               -          -  
   Acquisition of related businesses                          -             -                -               -          -  
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
  Net cash used in investing activities                  (2,269)      (12,950)             (62)              -    (15,281) 
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                                                           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                      
   Principal repayments under capital lease                                                                                 
    obligations                                            (413)            -                -               -       (413)  
   Principal repayments of long-term debt                     -             -           (7,281)              -     (7,281) 
   Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                   -             -            7,267               -      7,267  
   Other financing costs                                   (523)            -                -               -       (523) 
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                                                           
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
  Net cash provided by (used in)                                                                                            
   financing activities                                    (936)            -              (14)              -       (950)  
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                                                           
Net increase (decrease) in cash                           1,527        (5,065)            (790)              -     (4,328) 
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                 1,720         8,649            4,958               -     15,327  
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------  
CASH AT END OF YEAR                                    $  3,247      $  3,584         $  4,168              $-   $ 10,999  
                                                  =======================================================================   
</TABLE>

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                     SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING BALANCE SHEETS
                              SEPTEMBER 26, 1996
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Guarantor    Non-Guarantor
                                     The Pantry   Subsidiary    Subsidiary     Eliminations     Total
                                    -----------  ------------  --------------  -------------   --------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>
ASSETS
- ------
Current assets:
  Cash                                 $  1,512      $   135          $3,690       $      -    $  5,337
  Receivables, net                        4,411        3,898              30         (5,479)      2,860
  Inventories                            13,223            -               -              -      13,223
  Prepaid expenses                          770            3               3              -         776
  Income taxes receivable                    55            -               8              -          63
  Property held for sale                  2,068            -             748              -       2,816
  Deferred income taxes                     879            -               -              -         879
                                    -----------  ------------  --------------  -------------   --------
           Total current assets          22,918        4,036           4,479         (5,479)     25,954
                                    -----------  ------------  --------------  -------------   --------
 
Investment in subsidiaries               36,267            -               -        (36,267)          -
                                    -----------  ------------  --------------  -------------   --------
 
Property & Equipment, net                65,105            -             350              -      65,455
                                    -----------  ------------  --------------  -------------   --------
 
Other assets:
  Goodwill, net                          16,852            -               -              -      16,852
  Deferred lease cost, net                  359            -               -              -         359
  Deferred financing cost, net            5,940            -               -              -       5,940
  Environmental receivables               5,162            -               -              -       5,162
  Deferred income taxes                     790            -               -              -         790
  Intercompany notes receivable               -       29,452               -        (29,452)          -
  Other                                     279           87               2              -         368
                                    -----------  ------------  --------------  -------------   -------- 
        Total other assets               29,382       29,539               2        (29,452)     29,471
                                    -----------  ------------  --------------  -------------   --------
 
Total Assets                           $153,672      $33,575          $4,831       $(71,198)   $120,880
                                    ===========  ============  ==============  ==============  ========
</TABLE>

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
               SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING BALANCE SHEETS - CONTINUED
                              SEPTEMBER 26, 1996
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Guarantor    Non-Guarantor                             
                                                   The Pantry    Subsidiary     Subsidiary     Eliminations      Total  
                                                  ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ----------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>          <C>              <C>             <C>      
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'                                                                                           
- -----------------------------                                                                                           
EQUITY (DEFICIT)                                                                                                        
- ----------------                                                                                                        
Current liabilities:                                                                                                    
  Current maturities of long-term debt               $      -       $     -          $   16        $      -    $     16 
  Current maturities of capital lease obligations         285             -               -               -         285 
  Accounts payable:                                                                                                     
    Trade                                              15,666             -               -               -      15,666 
    Money orders                                        2,788             -               -               -       2,788 
  Accrued interest                                      5,143             -               1            (728)      4,416 
  Accrued compensation and related taxes                2,336             1               1               -       2,338 
  Income taxes payable                                      -         1,331              98          (1,429)          - 
  Other accrued taxes                                   2,135             -               -               -       2,135 
  Accrued insurance                                     3,629             -               -               -       3,629 
  Other Accrued Liabilities                             4,299            94             122          (3,321)      1,194 
                                                  ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ----------
           Total current liabilities                   36,281         1,426             238          (5,478)     32,467 
                                                  ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ----------
                                                                                                                        
Long-term debt                                         99,995             -             153               -     100,148 
                                                  ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ----------
                                                                                                                        
Other non-current liabilities:                                                                                          
  Environmental expenses                                6,232             -               -               -       6,232 
  Capital lease obligations                               982             -               -               -         982 
  Employment obligations                                2,039             -               -               -       2,039 
  Accrued dividends on preferred stock                  2,654             -               -               -       2,654 
  Intercompany note payable                            29,452             -               -         (29,452)          - 
  Other                                                 3,581           281              43               -       3,905 
                                                  ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ---------- 
           Total other non-current                     44,940           281              43         (29,452)     15,812 
            liabilities                           ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ----------
                                                                                                                        
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):                                                                                         
  Preferred stock                                           -             -               -               -           - 
  Common stock                                              1             -               -               -           1 
  Additional paid-in capital                          (10,557)           25           5,001          (5,026)    (10,557)
  Retained earnings (deficit)                         (16,991)       31,843            (602)        (31,241)    (16,991)
                                                  ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ----------
           Total shareholders' equity                 
            (deficit)                                 (27,547)       31,868           4,399         (36,267)    (27,547)
                                                  ------------  ------------  -------------   --------------  ----------
                                                                                                                        
Total Liabilities and Shareholders Deficit           $153,669       $33,575          $4,833        $(71,197)   $120,880 
                                                  ============  ============  =============   ==============  ===========
</TABLE>

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1996
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                          Guarantor    Non-Guarantor
                                           The Pantry    Subsidiary      Subsidiary     Eliminations      Total
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>
Revenues:
  Merchandise sales                          $188,091       $     -            $   -        $      -    $188,091
  Gasoline sales                              192,737             -                -               -     192,737
  Commissions                                   3,979             -                -               -       3,979
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
        Total revenues                        384,807             -                -               -     384,807
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
Cost of sales:
  Merchandise                                 125,979             -                -               -     125,979
  Gasoline                                    167,610             -                -               -     167,610
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
        Total cost of sales                   293,589             -                -               -     293,589
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
Gross profit                                   91,218             -                -               -      91,218
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
Operating expenses:
  Store expenses                               68,331             -             (293)        (11,471)     56,567
  Store expenses - related parties              1,274             -                -               -       1,274
  General and administrative expenses          17,024            80               23               -      17,127
  Restructuring charges                         2,184                                                      2,184
  Impairment of long-lived assets               3,034                                                      3,034
  Depreciation and amortization                 9,138            14                6               -       9,158
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
        Total operating expenses              100,985            94             (264)        (11,471)     89,344
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
 
Income from operations                         (9,767)          (94)             264          11,471       1,874
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries             14,597             -                -         (14,597)          -
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
 
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense                            (14,540)            -              (14)          2,562     (11,992)
  Miscellaneous                                (1,068)       14,243              198         (14,033)       (660)
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
        Total other expense                   (15,608)       14,243              184         (11,471)    (12,652)
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  --------- 
 
Loss before income taxes                      (10,778)       14,149              448         (14,597)    (10,778)
Income tax benefit (expense)                    2,664        (4,811)            (128)          4,939       2,664
                                         -------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------
Net loss                                     $ (8,114)      $ 9,338            $ 320        $ (9,658)   $ (8,114)
                                         =============  ============  ===============  ==============  =========
</TABLE>

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1996
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Guarantor    Non-Guarantor                             
                                                       The Pantry    Subsidiary      Subsidiary     Eliminations     Total   
                                                      ------------  ------------  --------------   --------------   -------  
                                                                                                                             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                        
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>      
   Net Income (loss)                                      $(8,114)       $9,339             $319         $(9,658)   $(8,114) 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income                                                                                       
    (loss) to net cash provided by 
    operating activities:                                                                                  
     Impairment of long-lived assets                        3,034             -                -               -      3,034  
     Depreciation and amortization                          9,152             -                6               -      9,158  
     Provision for deferred income taxes                   (1,558)            -                -               -     (1,558) 
     Loss on sale of property and equipment                   470             -                -               -        470  
     Provision for environmental expenses                     512             -                -               -        512  
     Provision for closed stores                              673             -                -               -        673  
     Write-off of property held for sale                      168             -                -               -        168  
     Equity earnings of affiliates                         (9,658)            -                -           9,658          -  
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:                                                                         
       Receivables                                           (627)         (392)              (8)            488       (539) 
       Inventories                                           (937)            -                -               -       (937) 
       Prepaid expenses                                        19            (1)               2               -         20  
       Other non-current assets                               448           (17)               1               -        432  
       Accounts payable                                     2,104             -                -               -      2,104  
       Other current liabilities and accrued expenses        (641)          125              (27)            (96)      (639) 
       Employment obligations                                (255)            -                -               -       (255) 
       Other noncurrent liabilities                         1,279             -               (1)           (392)       886  
                                                      ------------  ------------  --------------   --------------   -------  
  Net cash provided by operating activities                (3,931)        9,054              292               -      5,415  
                                                      ------------  ------------  --------------   --------------   -------   
</TABLE>

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
          SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - CONTINUED
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1996
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Guarantor    Non-Guarantor                             
                                                     The Pantry    Subsidiary      Subsidiary     Eliminations     Total   
                                                    ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   -------  
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>      
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                      
   Additions to property held for sale                   (3,301)            -             (799)             50     (4,050) 
   Additions to property and equipment                   (7,070)            -              (14)              -     (7,084) 
   Proceeds from sale of property held for sale           2,462             -               50             (50)     2,462  
   Proceeds from sale of property and equipment           1,458             -               10               -      1,468  
   Intercompany notes receivable (payable)               12,502       (12,502)               -                          -  
   Acquisition of related businesses                          -             -                -               -          -  
                                                    ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   -------   
  Net cash used in investing activities                   6,051       (12,502)            (753)              -     (7,204) 
                                                    ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   -------  
                                                                                                                           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                      
   Principal repayments under capital lease                                                                                 
    obligations                                            (347)            -                -               -       (347)  
   Principal repayments of long-term debt                    (5)            -              (15)              -        (20) 
   Net proceeds from equity issue                          (447)            -                -                       (447) 
   Other financing costs                                 (3,058)            -                -               -     (3,058) 
                                                    ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   -------  
                                                    ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   -------  
  Net cash provided by (used in)                         (3,857)            -              (15)              -     (3,872) 
   financing activities                             ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   -------   

 
Net increase (decrease) in cash                          (1,737)       (3,448)            (476)              -     (5,661)
 
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                 3,247         3,584            4,168               -     10,999
                                                   ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   ------- 
 
CASH AT END OF YEAR                                     $ 1,510      $    136           $3,692            $  -    $ 5,338
                                                   ============  ============   ==============  ==============   ========
</TABLE>

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                     SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING BALANCE SHEETS
                              SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Guarantor    Non-Guarantor
                                         The Pantry   Subsidiary    Subsidiary     Eliminations     Total
                                        ------------  ----------  --------------  --------------   --------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>
ASSETS
- ------
Current assets:
  Cash                                     $  2,247      $   279          $  821       $      -    $  3,347
  Receivables, net                            4,056        4,562              30         (6,547)      2,101
  Inventories                                17,161            -               -              -      17,161
  Prepaid expenses                            1,195            6               3              -       1,204
  Property held for sale                      3,323            -               -              -       3,323
  Deferred income taxes                       1,142            -               -              -       1,142
                                        ------------  ----------  --------------  --------------   --------
           Total current assets              29,124        4,847             854         (6,547)     28,278
                                        ------------  ----------  --------------  --------------   --------
 
Investment in subsidiaries                   47,225            -               -        (47,225)          -
                                        ------------  ----------  --------------  --------------   --------
 
Property & Equipment, net                    77,641            -             345              -      77,986
                                        ------------  ----------  --------------  --------------   --------
 
Other assets:
  Goodwill, net                              20,318            -               -              -      20,318
  Deferred lease cost, net                      314            -               -              -         314
  Deferred financing cost, net                4,578            -               -              -       4,578
  Environmental receivables                   6,511            -               -              -       6,511
  Deferred income taxes                         156            -               -              -         156
  Escrow for Lil' Champ acquisition               -            -           4,049              -       4,049
  Intercompany notes receivable                   -       39,434               -        (39,434)          -
  Other                                         534           74               1              -         609
                                        ------------  ----------  --------------  --------------   --------  
        Total other assets                   32,411       39,508           4,050        (39,434)     36,535
                                        ------------  ----------  --------------  --------------   --------
 
Total Assets                               $186,401      $44,355          $5,249       $(93,206)   $142,799
                                        ============  ==========  ==============  ==============   ========
</TABLE>

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
               SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING BALANCE SHEETS - CONTINUED
                              SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Guarantor    Non-Guarantor                               
                                                    The Pantry    Subsidiary     Subsidiary     Eliminations      Total    
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>          <C>              <C>             <C>        
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'                                                                                              
- -----------------------------                                                                                              
  EQUITY (DEFICIT):                                                                                                        
- -------------------                                                                                                        
Current liabilities:                                                                                                       
  Current maturities of long-term debt                $     17       $     -          $   16        $      -    $     33   
  Current maturities of capital lease obligations          285             -               -               -         285   
  Accounts payable:                                                                                                        
    Trade                                               16,032             3               -               -      16,035   
    Money orders                                         3,022             -               -               -       3,022   
  Accrued interest                                       5,564             -               1            (973)      4,592   
  Accrued compensation and related taxes                 3,322             -               1               -       3,323   
  Income taxes payable                                     313         1,560             235          (1,812)        296   
  Other accrued taxes                                    2,194             -               -               -       2,194   
  Accrued insurance                                      3,887             -               -               -       3,887   
  Other Accrued Liabilities                              6,382           113             122          (3,761)      2,856   
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
           Total current liabilities                    41,018         1,676             375          (6,546)     36,523   
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
                                                                                                                           
Long-term debt                                         100,168             -             137               -     100,305   
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
                                                                                                                           
Other non-current liabilities:                                                                                             
  Environmental expenses                                 7,806             -               -               -       7,806   
  Capital lease obligations                                679             -               -               -         679   
  Employment obligations                                 1,341             -               -               -       1,341   
  Accrued dividends on preferred stock                   7,958             -               -               -       7,958   
  Intercompany note payable                             39,434             -               -         (39,434)          -   
  Other                                                  5,870           150              40               -       6,060   
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
           Total other non-current liabilities          63,088           150              40         (39,434)     23,844   
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
                                                                                                                           
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):                                                                                            
  Preferred stock                                            -             -               -               -           -   
  Common stock                                               1             -               -               -           1   
  Additional paid-in capital                             5,396            25           5,001          (5,026)      5,396   
  Retained earnings (deficit)                          (23,270)       42,504            (304)        (42,200)    (23,270)  
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
           Total shareholders' equity (deficit)        (17,873)       42,529           4,697         (47,226)    (17,873)  
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------  
 Total Liabilities and Shareholders Deficit           $186,401       $44,355          $5,249        $(93,206)   $142,799   
                                                   ============  ============  ==============  ==============   =========   
</TABLE>

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Guarantor    Non-Guarantor
                                           The Pantry    Subsidiary      Subsidiary     Eliminations      Total
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>
Revenues:
  Merchandise sales                          $202,440       $     -            $   -        $      -    $202,440
  Gasoline sales                              220,166             -                -               -     220,166
  Commissions                                   4,787             -                -               -       4,787
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
        Total revenues                        427,393             -                -               -     427,393
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------

Cost of sales:
  Merchandise                                 132,846             -                -               -     132,846
  Gasoline                                    197,268             -                -               -     197,268
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
        Total cost of sales                   330,114             -                -               -     330,114
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
Gross profit                                   97,279             -                -               -      97,279
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
Operating expenses:
  Store expenses                               71,944             -             (291)        (12,725)     58,928
  Store expenses - related parties              1,280             -                -               -       1,280
  General and administrative expenses          16,731            42               23               -      16,796
  Depreciation and amortization                 9,485            13                6               -       9,504
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
        Total operating expenses               99,440            55             (262)        (12,725)     86,508
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
 
Income from operations                         (2,161)          (55)             262          12,725      10,771
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries             16,605             -                -         (16,605)          -
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
 
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense                            (16,095)            -              (13)          3,069     (13,039)
  Miscellaneous                                   677        16,207              204         (15,795)      1,293
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
        Total other expense                   (15,418)       16,207              191         (12,726)    (11,746)
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
 
Loss before income taxes                         (974)       16,152              453         (16,606)       (975)
Income tax benefit (expense)                        -        (5,492)            (155)          5,646           -
                                          ------------  ------------   --------------  --------------   --------
Net loss                                     $   (974)      $10,660            $ 298        $(10,960)   $   (975)
                                          ============  ============   ==============  ==============   ========
</TABLE>

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Guarantor    Non-Guarantor                            
                                                   The Pantry    Subsidiary     Subsidiary     Eliminations     Total   
                                                  ------------  ------------   --------------  ------------    -------  
                                                                                                                        
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                   
<S>                                                <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>      
   Net Income (loss)                                 $   (975)      $10,660             $298       $(10,958)   $  (975) 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income                                                                                  
    (loss) to net cash provided by 
    operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                      9,499             -                5              -      9,504  
     Provision for deferred income taxes                  371             -                -              -        371  
     Gain on sale of property and equipment            (1,054)            -                -              -     (1,054) 
     Provision for environmental expenses               1,574             -                -              -      1,574  
     Provision for closed stores                          (11)            -                -              -        (11) 
     Equity earnings of affiliates                    (10,958)            -                -         10,958          -  
   Changes in operating assets and                                                                                      
    liabilities, net:                                                                                                   
       Receivables                                        129          (664)               8                      (527) 
       Inventories                                     (2,273)            -                -              -     (2,273) 
       Prepaid expenses                                  (426)           (3)               -                      (429) 
       Other non-current assets                        (5,378)           14                1          1,068     (4,295) 
       Accounts payable                                   600             3                -                       603  
       Other current liabilities and accrued expenses   3,396           246              135           (384)     3,393  
       Employment obligations                            (698)            -                -                      (698) 
       Other noncurrent liabilities                     2,970          (131)               -           (684)     2,155  
                                                  ------------  ------------   --------------  ------------    -------  
  Net cash provided by operating activities            (3,234)       10,125              447              -      7,338  
                                                  ------------  ------------   --------------  ------------    -------   
</TABLE>

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
 
                               THE PANTRY, INC.
          SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - CONTINUED
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Guarantor    Non-Guarantor                             
                                                    The Pantry    Subsidiary      Subsidiary     Eliminations      Total  
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------    ------------    -------- 
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>      
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                     
   Additions to property held for sale                  (1,874)            -               (4)             50      (1,828)
   Additions to property and equipment                 (14,749)            -                -               -     (14,749)
   Proceeds from sale of property held for sale            642             -              753             (50)      1,345 
   Proceeds from sale of property and equipment          2,315             -                -               -       2,315 
   Intercompany notes receivable (payable)               9,982        (9,982)               -                           - 
   Acquisition of related businesses                   (12,162)            -                -               -     (12,162)
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------    ------------    -------- 
  Net cash used in investing activities                (15,846)       (9,982)             749               -     (25,079)
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------    ------------    -------- 
                                                                                                                          
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                     
   Principal repayments under capital                                                                                      
    lease obligations                                     (303)            -                -               -        (303) 
   Principal repayments of long-term debt                  (10)            -              (16)              -         (26)
   Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                200             -                -               -         200 
   Net proceeds from equity issue                       15,953             -                -                      15,953 
   Other financing costs                                   (74)            -                -               -         (74)
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------    ------------    -------- 
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------    ------------    -------- 
  Net cash provided by (used in)                                                                                          
   financing activities                                 15,766             -              (16)              -      15,750 
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------    ------------    --------  
                                                                                                                          
Net increase (decrease) in cash                         (3,314)          143            1,180               -      (1,991)
                                                                                                                          
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                1,512           136            3,690               -       5,338 
                                                   ------------  ------------  --------------    ------------    --------  
                                                                                                                          
CASH AT END OF YEAR                                   $ (1,802)      $   279           $4,870            $  -    $  3,347 
                                                   ============  ============  ===============   =============   ========  
</TABLE>

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 15 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
- ----------------------------

On October 23, 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of
Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc. ("Lil' Champ") from Docks U.S.A. Inc. for $132.7
million in cash and repaid $10.7 million outstanding indebtedness of Lil' Champ
(the "Lil' Champ Acquisition"). Lil Champ is a leading operator of convenience
stores in Florida and the largest convenience store operator in northern
Florida. Lil Champ's 489 stores are located primarily in northern Florida and
Georgia, with 151 stores concentrated in the Jacksonville, Florida area. The
purchase price, the refinancing of existing Lil' Champ debt, and the fees and
expenses of the Lil' Champ acquisition were financed with the proceeds from the
offering of $200.0 million, 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the
"Senior Subordinated Notes"), cash on hand and the sale to existing stockholders
and management of the Company of an additional $32.4 million of the Company's
$.01 par value common stock (the "Equity Investment") in connection with the
Lil' Champ Acquisition. In connection with the Equity Investment, all shares of
Series A Preferred Stock were cancelled and all rights to accrued dividends
relating to the Series A Preferred Stock were waived.

The Senior Subordinated Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, on an unsecured
senior subordinated basis, as to the payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest, jointly and severally, by all current direct and indirect restricted
subsidiaries (Sandhills, Inc. and Lil Champ, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the
Company) and future direct and indirect restricted subsidiaries (the
"Guarantors").  The Senior Subordinated Notes contain covenants that, among
other things, restrict the ability of the Company and any restricted subsidiary
to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make distributions;
(iii) issue stock of subsidiaries; (iv) make certain investments; (v) repurchase
stock; (vi) create liens; (vii) enter into transaction with affiliates; (viii)
enter into sale-leaseback transactions; (ix) merge or consolidate the Company or
any of its subsidiaries; and (x) transfer and sell assets.

On October 23, 1997, the Company entered into a new bank credit facility (the 
"New Credit Facility") consisting of a $45.0 million revolving credit facility
and a $30.0 million acquisition facility. The New Credit Facility is available 
(i) for working capital and general corporate purposes of the Company, (ii)
having commercial and standby letters of credit and (iii) for acquisitions. The
New Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and
its respective restricted subsidiaries and the Guarantors and is guaranteed
by the Guarantors. The New Credit Facility contains covenants restricting the
ability of the Company and any its subsidiaries to, among others: (i) incur
additional debt; (ii) declare dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock;
(iii) prepay, redeem or purchase debt; (iv) incur liens; (v) make loans and
investments; (vi) make capital expenditures; (vii) engage in mergers,
acquisitions and asset sales; and (viii) engage in transactions with affiliates.
The Company is also required to comply with financial covenants with respect to
(a) a minimum coverage ratio, (b) a minimum pro forma EBITDA, (c) a maximum pro
forma leverage ratio, and (d) a maximum capital expenditure allowance.

On October 23, 1997, the Company purchased $51.0 million in principal amount of
Senior Notes at a purchase price of 110% of the aggregate principal amount of
each tendered Senior Note plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not
including, the date of purchase (the "Tender Offer").  The Company obtained
consents (the "Consent Solicitation") from the holders of the Senior Notes to
amendments and waivers to certain of the covenants contained in the indenture
governing the Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes Indenture").  The Senior Notes
Indenture contains covenants including the restrictions on the Company's ability
to incur additional indebtedness and make acquisitions.  The Company obtained
consents to, among other things, permit the offering of the Senior Subordinated
Notes, the Lil' Champ Acquisition and enter into the New Credit Facility.  The
consideration paid in respect of validly delivered, and not revoked, consents
was 1 3/4% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes for which consents have
been validity delivered and not revoked.  The Company recognized an
extraordinary loss, net of taxes, of approximately $6.0 million in connection
with the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation.

The Lil' Champ Acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting.  Under the purchase method of accounting, the total purchase price
will be allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities
assumed by the Company based on their respective fair values as of the
acquisition date as determined by valuations and other studies not yet
completed.  For purposes of supplemental pro forma information, the excess of
the purchase price over the historical net assets of Lil' Champ (approximately
$54.0 million) has been considered to be goodwill and other intangible assets
amortized over a weighted-average period of 30 years, pending the completion of
appraisals and other purchase price allocation adjustments.

Supplemental pro forma information, assuming the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the
refinancing of existing Lil Champ debt, the issuance of the Senior Subordinated
Notes, the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, and the Equity Investment
occurred at the beginning of each of the periods presented is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1996        1997
                                               ---------   ---------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>
 Revenues                                      $929,472    $982,010
 Income (loss) before extraordinary items        (6,965)     (4,034)
 Net income (loss)                              (12,534)     (9,956)
</TABLE>

                                      32
<PAGE>

 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Board of Directors
Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
Jacksonville, Florida

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Docks U.S.A., Inc.) as of December 30, 1995 and
December 28, 1996, and the related statements of operations, shareholder's
equity, and cash flows for the three years in the period ended December 28,
1996.  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 in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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.  An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc. as of December
30, 1995 and December 28, 1996 and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 28, 1996 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Jacksonville, Florida
February 14, 1997

                                     -33- 

<PAGE>
 
 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS
 U.S.A., INC.)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                         DECEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 28,   SEPTEMBER 27,
                                            1995           1996            1997
                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                      <C>             <C>           <C> 
ASSETS
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and equivalents                      $ 13,553    $ 19,510        $  9,506
  Certificates of deposit                        805         805             805
  Receivables, net of allowance for
   doubtful
    accounts (1995-$0; 1996-$21;               1,518       1,820           1,824
     1997-$21)
  Environmental receivables, current
   portion,
    net of allowance for uncollectible
    amounts (1995-$545; 1996-$710;             1,798       2,066           1,330
     1997-$515)
  Inventories                                 17,072      17,938          18,017
  Prepaid income taxes                            68       2,784             545
  Current portion of deferred income             313
   taxes
  Prepaid expenses and other assets            1,444       1,365           1,032
  Due from affiliates                            238         225             304
                                            --------    --------        --------
 
           Total current assets               36,809      46,513          33,363
                                            --------    --------        --------
 
 
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND
  LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS,
  net of accumulated depreciation and
  amortization (1995-$56,543;
  1996-$62,062; 1997-$61,848)                110,083     117,354         119,158
 
BUILDINGS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES, net of
  accumulated amortization (1995-$7,592;
  1996-$7,895; 1997-$8,664)                    8,210      11,264          10,396
 
OTHER ASSETS:
  Investment in The Eli Witt Company           2,037
  Goodwill, net of accumulated
   amortization
    (1995-$4,391; 1996-$5,166;                14,981      14,206          13,625
     1997-$5,747)
  Environmental receivables, net of
   allowance
    for uncollectible amounts
    (1995-$1,013; 1996-$429; 1997-$734)        3,341       1,249           1,521
  Other                                        1,076         921           1,042
                                            --------    --------        --------
 
           Total other assets                 21,435      16,376          16,188
                                            --------    --------        --------
 
TOTAL ASSETS                                $176,537    $191,507        $179,105
                                            ========    ========        ========
 
See notes to financial statements.                                 (Continued)
</TABLE> 

                                     -34-
<PAGE>

 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)
 
BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
                                           DECEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 28,    SEPTEMBER 27,
                                               1995           1996             1997
<S>                                        <C>            <C>             <C>
                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable, trade                      $ 12,841       $ 18,287         $ 19,612
  Current portion of obligations under              871          1,037              990
   capital leases
  Current portion of long-term debt               4,353          4,355           10,700
  Accrued compensation and employee               1,867          2,146            2,182
   benefits
  Current portion of accrued workers'
   compensation self insurance                    2,579          2,271            2,261
  Accrued medical and health insurance              900            630              565
  Accrued interest                                  179            272               46
  Lottery payable                                 1,828          2,131            1,657
  Other taxes payable                             4,809          2,766            4,081
  Deferred income taxes payable                                     90              159
  Money orders trust fund payable                   242           (309)             766
  Other accrued liabilities                       4,536          4,690            5,378
                                               --------       --------         --------
 
           Total current liabilities             35,005         38,366           48,397
                                               --------       --------         --------
 
DEFERRED INCOME                                     211            298              259
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                             7,856         10,060            9,824
OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES,
  less current portion                            9,604         12,547           11,837
ACCRUED WORKERS' COMPENSATION
  SELF-INSURANCE
    less current portion                          6,391          6,674            7,713
ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVE                                                             3,150
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion             18,050         22,695
DUE TO DOCKS de FRANCE, S.A.                     12,000          6,000
                                               --------       --------         --------
 
          Total liabilities                      89,117         96,640           81,180
                                               --------       --------         --------
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
  (Notes 4, 6, 8 and 11)
 
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY:
  Common stock; authorized issued and
    outstanding 500 shares of $1 par                  1              1                1
     value
  Additional paid-in capital                     67,966         67,966           67,966
  Retained earnings                              19,453         26,900           29,958
                                               --------       --------         --------
 
          Total shareholder's equity             87,420         94,867           97,925
                                               --------       --------         --------
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
  SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY                         $176,537       $191,507         $179,105
                                               ========       ========         ========
</TABLE> 
 
See notes to financial statements.                               (Concluded)

                                     -35-
<PAGE>

 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT STORE DATA)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
                                                          YEARS ENDED                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                          ---------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                           DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 28,    SEPTEMBER 28,   SEPTEMBER 27,
                                               1994            1995           1996             1996           1997
                                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                        <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>               <C>
 
Number of stores in operation
  at end of period                                  508             501          495              499            488
                                               ========        ========     ========         ========       ========
                                                                                                      
                                                                                                      
REVENUES:                                                                                             
  Gasoline sales                               $248,507        $257,056     $278,905         $207,208       $214,676
  Merchandise sales                             212,310         217,282      226,146          171,322        177,426
  Commissions                                     7,683           7,978        8,164            5,979          5,971
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
          Total revenues                        468,500         482,316      513,215          384,509        398,073
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
                                                                                                      
COST OF SALES:                                                                                        
  Gasoline                                     $219,736        $227,592      251,614          186,110        193,499
  Merchandise                                   139,054         143,598      148,877          112,909        116,879
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
          Total cost of sales                   358,790         371,190      400,491          299,019        310,378
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
                                                                                                       
GROSS PROFIT                                    109,710         111,126      112,724           85,490         87,695
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
                                                                                                       
  Store operating expense                        68,524          70,289       73,721           55,486         56,339
  General and administrative expenses            17,965          15,452       14,191           11,397         12,581
  Environmental contamination charge                                                                           3,381
  Depreciation and amortization                  11,954          11,568       11,361            8,439          8,989
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
          Total operating expenses               98,443          97,309       99,273           75,322         81,290
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
                                                                                                       
                                                                                                       
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                           11,267          13,817       13,451           10,168          6,405
                                                                                                       
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                                                                                
  Interest expense                               (3,938)         (3,219)      (2,670)          (1,994)        (1,712)
  Miscellaneous                                   1,730           1,873        1,647              865            588
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
          Total other expense                    (2,208)         (1,346)      (1,023)          (1,129)        (1,124)
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
                                                                                                       
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                        9,059          12,471       12,428            9,039          5,281
INCOME TAX EXPENSE                               (3,733)         (4,985)      (4,981)          (3,622)        (2,223)
                                               --------        --------     --------         --------       --------
                                                                                                       
NET INCOME                                     $  5,326        $  7,486     $  7,447         $  5,417       $  3,058
                                               ========        ========     ========         ========       ========
</TABLE> 
See notes to financial statements.

                                     -36-
<PAGE>


 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)
 
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER'S  EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 and DECEMBER 28, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
                                       COMMON STOCK              
                             -----------------------------        ADDITIONAL
                                                PAR                PAID-IN          RETAINED
                                SHARES         VALUE               CAPITAL          EARNINGS          TOTAL
 
<S>                                <C>          <C>                <C>              <C>             <C>     
BALANCE, DECEMBER 25, 1993         500          $  1               $67,966           $ 6,641        $74,608
 
  Net income                                                                           5,326          5,326
                                   ---          ----               -------           -------        -------      
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994         500             1                67,966            11,967         79,934
 
  Net income                                                                           7,486          7,486
                                   ---          ----               -------           -------        -------      
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 30, 1995         500             1                67,966            19,453         87,420
 
  Net income                                                                           7,447          7,447
                                   ---          ----               -------           -------        -------      
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 28, 1996         500          $  1               $67,966           $26,900        $94,867
                                   ===          ====               =======           =======        =======
</TABLE> 
 
 
See notes to financial statements.
 
                                     -37-
<PAGE>


LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                 YEARS ENDED                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                             --------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------
                                             DECEMBER 31,        DECEMBER 30,      DECEMBER 28,    SEPTEMBER 28,     SEPTEMBER 27,
                                                1994                1995              1996             1996              1997
                                                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                  $  5,326             $  7,486        $  7,447         $  5,417          $  3,058
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to                                          
   cash provided by operating activities:                                                                    
    Depreciation and  amortization              11,954               11,568          11,361            8,439             8,989
    Loss on investment                           1,500                                   37
    (Gain) loss on sale of assets                  (12)                 225             (90)             193               132
  Changes in assets and liabilities                                               
    Deferred income taxes                       (1,037)                (744)          2,607                               (167)
    Receivables                                    387                  (10)           (302)            (300)               (4)
    Inventories                                    130                 (467)           (866)          (1,352)              (79)
    Prepaid taxes                                  213                  (68)         (2,716)            (507)            2,239
    Prepaid expenses and other assets           (1,227)                  89           2,058            1,416               676
    Due from affiliates                                                 (43)             13               43               (79)
    Accounts payable, trade                       (901)                 795           5,446            5,630             1,325
    Enviromental Reserve                                                                                                 3,150
    Other liabilities                            3,173                 (345)         (2,066)           2,148             3,565
    Income taxes payable                           598                 (598)        
    Accrued interest                                71                  (67)             93               92              (226)
                                              --------             --------        --------         --------          -------- 
       Net cash provided by operating                                                                                          
        activities                              20,175               17,821          23,022           21,219            22,579 
                                              --------             --------        --------         --------          -------- 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                             
  Purchase of property, equipment and                                                                                           
   leasehold improvements                       (7,738)             (11,977)        (21,353)         (16,124)          (10,153) 
  Proceeds from sale of  property                                                                                              
   equipment and leasehold improvements          1,918                  632           4,708            3,176               677 
  Proceeds related to Eli Witt investment                                             2,000
                                              --------             --------        --------         --------          -------- 
       Net cash used in investing                                                                                               
        activities                              (5,820)             (11,345)        (14,645)         (12,948)           (9,476) 
                                              --------             --------        --------         --------          --------   
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                             
  Additional borrowings under long-term debt     9,000                2,000          20,000                             12,000
  Payments to Docks de France, S.A.             (6,000)              (6,000)         (6,000)          (6,000)           (6,000)
  Principal payments under long-term debt      (15,603)              (4,862)        (15,353)          (7,348)          (28,350)
  Principal payments under capital lease                                                                                        
   obligations                                  (1,364)                (921)         (1,067)            (890)             (757) 
                                              --------             --------        --------         --------          -------- 
       Net cash used in financing              
         activities                            (13,967)              (9,783)         (2,420)         (14,238)          (23,107)
                                              --------             --------        --------         --------          --------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)                            388               (3,307)          5,957           (5,967)          (10,004)
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR         16,472               16,860          13,553           13,553            19,510
                                              --------             --------        --------         --------          -------- 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR               16,860             $ 13,553        $ 19,510         $  7,586          $  9,506
                                              ========             ========        ========         ========          ======== 
CASH PAID FOR:                                                                    
  Interest                                    $  3,867             $  3,286        $  2,577         $  1,902          $  1,937
                                              ========             ========        ========         ========          ======== 
  Income taxes                                $  3,959             $  6,438        $  5,090         $  4,130          $  2,250
                                              ========             ========        ========         ========          ========  
See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                     -38-
<PAGE>

LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 and DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. COMPANY'S BUSINESS

   Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc. ("LCFS").  LCFS is a convenience store chain
   operating in central and northern Florida and southeastern Georgia.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   FISCAL YEAR - The Company operates on the basis of a 52-53 week fiscal year
   ending on the last Saturday in December. The years ended December 28, 1996
   and December 30, 1995 consisted of 52 weeks. The year ended December 31, 1994
   consisted of 53 weeks.

   UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - In the opinion of management, the statements
   of Operations and Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 28, 1996 and
   September 27, 1997 and the Balance Sheet as of September 27, 1997 include all
   adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to
   present the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for
   the periods then ended in accordance with generally accepted accounting
   principles.

   CASH AND EQUIVALENTS - LCFS considers all investments with an original
   maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

   CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT - Certificates of deposit for $500,000 secure a
   standby letter of credit and are pledged to the State of Georgia as security
   for payment of workers' compensation claims.

   Certificates of deposit for $305,000 are pledged to the State of Florida as
   security for payment of workers' compensation claims.

   INVENTORIES - Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of last-in,
   first-out (LIFO) cost or market using the retail method. Information relating
   to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method may be useful in comparing operating
   results to those companies not on LIFO. If the FIFO method had been used by
   the Company, merchandise inventory would have been $2,906,000, $3,112,000 and
   $3,086,000 higher than as reported as of December 28, 1994, December 30, 1995
   and December 31, 1996. Due to the LIFO method of inventory valuation, income
   before income taxes was increased by $86,000 and $206,000 for the years
   December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995 and decreased by $26,000 for the year
   ended December 28, 1996.

   Gasoline is valued at the lower of FIFO cost or market.

                                     -39- 
<PAGE>

 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Docks U.S.A., Inc.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS - Property, equipment and
  leasehold improvements are stated at cost, which includes cost of
  construction, property taxes and interest incurred during development.
  Depreciation and amortization for financial reporting purposes are computed
  using the straight-line method based upon the following estimated useful lives
  in years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
  <S>                                              <C>  
       Buildings                                   18-30
       Office and store equipment                  3-15
       Automotive equipment                        3-4  
       Leasehold improvements,                     Shorter of the initial lease
       equipment and buildings                     term or estimated useful
       under lease                                 life of asset.
</TABLE>

  Repairs and maintenance are charged to income; major expenditures for renewals
  and betterments are capitalized.  When items of property are sold or otherwise
  disposed of, the related costs and accumulated depreciation or amortization
  are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are credited
  or charged to income.

  INVESTMENT IN THE ELI WITT COMPANY - The Company accounts for its investment
  in The Eli Witt Company ("Eli Witt"), formerly known as Certified Grocers of
  Florida, Inc., at lower of cost or estimated market.  Writedowns  of this
  investment are considered to be permanent diminutions in value.

  GOODWILL - Goodwill is being amortized using the straight-line method over
  twenty-five years.

  LEASING ARRANGEMENTS - A substantial portion of the Company's operations are
  conducted in leased premises.  Some leases on convenience store locations
  provide for a base rental amount per month and contingent additional rentals
  if an annual gross sales floor is exceeded.  Renewal options generally provide
  for multiple terms of five years each and in some instances are at increased
  rentals.  Some leases require the Company to pay real estate taxes and other
  expenses.

  Certain building and equipment leases have been capitalized and are being
  amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of
  the asset.  All other leases are accounted for as operating leases.  In most
  cases, management expects that leases will be renewed or replaced by other
  leases in the normal course of business.

  WORKERS' COMPENSATION SELF-INSURANCE - The Company self-insures its exposure
  to workers' compensation claims up to certain limits.  The Company records
  estimated liabilities based on currently available information.  Ultimate
  claims and expenses may vary from the current estimates and as adjustments
  become necessary, they are recorded in earnings in the periods in which they
  become known.

  GROUP HEALTH SELF INSURANCE - The Company self-insures its group health
  insurance claims to certain limits per occurrence.  Estimated liabilities are
  based on prior years' experience on claims and on current year fixed
  administrative costs.

                                     -40- 
<PAGE>
 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  INCOME TAXES - The Company's parent files consolidated Federal income tax
  returns.  For financial statement purposes, the Company determines its income
  tax liability and provisions using the separate return method.

  Deferred income taxes are provided on temporary differences between the
  financial reporting and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities.

  DEFERRED INCOME - Gains resulting from sale/leaseback transactions involving
  land and buildings have been deferred.  Such gains are being amortized in
  proportion to the amortization of the leased asset, if a capital lease, or in
  proportion to the related gross rental charged to expense over the lease term,
  if an operating lease.

  USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
  generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
  and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
  disclosures 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.

3. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

  A summary of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net, follows (in
  thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                DECEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 28,
                                    1995          1996
  
  <S>                           <C>            <C>
  Land                              $ 44,581       $ 44,894
  Buildings                           30,172         29,000
  Store equipment                     26,327         34,539
  Leasehold improvements               7,629          7,468
  Automotive equipment                   547            581
  Office equipment                       589            587 
  Construction in progress               238            285
                                    --------       --------
                                    $110,083       $117,354
                                    ========       ========
</TABLE>

                                     -41-
<PAGE>
 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. LEASES

   CAPITAL LEASES - Minimum future lease payments under capital leases at
   December 28, 1996 are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
        FISCAL YEAR ENDING:
 
               <S>                                       <C>    
               1997                                     $ 2,274 
               1998                                       2,170 
               1999                                       2,083 
               2000                                       2,039 
               2001                                       1,973 
               Thereafter                                10,750 
                                                        ------- 
               Total minimum lease payments              21,289 
               Less interest portion                     (7,705)
                                                        -------  
               Present value of minimum lease
               payments (current portion of $1,037)     $13,584
                                                        =======
</TABLE>

  OPERATING LEASES - Rent expense for the years December 28, 1994, December 30,
  1995 and December 31, 1996 was approximately $7,658,000, $7,935,000 and
  $8,552,000.  Minimum annual rentals under noncancellable leases having an
  initial or remaining term of more than one year at December 28, 1996 are as
  follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
        FISCAL YEAR ENDING:
 
               <S>                                      <C>     
               1997                                      $ 4,672
               1998                                        4,342
               1999                                        3,995
               2000                                        3,465
               2001                                        2,756
               Thereafter                                  9,865
                                                         -------
                                                                
               Total                                     $29,095
                                                         ======= 
</TABLE>

                                     -42-
<PAGE>

LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 and DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. LONG-TERM DEBT

   At December 30, 1995 and December 28, 1996 long-term debt comprised the
   following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1995         1996
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C> 
          Borrowings under revolving credit agreement with
          Credit Lyonnais; interest is based on the New York
          interbank eurodollar market rate ("Eurorate") plus .4%
          (6.30% and 6.08% at December 30, 1995 and
          December 28, 1996); expiring January 31, 1997.
          Guaranteed by Docks de France, S.A.                            $ 6,000      $ 3,000

          Note payable to bank under a commitment for total
          borrowings up to $8,000 at a variable rate (6.684% and
          6.50% at December 30, 1995 and December 28, 1996),
          payable in annual installments of 16.67% of the loan
          balance payable January 1996 and 1997 and the
          balance due January 1998; guaranteed by Docks de France, S.A.    5,334        4,001

          Borrowings under $20,000 revolving credit agreement 
          with Credit Lyonnais; interest is based on the Paris
          Interbank Official Rate ("PIBOR") plus .25% (5.84%  
          at December 28, 1996), maturing on June 8, 1998.    
          Guaranteed by Docks de France, S.A.                                          20,000

          Borrowings under $15,000 revolving credit agreement with
          Societe Generale; interest is based on the Eurorate plus
          .35% (6.314% at December 30, 1995), guaranteed by       
          Docks de France, S.A.  On December 30, 1996 the         
          Company secured a letter of intent to extend this credit
          facility for one year.                                          11,000

          Other notes and mortgages payable, generally due in        
          monthly installments of principal plus interest at various 
          rates and terms                                                     69           49
                                                                         -------      -------
                                                                          22,403       27,050
          Less current portion                                            (4,353)      (4,355)
                                                                         -------      -------
                                                                         $18,050      $22,695
                                                                         =======      =======
</TABLE> 

                                     -43- 
<PAGE>

LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The borrowings with Credit Lyonnais require the Company to obtain consent from
  Credit Lyonnais before paying any dividends.

  Because the Company has the ability and the intent to refinance $6,000,000 of
  borrowings from Docks de France, S.A. otherwise coming due during 1997, this
  amount has been reclassified from current liabilities to long-term as of
  December 28, 1996.

  Aggregate principal payments required on long-term debt during each of the
  fiscal years ending subsequent to December 28, 1996 are as follows (in
  thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
       FISCAL YEAR ENDING IN:
 
        <S>                                                              <C>   
        1997                                                             $ 4,355
        1998                                                              22,691
        1999                                                                   4
                                                                         -------
                                                                               
                                                                         $27,050
                                                                         =======
</TABLE>

  6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

  Certain premises used by LCFS in its operations are leased under arrangements
  with related parties.  Rental payments under such leases for the years ended
  December 28, 1994, December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1996 were approximately
  $2,408,000, $2,417,000 and $2,582,000.  Required future rentals, which relate
  to both capital and operating leases, at December 28, 1996 are as follows (in
  thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
       FISCAL YEAR ENDING IN:
 
        <S>                                                            <C>   
        1997                                                           $ 2,825
        1998                                                             2,813
        1999                                                             2,749
        2000                                                             2,672
        2001                                                             2,600
        Thereafter                                                      12,498
                                                                       -------
                                                                             
                                                                       $26,157
                                                                       =======
</TABLE>

  Sunbelt Wholesale, a company controlled by Robert Jackson, a brother of an
  officer of the Company, furnishes certain supplies to the Company.  Payments
  to Sunbelt Wholesale were approximately $1,996,000, $2,233,000 and $2,102,000
  for the years ended December 28, 1994, December 30, 1995 and December 31,
  1996.

                                     -44-
<PAGE>

LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.

(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Allsafe Security Systems, Inc. and Allsafe Paging Systems, Inc., companies
  controlled by Lester Jackson, a brother of an officer of the Company, supplies
  burglar alarms, security systems and an alerting system which allows mobility
  to store personnel.  This equipment is subject to a monthly rental fee plus
  charges for initial installation and maintenance.  Approximately $1,064,000,
  $882,000 and $1,207,000 was expended for this service for the years ended
  December 28, 1994, December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1996.

  The $6,000,000 due to Docks de France, S.A. is payable June 25, 1997.
  Interest accrues at 6.6% per annum.  Interest of $1,386,000, $990,000 and
  $594,000 was paid for the years ended December 28, 1994,  December 30, 1995
  and December 31, 1996.  See note 5 related to the classification of this
  amount.

  LCFS paid Docks U.S.A., Inc. approximately $500,000 of service agreement fees
  for the years ended December 28, 1994, December 30, 1995 and December 31,
  1996.

  During 1996, the company entered into sale-leaseback transactions with a
  director whereby buildings were sold to the director for $4,176,000.  This
  same property was then leased back to the company.  The leases were classified
  as capital leases, therefore the underlying property was capitalized and the
  obligation recognized.

7. INCOME TAXES

  The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 1994, December
  30, 1995 and December 28, 1996 is comprised of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                  1994       1995      1996
 
Current:
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>
  Federal                       $ 4,115     $4,897     $2,028
  State                             655        832        346
                                -------     ------     ------
                                  4,770      5,729      2,374
                                -------     ------     ------
Deferred:
  Federal                        (2,009)      (634)     2,223
  State                             972       (110)       384
                                -------     ------     ------
                                 (1,037)      (744)     2,607
                                -------     ------     ------
 
Provision for income taxes      $ 3,733     $4,985     $4,981
                                =======     ======     ======

</TABLE>

                                     -45-
 
<PAGE>
 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 1994, December 30, 1995 and
  December 28, 1996, differ from the amount computed by applying the federal
  statutory corporate rate to earnings before income taxes.  The amounts of such
  differences (in thousands) and the reasons are set forth in the table below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                             1994       1995      1996
 
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
Provision based on federal income tax       
 rate                                       $3,080     $4,240     $4,226
State income taxes - net of federal            
 income tax benefit                            456        580        481
Nondeductible amortization                     267        267        267
Other                                          (70)      (102)         7
                                            ------     ------     ------
 
Actual provision for income taxes           $3,733     $4,985     $4,981
                                            ======     ======     ======
</TABLE>

  The types of temporary differences and their related tax effects which create
  deferred tax liabilities at December 30, 1995 and December 28, 1996 are
  summarized below (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                            1995       1996
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
<S>                                        <C>       <C>
  Fixed asset basis differences            $ 7,960    $10,525
  Reserve for LIFO                           1,821      1,582
  Deductible prepaids                        3,066      1,762
  Other                                                   609
                                           -------    -------
                                            12,847     14,478
                                           -------    -------
 
Deferred tax assets:
  Capital leases                               853        874
  Writedown of investment in Eli Witt          516
  Self-insured liabilities                   3,719      3,454
  Other                                        216
                                           -------    ------- 
                                             5,304      4,328
                                           -------    -------
 
Net deferred tax liability                 $ 7,543    $10,150
                                           =======    =======
</TABLE>
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

  The Company is a party to various lawsuits, threatened suits and claims.  It
  is the opinion of management that the resolution of such matters will not have
  a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of
  operations.

                                     -46-
<PAGE>
 
LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION)(Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. CASH FLOW

  Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities (in
  thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                     1994    1995    1996
<S>                                                  <C>     <C>     <C>
      Additional capital lease obligations
      on buildings                                  $ 485   $ -0-    $4,176
                                                    =====   =====    ======
</TABLE>
10. RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

    LCFS has a 401(k) plan for all full-time employees who are 21 years of age
    or older and who have been employed one year with at least 1,000 hours of
    service. Participants can contribute 1% to 10% of their salary, not to
    exceed a maximum allowable contribution amount. Participant contributions
    are 100% vested. Distributions may be made at employment termination,
    retirement, or in the event participants are disabled or can demonstrate
    financial hardship. The Company matches an amount equal to 15% of the
    participants' contribution. The total contribution for the years ended
    December 31, 1994, December 30, 1995 and December 28, 1996 was $85,000,
    $83,000 and $98,000.

11. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

    The ownership and/or operation of underground storage tanks is subject to
    federal, state and local laws and regulations.

    Prior to 1996, LCFS was involved in evaluating and cleaning up environmental
    contamination caused by releases of petroleum products at its stores. The
    costs related to this process are reimbursable from state programs in both
    Florida and Georgia, which are funded from taxes and fees paid based on the
    purchase of petroleum products. The Company has not been able to reasonably
    estimate that amount which will be reimbursed by the state of Georgia;
    therefore, amounts expended for clean-up in Georgia have generally been
    expensed and although some portion of this amount may be reimbursed in the
    future the Company has not recorded a receivable for such amounts. LCFS has
    recorded receivables for amounts recoverable from the state of Florida and
    outside engineering firms and has provided an allowance on environmental
    receivables of $1,558,000 and $1,139,000 as of December 30, 1995 and
    December 28, 1996 and $1,249,000 (unaudited) as of September 27, 1997. This
    allowance is an estimate of amounts that LCFS has incurred that may not be
    reimbursed by the state of Florida and outside engineering firms.

    In prior years, LCFS entered into agreements with outside engineering firms
    to assume the clean-up of contamination sites in Florida. Under these
    arrangements LCFS was still responsible for the clean-up of the sites but
    LCFS did not incur significant expenditures to complete the clean-up of
    existing sites. LCFS had expended funds which were submitted to the State
    for reimbursement by the outside engineering firms. These amounts, which
    represent approximately 48% of the gross environmental receivable, will be
    reimbursed directly to the engineering firms who will in-turn reimburse
    LCFS.

                                     -47-
<PAGE>

LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
(A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DOCKS U.S.A., INC.)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND DECEMBER 28, 1996
(UNAUDITED AS TO SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 INFORMATION) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    During 1996, new legislation was enacted by the State of Florida which
    replaced the State's previous reimbursement program. All expenditures
    incurred through March 29, 1995 and submitted for reimbursement by December
    31, 1996 will be evaluated and reimbursed on the same basis as prior
    submissions. Under the new legislation, the State has assumed the
    responsibility for clean-up of registered sites assessed and reported to the
    State under the previous program, but not yet remediated, exclusive of tank
    or other hardware replacement.

    Georgia Underground Storage Tank Fund - Remediation of contaminated sites in
    Georgia will be reimbursed under the state program for eligible costs to a
    maximum of $1,000,000 per site. A $10,000 deductible applies to each site.
    All LCFS sites in Georgia qualify for coverage from this fund. LCFS does not
    currently expect remediation at any of its sites to exceed $1,000,000 of
    coverage.

    Florida Underground Storage Tank Fund - Remediation of contaminated sites in
    Florida is eligible for reimbursement under the state's program. For
    incidents discovered and reported to the state prior to July 1, 1992, the
    state will reimburse for all eligible remediation costs to a maximum of
    $1,000,000 per incident with an annual aggregate of $2,000,000 per facility.
    For incidents discovered from July 1, 1992 to June 30, 1993, the state will
    reimburse for all eligible reimbursement costs to a maximum of $1,000,000
    subject to a $1,000 deductible. For incidents discovered from July 1, 1993
    to December 31, 1993, the state will reimburse for all eligible
    reimbursement costs to a maximum of $1,000,000 subject to a $5,000
    deductible. For incidents discovered from January 1, 1994 to December 31,
    1996 the maximum reimbursement was reduced to $300,000 per site with a
    $10,000 deductible. For incidents discovered subsequent to December 31,
    1996, the maximum reimbursement was reduced to $150,000 per site with a
    $10,000 deductible. For incidents discovered subsequent to December 31, 1998
    no costs will be eligible for reimbursement under this program. LCFS is
    responsible for all costs in excess of the state limits. Notwithstanding
    this schedule of limits, certain of the LCFS sites are covered under the
    other Florida "trust fund" programs pursuant to which the state will pay all
    required costs.

    During 1997 management of the Company did a comprehensive review of the
    status of its stores as it relates to environmental remediation and as a
    result decided to record an enviromental contamination charge as of
    September 27, 1997 of approximately $3,381,000 (Unaudited).

    In October 1996, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the
    American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of
    Position ("SOP") 96-1, Environmental Remediation Liabilities. SOP 96-1
    provides authoritative guidance on specific accounting issues that are
    present in the recognition, measurement, display and disclosure of
    environmental remediation liabilities. The provisions of this SOP are
    effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1996. The Company's
    management does not believe the adoption of this statement will have a
    material impact on the Company's financial statements.

12. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    The carrying value of all of the Company's financial instruments
    approximates their fair value.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED).

    On October 23, 1997, The Pantry, Inc. purchased all the capital stock of
    LCFS for $132.7 million in cash and repaid all outstanding indebtedness of
    LCFS.

                                     -48-
<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

     No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representation must not
be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company or the Initial
Purchasers.  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to
which it relates or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such
securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company
since the date hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of
any time subsequent to the date hereof.


                               _________________

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Prospectus Summary......................................................       1
Risk Factors............................................................      15
Use of Proceeds.........................................................      22
Capitalization..........................................................      23
Exchange Offer..........................................................      24
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data......................................      31
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information of The Pantry....      36
Selected Historical Financial Information of Lil' Champ.................      39
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
 Results of Operations..................................................      42
Business................................................................      52
Management..............................................................      67
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.........................      71
Certain Transactions....................................................      72
Description of Other Indebtedness.......................................      73
Description of the Exchange Notes.......................................      76
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences............................     103
Plan of Distribution....................................................     108
Experts.................................................................     108
Legal Matters...........................................................     109
Index to Financial Statements...........................................     F-1

</TABLE> 
================================================================================

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

                                  $200,000,000


                          [LOGO OF THE PANTRY, INC.]



                                The Pantry, Inc.


                          10 1/4% Senior Subordinated
                                 Notes due 2007



                                     , 1998

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Pursuant to Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the
"Delaware Corporation Law"), Article VI  of the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Registrant, as amended, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this
Registration Statement (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), provides that the
Registrant shall indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent authorized by
the Delaware Corporation Law any person made a party or threatened to be made a
party to or involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that he or she, or a
person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or
officer of the Registrant or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with
respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is
alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent
or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or
agent, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid
in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection
therewith, and such indemnification continues as to a person who has ceased to
be a director, officer, employee or agent and inures to the benefit of his or
her heirs, executors and administrators. If a claim under the foregoing
provision is not paid in full by Registrant within thirty days after its receipt
of a written claim, the claimant may bring suit against the Registrant to
recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful, in whole or in part,
the claimant is entitled to the expenses of prosecuting such claim. It is a
defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of
conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware Corporation Law for the
Registrant to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed.

     Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation permits the Registrant to
maintain insurance to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or
agent or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other
enterprise against any such foregoing expense, liability or loss, whether or not
the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such
expense, liability or loss under the Delaware Corporation Law.

     Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware Corporation Law, Article V of
the Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director of the Registrant
shall be personally liable for monetary damages for a breach of his duty as a
director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the
law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware Corporation Law, or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

     Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement (attached as Exhibit
4.6 to this Registration Statement) which provides for indemnification by the 
Participants (as defined therein) of the Registrant, its directors and officers 
and each person controlling the Registrant, but only with reference to
information relating to such Participant furnished to the Registrant in writing
by such Participant expressly for use in any registration statement or
prospectus.

     Reference is also made to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights
Agreement (attached as Exhibit 4.7 to this Registration Statement) which
provides for indemnification by the Holders (as defined therein) of the
directors and officers of the Registrant signing the Registration Statement and
certain controlling persons of the Registrant against certain liabilities,
including those arising under the Securities Act of 1933.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933
may be permitted with respect to directors, officers or persons controlling the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been
informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is
therefore unenforceable.

     The foregoing discussion of the Certificate of Incorporation and the
Delaware Corporation Law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in
its entirety by the Certificate of Incorporation and the relevant provisions of
the Delaware Corporation Law.

                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
Item 21.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

     (a)  Exhibits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit        
Number                                             Description
- -------                                            -----------
<C>             <S>   
    1.1         Purchase Agreement dated October 17, 1997 among The Pantry, Inc. ("The Pantry" or the
                "Company") and First Union Capital Markets Corp.
    2.1         Stock Purchase Agreement dated August 26, 1997 by and between PH Holding Corporation
                ("PH Holding") and Docks U.S.A., Inc.
    2.2         Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated October 23, 1997 between PH Holding and
                The Pantry.
    3.1         Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Pantry, as amended to date.
    3.2(1)      Bylaws of The Pantry, as amended to date.
    3.3         Certificate of Incorporation of Sandhills, Inc. ("Sandhills"), as amended to date.
    3.4         Bylaws of Sandhills.
    3.5         Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc. ("Lil'
                Champ").
    3.6         Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lil' Champ.
    4.1(2)      Indenture, including the form of 12% Senior Note due 2000, dated November 4, 1993
                between The Pantry and IBJ Schroder Bank and Trust Company ("IBJ Schroder").
    4.2(1)      Supplemental Indenture dated December 4, 1995 between The Pantry and IBJ Schroder.
    4.3         Second Supplemental Indenture dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, Sandhills and IBJ
                Schroder.
    4.4         Third Supplemental Indenture dated October 23, 1997 between The Pantry, Lil' Champ and
                IBJ Schroder.
    4.5         Indenture dated as of October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, Sandhills, Lil' Champ (together
                with Sandhills, the "Guarantors") and United States Trust Company of New York, as
                Trustee, with respect to the 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (including the form
                of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Note due 2007).
    4.6         Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, the
                Guarantors, CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp. and First Union Capital Markets Corp.
    4.7         Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated October 23, 1997 among The
                Pantry, FS Equity Partners III, L.P. ("FSEP III"), FS Equity Partners International, L.P.
                ("FSEP International"), Peter J. Sodini, Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., CB Capital
                Investors, L.P., and Baseball Partners.
    4.8         Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry,
                FSEP III, FSEP International, Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., CB Capital Investors, L.P.,
                Baseball Partners and Peter J. Sodini.
    5.1         Opinion of Riordan & McKinzie as to the legality of securities registered hereunder.
   10.1(3)      Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 1995 among The Pantry, FSEP III, FSEP
                International, Montrose Value Fund Limited Partnership ("MVP"), Montrose Financial No.
                6 Limited Partnership (Pantry) ("MF#6"), W. Clay Hamner and Wayne M. Rogers.
   10.2(4)      Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 1995 among The Pantry, Chase Manhattan
                Capital Corporation, MVP, MF#6, W. Clay Hamner and Wayne M. Rogers.
   10.3(5)      Option Agreement dated November 30, 1995 among The Pantry, MVP and MF#6.
   10.4(6)      Commitment dated December 1, 1995 by FSEP III, FSEP International and Chase Manhattan
                Capital Corporation for the benefit of MVP and MF#6.
   10.5(7)      Agreement to Exercise or Assign Option dated December 1, 1995 among The Pantry, FSEP
                III, FS Holdings, Inc., and Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation.
</TABLE> 

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Exhibit
Number                                                Description
- -------                                               -----------
<C>             <S>
   10.6(8)      Settlement Agreement dated July 16, 1996 among MVP, MF#6, W. Clay Hamner, Wayne
                M. Rogers, FSEP III, FSEP International, Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation and The
                Pantry.
   10.7         Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, FSEP III, FSEP
                International, CB Capital Investors, L.P. and Peter J. Sodini.
   10.8         Contribution to Capital Agreement dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, FSEP III,
                FSEP International, Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., and Baseball Partners.
   10.9         Stock Pledge Agreement dated October 23, 1997 between Peter J. Sodini and The Pantry.
  10.10         Secured Promissory Note dated October 23, 1997 between Peter J. Sodini and The Pantry.
  10.11         Employment Agreement dated June 3, 1996 between Dennis R. Crook and The Pantry.
  10.12         Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1997 between Peter J. Sodini and The Pantry.
  10.13         Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, the financial institutions
                listed therein (collectively, "Lenders"), First Union National Bank ("First Union"), as
                administrative agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC"), as syndication
                agent for Lenders.
  10.14         Company Security Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and First
                Union, as administrative agent.
  10.15         Company Pledge Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and First
                Union, as administrative agent.
  10.16         Company Trademark Security Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry
                and First Union, as administrative agent.
  10.17         Collateral Account Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and First
                Union, as administrative agent.
  10.18         Form of Amended and Restated Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Rents
                and Leases and Fixture Filing (North Carolina) dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry,
                David R. Cannon, as Trustee, and First Union as Agent.
  10.19         Form of Amended and Restated Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Rents and
                Leases and Fixture Filing (South Carolina) dated October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and
                First Union, as Agent.
  10.20         Form of Amended and Restated Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Rents
                and Leases and Fixture Filing (Tennessee) dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, David
                R. Cannon, as Trustee, and First Union, as Agent.
  10.21         Form of Amended and Restated Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Rents and
                Leases (Kentucky) dated October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and First Union, as Agent.
  10.22         Form of Amended and Restated Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Rents and
                Leases and Fixture Filing (Indiana) dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and
                First Union, as Agent.
  10.23         Form of Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Fixture Filing
                (Florida) dated October 23, 1997 between Lil' Champ and First Union, as Agent.
  10.24         Form of Deed to Secure Debt, Security Agreement, and Assignment of Rents (Georgia)
                dated October 23, 1997 between Lil' Champ and First Union, as Agent.
  10.25         Form of Subsidiary Guaranty.
  10.26         Form of Subsidiary Security Agreement.
  10.27         Form of Subsidiary Pledge Agreement.
  10.28         Form of Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement.
  12.1          Statement re Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges Ratio.
  21.1          Subsidiaries of The Pantry.
  23.1          Consent of Riordan & McKinzie (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
</TABLE> 

                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Exhibit
Number                                   Description
- -------                                  -----------
<C>             <S>
   23.2         Consent and Report on Schedule of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
   23.3         Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
   24.1         Power of Attorney (included on Pages II-6, II-7 and II-8 hereto).
   25.1         Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
                of United States Trust Company of New York.
   27.1         Financial Data Schedule.
   99.1         Form of Letter of Transmittal with respect to the Exchange Offer.
   99.2         Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery with respect to the Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
___________________
(1)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by the same number in
     the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28,
     1995 (File No. 33-72574) (the "1995 Form 10-K").

(2)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by same number in the
     Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-72574).

(3)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.12
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(4)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.13
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(5)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.14
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(6)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.15
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(7)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.16
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(8)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.1
     in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 30, 1996.

     (b)  Financial Statement Schedule

     Schedule I - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves.

     No other schedules have been included because the information required to
be set forth therein is not applicable.


Item 22.  Undertakings

     1.   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows:

          (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
          made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i)
          to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
          Securities Act; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
          arising

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
          after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
          recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
          aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
          in the Registration Statement; (iii) to include any material
          information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
          disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
          information in the Registration Statement.

          (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
          Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
          be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
          therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
          deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
          any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
          termination of the offering.


     2.   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in this Registration Statement when it became effective.

                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Sanford, State
of North Carolina, on December 19, 1997.

                                    THE PANTRY, INC.



                                    By:  /s/ William T. Flyg
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         William T. Flyg
                                         Senior Vice President, Finance
                                         Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

                        POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES

          We, the undersigned officers and directors of The Pantry, Inc., hereby
severally constitute and appoint William T. Flyg, our true and lawful attorney,
with full power to him to sign for us and in our names in the capacities
indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed herewith and any
and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said Registration
Statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in
our capacities as officers and directors to enable The Pantry, Inc. to comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and the requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our
signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said
Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Signature                               Title                             Date
<S>                             <C>                                            <C> 

/s/ Peter J. Sodini             President, Chief Executive Officer             December 19, 1997
- --------------------------      and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
    Peter J. Sodini          
 
/s/ William T. Flyg             Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief          December 19, 1997
- --------------------------      Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal
    William T. Flyg             Financial Officer)
                                            
/s/ Joseph J. Duncan            Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)     December 19, 1997
- --------------------------
Joseph J. Duncan
 
/s/ Ronald P. Spogli            Director                                      December 19, 1997
- -------------------------- 
Ronald P. Spogli
 
/s/ Charles P. Rullman          Director                                      December 19, 1997
- -------------------------- 
Charles P. Rullman
 
/s/ Todd W. Halloran            Director                                      December 19, 1997
- -------------------------- 
Todd W. Halloran
 
/s/ Jon D. Ralph                Director                                      December 19, 1997
- -------------------------- 
Jon D. Ralph
 
/s/ Christopher C. Behrens      Director                                      December 19, 1997
- -------------------------- 
Christopher C. Behrens
</TABLE>

                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Sanford, State of North
Carolina, on December 19, 1997.

                                 LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.



                                 By:  /s/ William T. Flyg
                                      ----------------------------  
                                      William T. Flyg
                                      Executive Vice President and
                                      Assistant Secretary


                        POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES

     We, the undersigned officers and directors of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.,
hereby severally constitute and appoint William T. Flyg, our true and lawful
attorney, with full power to him to sign for us and in our names in the
capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed
herewith and any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said
Registration Statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and on
our behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Lil' Champ Food
Stores, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and
the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of
them, to said Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Signature                           Title                          Date
<S>                         <C>                                      <C>
/s/ Peter J. Sodini         Chairman of the Board and                December 19, 1997
- -------------------------   Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Peter J. Sodini             

 
/s/ W. Dale Fish            Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,      December 19, 1997
- -------------------------   Secretary, and Director (Principal
W. Dale Fish                Financial and Accounting Officer)
                            
 
/s/ William T. Flyg         Executive Vice President, Assistant      December 19, 1997
- -------------------------   Secretary and Director
William T. Flyg             

 
/s/ Jon D. Ralph            Assistant Secretary and Director         December 19, 1997
- -------------------------  
Jon D. Ralph

                                                                     December 19, 1997
/s/ Charles P. Rullman      Director
- -------------------------
Charles P. Rullman
</TABLE>

                                     II-7
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Sanford, State of North
Carolina, on December 19, 1997.

                                 SANDHILLS, INC.



                                 By:  /s/ William T. Flyg
                                      ----------------------------------------
                                      William T. Flyg
                                      Vice President

                        POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES

     We, the undersigned officers and directors of Sandhills, Inc., hereby
severally constitute and appoint William T. Flyg, our true and lawful attorney,
with full power to him to sign for us and in our names in the capacities
indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed herewith and any
and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said Registration
Statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in
our capacities as officers and directors to enable Sandhills, Inc. to comply
with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and the requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our
signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said
Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         Signature                            Title                        Date
<S>                             <C>                                  <C> 
/s/ Joseph J. Duncan            President and Director               December 19, 1997
- ----------------------------    (Principal Executive Officer)
      Joseph J. Duncan            

 
/s/ Francis B. Jacobs, II       Treasurer, Secretary and Director    December 19, 1997
- ----------------------------    (Principal Financial and Accounting
   Francis B. Jacobs, II        Officer)    
                                        
                                        
/s/ David C. Eppes              Vice President and Director          December 19, 1997
- ---------------------------- 
David C. Eppes

 
/s/ Robert C. Campbell          Director                             December 19, 1997
- ---------------------------- 
Robert C. Campbell
</TABLE>

                                     II-8
<PAGE>
 

                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------

          SCHEDULE I - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
          -----------------------------------------------------------
                            (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                           Additions      Deductions
                                            Balance at     charged to        for         Balance at
                                            beginning      costs and      payments or       end
                                            of period      expenses       write-offs     of period
                                            ----------     ----------     -----------    ----------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C> 
Year ended September 28, 1995:
 Allowance for doubtful
   accounts.........................         $  376         $ (125)        $   -          $   251
 Reserve for environmental                                                                       
   issues...........................          1,203          4,356           161            5,720    
 Reserve for closed stores..........            410            365          (312)             463    
 Deferred tax asset                                                                              
   valuation allowance..............             62            511             -              573     
                                             ------         ------         -----          ------- 
                                             $2,051         $5,107         $(151)         $ 7,007     
                                             ======         ======         =====          =======
                                                                                                 
Year ended September 26, 1996:                                                                   
 Allowance for doubtful                                                                          
   accounts.........................         $  251         $  (46)        $ (55)         $   150 
 Reserve for environmental                                                                       
   issues...........................          5,720            617          (105)           6,232
 Reserve for closed stores..........            463            707          (210)             960   
 Deferred tax asset                                                                              
   valuation allowance..............            573          1,209             -            1,782   
                                             ------         ------         -----          ------- 
                                             $7,007         $2,487         $(370)         $ 9,124   
                                             ======         ======         =====          =======
                                                                                                    
Year ended September 25, 1997:                                                                      
 Allowance for doubtful                                                                             
   accounts.........................         $  150         $    -         $   -          $   150 
 Reserve for environmental                                                                          
   issues...........................          6,232          1,574             -            7,806     
 Reserve for closed stores..........            960              -           (10)             950    
 Deferred tax asset                                                                                 
   valuation allowance..............          1,782            (96)            -            1,686     
                                             ------         ------         -----          ------- 
                                             $9,124         $1,478         $ (10)         $10,592       
                                             ======         ======         =====          =======
</TABLE> 

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       
Exhibit                                                                                                
Number                                             Description                                         
- -------                                            -----------                                         
<C>             <S>                                                                                    
    1.1         Purchase Agreement dated October 17, 1997 among The Pantry, Inc. ("The
                Pantry" or the "Company") and First Union Capital Markets Corp.
    2.1         Stock Purchase Agreement dated August 26, 1997 by and between PH Holding
                Corporation ("PH Holding") and Docks U.S.A., Inc.
    2.2         Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated October 23, 1997 between PH
                Holding and The Pantry.
    3.1         Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Pantry, as amended to date.
    3.2(1)      Bylaws of The Pantry, as amended to date.
    3.3         Certificate of Incorporation of Sandhills, Inc. ("Sandhills"), as amended to date.
    3.4         Bylaws of Sandhills.
    3.5         Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
                ("Lil' Champ").
    3.6         Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lil' Champ.
    4.1(2)      Indenture, including the form of 12% Senior Note due 2000, dated November 4,
                1993 between The Pantry and IBJ Schroder Bank and Trust Company ("IBJ
                Schroder").
    4.2(1)      Supplemental Indenture dated December 4, 1995 between The Pantry and IBJ
                Schroder.
    4.3         Second Supplemental Indenture dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry,
                Sandhills and IBJ Schroder.
    4.4         Third Supplemental Indenture dated October 23, 1997 between The Pantry, Lil'
                Champ and IBJ Schroder.
    4.5         Indenture dated as of October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, Sandhills, Lil' Champ
                (together with Sandhills, the "Guarantors") and United States Trust Company of
                New York, as Trustee, with respect to the 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
                2007 (including the form of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Note due 2007).
    4.6         Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 among The Pantry,
                the Guarantors, CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp. and First Union Capital
                Markets Corp.
    4.7         Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated October 23, 1997
                among The Pantry, FS Equity Partners III, L.P. ("FSEP III"), FS Equity Partners
                International, L.P. ("FSEP International"), Peter J. Sodini, Chase Manhattan
                Capital, L.P., CB Capital Investors, L.P., and Baseball Partners.
    4.8         Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated October 23, 1997 among
                The Pantry, FSEP III, FSEP International, Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., CB
                Capital Investors, L.P., Baseball Partners and Peter J. Sodini.
    5.1         Opinion of Riordan & McKinzie as to the legality of securities registered
                hereunder.
   10.1(3)      Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 1995 among The Pantry, FSEP III,
                FSEP International, Montrose Value Fund Limited Partnership ("MVP"), Montrose
                Financial No. 6 Limited Partnership (Pantry) ("MF#6"), W. Clay Hamner and
                Wayne M. Rogers.
   10.2(4)      Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 1995 among The Pantry, Chase
                Manhattan Capital Corporation, MVP, MF#6, W. Clay Hamner and Wayne M.
                Rogers.
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                    
Exhibit                                                                                             
Number                                              Description                                     
- -------                                             -----------                                     
<C>             <S>                                                                                 
10.3(5)         Option Agreement dated November 30, 1995 among The Pantry, MVP and MF#6.
10.4(6)         Commitment dated December 1, 1995 by FSEP III, FSEP International and Chase
                Manhattan Capital Corporation for the benefit of MVP and MF#6.
10.5(7)         Agreement to Exercise or Assign Option dated December 1, 1995 among The
                Pantry, FSEP III, FS Holdings, Inc., and Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation.
10.6(8)         Settlement Agreement dated July 16, 1996 among MVP, MF#6, W. Clay Hamner,
                Wayne M. Rogers, FSEP III, FSEP International, Chase Manhattan Capital
                Corporation and The Pantry.
10.7            Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, FSEP III,
                FSEP International, CB Capital Investors, L.P. and Peter J. Sodini.
10.8            Contribution to Capital Agreement dated October 23, 1997 among The Pantry,
                FSEP III, FSEP International, Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., and Baseball
                Partners.
10.9            Stock Pledge Agreement dated October 23, 1997 between Peter J. Sodini and The
                Pantry.
10.10           Secured Promissory Note dated October 23, 1997 between Peter J Sodini and The
                Pantry.
10.11           Employment Agreement dated June 3, 1996 between Dennis R. Crook and The
                Pantry.
10.12           Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1997 between Peter J. Sodini and The
                Pantry.
10.13           Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 among The Pantry, the financial
                institutions listed therein (collectively, "Lenders"), First Union National Bank
                ("First Union"), as administrative agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
                ("CIBC"), as syndication agent for Lenders.
10.14           Company Security Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry
                and First Union, as administrative agent.
10.15           Company Pledge Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and
                First Union, as administrative agent.
10.16           Company Trademark Security Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between
                The Pantry and First Union, as administrative agent.
10.17           Collateral Account Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 between The Pantry
                and First Union, as administrative agent.
10.18           Form of Amended and Restated Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of
                Rents and Leases and Fixture Filing (North Carolina) dated October 23, 1997
                among The Pantry, David R. Cannon, as Trustee, and First Union as Agent.
10.19           Form of Amended and Restated Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of
                Rents and Leases and Fixture Filing (South Carolina) dated October 23, 1997
                between The Pantry and First Union, as Agent.
10.20           Form of Amended and Restated Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of
                Rents and Leases and Fixture Filing (Tennessee) dated October 23, 1997 among
                The Pantry, David R. Cannon, as Trustee, and First Union, as Agent.
10.21           Form of Amended and Restated Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of
                Rents and Leases (Kentucky) dated October 23, 1997 between The Pantry and First
                Union, as Agent.
10.22           Form of Amended and Restated Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of
                Rents and Leases and Fixture Filing (Indiana) dated as of October 23, 1997
                between The Pantry and First Union, as Agent.
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                       
Exhibit                                                                                                
Number                                           Description                                           
- -------                                          -----------                                           
<C>             <S>                                                                                    
10.23           Form of Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Rents and Leases and
                Fixture Filing (Florida) dated October 23, 1997 between Lil' Champ and First
                Union, as Agent.
10.24           Form of Deed to Secure Debt, Security Agreement, and Assignment of Rents
                (Georgia) dated October 23, 1997 between Lil' Champ and First Union, as Agent.
10.25           Form of Subsidiary Guaranty.
10.26           Form of Subsidiary Security Agreement.
10.27           Form of Subsidiary Pledge Agreement.
10.28           Form of Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement.
12.1            Statement re Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges Ratio.
21.1            Subsidiaries of The Pantry.
23.1            Consent of Riordan & McKinzie (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2            Consent and Report on Schedule of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.3            Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
24.1            Power of Attorney (included on Pages II-6, II-7 and II-8 hereto).
25.1            Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act
                of 1939 of United States Trust Company of New York.
27.1            Financial Data Schedule.
99.1            Form of Letter of Transmittal with respect to the Exchange Offer.
99.2            Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery with respect to the Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
________________________________
(1)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by the same number in
     the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28,
     1995 (File No. 33-72574) (the "1995 Form 10-K").

(2)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by same number in the
     Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-72574).

(3)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.12
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(4)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.13
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(5)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.14
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(6)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.15
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(7)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.16
     in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

(8)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit designated by exhibit number 10.1
     in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 30, 1996.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1

                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                                  $200,000,000
                       Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007


                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                               ------------------
                                                                October 17, 1997


CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
c/o CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp.
425 Lexington Avenue
3rd Floor
New York, New York  10017

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and each of
the Company's subsidiaries listed in Exhibit A-1 hereto (subject to the last
                                     -----------                            
sentence of Section 1 with respect to Lil' Champ (as defined below)) (each, a
"Guarantor" and, collectively, the "Guarantors" and, together with the Company,
the "Issuers") hereby confirm their agreement with you (the "Initial
Purchasers"), as set forth below.

          1.           The Securities.  Subject to the terms and conditions
                       --------------                                      
herein contained, the Company proposes to issue and sell to the Initial
Purchasers $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 10 1/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes").  The obligations of the Company under
the Indenture (as hereinafter defined) and the Notes will be unconditionally
guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis (the "Guarantees"), on a joint and
several basis, by each Guarantor.  The Notes and the Guarantees are to be issued
pursuant to the Indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of October 23, 1997, among
the Company, the Guarantors and United States Trust Company of New York, as
trustee (the "Trustee").  The Notes and the Guarantees are hereinafter referred
to collectively as the "Securities."
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-



          The Notes will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchasers under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (together with the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") promulgated
thereunder, the "Securities Act"), in reliance on exemptions therefrom.

          In connection with the sale of the Notes, the Company has prepared a
preliminary offering memorandum dated September 29, 1997 (the "Preliminary
Memorandum") and a final offering memorandum dated October 17, 1997 (the "Final
Memorandum"; the Preliminary Memorandum and the Final Memorandum each herein
being referred to as a "Memorandum"), each setting forth or including a
description of the terms of the Securities, the terms of the offering of the
Notes, a description of the Company and its subsidiaries and Lil' Champ Food
Stores, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Lil' Champ") and any material developments
relating to the Company and its subsidiaries and Lil' Champ occurring after the
date of the most recent historical financial statements included therein.

          The Company and the Guarantors understand that the Initial Purchasers
propose to make an offering of the Notes only on the terms and in the manner set
forth in the Memorandum and Section 9 hereof as soon as the Initial Purchasers
deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered, to persons
in the United States whom the Initial Purchasers reasonably believe to be
qualified institutional buyers ("QIBs") as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time ("Rule 144A"), in
transactions under Rule 144A, and outside the United States to certain persons
in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

          The Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees of
the Notes will be entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A among the parties hereto
(the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Issuers have agreed,
among other things, to file (i) a registration 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

statement (the "Registration Statement") with the Commission registering the
Notes or the Exchange Notes (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement)
under the Securities Act or (ii) a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule
415 under the Securities Act relating to the resale of the Notes by holders
thereof or, if applicable, relating to the resale of Private Exchange Notes (as
defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) by the Initial Purchasers pursuant
to an exchange of the Notes for Private Exchange Notes.

          The Securities, the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes, the
Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and this Agreement are herein
collectively referred to as the "Basic Documents."  The Issuers propose to issue
the Securities in connection with the consummation of certain related
transaction including (i) the acquisition (the "Lil' Champ Acquisition") by the
Company of Lil' Champ and (ii) an equity investment in the Company of $32.4
million by certain existing stockholders and management of the Company (the
"Equity Investment").  In addition, the Company is (i) entering into a New
Credit Facility (as defined in the Final Memorandum) and (ii) conducting a
tender offer (the "Tender Offer") and consent solicitation (the "Consent
Solicitation") with respect to its 12% Series B Senior Notes due 2000 (the
"Senior Notes").  The Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Equity Investment, the New
Credit Facility, the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are collectively
referred to herein as the "Transactions" and the stock purchase agreement
relating to the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the stock purchase agreement relating to
the Equity Investment, the New Credit Facility and the supplemental indenture
relating to the consent solicitation are collectively referred to as the
"Transaction Documents".  At the time the Lil' Champ Acquisition is consummated
(the "Effective Time"), which shall occur simultaneously with the consummation
of the sale of the Securities, Lil' Champ will become a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company and will execute and deliver this Agreement and the Guarantees
and become subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement and the Guarantees
as a Guarantor.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

          2.           Representations and Warranties of the Issuers.  The
                       ---------------------------------------------      
Issuers, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to and agree with each
Initial Purchaser that:

             (a) Neither the Preliminary Memorandum as of the date thereof nor
     the Final Memorandum nor any amendment or supplement thereto as of the date
     thereof and at all times subsequent thereto up to the Closing Date (as
     defined in Section 3 below) contained or contains any untrue statement of a
     material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary to
     make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and
     warranties set forth in this Section 2 do not apply to statements or
     omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating
     to the Initial Purchasers furnished to the Company in writing by the
     Initial Purchasers expressly for use in the Preliminary Memorandum, the
     Final Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto.

             (b) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries set forth in Exhibit
                                                                       -------
     A-2 hereto (the "Subsidiaries") and, to the best knowledge of the Company,
     ---                                                                       
     Lil' Champ has been duly incorporated and each of the Company and the
     Subsidiaries and, to the best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ is
     validly existing in good standing as a corporation under the laws of its
     jurisdiction of incorporation, with the requisite corporate power and
     authority to own its properties and conduct its business as now conducted
     as described in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in
     existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum) and is duly qualified to
     do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other
     jurisdictions where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the
     conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the
     failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate,
     have a material adverse effect on the general affairs, 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

     management, business, condition (financial or other), properties, prospects
     or results of operations of the Company, Lil' Champ and the Subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole (any such event, a "Material Adverse Effect"); as of the
     Closing Date, the Company will have the authorized, issued and outstanding
     capitalization set forth in the Final Memorandum; except as set forth in
     Exhibit A-2 hereto, neither the Company nor, to the best knowledge of the
     -----------                                                              
     Company, Lil' Champ have any subsidiaries or own directly or indirectly any
     of the capital stock or other equity or long-term debt securities of or
     have any equity interest in any other person; except as set forth in the
     Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most
     recent Preliminary Memorandum) all of the outstanding shares of capital
     stock of the Company and the Subsidiaries and, to the best knowledge of the
     Company, Lil' Champ have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully
     paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive
     or similar rights and the Subsidiaries and Lil' Champ Stock is owned free
     and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities and restrictions on
     transferability (other than those imposed by the Securities Act and the
     state securities or "Blue Sky" laws) or voting; except as set forth in the
     Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most
     recent Preliminary Memorandum), all of the outstanding shares of capital
     stock of the Subsidiaries are owned, directly or indirectly, by the
     Company; except as set forth in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum), no
     options, warrants or other rights to purchase from the Company or any
     Subsidiary, or, to the best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ, and no
     agreements or other obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the
     best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ to issue or other rights to
     convert any obligation into, or exchange any securities for, shares of
     capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company or any Subsidiary
     or, to the best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ are outstanding and no
     holder of securities of the Company or any Subsidiary is entitled to have
     such securities registered under the Registration Statement; and except as
     set forth in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in
     existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum), there is no agreement,
     understanding or arrangement among the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the
     best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ and each of their respective
     stockholders or any other person relating to the ownership or disposition
     of any capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the best
     knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ or the election of directors of the
     Company or any Subsidiary or, to the best knowledge of the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

     Company, Lil' Champ or the governance of their respective affairs, and, if
     any, such agreements, understandings and arrangements will not be breached
     or violated as a result of the execution and delivery of, or the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement, the other
     Basic Documents and the Transaction Documents.

             (c) Each of the Issuers has the requisite corporate power and
     authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the
     Securities, the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes.  The Notes,
     the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes have each been duly and
     validly authorized by the Company for issuance and, when executed by the
     Company and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions
     of the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement and, in the case of
     the Notes, delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in
     accordance with the terms hereof, will have been duly executed, issued and
     delivered and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the
     Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against
     the Company in accordance with their terms except that the enforcement
     thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     moratorium or other similar 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-

     laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors' rights
     generally or (ii) general principles of equity and the discretion of the
     court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought (regardless of
     whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity)
     (collectively, the "Enforceability Exceptions"); the Guarantees endorsed on
     the Notes and the guarantees to be endorsed on the Exchange Notes and the
     Private Exchange Notes have each been duly and validly authorized by each
     of the Guarantors and, when the Notes are executed by the Company and
     authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the
     Indenture, and delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in
     accordance with the terms hereof, will have been duly executed, issued and
     delivered and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the
     Guarantors, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable
     against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms except that the
     enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions; the
     Securities are in the form contemplated by the Indenture.

             (d) Each of the Issuers has the requisite corporate power and
     authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the
     Indenture.  The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized by the
     Issuers and meets the requirements for qualification under the Trust
     Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and, when
     executed and delivered by the Issuers (assuming the due authorization,
     execution and delivery by the Trustee), will constitute a valid and legally
     binding agreement of the Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in
     accordance with its terms except that the enforcement thereof may be
     limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

             (e) Each of the Issuers has the requisite corporate power and
     authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
     Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed
     and delivered by the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

     Issuers and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the
     Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with its terms
     except that the enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability
     Exceptions and except as any rights to indemnity or contribution hereunder
     may be limited by federal and state securities laws and public policy
     considerations.

             (f) Each of the Issuers has the requisite corporate power and
     authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the
     Registration Rights Agreement.  The Registration Rights Agreement has been
     duly and validly authorized by the Issuers and, when executed and delivered
     by the Issuers, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of
     the Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with its terms
     except that the enforcement thereof may be limited by the Enforceability
     Exceptions and except as any rights to indemnity or contribution hereunder
     may be limited by federal and state securities laws and public policy
     considerations.  The Securities, the Indenture and the Registration Rights
     Agreement conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in
     the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the
     most recent Preliminary Memorandum).

             (g) Each of the Issuers and, to the best knowledge of the Company,
     after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, to the extent a party thereto, has the
     requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its
     obligations under the Transaction Documents.  The Transaction Documents
     have been duly and validly authorized by each Issuer and, to the best
     knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, to the extent a
     party thereto and, when executed and delivered by such Issuer, and, to the
     best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, will
     constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of such Issuer,
     enforceable against the Issuers and, to the best knowledge of the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-

     Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, to the extent a party thereto in
     accordance with their terms except that the enforcement thereof may be
     limited by the Enforceability Exceptions and except as any rights to
     indemnity or contribution thereunder may be limited by federal and state
     securities laws and public policy considerations. Each of the Transaction
     Documents conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in
     the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the
     most recent Preliminary Memorandum).

             (h) (i) The Issuers have delivered to the Initial Purchasers a true
     and correct copy of each of the Transaction Documents that have been
     executed and delivered prior to the date of this Agreement and each other
     Transaction Document in the form substantially as it will be executed and
     delivered on or prior to the Closing Date, together with all related
     agreements and all schedules and exhibits thereto, and as of the date
     hereof there have been no amendments, alterations, modifications or waivers
     of any of the provisions of any of the Transaction Documents from the form
     in which any such Transaction Document has been delivered to the Initial
     Purchasers; and (ii) there exists as of the date hereof (after giving
     effect to the transactions contemplated by each of the Transaction
     Documents) no event or condition that would constitute a default or an
     event of default (in each case as defined in each of the Transaction
     Documents) under any of the Transaction Documents that would result in a
     Material Adverse Effect or materially adversely affect the ability of the
     Company to consummate the Transactions.

             (i) Assuming the Securities are sold in the manner described in
     this Agreement, no consent, approval, authorization, license,
     qualification, exemption or order of any court or governmental agency or
     body or third party is required for the performance of this Agreement, the
<PAGE>
 
                                      -10-

     Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the Indenture or any
     Transaction Document by the Issuers and, to the best knowledge of the
     Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, or for the consummation by the
     Issuers and, to the best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil'
     Champ, of any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, or the
     application of the proceeds of the issuance of the Securities as described
     in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence,
     the most recent Preliminary Memorandum), except for consents the failure of
     which to obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, cause a
     Material Adverse Effect and as has already been acquired or as may be
     required under state securities or "Blue Sky" laws in connection with the
     purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers or
     the Securities Act and Trust Indenture Act in the case of the Registration
     Rights Agreement; all such consents, approvals, authorizations, licenses,
     qualifications, exemptions and orders set forth in the Final Memorandum
     (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent
     Preliminary Memorandum) which are required to be obtained by the Closing
     Date have been or will be prior to the Closing Date obtained or made, as
     the case may be, and are or will be prior to the Closing Date in full force
     and effect and not the subject of any pending or, to the best knowledge of
     the Issuers, and, to the best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry,
     Lil' Champ, threatened attack by appeal or direct proceeding or otherwise.

             (j) None of the Company or the Subsidiaries or, to the best
     knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ, is (i) in violation of its
     certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational
     document), (ii) in breach or violation of any statute, judgment, decree,
     order, rule or regulation applicable to it or any of its properties or
     assets, which violation would, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) in default (nor has any event occurred
     which with notice or 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -11-

     passage of time, or both, would constitute a default) in the performance or
     observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in
     this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the
     Indenture or any Transaction Document or any other contract, indenture,
     mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease, license, franchise
     agreement, permit, certificate or agreement or instrument to which it is a
     party or to which it is subject, which default would, individually or in
     the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (k) The execution, delivery and performance by the Issuers of this
     Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the Indenture
     and the Transaction Documents and the consummation by the Issuers of the
     transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and the fulfillment of the
     terms hereof and thereof will not (a) violate, conflict with or constitute
     or result in a breach of or a default under (or an event that, with notice
     or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a breach of or a default under)
     any of (i) the terms or provisions of any contract, indenture, mortgage,
     deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease, license, franchise agreement,
     permit, certificate or agreement or instrument to which any of the Company
     or the Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ is
     a party or to which any of their respective properties or assets are
     subject, (ii) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of any of the
     Company or the Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Company, Lil'
     Champ (or similar organizational document) or (iii) (assuming compliance
     with all applicable state securities or "Blue Sky" laws and with respect to
     the Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities Act and the Trust
     Indenture Act) any statute, judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation of
     any court or governmental agency or other body applicable to the Company or
     the Subsidiaries or the best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ, or any
     of their respective properties 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -12-

     or assets or (b) result in the imposition of any lien upon or with respect
     to any of the properties or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the
     Company or any of the Subsidiaries or to the best knowledge of the Company,
     Lil' Champ, which violation, conflict, breach, default or lien would,
     individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (l) The audited consolidated financial statements of The Pantry,
     Inc. and the audited financial statements of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
     included in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in
     existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum) present fairly the
     financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company on
     a Consolidated basis and to the best knowledge of the Company, after due
     inquiry, of Lil' Champ, at the dates and for the periods to which they
     relate and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles applied on a consistent basis; the interim unaudited
     financial statements included in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum)
     present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows
     of the Company and, to the best knowledge of the Company after due inquiry,
     Lil' Champ at the dates and for the periods to which they relate subject to
     year-end audit adjustments and have been prepared in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis with
     the audited financial statements included therein; the summary and selected
     financial and statistical data included in the Final Memorandum (or, if the
     Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
     Memorandum) present fairly the information shown therein and have been
     prepared and compiled on a basis consistent with the audited financial
     statements included therein, except as otherwise stated therein; and
     Deloitte & Touche LLP and Price Waterhouse LLP, each of which has examined
     certain of such financial statements as set forth in their reports 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -13-

     included in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in
     existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum), are independent public
     accounting firms as required by the Securities Act.

             (m) The unaudited pro forma financial data (including the notes
     thereto) included in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is
     not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum) (A) (except with
     respect to Note (c) to Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data, Note (h)
     to Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data and Note (h) to
     Supplemental Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data, which each
     includes supplemental adjustments not provided under the Securities Act)
     have been prepared in accordance with applicable requirements of Regulation
     S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
     (together with the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
     thereunder, the "Exchange Act") and (B) have been properly computed on the
     bases described therein; and the assumptions used in the preparation of the
     unaudited pro forma data included in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum) are
     reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect
     to the transactions or circumstances referred to therein.

             (n) Except as described in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum),
     there is not pending or, to the best knowledge of the Issuers, threatened
     any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, governmental or
     otherwise, to which any of the Company or the Subsidiaries or, to the best
     knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ, is a party, or to which their
     respective properties or assets are subject, before or brought by any
     court, arbitrator or governmental agency or body, that, if determined
     adversely to the Company or any such subsidiary or Lil' Champ would,
     individually or in the aggregate, 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -14-

     have a Material Adverse Effect or that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent
     the consummation of or otherwise challenge the Transaction or the issuance
     or sale of the Securities to be sold hereunder or the application of the
     proceeds therefrom or the other transactions described in the Final
     Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most
     recent Preliminary Memorandum).

             (o) None of the Company or the Subsidiaries or, to the best
     knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ has, and, after giving effect to the
     Transactions and the issuance and sale of the Securities, will not have,
     any material liability for any prohibited transaction or funding deficiency
     or any complete or partial withdrawal liability with respect to any
     pension, profit sharing or other plan which is subject to the Employee
     Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), to which any
     of the Company or the Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the
     Company, Lil' Champ makes or ever has made a contribution and in which any
     employee of any of the Company or the Subsidiaries is or has ever been a
     participant.  With respect to such plans, the Company and the Subsidiaries
     and, to the best knowledge of the Company, Lil' Champ are, and, after
     giving effect to the Transaction and the issuance and sale of the
     Securities, will be, in compliance in all material respects with all
     provisions of ERISA.

             (p) The Company and the Subsidiaries and to the best knowledge of
     the Company, Lil' Champ own or possess adequate licenses or other rights to
     use all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and
     know-how that are necessary to conduct their business as described in the
     Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most
     recent Preliminary Memorandum).  None of the Company or the Subsidiaries or
     to the best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ has
     received any notice of infringement of or conflict with (or knows of any
     such 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -15-

     infringement of or conflict with) asserted rights of others with respect to
     any patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights or know-how
     that, if such assertion of infringement or conflict were sustained, would,
     individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (q) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries and, to the best
     knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ possesses all
     licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other
     authorizations from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all
     federal, state, local and other governmental authorities, all self-
     regulatory organizations and all courts and other tribunals presently
     required or necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate
     its respective properties and to carry on its respective businesses as now
     or proposed to be conducted as set forth in the Final Memorandum (or, if
     the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
     Memorandum) ("Permits"), except where the failure to obtain such Permits
     would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
     Effect; each of the Company and the Subsidiaries and to the best knowledge
     of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ has fulfilled and performed
     all of its obligations with respect to such Permits and no event has
     occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow,
     revocation or termination thereof or results in any other material
     impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit; and none of the
     Company or the Subsidiaries or to the best knowledge of the Company, after
     due inquiry, Lil' Champ has received any notice of any proceeding relating
     to revocation or modification of any such Permit, except as described in
     the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the
     most recent Preliminary Memorandum) and except where such revocation or
     modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
     Adverse Effect.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -16-

             (r) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
     given in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in
     existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum) and except as described
     therein, (i) the Company and the Subsidiaries and to the best knowledge of
     the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ have not incurred any material
     liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any
     material transactions, in either case whether or not in the ordinary course
     of business, (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries and to the best
     knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ have not purchased
     any of their respective outstanding capital stock, or declared, paid or
     otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on any of their
     respective capital stock or otherwise (other than, with respect to any of
     such Subsidiaries, the purchase of, or dividend or distribution on, Capital
     Stock owned by the Company) and (iii) there shall not have been any change
     in the capital stock or long-term indebtedness (other than under the
     existing credit agreement) of the Company or the Subsidiaries or to the
     best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ.

             (s) There are no legal or governmental proceedings, nor are there
     any contracts or other documents required by the Securities Act to be
     described in a prospectus that are not described in the Final Memorandum
     (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent
     Preliminary Memorandum).  Except as described in the Final Memorandum (or,
     if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
     Memorandum), none of the Company or the Subsidiaries or to the best
     knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ is in default under
     any of the contracts described in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum),
     has received a notice or claim of any such default or has knowledge of any
     breach of such contracts by the other party or parties thereto, except such
     defaults or breaches 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -17-

     as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
     Effect.


             (t) Neither the issuance or sale of the Securities will violate
     Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
     System, in each case as in effect on the Closing Date.

             (u) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries and to the best
     knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ has good and
     marketable title to all real property described in the Final Memorandum
     (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent
     Preliminary Memorandum) as being owned by it and good and marketable title
     to the leasehold estate in the real property described therein as being
     leased by it, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances or
     restrictions, except, in each case, as described in the Final Memorandum
     (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent
     Preliminary Memorandum) or such as would not, individually or in the
     aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  All leases, contracts and
     agreements, including those referred to in the Final Memorandum (or, if the
     Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
     Memorandum) to which the Company or Lil' Champ or any of the Subsidiaries
     is a party or by which any of them is bound are valid and enforceable
     against the Company or any such Subsidiary or, to the best knowledge of the
     Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, and are, to the best knowledge of
     the Issuers, valid and enforceable against the other party or parties
     thereto and are in full force and effect except where the failure to be
     valid and enforceable against the other party or parties thereto or to be
     in full force and effect would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

             (v) Each of the Company, the Subsidiaries and to the best knowledge
     of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, has filed all necessary
     federal, state and foreign 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -18-

     income and franchise tax returns, except where the failure to so file such
     returns would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
     Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes shown as due thereon; and other
     than tax deficiencies which the Company, any Subsidiary or Lil' Champ is
     contesting in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been
     provided, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
     there is no tax deficiency that has been asserted against the Company or
     any Subsidiary or to the best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry,
     Lil' Champ, that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
     Adverse Effect.

             (w) (i) Immediately after the consummation of the Transaction and
     the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the other Basic
     Documents and the Transaction Documents, the fair value and present fair
     saleable value of the assets of each of the Company and the Subsidiaries
     and to the best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ,
     will exceed the sum of its stated liabilities and identified contingent
     liabilities; and (ii) each of the Company and the Subsidiaries and to the
     best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ, is not, nor
     will it be, after giving effect to the execution, delivery and performance
     of this Agreement, the other Basic Documents and the Transaction Documents,
     and the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions
     contemplated hereby and thereby, (a) left with unreasonably small capital
     with which to carry on its business as it is proposed to be conducted, (b)
     unable to pay its debts (contingent or otherwise) as they mature or (c)
     otherwise insolvent.

             (x) Except as disclosed in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum) and
     except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
     Adverse Effect, (A) each of the Company and the Subsidiaries and, to the
     best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -19-

     Lil' Champ is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (B)
     each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has made all filings and provided
     all notices required under any applicable Environmental Law, and has all
     permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable
     Environmental Laws and is in compliance with their requirements, (C) there
     is no civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, demand, claim,
     hearing, notice of violation, investigation, proceeding, notice or demand
     letter or request for information pending or, to the best knowledge of the
     Issuers, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or to
     the best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ under any
     Environmental Law, (D) no lien, charge, encumbrance or restriction has been
     recorded under any Environmental Law with respect to any assets, facility
     or property owned, operated, leased or controlled by the Company or any of
     the Subsidiaries, (E) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor
     to the best knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ has
     received notice that it has been identified as a potentially responsible
     party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
     Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA") or any comparable state law,
     (F) no property or facility of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (or
     any predecessor in interest of the Company or Subsidiary or to the best
     knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, Lil' Champ is (i) listed or
     proposed for listing on the National Priorities List under CERCLA or (ii)
     listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability
     Information System List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA, or (iii) listed on
     any comparable list maintained by any state or local governmental
     authority, and (G) there are no past or present actions, events, operations
     or activities which could reasonably be expected to prevent or interfere
     with compliance by the Company or any Subsidiary with any applicable,
     Environmental Law or to result in liability under any applicable
     Environmental Law.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -20-

             For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
     following meanings:  "Environmental Law" means any federal, state, local or
     municipal statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, published policy
     or rule of common law and any judicial or administrative interpretation
     thereof, including without limitation any judicial or administrative order,
     consent decree or judgment binding on any of the Company or the
     Subsidiaries, relating to pollution or protection of the environment or
     health or safety or any pollutant, contaminant, waste, chemical, material,
     substance or constituent, including without limitation petroleum, including
     crude oil or any component thereof, that is subject to regulation
     thereunder.  "Environmental Claims" means any and all administrative,
     regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims,
     notices of responsibility, information requests, liens, notices of
     noncompliance or violation, investigations or proceedings relating in any
     way to any Environmental Law.

             (y) None of the Company or the Subsidiaries is, or immediately
     after the Closing Date will be, required to register as an "investment
     company" or a company "controlled by" an "investment company" within the
     meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

             (z) None of the Company or the Subsidiaries or to the Company's
     knowledge any of such entities' directors, officers, employees, agents or
     controlling persons has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed,
     or that might reasonably be expected, to cause or result, under the
     Securities Act or otherwise, in, or that has constituted, stabilization or
     manipulation of the price of the Securities.

             (aa) None of the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of their
     respective Affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the
     Securities Act) or, to the best knowledge of the Company, after due
     inquiry, Lil' Champ or 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -21-

     any of its Affiliates directly, or through any agent, (i) sold, offered for
     sale, solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of any
     "security" (as defined in the Securities Act) which is or could be
     integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require
     the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities or (ii) engaged
     in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms
     are used in Regulation D under the Securities Act) in connection with the
     offering of the Securities or in any manner involving a public offering
     within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. Assuming the
     accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial Purchasers in
     Section 9 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale
     and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers in the manner
     contemplated by this Agreement to register any of the Securities under the
     Securities Act or to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

             (bb) No securities of any Issuer are of the same class (within the
     meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act) as the Securities and listed
     on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the
     Exchange Act, or quoted in a U.S. automated inter-dealer quotation system.

             (cc) Except as set forth in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum),
     there is no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or work stoppage by the
     employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or, to the best
     knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, Lil' Champ which is pending
     or, to the best knowledge of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries,
     threatened.

             (dd) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries carries insurance
     (including self-insurance) in such amounts and covering such risks as in
     its reasonable determination is 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -22-

     adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties.

             (ee) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries (i) makes and keeps
     accurate books and records and (ii) maintains internal accounting controls
     which provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in
     accordance with management's authorization, (B) transactions are recorded
     as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements and to
     maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is
     permitted only in accordance with management's authorization and (D) the
     reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at
     reasonable intervals.

             (ff) No holder of securities of the Company or any Subsidiary will
     be entitled to have such securities registered under the registration
     statements required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Registration
     Rights Agreement other than as expressly permitted thereby.

             (gg) The statistical and market and industry-related data included
     in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence,
     the most recent Preliminary Memorandum) are based on or derived from
     sources which the Issuers believe to be reliable and accurate or represent
     the Issuers good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived
     from such sources.

             (hh) Except as stated in the Final Memorandum (or, if the Final
     Memorandum is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Memorandum),
     the Company does not know of any claims for services, either in the nature
     of a finder's fee or financial advisory fee, with respect to the offering
     of the Securities and the transactions contemplated by the Final
     Memorandum.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -23-

             (ii) None of the Company, the Subsidiaries, any of their respective
     Affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the
     Initial Purchasers) has engaged in any directed selling efforts (as that
     term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S"))
     with respect to the Securities and the Company, the Subsidiaries and their
     respective Affiliates and any person acting on its or their behalf have
     acted in accordance with the offering restrictions requirement of
     Regulation S.

          Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any Subsidiary
and delivered to any Initial Purchaser or to counsel for the Initial Purchasers
shall be deemed a joint and several representation and warranty by the Issuers
to each Initial Purchaser as to the matters covered thereby.

                  3.   Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities.  On the
                       ---------------------------------------------         
basis of the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants herein
contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers, and each Initial Purchaser
acting severally and not jointly agrees to purchase from the Company, the Notes
in the respective amounts set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, at 97.25% of their
                                       ----------                           
principal amount.

          One or more certificates in definitive form for the Notes and the
related Guarantees that the Initial Purchasers have agreed to purchase
hereunder, and in such denomination or denominations and registered in such name
or names as the Initial Purchasers request upon notice to the Company at least
48 hours prior to the Closing Date (as defined) shall be delivered by or on
behalf of the Company, against payment by or on behalf of the Initial
Purchasers, of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the account of the Company previously designated by it in
writing.  Such delivery of and payment for the Notes and the related Guarantees
shall be made at the offices of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, 80 Pine Street, New
York, New York 10005, at 9:00 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -24-

A.M., New York time, on October 23, 1997, or at such date as the Initial
Purchasers and the Company may agree upon, such time and date of delivery
against payment being herein referred to as the "Closing Date." The Company will
make such certificate or certificates for the Notes available for checking and
packaging by the Initial Purchasers at the offices in New York, New York of CIBC
Wood Gundy Securities Corp. at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date.

                  4.   Offering by the Initial Purchasers.  The Initial
                       ----------------------------------              
Purchasers propose to make an offering of the Securities at the price and upon
the terms set forth in the Final Memorandum as soon as practicable after this
Agreement is entered into and as in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers is
advisable.

                  5.   Certain Covenants.  The Issuers jointly and severally
                       -----------------                                    
covenant and agree with the Initial Purchasers that:

                  (i)  The Issuers will not amend or supplement the Final
     Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto of which the Initial
     Purchasers shall not have been advised and furnished a copy for a
     reasonable period of time prior to the proposed amendment or supplement and
     as to which the Initial Purchasers shall not have given their consent
     (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The Issuers will
     promptly, upon the reasonable request of the Initial Purchasers or counsel
     for the Initial Purchasers, make any amendments or supplements to the
     Preliminary Memorandum or the Final Memorandum that may be necessary in
     connection with the resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers.
     
                 (ii)  The Issuers will cooperate with the Initial Purchasers in
     arranging for the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale
     under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of such jurisdictions as the
     Initial Purchasers may designate and will continue such qualifications in
     effect for as long as may be necessary to complete the resale of the
     Securities by the Initial 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -25-

     Purchasers; provided, however, that in connection therewith none of the
                 --------  -------
     Issuers shall be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to execute
     a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction or to take any
     other action that would subject it to general service of process or to
     taxation in excess of a nominal amount in respect of doing business in any
     jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise subject.

             (iii)  If, at any time prior to the completion of the resale by the
     Initial Purchasers of the Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, but in no
     event longer than one year after the date of the Final Memorandum any event
     shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel
     for the Initial Purchasers, to amend or supplement the Final Memorandum in
     order to make such Final Memorandum not misleading in the light of the
     circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if
     for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Final
     Memorandum in order to comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations,
     the Issuers shall (subject to Section 5(i)) forthwith amend or supplement
     such Final Memorandum at their own expense so that, as so amended or
     supplemented, such Final Memorandum will not include an untrue statement of
     a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make
     the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the
     time it is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading and will comply with
     applicable laws, rules or regulations.

             (iv) The Issuers will, without charge, provide to the Initial
     Purchasers and to counsel for the Initial Purchasers as many copies of each
     Preliminary Memorandum or Final Memorandum or any amendment or supplement
     thereto as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

             (v) None of the Issuers or any of their respective Affiliates will
     sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -26-

     buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any "security" (as defined in the
     Securities Act) which could be integrated with the sale of the Securities
     in a manner which would require the registration under the Securities Act
     of the Securities.

             (vi) (a)  For so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding,
     the Company will furnish to the Initial Purchasers as soon as available, a
     copy of each report or other communication (financial or otherwise) of the
     Company mailed to the Trustee or holders of the Securities or stockholders
     or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which
     any class of securities of the Company may be listed, and (b) for a period
     of five years from the Closing Date from time to time the Company will
     furnish to the Initial Purchasers such other information concerning the
     Issuers as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

             (vii)  The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the
     Securities as set forth under "Use of Proceeds" in the Final Memorandum.

             (viii)  Prior to the Closing Date, the Company will furnish to the
     Initial Purchasers, as soon as they have been prepared by or are available
     to the Company, a copy of any unaudited interim consolidated financial
     statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries, for any period subsequent
     to the period covered by the most recent financial statements appearing in
     the Final Memorandum.

             (ix) The Issuers will not, and will not permit any of their
     Subsidiaries to, engage in any form of general solicitation or general
     advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D under the Securities
     Act) in connection with the offering of the Securities or in any manner
     involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the
     Securities Act.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -27-

             (x) For so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the
     Company will make available at its expense, upon request, to any holder of
     Securities and any prospective purchasers thereof the information specified
     in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, unless the Company is then
     subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

             (xi) The Issuers will use their best efforts to (i) permit the
     Securities to be designated PORTAL securities in accordance with the rules
     and regulations adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
     Inc. (the "NASD") relating to trading in the Private Offerings, Resales and
     Trading through Automated Linkages market (the "Portal Market") and (ii)
     permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through
     The Depository Trust Company.

             (xii)  In connection with Securities offered and sold in an
     offshore transaction (as defined in Regulation S), the Issuers will not
     register any transfer of such Securities not made in accordance with the
     provisions of Regulation S and will not, except in accordance with the
     provisions of Regulation S, if applicable, issue any such Securities in the
     form of definitive securities.

             (xiii)  If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Initial
     Purchasers because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Issuers to
     comply with the terms or fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement
     other than pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof (ii) through (iv), the Issuers,
     on a joint and several basis, agree to reimburse the Initial Purchasers for
     all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and expenses of
     counsel for the Initial Purchasers) incurred by the Initial Purchasers in
     connection herewith, but in no event will the Issuers be liable to the
     Initial Purchasers for damages on account of loss of anticipated profits
     from the sale of the Securities.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -28-

             (xiv)  The Issuers will use their reasonable best efforts to do and
     perform all things required to be done and performed by them under this
     Agreement and the other Basic Documents prior to or after the Closing Date
     and to satisfy all conditions precedent on their part to the obligations of
     the Initial Purchasers to purchase and accept delivery of the Securities.

          6.           Expenses.  Notwithstanding any termination of this
                       --------                                          
Agreement (pursuant to Section 11 or otherwise), the Issuers jointly and
severally agree to pay the following costs and expenses and all other costs and
expenses incident to the performance by the Issuers of their obligations
hereunder:  (i) the printing, typing, reproduction, of this Agreement and of the
other Basic Documents, any amendment or supplement to or modification of any of
the foregoing and any and all other documents furnished pursuant hereto or
thereto or in connection herewith or therewith; (ii) the printing or
reproduction of each Preliminary Memorandum, the Final Memorandum and each
amendment or supplement to any of them; (iii) the printing (or reproduction) and
delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and
packaging) of such copies of each Preliminary Memorandum, the Final Memorandum
and all amendments or supplements to any of them as may be reasonably requested
for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iv) the
printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the
Securities, including any stamp taxes in connection with the original issuance
and sale of the Securities and trustees' fees; (v) the reproduction and delivery
of this Agreement, the preliminary and supplemental "Blue Sky" memoranda and all
other agreements or documents reproduced and delivered in connection with the
offering of the Securities; (vi) the registration or qualification of the
Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
several states (including filing fees and the reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Initial Purchasers,
relating to such registration and qualification); (vii) the filing fees in
connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD; 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -29-

(viii) expenses in connection with any meetings with prospective investors in
the Securities; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company's accountants and the
fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the
Issuers; (x) fees and expenses of the Trustee including fees and expenses of its
counsel; (xi) all expenses and listing fees incurred in connection with the
application for quotation of the Securities on the PORTAL Market; and (xii) any
fees charged by investment rating agencies for the rating of the Securities. The
Initial Purchasers will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including fees
of counsel other than as provided in clauses (vi) and (viii).

                  7.   Conditions of the Initial Purchasers' Obligations.  The
                       -------------------------------------------------      
obligation of each Initial Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Securities is
subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties contained herein,
to the performance by the Issuers of their respective covenants and agreements
hereunder and to the following additional conditions unless waived in writing by
the Initial Purchasers:

                  (i) The Initial Purchasers shall have received an opinion of
     counsel to the Issuers in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial
     Purchasers and Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Initial Purchasers,
     dated the Closing Date, of Riordan & McKinzie.  In rendering such opinion,
     Riordan & McKinzie shall have received and may rely upon such certificates
     and other documents and information, including one or more opinions of
     local counsel reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers and Cahill
     Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Initial Purchasers, as they may reasonably
     request to pass upon such matters.  In addition, the Initial Purchasers
     shall have received a letter or letters permitting them to rely on any
     opinions rendered by counsel to the Issuers in connection with the
     Transactions.

             (ii) The Initial Purchasers shall have received an opinion, dated
     the Closing Date, of Cahill Gordon & 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -30-

     Reindel, counsel to the Initial Purchasers, with respect to the sufficiency
     of certain legal matters relating to this Agreement and such other related
     matters as the Initial Purchasers may require. In rendering such opinion,
     Cahill Gordon & Reindel shall have received and may rely upon such
     certificates and other documents and information as they may reasonably
     request to pass upon such matters. In addition, in rendering their opinion,
     Cahill Gordon & Reindel may state that their opinion is limited to matters
     of New York, Delaware corporate and federal law.

             (iii) The Initial Purchasers shall have received from independent
     public accountants for the Issuers, "comfort" letters dated the date hereof
     and the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
     Initial Purchasers and Cahill Gordon & Reindel, counsel to the Initial
     Purchasers.

             (iv)  The representations and warranties of the Issuers contained
     in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date;
     the Issuers shall have complied in all material respects with all
     agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or
     satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date.

             (v)   There shall not have been any change in the capital stock of
     the Company or the Subsidiaries or any material increase in the
     consolidated short-term or long-term debt of the Company or the
     Subsidiaries from that set forth or contemplated in the Final Memorandum
     (other than additional borrowings under existing credit facilities) and the
     Company and the Subsidiaries shall not have any liabilities or obligations,
     contingent or otherwise (whether or not in the ordinary course of
     business), that are material to the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as
     a whole, other than those reflected in the Final Memorandum.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -31-

             (vi)  None of the issuance and sale of the Securities pursuant to
     this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by any of the other
     Basic Documents or the Transaction Documents shall be enjoined (temporarily
     or permanently) and no restraining order or other injunctive order shall
     have been issued; and there shall not have been any legal action, order,
     decree or other administrative proceeding instituted or threatened against
     any of the Issuers or against the Initial Purchasers relating to the
     issuance of the Securities or the Initial Purchasers' activities in
     connection therewith or any other transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement or the Final Memorandum, the other Basic Documents or the
     Transaction Documents.

             (vii)  Subsequent to the date of this Agreement, and since the date
     of the most recent financial statements in the Final Memorandum (exclusive
     of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date thereof), there shall
     not have occurred (i) any change, or any development involving a
     prospective change, in or affecting the general affairs, management,
     business, condition (financial or other), properties, prospects or results
     of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
     Lil' Champ not contemplated by the Final Memorandum that, in the opinion of
     the Initial Purchasers, would materially adversely affect the market for
     the Securities, or (ii) any event or development relating to or involving
     any of the Company or the Subsidiaries or Lil' Champ or any of the officers
     or directors of the Company or the Subsidiaries or Lil' Champ that makes
     any statement made in the Final Memorandum untrue or that, in the opinion
     of the Issuers and their counsel or the Initial Purchasers and their
     counsel, requires the making of any addition to or change in the Final
     Memorandum in order to state a material fact required by any applicable
     law, rule or regulation to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
     the statements made therein not misleading.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -32-

             (viii)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received certificates,
     dated the Closing Date and signed by the chief executive officer and the
     chief financial officer of each Issuer, to the effect that:

        a.     All of the representations and warranties of the Issuers set
               forth in this Agreement are true and correct as if made on and as
               of the Closing Date and the Issuers have complied in all material
               respects with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on
               their part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the
               Closing Date.

        b.     The issuance and sale of the Securities pursuant to this
               Agreement or the Final Memorandum and the consummation of the
               transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have not
               been enjoined (temporarily or permanently) and no restraining
               order or other injunctive order has been issued and there has not
               been any legal action, order, decree or other administrative
               proceeding instituted or to such officers' knowledge threatened
               against any of the Issuers relating to the issuance of the
               Securities or the Initial Purchasers' activities in connection
               therewith or in connection with any other transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement or the Final Memorandum, the other
               Basic Documents or the Transaction Documents.

        c.     Subsequent to the date of this Agreement and since the date of
               the most recent financial statements in the Final Memorandum
               (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date
               hereof), there has not occurred (i) any change, or any
               development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the
               general affairs, management, business, condition (financial or
               other), properties, prospects or 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -33-

               results of operations of the Company, the Subsidiaries and Lil'
               Champ, taken as a whole, not contemplated by the Final Memorandum
               that would materially adversely affect the market for the
               Securities, or (ii) any event or development relating to or
               involving any of the Company or the Subsidiaries, or Lil' Champ,
               or any of the respective officers or directors of the Company or
               the Subsidiaries, or Lil' Champ, that makes any statement made in
               the Final Memorandum untrue or that requires the making of any
               addition to or change in the Final Memorandum in order to state a
               material fact required by any applicable law, rule or regulation
               to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
               made therein not misleading.

        d.     There has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company
               or the Subsidiaries, or Lil' Champ, nor any material increase in
               the consolidated short-term or long-term debt of the Company or
               Lil' Champ, from that set forth or contemplated in the Final
               Memorandum (other than borrowings under existing credit
               facilities) and the Company and the Subsidiaries and Lil' Champ
               have no liabilities or obligations, contingent or otherwise
               (whether or not in the ordinary course of business), that are
               material to the Company, the Subsidiaries and Lil' Champ, taken
               as a whole, other than those reflected in the Final Memorandum.

        e.     At the Closing Date and after giving effect to the consummation
               of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the other
               Basic Documents and the Transaction Documents, there exists no
               Default or Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture).
<PAGE>
 
                                      -34-

         (ix)  Each of the Transaction Documents and each other agreement or
     instrument executed in connection with the Transactions shall be reasonably
     satisfactory in form and substance to the Initial Purchasers and shall have
     been executed and delivered by all the respective parties thereto and shall
     be in full force and effect, and there shall have been no material
     amendments, alterations, modifications or waivers of any provision thereof
     since the date of this Agreement.  On the Closing Date, the New Credit
     Facility shall provide for (i) a revolving credit facility of not less than
     $45 million (with a $20 million sublimit for letters of credit), all of
     which shall be available on the Closing Date, and (ii) an acquisition
     facility of not less than $30 million, all of which shall be available to
                                            ---                               
     the Company on the Closing Date.  The Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Equity
     Investment, the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation shall each have
     been consummated on or prior to the Closing Date.

          (x)  All proceedings taken in connection with the issuance of the
     Securities and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the other
     Basic Documents and the Transaction Documents and all documents and papers
     relating thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers
     and counsel to the Initial Purchasers.  The Initial Purchasers and counsel
     to the Initial Purchasers shall have received copies of such papers and
     documents as they may reasonably request in connection therewith, all in
     form and substance reasonably satisfactory to them.

          (xi) The Company shall apply the proceeds necessary from the
     issuance and sale of the Notes, together with cash on hand and the proceeds
     of the Equity Investment, as described under "Use of Proceeds" in the Final
     Memorandum.

        (xii)  There shall not have been any announcement by any
     "nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as defined for
     purposes of Rule 436(g) 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -35-

     under the Securities Act, that (A) it is
     downgrading its rating assigned to any debt securities of the Company, or
     (B) it is reviewing its rating assigned to any debt securities of the
     Company with a view to possible downgrading, or with negative implications,
     or direction not determined.

             (xiii)  On or before the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall
     have received the Registration Rights Agreement executed by the Company and
     such agreement shall be in full force and effect at all times from and
     after the Closing Date.

             (xiv)  The Issuers shall have furnished or caused to be furnished
     to the Initial Purchasers such further certificates and documents as the
     Initial Purchasers shall have reasonably requested.

          All such opinions, certificates, letters, schedules, documents or
instruments delivered pursuant to this Agreement will comply with the provisions
hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and
counsel to the Initial Purchasers.  The Issuers shall furnish to the Initial
Purchasers such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters,
schedules, documents and instruments in such quantities as the Initial
Purchasers shall reasonably request.

          8.           Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  Each Issuer
                       --------------------------------                   
jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial
Purchasers, each director, officer, employee or agent of any Initial Purchaser
and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against
any losses, claims, damages, 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -36-

liabilities or expenses to which such Initial Purchaser or such director,
officer, employee, agent or controlling person may become subject under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as any such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon:

             (i) (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
     material fact contained in any Preliminary Memorandum or the Final
     Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto or (B) the breach of any
     representation and warranty of the Issuers made by the Issuers in this
     Agreement; or

             (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state, in any Preliminary
     Memorandum or the Final Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto,
     a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading, and will reimburse, as incurred, the Initial
     Purchasers and each such director, officer, employee, agent or controlling
     person for any reasonable legal or other out of pocket expenses reasonably
     incurred by the Initial Purchasers or such director, officer, employee,
     agent or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending
     against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such
     loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------      
     none of the Issuers will be liable in any such case to an Initial Purchaser
     or any director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person of such
     Initial Purchaser to the extent that any such loss, claim, damages or
     liability, expense or action arises out of or is based upon any untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
     in any Preliminary Memorandum or the Final Memorandum or any amendment or
     supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
     information furnished to the Issuers by or on behalf of Initial Purchasers
     specifically for use therein; and provided, further, that none of the
                                       --------  -------                  
     Issuers will be liable to any Initial Purchaser or any director, officer,
     employee, agent or any person controlling any Initial Purchaser with
     respect to any such 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -37-

     untrue statement or omission made in any Preliminary Memorandum that is
     corrected in the Final Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto)
     if the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability
     purchased Securities from an Initial Purchaser in reliance upon the
     Preliminary Memorandum but was not sent or given a copy of the Final
     Memorandum (as amended or supplemented) that was made available by the
     Issuers to such Initial Purchaser at or prior to the written confirmation
     of the sale of the Securities to such person in any case where such
     delivery of such Final Memorandum (as so amended or supplemented) is
     required by the Securities Act, unless such failure to deliver such Final
     Memorandum (as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by
     the Issuers with Section 5(iv) of this Agreement. This indemnity agreement
     will be in addition to any liability that the Issuers may otherwise have to
     the indemnified parties. The Issuers further agree that the
     indemnification, contribution and reimbursement commitments set forth in
     this Section 8 shall apply whether or not any Initial Purchaser is a formal
     party to any such lawsuits, claims or other proceedings. None of the
     Issuers will without the prior written consent of the Initial Purchasers,
     settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending
     or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which
     indemnification by the Initial Purchasers may be sought hereunder (whether
     or not the Initial Purchasers or any person who controls any Initial
     Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
     20 of the Exchange Act is a party to such claim, action, suit or
     proceeding), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an
     unconditional release of the Initial Purchasers and each such director,
     officer, employee, agent or controlling person from all liability arising
     out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

          (b) The Initial Purchasers severally and not jointly will indemnify
and hold harmless the Issuers, their respective 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -38-

directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls
any of the Issuers within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses to which any of the Issuers or any such director, officer, employee,
agent or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
any Preliminary Memorandum or the Final Memorandum or any amendment or
supplement thereto, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that
such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement was made in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished to any of the Issuers by or on
behalf of such Initial Purchaser specifically for use therein. This indemnity
agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Initial Purchasers may
otherwise have to the indemnified parties.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this
Section 8, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the
omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any
liability that it may have to any indemnified party except to the extent that
such omission results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial
rights and defenses.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified
party, and such indemnified party notifies the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if the named
                                        --------  -------                   
parties in any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -39-

indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more
legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are
different from or additional to those available to any such indemnifying party,
then the indemnifying parties shall not have the right to direct the defense of
such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties and such indemnified
party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such
action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. After notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the
defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party of counsel appointed to
defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such
indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses, other
than reasonable out-of-pocket costs of investigation, incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the
indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the
proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however,
that in connection with such action the indemnifying party shall not be liable
for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local
counsel) in any one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the
same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances,
representing the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) or paragraph (b),
as the case may be, who are parties to such action or actions); (ii) the
indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the
indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying parties; or (iii) the
indemnifying party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense or retain
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. The indemnifying
parties will not be liable under this Section 8 for the costs and expenses of
any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party without the
consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld).

          (d) In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in
the preceding paragraphs of this 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -40-

Section 8 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party
in respect of any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and
equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, expenses or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or
parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the offering
of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i)
is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the
relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the
indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or
alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
expenses or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof). The relative benefits
received by the Issuers on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other
shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the
offering of the Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Issuers
bear to the total discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers.
The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand or the Initial Purchasers on
the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission, and any other
equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances. The amount paid or
payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities
referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses
incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any such
claim. The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be
equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per
capita allocation (even if the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -41-

Issuers on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other hand were
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the
first sentence of this paragraph (d). Notwithstanding any other provision of
this paragraph (d), the Initial Purchasers shall not be obligated to make
contributions hereunder that in the aggregate exceed the total discounts and
commissions received by the Initial Purchasers under this Agreement, less the
aggregate amount of any damages that the Initial Purchasers have otherwise been
required to pay by reason of the untrue or alleged untrue statements, and no
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this
paragraph (d), each director, officer, employee or agent of and each person, if
any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Initial Purchaser, and each director, officer, employee and
agent of any of the Issuers and each person, if any, who controls any of the
Issuers within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers.

          (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8, the
indemnification and contribution provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement
shall govern any claim with respect thereto.

          9.           Offering of Securities; Restrictions on Transfer.  (a)
                       ------------------------------------------------       
Each Initial Purchaser represents and warrants as to itself only that it is a
QIB.  Each Initial Purchaser agrees with the Issuers as to itself only that (i)
it has not solicited and will not solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the
Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those
terms are used in Regulation D under the Securities Act) or in any manner
involving a public offering 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -42-

within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act; and (ii) it has and
will solicit offers for the Securities only from, and will offer the Securities
only to, (A) in the case of offers inside the United States, persons whom such
Initial Purchaser reasonably believes to be QIBs or, if any such person is
buying for one or more institutional accounts for which such person is acting as
fiduciary or agent, only when such person has represented to such Initial
Purchaser that each such account is a QIB, to whom notice has been given that
such sale or delivery is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and, in each case,
in transactions under Rule 144A and (B) in the case of offers outside the United
States, to persons other than U.S. persons ("foreign purchasers," which term
shall include dealers or other professional fiduciaries in the United States
acting on a discretionary basis for foreign beneficial owners (other than an 
estate or trust)); provided, however, that, in the case of this clause (B),
                   --------  ------- 
in purchasing such Securities such persons are deemed to have represented and
agreed as provided under the caption "Notice to Investors" contained in the
Final Memorandum (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, the most
recent Preliminary Memorandum.

          (b)  Each of the Initial Purchasers represents and warrants (as to
itself only) with respect to offers and sales outside the United States that (i)
it has and will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in each
jurisdiction in which it acquires, offers, sells or delivers Securities or has
in its possession or distributes any Memorandum or any such other material, in
all cases at its own expense; (ii) the Securities have not been and will not be
offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit
of, U.S. persons except in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act
or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act; (iii) it has offered the Securities and will offer and sell the Securities
(A) as part of its distribution at any time and (B) otherwise until 40 days
after the later of the commencement of the offering and the Closing Date, only
in accordance with Rule 903 of Regulation S and, accordingly, neither it nor any
persons 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -43-

acting on its behalf have engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts
(within the meaning of Regulation S) with respect to the Securities, and any
such persons have complied and will comply with the offering restrictions
requirement of Regulation S; and (iv) it agrees that, at or prior to
confirmation of sales of the Securities, it will have sent to each distributor,
dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration that
purchases Securities from it during the restricted period a confirmation or
notice to substantially the following effect:

     "The securities covered hereby have not been registered under the United
     States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered
     and sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of,
     U.S. persons (i) as part of the distribution of the securities at any time
     or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the
     offering and the closing date of the offering, except in either case in
     accordance with Regulation S (or Rule 144A if available) under the
     Securities Act. Terms used above have the meaning given to them in
     Regulation S."

Terms used in this Section 9 and not defined in this Agreement have the meanings
given to them in Regulation S.

          10.          Survival Clause.  The respective representations,
                       ---------------                                  
warranties, agreements, covenants, indemnities and other statements of the
Issuers, their respective officers and the Initial Purchasers set forth in this
Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Issuers, any of their respective
officers or directors, the Initial Purchasers or any controlling person referred
to in Section 8 hereof and (ii) delivery of, payment for or disposition of the
Securities.  The respective agreements, covenants, indemnities and other
statements set forth in Sections 6 and 8 hereof shall 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -44-

remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation
of this Agreement.

          11.          Termination.  (a)  This Agreement may be terminated in
                       -----------                                           
the sole discretion of the Initial Purchasers by notice to the Issuers given in
the event that the Issuers shall have failed, refused or been unable to satisfy
all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or prior
to the Closing Date or if at or prior to the Closing Date:

             (i) any of the Company or the Subsidiaries or Lil' Champ shall have
     sustained any loss or interference with respect to their respective
     businesses or properties from fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake, accident
     or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor
     dispute or any legal or governmental proceeding, which loss or
     interference, in the sole judgment of the Initial Purchasers, has had or
     has a material adverse effect on the general affairs, management, business,
     condition (financial or other), properties, prospects or results of
     operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries and Lil' Champ, taken as a
     whole, or there shall have been any material adverse change, or any
     development involving a prospective material adverse change (including
     without limitation a change in management or control of the Company or any
     Subsidiary), in the general affairs, management, business, condition
     (financial or other), properties, prospects or results of operations of the
     Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as described in or
     contemplated by the Final Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or
     supplement thereto);

             (ii) trading in securities of the Company or any Subsidiary or in
     securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
     Exchange or the NASDAQ National Market shall have been suspended or minimum
     or maximum prices shall have been established on any such exchange;
<PAGE>
 
                                      -45-

             (iii)  a banking moratorium shall have been declared by New York or
     United States authorities;

             (iv) there shall have been (A) an outbreak or escalation of
     hostilities between the United States and any foreign power, (B) an
     outbreak or escalation of any other insurrection or armed conflict
     involving the United States or any other national or international calamity
     or emergency, or (C) any material change in the financial markets of the
     United States that, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, in the sole
     judgment of the Initial Purchasers, makes it impracticable or inadvisable
     to proceed with the delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Final
     Memorandum, as amended as of the date hereof; or

             (v) any securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries shall
     have been downgraded or placed on any "watch list" for possible downgrading
     by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

          (b) Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11 shall be
without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section
10 hereof.

          12.          Notices.  All communications hereunder shall be in
                       -------                                           
writing and, if sent to the Initial Purchasers, shall be hand delivered, mailed
by first-class mail, couriered by next-day air courier or telecopied and
confirmed in writing to CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp., 425 Lexington Avenue,
3rd Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attention:  Corporate Finance Department,
and with a copy to Cahill Gordon & Reindel, 80 Pine Street, New York, New York
10005, Attention:  Roger Meltzer, Esq.  If sent to any of the Issuers, shall be
mailed, delivered or telecopied and confirmed in writing, to 1801 Douglas Drive,
Post Office Box 1410, Sanford, NC 27330, Attention:  Peter J. Sodini, and with a
copy to Riordan & McKinzie, 300 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90071,
Attention:  Roger H. Lustberg, Esq.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -46-

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.

          13.          Successors.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
                       ----------                                               
and be binding upon the Initial Purchasers and each of the Issuers and their
respective successors and legal representatives, and nothing expressed or
mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other
person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this
Agreement, or any provisions herein contained; this Agreement and all conditions
and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive
benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other person except that (i)
the indemnities of the Issuers contained in Section 8 of this Agreement shall
also be for the benefit of the directors, officers, employees and agents and any
person or persons who control the Initial Purchasers within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the
indemnities of the Initial Purchasers contained in Section 8 of this Agreement
shall also be for the benefit of the directors, officers, employees and agents
and of the Issuers and any person or persons who control any Issuer within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act.
No purchaser of Securities from any Initial Purchaser will be deemed a successor
or assign because of such purchase.

          14.          No Waiver; Modifications in Writing.  No failure or delay
                       -----------------------------------                      
on the part of any Issuer or the Initial Purchasers in exercising any right,
power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.
The remedies provided for herein are 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -47-

cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to any
Issuer or the Initial Purchasers at law or in equity or otherwise. No waiver of
or consent to any departure by any Issuer or the Initial Purchasers from any
provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless signed in writing by the
party entitled to the benefit thereof, provided that notice of any such waiver
                                       --------                             
shall be given to each party hereto as set forth below. Except as otherwise
provided herein, no amendment, modification or termination of any provision of
this Agreement shall be effective unless signed in writing by or on behalf of
each of the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers. Any amendment, supplement or
modification of or to any provision of this Agreement, any waiver of any
provision of this Agreement, and any consent to any departure by the Issuers or
the Initial Purchasers from the terms of any provision of this Agreement shall
be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for
which made or given. Except where notice is specifically required by this
Agreement, no notice to or demand on the Issuers in any case shall entitle the
Issuers to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.

          15.          Information Supplied by the Initial Purchaser.  The
                       ---------------------------------------------      
statements set forth in the last two sentences of the third paragraph, and the
third sentence of the fifth paragraph and the last three paragraphs, in each
case under the heading "Plan of Distribution" in the Final Memorandum (to the
extent such statements relate to the Initial Purchasers) constitute the only
information furnished by the Initial Purchasers to the Issuers for purposes of
Section 8 hereof.

          16.          Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire
                       ----------------                                        
agreement among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements,
understandings and arrangements, oral or written, among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

          17.          APPLICABLE LAW.  THE VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS
                       --------------                                          
AGREEMENT, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -48-

HEREIN SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONFLICTS
OF LAW.

          18.          Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or
                       ------------                                           
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          19.          Joint and Several Obligations.  All of the obligations of
                       -----------------------------                            
the Issuers hereunder shall be joint and several obligations of each of them.
<PAGE>
 
          If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please
indicate your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose,
whereupon this Agreement shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company,
Sandhills, Inc. and, at the Effective Time, Lil' Champ, and the Initial
Purchasers.

                                       Very truly yours,
                              

                                       THE PANTRY, INC.
                
                                       By: /s/ PETER J. SODINI
                                       
                                              Name:  Peter J. Sodini
                                              Title: President & CEO

                                 Sandhills, Inc.

                                       By: /s/ JOSEPH J. DUNCAN
                                       
                                              Name:  Joseph J. Duncan
                                              Title: President
                              
                                 Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
 
                                       By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                       
                                              Name:  William T. Flyg
                                              Title: Executive V.P. & Assistant
                                                     Secretary    

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.

CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.

By:  /s/ PATRICE M. DANIELS

Name:  Patrice M. Daniels
Title: Managing Director     

<PAGE>
 
By:
   Name:
   Title:

FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.

By: /s/  ERIC LLOYD
   Name:  Eric Lloyd
   Title: Director
<PAGE>
 
                                         
                                                                     Exhibit A-1
                                                                     -----------

Guarantors
- ----------

Sandhills, Inc.
Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -1-

                                                                     Exhibit A-2
                                                                     -----------
Subsidiaries
- ------------

Sandhills, Inc.
TC Capital Management, Inc.
Pantry Properties, Inc.
PH Holdings, Inc.
<PAGE>
 
                                           1
 
                                                                      Schedule 1
                                                                      ----------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C> 
CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp.                                    $140,000,000
First Union Capital Markets Corp.                                     60,000,000
                                                                    ------------

                                                                    ============
Total..........................................................     $200,000,000
                                                                    ============
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 2.1
 
                           STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                                  DATED AS OF

                                AUGUST 26, 1997

                                    BETWEEN

                            PH HOLDING CORPORATION

                                      AND

                              DOCKS U.S.A., INC.
<PAGE>
 
                                       i

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>     <C>                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I..............................................................................    1
 SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE SHARES.......................................................    1
 1.01   Shares to be Sold..............................................................    1
 1.02   Consideration..................................................................    1
 1.03   Earnest Money..................................................................    1

ARTICLE II.............................................................................    1
 THE CLOSING...........................................................................    2
 2.01   Time and Place.................................................................    2
 2.02   Deliveries by Seller...........................................................    2
 2.03   Deliveries by Purchaser........................................................    2

ARTICLE III............................................................................    2
 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..............................................    2
 3.01   Power to Sell the Shares.......................................................    2
 3.02   Corporate Organization.........................................................    2
 3.03   Due Authorization and Execution; Valid and Binding Agreement; No Violation.....    3
 3.04   Capitalization.................................................................    3
 3.05   Consents and Approvals of Governmental Authorities.............................    4
 3.06   Financial Statements...........................................................    4
 3.07   No Undisclosed Liabilities.....................................................    4
 3.08   Absence of Certain Changes.....................................................    4
 3.09   Real Property Owned by the Company.............................................    6
 3.10   Maintenance of Stores and Equipment............................................    6
 3.11   Real Property Leases...........................................................    6
 3.12   No Condemnation or Expropriation...............................................    7
 3.13   Trademarks and Tradenames......................................................    7
 3.14   Litigation.....................................................................    7
 3.15   Subsidiaries...................................................................    7
 3.16   Taxes..........................................................................    7
 3.17   Employee Benefits..............................................................    9
 3.18   Bank Accounts..................................................................   10
 3.19   Compliance with Law............................................................   10
 3.20   Insurance......................................................................   10
 3.21   Labor Difficulties.............................................................   11
 3.22   Contracts......................................................................   11
 3.23   Transactions with Certain Persons..............................................   12
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
 
<S>     <C>                                                                              <C>  
 3.24   Environmental Disclaimer.......................................................   12
 3.25   Suppliers......................................................................   13
</TABLE>
                                       ii

<TABLE>

<S>     <C>                                                                              <C>
 3.26   Title to Assets................................................................   13
 3.27   Inventory......................................................................   13
 3.28   No Other Representations or Warranties; Disclaimer.............................   14

ARTICLE IV.............................................................................   15
 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER...........................................   15
 4.01   Corporate Organization; Etc....................................................   15
 4.02   Authorization, Etc.............................................................   15
 4.03   No Violation...................................................................   15
 4.04   Consents and Approvals of Governmental Authorities.............................   16
                                                                                           
ARTICLE V..............................................................................   16
 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE CLOSING...............................................   16
 5.01   Regular Course of Business.....................................................   16
 5.02   Amendments.....................................................................   16
 5.03   Capital Changes................................................................   16
 5.04   Other Actions..................................................................   16
 5.05   Facilities Matters.............................................................   16
 5.06   Approval and Consultation......................................................   16
 5.07   No Agreements..................................................................   16

ARTICLE VI.............................................................................   17
 COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES..............................................................   18
 6.01   Reasonable Access..............................................................   18
 6.02   Confidentiality................................................................   18
 6.03   Hart-Scott-Rodino Act..........................................................   19
 6.04   Records; Access by Seller......................................................   19
 6.05   Regulatory and Other Authorizations and Consents...............................   19
 6.06   Employment and Employee Benefits...............................................   20
 6.07   No Public Announcement.........................................................   20
 6.08   Certain Indebtedness...........................................................   20
 6.09   Consent Leases.................................................................   19
 6.10   Long John Silver...............................................................   21
 6.11   Further Assurances.............................................................   24
 6.12   Supplements to Schedules.......................................................   24
 6.13   Tax Matters....................................................................   24
 6.14   Acquisition Proposals..........................................................   25
 6.15   Reserve........................................................................   26
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                      iii
<TABLE>
 
<S>     <C>                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE VII.............................................................................  27
 MUTUAL CONDITIONS......................................................................  27
 7.01   Hart-Scott-Rodino Act...........................................................  28
 7.02   Orders; Etc.....................................................................  28

ARTICLE VIII............................................................................  28
 CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS..................................................  28
 8.01   Representations and Warranties True.............................................  28
 8.02   Performance.....................................................................  28
 8.03   Certificates....................................................................  28
 8.04   Indemnity.......................................................................  28
 8.05   Resignation.....................................................................  28
 8.06   Auchan Letter...................................................................  27
 8.07   Legal Opinions..................................................................  27
 8.08   Regulatory and other Authorizations and Consents................................  27
 8.09   Material Adverse Change.........................................................  27

ARTICLE IX..............................................................................  29
 CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS.....................................................  29
 9.01   Representations and Warranties True.............................................  29
 9.02   Performance.....................................................................  29
 9.03   Certificates....................................................................  30
 9.04   Legal Opinions..................................................................  28

ARTICLE X...............................................................................  30
 SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION...........................................................  30
 10.01  Survival........................................................................  30
 10.02  Indemnification by Seller.......................................................  30
 10.03  Indemnification by Purchaser....................................................  30
 10.04  Limitations on Indemnification..................................................  31
 10.05  Conditions of Indemnification...................................................  31

ARTICLE XI..............................................................................  32
 TERMINATION AND REMEDIES...............................................................  32
 11.01  Termination.....................................................................  32
 11.02  Remedies........................................................................  32
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                       iv
<TABLE>

<S>      <C>                                                                             <C> 
ARTICLE XII............................................................................   34
 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS..............................................................   34
 12.01   Commissions and Finders' Fees.................................................   34
 12.02   Amendment and Modification....................................................   33
 12.03   Waiver of Compliance..........................................................   34
 12.04   Expenses......................................................................   35
 12.05   Notices.......................................................................   35
 12.06   Assignment....................................................................   36
 12.07   Governing Law.................................................................   36
 12.08   Counterparts..................................................................   37
 12.09   Effectiveness; Binding Effect.................................................   37
 12.10   Headings......................................................................   35
 12.11   Entire Agreement..............................................................   37
 12.12   Third Parties.................................................................   37
 12.13   No Recourse Against Others....................................................   37
 12.14   Mutual Agreement..............................................................   38
 12.15   Severability..................................................................   38
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                       v

                                   SCHEDULES
                                   ---------
<TABLE>
 
<S>    <C> 
3.03   Agreements Requiring Consent, Notification, Etc. (Seller)
3.05   Consents and Approvals of Governmental Authorities
3.07   Certain Liabilities
3.08   Certain Changes
3.09   Owned Real Property
3.10   Certain Maintenance
3.11   Real Property Leases
3.12   Condemnations
3.13   Trademarks and Tradenames
3.14   Litigation
3.15   Subsidiaries
3.16   Taxes
3.17   Employee Benefits
3.18   Bank Accounts
3.19   Compliance with Law
3.20   Insurance
3.21   Labor Difficulties
3.22   Material Contracts
3.23   Related Party Transactions
3.25   Suppliers
3.27   Inventory
4.03   Agreements Requiring Consent, Notification, Etc. (Purchaser)
4.04   Consents and Approvals of Governmental Authorities (Purchaser)
5.05   Facilities Matters
6.08   Certain Indebtedness
6.09   Consent Leases
6.13   Tax Matters
8.06   Auchan Letter
8.07   Legal Opinions (Counsels to Seller, the Company and Auchan)
9.04   Legal Opinions (Counsel to Purchaser)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                           STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                           ------------------------

          STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of August 26, 1997 between PH
Holding Corporation, a North Carolina corporation ("Purchaser") and Docks
U.S.A., Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Seller").

          Seller owns an aggregate of 500 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par
value per share (the "Shares"), of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc., a Florida
corporation (the "Company"), constituting all of the outstanding capital stock
of the Company.  This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions upon which
Purchaser will purchase the Shares from Seller.  In consideration of the mutual
agreements contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                        SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE SHARES
                        -------------------------------

          1.01   SHARES TO BE SOLD. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
                 -----------------                                         
Agreement, at the Closing provided for in Section 2.01 hereof (the "Closing"),
Seller shall sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to Purchaser, and Purchaser
shall purchase the Shares from Seller, free and clear of any Encumbrance (as
hereinafter defined), and upon such transfer Purchaser shall have good title to
all of the Shares.

          1.02   CONSIDERATION. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
                 -------------                                         
Agreement, as consideration for the Shares, Purchaser will at the Closing (a)
pay to Seller in cash an aggregate of $132,700,000; and (b) repay all
outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Agreements (as hereinafter defined).
 
          1.03   EARNEST MONEY. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery
                 -------------                                        
of this Agreement, Purchaser is depositing $4,000,000 (the "Earnest Money") by
wire transfer at Purchaser's expense to Societe Generale, New York Branch to be
held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement of even date herewith (the "Escrow
Agreement") among Purchaser, Seller and Societe Generale, New York Branch as
Escrow Agent. If the Closing occurs, the Earnest Money, together with all
interest earned thereon, shall be applied to the purchase price payable by
Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.02 hereof and shall be released to Seller at
Closing. If the Closing does not occur, the Earnest Money and all interest
earned thereon shall be held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement until final
disposition thereof in accordance with Article XI hereof and the terms of the
Escrow Agreement.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE II
                                  THE CLOSING
                                  -----------

          2.01   TIME AND PLACE. The Closing of the transactions contemplated by
                 --------------                                  
this Agreement will take place at the offices of Bureau Francis Lefebvre-New
York, 712 Fifth Avenue, New York at 10:00 A.M. local time, on the Closing Date
(as hereinafter defined). Subject to Section 11.01 hereof and the satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth in Articles VII, VIII and IX, the Closing
shall occur on October 31, 1997, or on such other date as the parties shall
mutually agree. The date of the Closing is hereinafter sometimes referred to as
the "Closing Date".

          2.02   DELIVERIES BY SELLER. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver the
                 --------------------                               
following: (a) the certificate representing the Shares, duly endorsed in blank
or accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank; and (b) the various
certificates, documents and instruments referred to in Article VIII hereof.

          2.03   DELIVERIES BY PURCHASER. At the Closing, Purchaser shall
                 -----------------------                                  
deliver the following: (a) the consideration set forth in Section 1.02(a)
hereof, by wire transfer of funds to an account designated by Seller in writing
at least three days prior to the Closing; (b) the consideration set forth in
Section 1.02(b) hereof, by wire transfer of funds to the accounts designated by
the lending banks named in the Credit Agreements at least three days prior to
the Closing; and (c) the various certificates, documents and instruments
referred to in Article IX hereto.

                                  ARTICLE III
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
                    ----------------------------------------

          Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

          3.01   POWER TO SELL THE SHARES. Seller has the power to and at the
                 ------------------------                                 
Closing shall, sell, assign, transfer and deliver to Purchaser good title to the
Shares, free and clear of all claims, charges, security interests, liens,
pledges, mortgages, assessments, options and encumbrances (collectively
"Encumbrances"), and with no restriction on the voting rights and other
incidents of record ownership pertaining thereto.

          3.02   CORPORATE ORGANIZATION. Seller is a corporation validly
                 ----------------------                      
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada and has all
requisite corporate power and corporate authority to enter into this Agreement
and to perform its obligations hereunder. The Company is a corporation validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Florida and has all
requisite corporate power and corporate authority to carry on its business as it
is now being conducted and to own the properties and assets it now owns; and is
duly

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing
in all jurisdictions in which the ownership of property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify
would not have a material adverse effect upon the financial condition, business,
operations or prospects of the Company (a "Material Adverse Effect").

          3.03   DUE AUTHORIZATION AND EXECUTION; VALID AND BINDING AGREEMENT;
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this
- ------------
Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action required
by law or Seller's organizational documents. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Seller and, assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by Purchaser, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Seller,
enforceable in accordance with its terms. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.03,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will violate any provision
of the organizational documents of Seller or the Company, or, to the knowledge
of Seller, violate any law or regulation applicable to Seller or the Company,
or, to the knowledge of Seller, violate, or be in conflict with, or constitute a
default under, or cause the amendment, modification or acceleration of, or give
any party the right to amend, modify or refuse to perform, or modify the time
within which duties are to be performed or rights or benefits are to be received
under, or cause the acceleration of the maturity of any debt or obligation
pursuant to, or result in the creation or imposition of any security interest,
lien or other encumbrance upon any property or asset of Seller or the Company
under, any lease, agreement, understanding, restriction or commitment or any
judgment, decree, or order of any court or governmental or regulatory authority
or agency to which Seller or the Company is a party or by which Seller or the
Company is bound, or to which the property of Seller or the Company is subject,
except for minor violations, conflicts or defaults which would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, "knowledge of Seller" shall
mean the actual knowledge of the executive officers of Seller or the actual
knowledge after reasonable inquiry of the executive officers of the Company
(i.e. Eddie Jackson, Victor Jackson and Dale Fish).
 ----                                              

          3.04   CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the Company
                 --------------                                     
consists of 500 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of which 500 shares are
issued and outstanding and none are issued and held in treasury. All issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable; and all such shares are owned beneficially
and of record by Seller. There are no outstanding (a) securities convertible
into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase any capital stock of
the Company; (b) options, warrants, calls or other rights to purchase or
subscribe to the Company's capital stock or securities convertible into,
exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase any shares of the Company's
capital stock; or (c) contracts, commitments, agreements, understandings or
arrangements of any kind

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
relating to the issuance of any capital stock of the Company, any such
convertible or exchangeable securities or any such other securities evidencing
the right to purchase any such options, warrants or rights.

          3.05   CONSENTS AND APPROVALS OF GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES. Except as
                 --------------------------------------------------  
disclosed on Schedule 3.05, to the knowledge of Seller, no consent, approval or
authorization of, or declaration, filing or registration with, any governmental
or regulatory authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement by Seller or the consummation by Seller of the
transactions contemplated hereby or is required for the continued operation of
the Company's business after the Closing.

          3.06   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Seller has heretofore delivered to
                 --------------------                                     
Purchaser: (i) a balance sheet of the Company as at December 28, 1996, December
30, 1995 and December 31, 1994, and statements of operations, cash flow and
stockholders' equity for each of the fiscal years then ended, audited by the
Company's independent public accountants; and (ii) an audited balance sheet of
the Company as at May 31, 1997 (the "Balance Sheet") and audited statements of
income, cash flow and stockholders' equity for the five-month period then ended.
Such balance sheets of the Company and the notes thereto present fairly the
financial position of the Company as at the respective dates thereof, and such
statements of operations, cash flow and stockholders' equity of the Company and
the notes thereto present fairly the results of operations, cash flow and
stockholders' equity of the Company for the periods therein referred to; all in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently followed
throughout the periods involved.

          3.07   NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. To the knowledge of Seller, except
                 --------------------------                              
as disclosed on Schedule 3.07 or otherwise in this Agreement and the Schedules
hereto, the Company has no material liabilities which are not reflected or
reserved against in the Balance Sheet, except for liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date
thereof. The Company has no unamortized liabilities for rebates under any
gasoline supply agreements except as disclosed on Schedule 3.07.

          3.08   ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as set forth on Schedule
                 --------------------------                         
3.08, to the knowledge of Seller, since the date of the Balance Sheet, the
Company has conducted its business in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice (except for reasonable activities relating to the proposed sale of the
Company), and the Company has not (a) suffered any material adverse change in
its financial condition, business, operations or prospects, provided that Seller
makes no representations with respect to business or economic conditions which
are generally applicable to companies in the Company's industry, or suffered any
material damage or destruction to its assets, which is not covered by insurance;
(b) sold, assigned or transferred any material assets of the Company, other than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (c) amended,
canceled, surrendered or terminated any indebtedness, claim or material
contract, license or instrument or other right material to the Company nor has
any third party amended, canceled, surrendered or terminated 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
any indebtedness, claim or material contract, license or instrument or other
right material to the Company; (d) failed to repay any material obligation of
the Company when due; (e) made any change in its accounting methods, principles,
or practices materially affecting its financial condition, results of operations
or business; (f) made any material revaluation of any of its assets, including
without limitation, any material write-offs, material increases in any reserves
or any write-up of the value of inventory, property, plant, equipment or any
other asset; (g) incurred any damage, destruction or loss (whether or not
covered by insurance) affecting any facility maintained by the Company or any
other material asset of the Company which would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) voluntarily created any mortgage lien or any other Encumbrance with respect
to any assets of the Company except for Encumbrances described in Sections 3.09
(other than mortgage liens) and 3.26 hereof; (i) declared, set aside or paid any
dividend or other distribution or payment (whether in cash, stock or property)
with respect to the capital stock or other equity securities of the Company or
redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired any of the securities of the Company
or made any other payment to any stockholder of the Company in its capacity as a
stockholder or repaid any intercompany indebtedness; (j) incurred any
indebtedness for borrowed money or made any commitment to incur indebtedness for
borrowed money except pursuant to commitments or credit facilities existing on
the date of the Balance Sheet and set forth on Schedule 3.22 (the "Credit
Agreements"); (k) increased the compensation of officers or employees (including
any such increase pursuant to a modification or amendment to any bonus, pension,
profit-sharing or other plan or commitment) or granted any severance, change of
control or termination pay, except for increases in compensation in the ordinary
course of business, consistent with past practice or as required by law or any
existing agreement and except for cost-of-living or minimum wage adjustments and
other similar increases consistent with past practice; (l) added or modified any
employee benefit plans or arrangements or granted any bonus, incentive
compensation, service, award or other like benefit to any officer or employee
except in accordance with and as required by the terms of plans or arrangements
disclosed on Schedule 3.17; (m) assumed, guaranteed, endorsed or otherwise
become responsible for the obligations of any other individual, firm or
corporation, or made any loans or advances to any other individual, firm or
corporation (except for travel, entertainment or other similar advances to
officers, directors or employees of the Company in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice); (n) purchased or acquired any material
assets, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(o) settled any material litigation, other than with respect to matters fully
covered by insurance (except for deductibles and other immaterial amounts) or
with respect to which the Company is indemnified by a tobacco company; (p)
entered into any material contract, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice; (q) entered into any new transaction with any
affiliate of the Company; or (r) failed to pay estimated taxes timely in an
amount to avoid penalties and interest thereon, or failed to accrue any tax
liability incurred since the date of the Balance 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Sheet in the ordinary course of business consistent with the Company's past
practice between year-end audits.

          3.09   REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE COMPANY. Schedule 3.09 lists all
                 ----------------------------------                      
real property owned by the Company (collectively the "Real Estate"). The Company
has good, valid and marketable title in fee simple to all of the Real Estate
subject to: (a) the exceptions shown in the deeds, title insurance policies and
abstracts relating to the Real Estate, which have been made available for review
by Purchaser, provided that with respect to mortgage liens, all the indebtedness
underlying such liens has been repaid in full except as described on Schedule
3.09; (b) liens for taxes and assessments not yet delinquent; (c) survey
exceptions, reciprocal easements relating to underground tanks located on
adjacent properties, and encroachments, including encroachments by retention
ponds, drain fields and septic systems which do not materially interfere with
the present use by the Company of the Real Estate, taken as a whole; (d)
mechanics', carriers', workers', repairers' and other similar liens or
encumbrances arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business; (e)
condemnations, expropriations and takings referred to in Schedule 3.12; (f)
leases to third parties reflected on Schedule 3.11; and (g) such other liens,
leases, imperfections in title, charges, easements, restrictions, rights-of-way,
licenses, reservations, encumbrances and other matters as do not materially
interfere with the present use by the Company of the Real Estate, taken as a
whole. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.09, neither the Company nor any third
party holds any option to purchase or sell any store or any interest in the Real
Estate.

          3.10   MAINTENANCE OF STORES AND EQUIPMENT. Except as disclosed on
                 -----------------------------------                      
Schedule 3.10, and except for events of Force Majeure (as hereinafter defined)
occurring after the date of this Agreement, since the date of the Balance Sheet,
the Company has performed in all material respects maintenance and made capital
expenditures in accordance with past practice and in accordance with the
Company's capital budget, a copy of which is annexed to Schedule 3.10. As used
in this Agreement, "Force Majeure" shall mean any cause beyond the reasonable
control of Seller or the Company, including, without limitation, acts of God,
hurricanes, riots, fires, floods, unusually severe weather, curtailment or
termination of sources or supplies of energy or power, inability to obtain or
delay in obtaining services, materials or supplies, embargoes or acts of
governmental authorities.

          3.11   REAL PROPERTY LEASES. Schedule 3.11 lists all leases, as
                 --------------------                                     
amended through the date hereof (each, a "Lease"), pursuant to which the Company
leases real property from or to other parties. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.11, true, complete and correct copies of all the Leases have been made
available for review by Purchaser. The Company is the holder of the tenant's
interest under each Lease as to which it is the lessee. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.11, there are no existing defaults by the Company or, to the
knowledge of Seller, any other party thereunder and no event of default has
occurred which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or the happening
or occurrence of any other event) would

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
constitute a default thereunder by the Company or, to the knowledge of Seller,
any other party, except such defaults, events of default or other events which
would not result in damages or loss of properties or rental income which would
have a Material Adverse Effect.

          3.12   NO CONDEMNATION OR EXPROPRIATION. Except as disclosed on
                 --------------------------------                         
Schedule 3.12, neither the whole nor any portion of the Real Estate or any
leasehold of the Company is subject to any governmental decree or order to be
sold or is being condemned, expropriated or otherwise taken by any public
authority with or without payment of compensation therefor, nor, to the
knowledge of Seller, has any such condemnation, expropriation or taking been
proposed.

          3.13   TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES. Schedule 3.13 lists the registered
                 -------------------------                          
or unregistered trademarks and tradenames held by the Company and pending
registrations by the Company of trademarks and tradenames (the "Marks"). Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.13, the Company owns or possesses the exclusive right
to use all the Marks except for rights of others which would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. No person has the right to receive from the Company any royalty
or similar payment in respect of the Marks. All of the Marks are valid and
enforceable rights of the Company and will not be affected by the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (not including any action taken by Purchaser). To
the knowledge of Seller, the Company has not transferred any rights in the Marks
to any third party. No proceedings have been instituted or are pending or to the
knowledge of Seller threatened which challenge the validity of the Company's use
of any such trademark or trade name. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13,
Seller has no knowledge of any infringing use of any of the Marks by any other
person.

          3.14   LITIGATION.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.14, there
                 ----------                                              
is no action, suit, arbitration or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of
Seller, threatened against the Company, which, if adversely determined against
the Company, would have a Material Adverse Effect or which challenges the
validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which
could have a Material Adverse Effect.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, to
the knowledge of Seller, neither the Company nor any of its assets or properties
is subject to any order, judgment, injunction or decree.  To the knowledge of
Seller, there is no investigation pending or threatened which, if adversely
determined against the Company, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

          3.15   SUBSIDIARIES. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.15, the Company
                 ------------                                            
has no subsidiaries and does not own or have the power to vote or to acquire
equity interests or any option, right, warrant or other right or instrument
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any such equity interest of
any entity, corporate or otherwise.

          3.16   TAXES. The Company has filed all federal, state and local tax
                 -----                                                     
returns 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
required to be filed by it and, except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16, has duly
paid all taxes shown to be due on such tax returns. The provisions for taxes
reflected in the Balance Sheet are reasonable. There are no pending actions or
proceedings for the assessment or collection of taxes from the Company and,
except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16, there is currently no active or ongoing
tax audit. Schedule 3.16 lists the periods through which the Company's tax
returns have been examined or audited by the Internal Revenue Service or other
appropriate taxing authority. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, all
deficiencies and assessments asserted as a result of such examinations or other
audits by federal, state or local taxing authorities have been paid and fully
settled and no issue or claim has been asserted in writing for taxes by any
taxing authority for any prior period, the adverse determination of which would
result in a deficiency, other than those heretofore paid. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.16, there are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the
statutory period of limitation applicable to any tax return for any period. The
Company has delivered to Purchaser true, complete and correct copies of all the
income tax returns of the Company for the last three taxable years for which
such tax returns have been filed. The Company is not required to file tax
returns in any foreign, state or local jurisdiction for any tax period except in
those foreign, state and local jurisdictions in which it has filed. The Company
has paid or accrued as "Income taxes payable", "Other taxes payable" or
"Deferred income taxes payable" in the Current Liabilities section on the
Balance Sheet (i) all taxes (including interest, penalties or additions) for all
taxable periods ended on or prior to the date of the Balance Sheet and (ii) all
taxes (including interest, penalties or additions) properly apportionable to any
day through the date of the Balance Sheet (apportioned as if the date of the
Balance Sheet were the end of a taxable year or period) for all taxable years or
periods including, but not ending on, the date of the Balance Sheet, except that
Seller makes no representation or warranty with respect to the matter covered by
Section 6.13(e). There are no liens for taxes (other than current taxes not yet
due and payable) upon the assets of the Company except property tax liens which
are immaterial in amount. The Company has collected all sales, use and value
added taxes required to be collected, and has remitted on a timely basis such
amounts to the appropriate governmental authorities and has furnished properly
completed exemption certificates for all exempt transactions and the Company has
properly withheld income and social security taxes with respect to all persons
properly characterized as employees for federal, state or local tax purposes.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, the Company is not a party to or bound by
any tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or other similar
arrangement. The Company has not taken any action that would require an
adjustment pursuant to Section 481 of the Code, by reason of a change in
accounting method or otherwise. The Company has not filed a consent under
Section 341(f)(1) of the Code or agreed to have the provisions of Section
341(f)(2) of the Code applied to any disposition of "subsection (f) assets" as
such term is defined in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code. The Company has delivered
to Purchaser true and complete copies of all agreements, arrangements and
understandings, including, without limitation, employment agreements, deferred
compensation agreements, bonus arrangements, severance agreements, 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
and incentive agreements in which the Company could be obligated to make any
payments that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code.

          3.17   EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
                 ----------------- 
                 (a) Schedule 3.17 contains a complete list of all Employee
Benefit Plans (as hereinafter defined) and all fringe benefits provided by the
Company to its employees. For purposes of this Agreement, "Employee Benefit
Plan" means any "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(2) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) and
any "employee welfare benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA).
Copies of (i) all Employee Benefit Plans, (ii) all related trust agreements,
insurance contracts and summary plan descriptions, (iii) all annual reports
filed on IRS Form 5500, 5500C or 5500R for the last three plan years for each
Employee Benefit Plan and (iv) the most recent determination letters (if
applicable) issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Employee
Benefit Plan have been made available for review by Purchaser. To the knowledge
of Seller, except as set forth on Schedule 3.17, each Employee Benefit Plan has
been administered in accordance with its terms and the Company has met its
obligations with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan and has made all required
contributions thereto and all such amounts are fully deductible. To the
knowledge of Seller, the Company has made no commitments to make any voluntary
contributions to or to voluntarily fund any Employee Benefit Plans except as set
forth in Schedule 3.17. To the knowledge of Seller, the Company and all Employee
Benefit Plans are in compliance with the currently applicable provisions of
ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the
regulations thereunder.
                 (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17, to the knowledge of
Seller, there are no investigations by any governmental entity, termination
proceedings or other claims, suits or proceedings against or involving any
Employee Benefit Plan or asserting any rights or claims to benefits under any
Employee Benefit Plan.
                 (c) All the Employee Benefit Plans that are intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code have received determination letters
from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Employee Benefit Plans
are qualified and the plans and the trusts related thereto are exempt from
federal income taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the
Code, no such determination letter has been revoked and, to the knowledge of
Seller, such revocation has not been threatened, and no such Employee Benefit
Plan has been amended since the date of its most recent determination letter or
application therefor in any respect, and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.17,
no act or omission has occurred, that would adversely affect its qualification
or increase its cost.
                 (d) At no time has the Company been obligated to contribute to
any "multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).
                 (e) There are no unfunded obligations under any Employee
Benefit Plan providing benefits after termination of employment to any employee
of the Company (or to any beneficiary of any such employee), excluding
continuation of health coverage required

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
to be continued under Section 4980B of the Code or state insurance law and
benefits provided pursuant to defined contribution retirement plans (as defined
in Section 414(i) of the Code).
          (f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 no act or omission has
occurred and no condition exists with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan
maintained by the Company that would subject the Company to any fine, penalty,
tax or liability of any kind imposed under ERISA or the Code, the imposition of
which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
          (g) To the knowledge of Seller, there exists no liability of the
Company under any insurance policy or similar arrangement procured in connection
with an Employee Benefit Plan in the nature of a retroactive rate adjustment or
loss sharing arrangement.
          (h) None of the persons performing services for the Company have been
improperly classified as independent contractors or have been exempt from the
payment of wages for overtime.
          (i) The Company has no intention or commitment to create any
additional Employee Benefit Plan or to modify or change any existing Employee
Benefit Plan so as to increase benefits to participants or the cost of
maintaining the Plan.

     3.18 BANK ACCOUNTS.  Schedule 3.18 sets forth the names of all banks, trust
          -------------                                            
companies, savings and loan associations, brokerage houses and other financial
institutions at which the Company maintains accounts or safe deposit boxes of
any nature, and the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or make
withdrawals therefrom.

     3.19 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 or otherwise
          -------------------                                       
in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto, to the knowledge of Seller, the
Company is in compliance with all laws, ordinances, regulations, and orders
applicable to it, the failure to comply with which would have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, all licenses, franchises, permits
and other governmental authorizations held by the Company are valid and
sufficient to permit the operations thereof except where the failure to hold
such licenses, franchises, permits and other governmental authorizations would
not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 or
otherwise in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto, (a) there are no
citations, fines or penalties heretofore asserted against the Company under any
federal, state or local law or regulation which remain unpaid or which otherwise
bind any assets material to the Company, and (b) the Company has not received
any unresolved notice from any federal, state or local governmental authority
with respect to any violation of any federal, state or local law or regulation
which, if resolved against the Company, would have a Material Adverse Effect.
Nothing in this Section 3.19 shall be construed as a representation or warranty
with respect to any "Environmental Condition" (as hereinafter defined).

          3.20 INSURANCE.  Schedule 3.20 contains a list of all policies of
               ---------                                                
fire,

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
liability, workers' compensation and other forms of insurance owned or
held by or for the benefit of the Company, except title insurance and Employee
Benefit Plans, and all letters of credit and surety bonds maintained by the
Company.  The Company has paid all premiums due under such policies.  All such
policies, letters of credit and bonds are in full force and effect, and no
notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such
policy.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.20, there are no risks which the
Company has designated as being self-insured.  The amount and nature of the
Company's self insurance reserves, as set forth on the Balance Sheet, have been
calculated in accordance with customary actuarial practice.

               3.21   LABOR DIFFICULTIES.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21
                      ------------------                                       
or otherwise in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto:  (a) to the knowledge
of Seller, the Company is in compliance with all applicable laws respecting
employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment,
employee health and safety, and wages and hours, and is not engaged in any
unfair labor practice; (b) there is no unfair labor practice, wrongful
termination or employment discrimination (age, sex, race or otherwise) charge or
complaint against the Company pending or to the knowledge of Seller, threatened;
(c) there is no labor strike, dispute, slowdown or stoppage actually pending or
threatened against or affecting the Company; (d) to the knowledge of Seller, no
representation question exists respecting the employees of the Company; (e) no
grievance or arbitration proceedings arising out of or under collective
bargaining agreements is pending and, to the knowledge of Seller, no claim
therefor exists; (f) no collective bargaining agreement which is binding on the
Company restricts it from relocating or closing any of its operations; and (g)
to the knowledge of Seller, no organizational effort has been or is being made
by or on behalf of any labor union with respect to any employees of the Company.

               3.22   CONTRACTS.  Schedule 3.22 lists (a) each material, written
                      ---------                                                 
contract or agreement to which the Company is party and which cannot be
terminated without fee or penalty on notice of 30 days or less; (b) all
contracts or agreements containing covenants not to compete or rights of first
refusal; (c) all debt agreements or instruments and guarantees to which the
Company is a party or bound; and (d) any employment or consulting agreement with
any present or former director, officer or employee of the Company which remains
an executory contract (each of which is herein referred to as a "Material
Contract") other than real property leases referred to in Section 3.11.  Each
Material Contract is valid, binding and enforceable against the Company and, to
the knowledge of Seller, each other party thereto in accordance with its terms.
Except as set forth on Schedules 3.03 and 3.22, there is not, with respect to
the Material Contracts, any existing default, or event of default by the Company
or, to the knowledge of Seller, any other party, or event which with or without
due notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default or event of
default on the part of the Company, except such defaults or events of default on
the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party and
other events which would not have a Material Adverse 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Effect.

               3.23   TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN PERSONS.  Except as set forth on
                      ---------------------------------                         
Schedule 3.23, to the knowledge of Seller:  (a) there are no agreements between
the Company and any stockholder, affiliate, director, officer (or any member of
an officer's immediate family) or employee of the Company; and (b) no
stockholder, affiliate, director, officer (or any member of an officer's
immediate family) or employee of the Company has any interest in any property
used by the Company in the conduct of its business.

               3.24   ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLAIMER. PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT,
                      ------------------------                              
HAVING BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT ITS OWN ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE
WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY'S REAL PROPERTY AND BUSINESS, PURCHASER IS RELYING
SOLELY ON ITS OWN DUE DILIGENCE AND NOT ON ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS OR
WARRANTIES OF SELLER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PAST OR PRESENT "ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITION" (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED).  PURCHASER AGREES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT AS
TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PURCHASER IS ACQUIRING THE SHARES AND THE COMPANY
"AS IS", "WHERE IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS" AND THAT SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION,
WARRANTY OR GUARANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR ARISING BY
OPERATION OF LAW, IN ANY WAY RELATING TO ANY ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION AFFECTING
ANY OF THE COMPANY'S REAL PROPERTY, WHETHER OWNED OR LEASED, ANY OTHER REAL
PROPERTY OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THE COMPANY.  IN THE EVENT THAT ANY
INVESTIGATION, REMEDIATION OR OTHER CORRECTIVE ACTION IS AT ANY TIME REQUIRED TO
BE PERFORMED AFTER THE CLOSING AS A RESULT OF THE PRESENCE OF ANY ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITION, PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH INVESTIGATION,
REMEDIATION OR CORRECTIVE ACTION SHALL BE PERFORMED BY THE COMPANY AND/OR
PURCHASER AT ITS AND/OR THEIR SOLE COST AND EXPENSE, AND THAT SELLER HAS NO DUTY
OR OBLIGATION TO PERFORM OR CAUSE TO BE PERFORMED ANY SUCH INVESTIGATION,
REMEDIATION OR CORRECTIVE ACTION OR TO INDEMNIFY PURCHASER FOR, OR CONTRIBUTE TO
THE COMPANY'S OR PURCHASER'S COST OF, SUCH INVESTIGATION, REMEDIATION OR
CORRECTIVE ACTION.  PURCHASER, FOR ITSELF, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, RELEASES AND RELINQUISHES ALL CLAIMS,
RIGHTS OF INDEMNIFICATION OR CONTRIBUTION, CAUSES OF ACTION OR DEMANDS
(INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, FOR ATTORNEYS' AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS'
FEES), WHICH PURCHASER, THE COMPANY OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS, LEGAL
REPRESENTATIVES 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
OR ASSIGNS NOW HAS OR MAY HAVE OR ALLEGE AGAINST SELLER OR ANY OF ITS
AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS, BY REASON OF ANY PAST OR
PRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION BE IT KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, LATENT OR PATENT, OR ANY
INVESTIGATION, REMEDIATION OR CORRECTIVE ACTION WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED OR
DESIRABLE WITH RESPECT THERETO. AS USED HEREIN, "ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION" MEANS
(I) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION OR CONTAMINATION OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION OR CONTAMINATION FROM ANY
SPILL, DISCHARGE, LEAK, EMISSION, ESCAPE, INJECTION, DEPOSIT, EMANATION, DUMPING
OR RELEASE OF ANY KIND, IN ANY AMOUNT WHATSOEVER, OR EXPOSURE OF ANY TYPE IN ANY
WORKPLACE OR ELSEWHERE OR TO ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, AMBIENT
AIR, LAND SURFACE, SUBSURFACE STRATA, SURFACE WATERS (INCLUDING NAVIGABLE AND
OCEAN WATERS), SUBSURFACE WATERS (INCLUDING GROUND WATER AND DRINKING WATER
SUPPLIES), STREAM SEDIMENT, PLANT OR ANIMAL LIFE, OR ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL OR
NATURAL RESOURCE, OR FROM ANY SOURCE, USE, GENERATION, TRANSPORTATION,
TREATMENT, DISCHARGE, STORAGE, HANDLING OR DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIALS, RAW
MATERIALS, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, HAZARDOUS CONSTITUENTS, TOXIC MATERIALS,
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS OR PRODUCTS OR SUBSTANCES OF ANY KIND, OR (II) ANY VIOLATION
OF OR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW, RULE, REGULATION,
ORDER, PERMIT, APPROVAL, AUTHORIZATION, LICENSE OR REGISTRATION RELATING TO THE
ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES, PUBLIC OR EMPLOYEE HEALTH OR SAFETY AS A RESULT
OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY OF THE FOREGOING, (III) ANY
ACCUSATION, ALLEGATION, NOTICE OF VIOLATION, ACTION, CLAIM, LIEN, DEMAND,
ABATEMENT, ORDER, JUDGMENT, DECREE, ASSESSMENT OR AWARD BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL
AUTHORITY OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS A RESULT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH
ANY OF THE FOREGOING.

               3.25   SUPPLIERS.  Schedule 3.25 sets forth (a) the ten largest
                      ---------                                               
suppliers of the Company for the 1996 calendar year other than suppliers of
utilities (the "Large Suppliers"), and (b) the amount of such payments to each
Large Supplier for the 1996 calendar year. Except set forth on Schedule 3.25,
none of the Large Suppliers has canceled or otherwise terminated or, to the
knowledge of Seller, threatened to cancel or otherwise terminate its
relationship with the Company or, since January 1, 1997, decreased materially,
or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened to decrease or limit materially its
services, supplies or materials to the Company, whether as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Agreement or otherwise.

               3.26   TITLE TO ASSETS.  The Company has good and valid title to
                      ---------------                                          
the assets owned by it, other than the Real Estate, except assets disposed of in
the ordinary course of business. None of such assets are subject to any
Encumbrance except (a) liens reflected on the Balance Sheet; (b) liens of
landlords and liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's,
mechanics', materialmen's and vendors' liens incurred in the ordinary course of
business; (c) purchase money liens arising or created in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices; (d) minor imperfections of title, if
any, none of which would have a Material Adverse Effect; and (e) liens for taxes
not yet due.

               3.27   INVENTORY.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.27, since
                      ---------                                              
January 1, 1997, the Company has continued to replenish its inventory in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and has not made any
change in its inventory policies or procedures, including its accounting
policies or procedures with respect to inventory.

               3.28   NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES; DISCLAIMER.
                      --------------------------------------------------  
Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article III,
neither Seller, the Company nor any other person acting on behalf thereof
(including any of their respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees,
agents or representatives) makes any representation or warranty, express,
implied, statutory or arising by operation of law, and Seller hereby disclaims
any such representation or warranty, whether by Seller, the Company or any of
their respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents or
representatives or any other person, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure
to Purchaser or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents or
representatives or any other person of any documentation or other information by
Seller, the Company or any of their respective affiliates, officers, directors,
employees, agents or representatives or any other person.  In connection with
Purchaser's investigation of the Company, Purchaser has received from Seller and
the Company certain projections, forecasts and business plan information
relating to future periods.  Purchaser agrees and acknowledges that there are
uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such projections and other
forecasts and plans, that Purchaser is familiar with such uncertainties, that
Purchaser is taking full responsibility for making its own evaluation of the
adequacy and accuracy of all projections and other forecasts and plans so
furnished to it, and that Purchaser shall have no claim against Seller or any
other person with respect thereto.  Accordingly, Seller makes no representation
or warranty with respect to such projections, forecasts or business plans.
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, PURCHASER IS ACQUIRING THE
SHARES AND THE COMPANY "AS IS", "WHERE IS" AND "WITH ALL FAULTS", AND SELLER
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS,
IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR ARISING BY OPERATION OF LAW.  WITHOUT LIMITING THE
GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, IMPLIED 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
WARRANTIES OF FITNESS AND MERCHANTABILITY SHALL NOT APPLY. PURCHASER HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ALL PROVISIONS OF THE FLORIDA DECEPTIVE
AND UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT AND ALL PROVISIONS OF THE GEORGIA UNIFORM
DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT, AS AMENDED, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE TO THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. PURCHASER FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS TO
SELLER THAT PURCHASER (I) HAS ASSETS OF $5,000,000 OR MORE; (II) HAS KNOWLEDGE
OF AND EXPERIENCE IN FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS MATTERS THAT ENABLE PURCHASER TO
EVALUATE THE MERITS AND RISKS OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS
AGREEMENT; (III) HAS HAD ACCESS TO ALL FINANCIAL, CORPORATE AND OTHER
INFORMATION RELATED TO THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS AND HAS HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW AND QUESTION THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT CONCERNING
THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS; (IV) IS REPRESENTED BY LEGAL
COUNSEL IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND SUCH TRANSACTIONS; AND (V) IS NOT
IN A DISPARATE BARGAINING POSITION RELATIVE TO SELLER.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         -------------------------------
                                  OF PURCHASER
                                  ------------

                 Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

                 4.01 CORPORATE ORGANIZATION; ETC. Purchaser is a corporation
                      ---------------------------                            
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation and has full corporate power and corporate authority to carry on
its business as it is now being conducted and to own the properties and assets
it now owns and to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder.

                 4.02 AUTHORIZATION, ETC. Purchaser has taken all corporate
                      ------------------                                   
action required by law or its organizational documents to authorize the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement, assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by Seller, constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                 4.03 NO VIOLATION.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.03,
                      ------------                                        
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Purchaser nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will violate any provision
of the organizational documents of Purchaser, or violate, or be in conflict
with, or constitute a default under, or cause the amendment, modification or
acceleration of, or give any party the right to amend, modify or 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
refuse to perform, or modify the time within which duties are to be performed or
rights or benefits are to be received under, or cause the acceleration of the
maturity of any debt or obligation pursuant to, or result in the creation or
imposition of any security interest, lien or other encumbrance upon any property
or asset of Purchaser under, any lease, agreement, understanding, restriction or
commitment or any judgment, decree, or order of any court or governmental or
regulatory authority or agency to which Purchaser is a party or by which
Purchaser is bound or to which the property of Purchaser is subject.

               4.04   CONSENTS AND APPROVALS OF GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES.
                      --------------------------------------------------  
Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.04, no consent, approval or authorization of,
or declaration, filing or registration with, any governmental or regulatory
authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance
by Purchaser of this Agreement or the consummation by Purchaser of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE V
                    CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE CLOSING

          Pending the Closing, and except as otherwise consented to or approved
by Purchaser in writing, Seller agrees to cause the Company to do the following:

               5.01   REGULAR COURSE OF BUSINESS.  The Company shall carry on
                      --------------------------                             
its business diligently and substantially in the same manner as heretofore
conducted, and the Company shall not institute any new methods of purchase,
sale, lease, management, accounting or operation or engage in any transaction or
activity, enter into any agreement or make any commitment, except in the
ordinary course of business.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts
to preserve intact its business organization, to keep available the services of
its key personnel and to preserve the goodwill of those having business
relationships with it, including, without limitation, suppliers.

               5.02   AMENDMENTS.  No change or amendment shall be made in the
                      ----------                                              
organizational documents of the Company.

               5.03   CAPITAL CHANGES.  The Company will not issue or sell any
                      ---------------                                         
shares of its capital stock, rights or options to acquire shares of its capital
stock, or other securities, acquire directly or indirectly, by redemption or
otherwise, any such capital stock, reclassify or split-up any such capital
stock, declare or pay any dividends thereon or make any other distribution with
respect thereto, or grant or enter into any options, warrants, calls or
commitments of any kind with respect thereto.  The Company will not repay any
intercompany debt or make any intercompany transfers or payments.

               5.04   OTHER ACTIONS.   The Company shall not take or voluntarily
                      -------------                                             
suffer to 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
be taken any action which would require disclosure pursuant to Section 3.08.

               5.05   FACILITIES MATTERS.  The Company shall continue its
                      ------------------                                 
retrofit program relating to compliance with the December, 1998 underground
storage tank regulations as described on Schedule 5.05, in all material
respects, subject to Force Majeure.  In addition, the Company shall comply with
all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances relating to the environment,
except where failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  In the
event of any reportable release of petroleum products at any of the Company's
properties, the Company will promptly comply with all reporting requirements and
take such other measures as may be necessary to register or continue the
registration of such property for state reimbursement programs.  The second and
third sentences of this Section 5.05 shall not survive the Closing and shall not
affect Purchaser's obligations under Section 10.03(b).

               5.06   APPROVAL AND CONSULTATION.  In any instance in which the
                      -------------------------                               
Company is prohibited by this Article V from taking any action, the Company
shall obtain the consent of Peter Sodini or William Flyg of The Pantry, Inc. or,
in their absence, Charles Rullman or Jon Ralph of Freeman Spogli & Co.,
Incorporated, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, prior
to taking such action.  The Company will notify and consult with Peter Sodini or
William Flyg, or in their absence, Charles Rullman or Jon Ralph, prior to (a)
closing any store, office or other facility, except as required by applicable
law or in the event of casualty or as a result of the expiration of any lease;
(b) entering into any new lease, lease termination agreement or amendment or
renewal of any agreement to lease real property; or (c) selling, assigning,
subleasing, acquiring or exercising any option with respect to any store,
office, or other facility.  Purchaser agrees that it has no right to prohibit
any action listed in the preceding sentence.  This Section 5.06 shall not
survive the Closing.

               5.07   NO AGREEMENTS.  The Company will not enter into any
                      -------------                                      
agreement to do any of the things prohibited by this Article V.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI
                           COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
                           ------------------------

                 Seller hereby covenants and agrees with Purchaser, and
Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees with Seller that:

                 6.01 REASONABLE ACCESS; COOPERATION.  Seller shall cause the
                      ------------------------------                         
Company to afford up to six authorized representatives of Purchaser at any one
time reasonable access to the offices, properties, facilities, agreements, books
and records of the Company and to make its officers and key employees reasonably
available to answer all questions put to them thereby (all at reasonable times,
upon prior notice and in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal
business operations of the Company) in order that Purchaser may have full
opportunity to make such investigations as it shall desire to make of the
affairs of the Company.  Seller shall cause the Company to cooperate with
representatives of Purchaser to make the Company's officers and key employees
reasonably available for meetings outside of the Company's offices (all at
reasonable times, upon prior notice and in a manner so as not to interfere with
the normal business operations of the Company) at which the number of authorized
representatives of Purchaser shall not be limited.  Seller shall cause the
Company to cooperate with Purchaser and use its reasonable best efforts to make
the officers of the Company available for presentations to Purchaser's financing
sources and investors.  As soon as reasonably practicable, Seller shall furnish
Purchaser with the Company's unaudited monthly and quarterly financial
statements and weekly sales reports for all periods subsequent to May 31, 1997.
Seller makes no representation or warranty with respect to such presentations,
statements or reports, and neither Seller, nor if the Closing does not occur,
the Company nor its officers, shall have any liability with respect thereto.  No
investigation pursuant to this Section 6.01 will affect or be deemed to modify
any representation or warranty of Seller.

                 6.02 CONFIDENTIALITY.  Each party will hold and will cause its
                      ---------------                                          
consultants and advisors to hold in strict confidence, unless compelled to
disclose by judicial or administrative process or, in the reasonable opinion of
its counsel, by other requirements of law, all documents and information
concerning the other party furnished to it by such other party or its
representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been
(i) previously known by the party to which it was furnished, (ii) in the public
domain through no fault of such party, or (iii) later lawfully acquired from
other sources by such party, and each party will not release or disclose such
information to any other person, except its auditors, attorneys, financial
advisors, bankers and other consultants and advisors in connection with this
Agreement.  If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
consummated, such confidence shall be maintained except to the extent such
information comes into the public domain through no fault of the party required
to hold it in confidence, and such 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
information shall not be used to the detriment of the other party and all such
documents (including all copies thereof) shall immediately thereafter be
returned to the other party upon the written request of such other party. Each
party shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to hold such information
confidential if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve the
confidentiality of its own similar information. This Section 6.02 is in addition
to the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement dated April 16, 1997 (the
"Confidentiality Agreement") to which Purchaser is a party. In the event of any
conflict between this Section 6.02 and the Confidentiality Agreement, the
Confidentiality Agreement shall prevail.

                 6.03 HART-SCOTT-RODINO ACT.  Each party shall promptly file any
                      ---------------------                                     
Notification and Report Form and related material that it may be required to
file with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United
States Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 (the "Hart-Scott-Rodino Act"), and shall, subject to Section 6.05,
use its best efforts to obtain an early termination of the applicable waiting
period and make any further filings or information submissions pursuant thereto
that may be necessary, proper or advisable.

                 6.04 RECORDS; ACCESS BY SELLER.  Following the Closing,
                      -------------------------                         
Purchaser shall afford Seller, its counsel, accountants and other
representatives free access to and assistance with the books and records of the
Company for periods ending on or before the Closing Date (collectively, the
"Records"), upon reasonable notice during normal business hours.  Purchaser
shall not dispose of any Records for a period of seven (7) years after the
Closing Date.  Thereafter, Purchaser shall not dispose of any Records until it
has given reasonable notice to Seller of its intention to do so and given Seller
a reasonable opportunity to take possession of the Records to be disposed of.

                 6.05 REGULATORY AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS AND CONSENTS.  Each
                      ------------------------------------------------       
party will use all reasonable efforts to obtain the authorizations, consents,
approvals, and permits of federal, state or local regulatory bodies and
officials or private persons that may be or become necessary for that party in
connection with the performance of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and will cooperate
fully with the other party in promptly seeking to obtain the authorizations,
consents, approvals and permits that may be or become so necessary for that
other party; provided, however, that, subject to Sections 6.09 and 6.10 neither
Purchaser, on the one hand, nor Seller or the Company, on the other hand, shall
be obligated to:  (a) undertake any additional financial obligation, dispose of
any property or surrender any material right; (b) otherwise consent to any
arrangement or undertake any obligation which would in its judgment materially
adversely affect its business or properties; or (c) consent to the extension of
the Closing Date of this Agreement beyond that provided in Section 11.01(c) of
this Agreement.  Purchaser shall have the right to approve the form of any
consent (and related correspondence) distributed by Seller or the Company
hereunder, which approval shall not be unreasonably 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
withheld or delayed. The parties hereto will not take any action which will have
the effect of delaying, impairing or impeding the receipt of any required
authorizations, consents, approvals or permits. Subject to Sections 6.09 and
6.10, neither Purchaser, on the one hand, nor Seller or the Company, on the
other hand, shall agree to any modifications nor grant any concessions in order
to obtain any consents without the prior approval of Seller or Purchaser, as the
case may be.

               6.06 EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
                    ---------------------------------
                    (a) Purchaser presently intends that after the Closing the
Company will continue the employment of the officers and employees of the
Company employed on the Closing Date, and maintain compensation policies,
Employee Benefit Plans and benefit arrangements of the Company at least equal to
those presently made available by the Company as described on Schedule 3.17.
                    (b) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, Seller shall indemnify Purchaser from any tax, interest or
penalty or other amount payable to the Internal Revenue Service with respect to
the matter described in paragraph 4 of Schedule 3.17 and Seller shall have the
right to control and defend all communications and proceedings with the Internal
Revenue Service relating thereto. Seller shall promptly provide to Purchaser all
correspondence to and from the Internal Revenue Service in connection with such
matter.

               6.07   NO PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT.  Except as required by law,
                      ----------------------                             
neither party hereto shall issue any press release or make any other public
announcement concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
without the prior approval of the other party, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
 
               6.08   CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS. Except as set forth on Schedule
                      --------------------                                 
6.08, immediately prior to the Closing, Seller shall repay any indebtedness owed
to the Company by Seller or any affiliate of Seller and Seller shall contribute
an additional $250,000.00 to the capital of the Company.  The Company shall have
no obligation to repay any indebtedness, if any, owed to Seller.

               6.09   CERTAIN LEASES.
                      --------------  
                      (a) Prior to the Closing, except as otherwise provided in
this subsection (a), Seller shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the
consent of the landlords under the leases specified on Schedule 6.09
(collectively, the "Consent Leases"). The form of consent letter shall be
subject to the prior consent of Purchaser, which Purchaser consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed. Seller shall control the process of obtaining
consents with respect to the Consent Leases prior to the Closing, however,
Seller shall consult with Purchaser prior to soliciting consents with respect to
the Consent Leases. If within 10 days after receipt from Seller of the form of
consent letter, Purchaser requests in writing to

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Seller that Seller not solicit consents with respect to particular Consent
Leases, then Seller shall not solicit such consents. In such event, Seller shall
have no liability under this Section 6.09 or otherwise relating to the failure
to obtain consents with respect to such Consent Leases. Seller shall keep
Purchaser apprised of the status of obtaining consents and shall deliver copies
of all consents obtained pursuant to this subsection (a) to Purchaser. In
obtaining a consent, Seller may not agree to a modification of a lease without
the prior written consent of Purchaser.
          (b) If Seller is unable to obtain any consent with respect to a
Consent Lease prior to the Closing, then provided all other conditions to
Closing have been fulfilled or waived, Purchaser and Seller shall nonetheless be
obligated to close the transactions contemplated hereby.
          (c) Subject to the limitations specified below, Seller shall, within
ten days after Purchaser's notice to Seller of incurrence of a covered expense,
indemnify Purchaser for all amounts paid to landlords by Purchaser (including,
without limitation, any increase in rent) and out-of-pocket expenses (including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and defense costs pursuant to
Section 6.09(d) below) incurred by Purchaser in connection with continuing the
Company's tenancy under any Consent Lease by reason of Seller's failure to
obtain a consent prior to the Closing.
          (d) Purchaser shall defend in good faith with counsel reasonably
acceptable to Seller all litigation or proceedings brought by landlords with
respect to Consent Leases as to which Seller failed to obtain a consent.
Purchaser shall control all such litigation and proceedings, however, Seller
shall be entitled to participate in such defense at its own cost with counsel of
its own choosing and Purchaser shall consult with Seller in respect of all major
decisions relating to such defense.  Purchaser shall not settle any such
litigation or proceeding except with the prior written consent of Seller, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  Moreover, Purchaser and its
counsel shall present evidence and justification to Seller in reasonable detail
for all amounts for which indemnification is sought under this Section 6.09.
This Section 6.09(d) shall only apply to litigation or proceedings for which
Seller has an indemnity obligation under Section 6.09(c).
          (e) In no event shall Seller be liable, in the aggregate, for
indemnification under this Section 6.09 in an amount greater than $650,000 (the
"Limit").  In addition, and without regard to the Limit, in the event a final,
unappealable judgment or order of a court having jurisdiction results in the
eviction of the Company from, or an order to vacate, a store subject to a
Consent Lease by reason of Seller's failure to have obtained a consent prior to
the Closing, then Seller shall pay Purchaser $320,000 with respect to the loss
of that store; provided further, that with respect to the stores listed on
Schedule 6.09(a), the amount so payable with respect to the loss of any store so
listed shall be $110,000; and further provided, however, that neither Purchaser
nor the Company shall be required to appeal any eviction judgment or order to
vacate of (i) a Florida court relating to a Consent Lease for a store located in
Florida or (ii) a Georgia court relating to a Consent Lease for a store located
in Georgia if prior to the date of such order, either the Georgia Supreme Court,

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
the Georgia Court of Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for the
Eleventh Circuit, applying Georgia law, has published a decision holding that a
sale of a controlling corporate stock interest constitutes an assignment of
lease where the lease prohibits assignment but does not expressly state that a
sale of a controlling corporate stock interest is deemed an assignment.  The
foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding: (i) subject in all events to the
Limit, to the extent a consent or settlement with a landlord under a Consent
Lease, whether entered into before, or prior to the first anniversary of, the
Closing (or entered into thereafter in settlement of a claim, litigation or
proceeding that was pending on the first anniversary of the Closing), requires
an increase in rent, the amount indemnifiable under this Section 6.09 shall be
limited to the amount of the rent increase for the lesser of the three-year
period following the Closing or the remaining term of the lease, provided that,
subject in all events to the Limit, if prior to the third anniversary of the
Closing, the Company (A) exercises its renewal option with respect to a Consent
Lease, or (B) is required by any such consent or settlement to extend the term
of a Consent Lease, the amount indemnifiable under this Section 6.09 shall also
include that portion of any rent increase which is directly attributable to
having obtained such consent of or settlement with the landlord and which is
payable during that portion of the renewal or extended term ending on the third
anniversary of the Closing Date; and (ii) all amounts paid by Seller to
landlords under Consent Leases prior to the Closing in order to obtain consents
shall reduce the Limit and Seller shall prior to the Closing notify Purchaser in
a reasonably detailed writing of all amounts so paid.  Any amounts payable by
Seller to Purchaser under this Section 6.09(e) shall be paid within ten days
after the earliest to occur of Purchaser's notice to Seller of Purchaser's
incurrence of a covered expense or delivery to Seller of a copy of the
applicable court decision, order or judgment resulting in the eviction of  the
Company from, or an order to vacate, a store subject to a Consent Lease.  If
Seller and Purchaser are unable to agree upon the monetary value of any
concession provided to a landlord in order to obtain a consent under a Consent
Lease, then such disagreement shall be submitted to binding arbitration as
provided below to the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance
with its rules and regulations.  Each party shall select one arbitrator, with
the two selected to choose the third.  If the two selected are unable to choose
the third within 25 days after the appointment of the first two, the third shall
be appointed by the AAA.  The decision of the arbitrators shall be final.
          (f) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
Seller's obligations and Purchaser's rights under this Section 6.09 shall expire
on the first anniversary of the Closing, except as to claims, litigation and
proceedings pending on or asserted by that date, as to which such obligations
and rights shall survive until final resolution.
          (g) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
this Section 6.09 shall be Purchaser's exclusive remedy and Seller's exclusive
obligation and liability with respect to the failure to obtain consents with
respect to Consent Leases and is in lieu of all other representations,
warranties, covenants and 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
indemnities with respect thereto.

     6.10 LONG JOHN SILVER.
          ---------------- 
          (a) Prior to the Closing, Seller shall use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain the written consent of Long John Silver's Inc. ("LJS") under Section
13.02 of each of the Company's License and Franchise Agreements with LJS listed
on Schedule 3.03 (collectively the "LJS Agreements") to any assignment or pledge
of any interest in the LJS Agreements that may be deemed to occur in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, any financing in connection therewith, together with written
confirmation from LJS that Purchaser and its direct and indirect stockholders
will not be required to execute the guarantees referred to in Subsection 13.02
(b) (2) of the LJS Agreements and that its Owners (as defined in the LJS
Agreements) will not be subject to Section 13.02(b)(3) of the LJS Agreements in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
          (b) If Seller is unable to obtain the consent and confirmation of LJS
prior to the Closing, or if the LJS Agreements are terminated prior to the
Closing, then provided all other conditions to the Closing have been fulfilled
or waived, Purchaser and Seller shall nonetheless be obligated to close the
transactions contemplated hereby.
          (c) Subject to the limitations specified below, Seller shall indemnify
Purchaser for all amounts paid to LJS and all out-of-pocket expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by Purchaser by reason of Seller's failure
to obtain the LJS consent and confirmation prior to the Closing. In the event
that LJS refuses to provide its consent and confirmation, Seller may take all
actions necessary to terminate the LJS Agreements; provided that Seller shall
consult with Purchaser prior to taking any such action.  In the event of any
litigation or proceeding involving LJS, the provisions of Section 10.05 shall
apply provided that Purchaser shall be entitled to assume and control the
defense of any litigation or proceeding (and Seller may participate at its own
cost) if there is a reasonable basis to conclude that Damages may exceed
$120,000.
          (d) In no event shall Seller's liability, in the aggregate, for
indemnification under this Section 6.10 exceed $120,000.
          (e) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
Seller's obligations and Purchaser's rights under this Section 6.10 shall expire
on the first anniversary of the Closing, except as to claims, litigation or
proceedings pending on or asserted by that date, as to which such obligations
and rights shall survive until final resolution.
          (f) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
this Section 6.10 shall be Purchaser's exclusive right and remedy and Seller's
exclusive obligation and liability with respect to Seller's failure to obtain
the LJS consent and confirmation prior to the Closing and is in lieu of all
other representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities with respect
thereto.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                 6.11 FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Each party shall execute and deliver
                      ------------------                                       
such instruments and take such other actions as the other party may reasonably
require in order to carry out the intent of this Agreement.  The parties shall
give prompt notice to each other of the breach of any representation, warranty
or covenant contained in this Agreement and shall use all reasonable best
efforts to remedy such breach.  In addition, Seller or the Company shall give
prompt notice to Purchaser of any material developments involving the operations
or activities of the Company including, without limitation, matters pertaining
to Environmental Conditions (with respect to which, after such notification,
Purchaser may consult with Marcia Glick).  The second and third sentences of
this Section 6.11 shall not survive the Closing and shall not affect Purchaser's
obligations under Section 10.03(b).

                 6.12 SUPPLEMENTS TO SCHEDULES.
                      ------------------------ 
                      (a) From time to time prior to the Closing, each party
shall promptly supplement or amend its Schedules hereto with respect to any
matter hereafter arising which, if existing or occurring at the date of this
Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in such
Schedules.
                      (b) For purposes of determining the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Sections 8.01 and 9.01, respectively, the Schedules
shall be deemed to include only the information contained therein on the date
hereof, without regard to any supplement or amendment, except those previously
accepted in writing by Purchaser, in the case of Section 8.01, and Seller, in
the case of Section 9.01.
                      (c) For purposes of determining the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of a party contained in this Agreement in order
to determine the right of the other party to any indemnification under Article X
hereof, the Schedules attached hereto on the date hereof and any supplement or
amendment thereto provided pursuant to Section 6.12 (a) hereof shall be deemed
included.

                 6.13 TAX MATTERS.
                      ----------- 
                      (a) The parties agree that after the Closing Date, Seller
shall have the right to review drafts of and approve (which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld) all tax returns of the Company relating to taxable
periods ending (i) on or before the Closing Date and (ii) after the Closing
Date, which encompass periods prior to the Closing Date. Copies of each draft
tax return shall be delivered to Seller at least 60 days prior to the proposed
filing date thereof. If Seller does not give Purchaser notice of any objection
to such draft within 30 days of receipt of the draft, Seller shall be deemed to
have approved such draft. Purchaser shall, and shall cause the Company to,
cooperate with Seller in the review of all such tax returns and in connection
therewith provide Seller and its accountants, attorneys and other
representatives reasonable access to any and all books, records and data with
respect to the Company relevant to such tax returns, including, without
limitation, financial statements, management accounts and work papers of the
Company's accounting department and the Company's independent accountants. 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
          (b) In the event of a dispute with respect to any such tax return,
Purchaser and Seller shall attempt to reconcile their differences. If Purchaser
and Seller are unable to do so within ten (10) days, Purchaser and Seller shall
submit the disputed items for resolution to Price Waterhouse (the "Independent
Accounting Firm"), which, within 15 days from such submission, shall determine
and report to the parties upon such disputed items, and such report shall be
final, binding and conclusive on the parties hereto and such tax return shall be
filed on a basis which reflects such report. In acting pursuant to this Section
6.13(b) the Independent Accounting Firm shall have the rights, privileges and
immunities of an arbitrator, and its fees shall be paid one-half by Purchaser
and one-half by Seller.
          (c) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 6.13 or
any approval of any tax return by Seller notwithstanding, Seller shall have no
liability pursuant to Article X or otherwise arising from or relating to any tax
election or amended return filed by Purchaser or the Company or any change in
the Company's tax accounting principles or policies after the Closing which
recharacterizes, restates or otherwise affects any item for any taxable period
ending on or prior to the Closing Date, except elections, amended returns or
changes required by any law in effect as of the Closing Date or by any audit of
periods prior to the Closing Date.
          (d) From and after the Closing, Seller shall indemnify and hold
harmless Purchaser and the Company against (i) any federal, state, local or
foreign tax, including any interest, penalty or addition ("Taxes"), imposed on
any member of any affiliated group (other than the Company) with which Seller
files or has filed a tax return on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis for
a taxable year or period ending on or before the Closing Date with respect to
income of a member (other than the Company); (ii) Taxes or other payments
required to be made after the date of the Balance Sheet by the Company to any
party under any Tax sharing, indemnity or allocation agreement (whether or not
written) except Taxes payable on the income of the Company; or (iii) Taxes
imposed on the Company for periods ending on or prior to the date of the Balance
Sheet and Taxes properly apportioned for any partial period through the date of
the Balance Sheet (apportioned as if the date of the Balance Sheet were the end
of a taxable year or period), which Taxes have not been either (x) paid prior to
the date of the Balance Sheet or (y) accrued as "Income taxes payable", "Other
taxes payable" or "Deferred income taxes payable" in the Current Liabilities
section of the Balance Sheet. Nothing in this Agreement shall require Seller to
pay, reimburse or indemnify any taxes paid or payable on the income of the
Company for periods beginning after the date of the Balance Sheet or properly
apportioned and payable for any partial period beginning the day after the date
of the Balance Sheet (apportioned as if the day after the date of the Balance
Sheet were the beginning of a taxable year or period).
          (e) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
if Federal and/or State tax authorities challenge the Company's treatment (the
"Treatment") of certain of its stores as "retail motor fuels outlets" under
Section 168(e)(3)(E)(iii) of the Code using an applicable recovery period of 15
years and/or any corresponding provision of state law for tax periods ending on
or before the Closing Date 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
(and for partial periods through the Closing Date, apportioned as if the Closing
Date were the end of a taxable year or period), then Purchaser and Seller shall
each bear one-half of any taxes, interest and/or penalties payable by the
Company in connection therewith and one-half of all out-of-pocket expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees) incurred in connection
therewith; provided, however, that in no event shall Purchaser's liability, in
the aggregate, for such taxes, interest and/or penalties exceed $2,180,000 (and
Seller shall bear 100% of any such taxes, interest and/or penalties exceeding
$4,360,000); and further provided, however, that in no event shall Seller's
liability for such out-of-pocket expenses exceed, in the aggregate, $500,000
(and Purchaser shall bear 100% of any such out-of-pocket expenses exceeding
$1,000,000). The liability of the parties under this subsection 6.13(e) shall be
determined without regard to any tax benefit to the Company, as determined under
subsection 10.04(b)(ii)(A) or otherwise, and the liability of Seller under this
subsection 6.13(e) shall be determined without regard to subsection 10.04(b)(i).
In the event of any audit, litigation, proceeding or appeal with respect to the
Treatment, the provisions of Section 10.05 shall apply, but Purchaser and the
Company shall be deemed the "Indemnifying Party" and Seller shall be deemed the
"Indemnified Party" (except that Purchaser shall give Seller prompt notice of
any such audit, litigation, proceeding or appeal and the provisions of this
subsection 6.13(e) shall control the payment of out-of-pocket expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees)). Any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, this subsection 6.13(e) shall be
Purchaser's exclusive right and remedy and Seller's exclusive obligation and
liability with respect to the Company's liability for taxes, interest and/or
penalties and out-of-pocket expenses relating to any challenge by a tax
authority of the Treatment for tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date
(and for partial periods through the Closing Date, apportioned as if the Closing
Date were the end of a taxable year or period) and is in lieu of all other
representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities with respect thereto.
          (f) Seller and Purchaser mutually agree that any indemnification
payment made by one party to the other pursuant to Sections 6.06(b), 6.09, 6.10
or 6.13 or Article X shall be treated as an adjustment to the purchase price,
and shall be accounted for as such for all tax purposes.
          (g) As of the Closing Date, any and all tax sharing, indemnity or
allocation agreements shall terminate as between the Company and Seller and,
after the Closing Date, no Taxes or other amounts shall be paid or reimbursed by
the Company under any such agreement, regardless of the taxable year or period
for which such Taxes are imposed, but nothing herein shall relieve the Company
from any liability to pay Taxes payable on its income.
          (h) After the date of the Balance Sheet, the Company has paid, and
shall continue to pay, only taxes incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices and, with respect to taxes that are payable under
a tax sharing, indemnity or allocation agreement, shall pay only such taxes as
are set forth on Schedule 6.13.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
               (i) Seller shall obtain shareholder approval from the shareholder
of the Company or of Seller, as reasonably requested by Purchaser, with respect
to any agreement under which a payment may be made which, in Purchaser's
reasonable judgment, could constitute a parachute payment under Code Section
280G and Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.280G-1, A-7.
 
          6.14 ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Prior to the Closing or termination of
               ---------------------                          
this Agreement under Article XI, neither Seller nor the Company nor any of their
respective directors, partners, officers, employees or other representatives or
agents shall, directly or indirectly, communicate, solicit, initiate, encourage
or participate in (including furnishing non-public information concerning the
Company's business, properties or assets) any negotiations with regard to any
proposal to acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of the capital stock of
Seller or the Company, or to invest any funds in Seller or the Company, whether
such proposed acquisition or investment involves a stock sale, exchange offer,
merger or other business combination involving Seller or the Company or the
acquisition of a substantial portion of the assets of Seller or the Company;
provided that nothing in this Section 6.14 shall prohibit any transfer of the
shares or assets of Seller (other than capital stock of the Company) to any
affiliate of Seller.

          6.15 RESERVE.    Seller and Purchaser have mutually agreed that
               --------                                                  
the Company reflect: (a) on the Balance Sheet (i) a long-term liability for
"Accrued Environmental Remediation" in the amount of $3,150,000 and (ii) an
additional current liability of $231,000 relating to underground storage tank
removal ((i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as the "Environmental
Accruals"); (b) on the Statement of Operations for the five months ended May 31,
1997, a reduction of "Income Before Provision for Income Taxes" resulting from
the Environmental Accruals (the "Pre-Tax Reduction"); and (c) other changes in
the Balance Sheet and the Statement of Operations directly resulting from the
Environmental Accruals and/or the Pre-Tax Reduction (the "Related Changes").
Purchaser agrees that: (a) Seller makes no representation, warranty or covenant
of any nature with respect to the Environmental Accruals, the Pre-Tax Reduction
or the Related Changes; and (b) the Environmental Accruals, the Pre-Tax
Reduction and the Related Changes shall in no way affect, or be considered in
any way in determining the accuracy or breach of, any representation, warranty,
disclaimer or covenant set forth in this Agreement, including, without
limitation, those set forth in Sections 3.06, 3.07, 3.08, 3.19, 3.24, 3.28,
5.04, 5.05, 6.12, 8.01, 10.02 and 10.03.
 

                                  ARTICLE VII
                               MUTUAL CONDITIONS
                               -----------------

          The respective obligations of each party to consummate the
transactions 

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, on or before the
Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, unless waived in writing by
each party.

          7.01 HART-SCOTT-RODINO ACT. All applicable waiting periods (and any
               ---------------------                                 
extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or
otherwise been terminated.

          7.02 ORDERS; ETC. Neither party hereto shall be subject to any order
               -----------                                               
or injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                     CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS
                     -------------------------------------

          Each and every obligation of Purchaser under this Agreement to be
performed on or before the Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction, on
or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, unless waived
in writing by Purchaser:

          8.01 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE. The representations and
               -----------------------------------                      
warranties of Seller contained in Article III hereof shall be in all material
respects true and accurate as of the date when made and at and as of the Closing
Date as though such representations and warranties were made at and as of such
date, except for Section 3.08(a).

          8.02 PERFORMANCE. Seller shall have performed and complied with all
               -----------  
agreements, obligations and conditions required by this Agreement to be
performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

          8.03 CERTIFICATES. Seller shall have furnished Purchaser with such
               ------------    
certificates of Seller to evidence compliance with the conditions set forth in
this Article VIII as may reasonably be requested by Purchaser.

          8.04 INDEMNITY. The Company shall have obtained an indemnity letter
               ---------                                               
from a tobacco manufacturer in connection with each tobacco lawsuit pending on
the date hereof, in form and substance substantially similar to the ones already
obtained by the Company.

          8.05 RESIGNATIONS. Purchaser shall have received letters of
               ------------                                           
resignation from each of the members of the Company's Board of Directors,
effective as of the Closing Date.

          8.06 AUCHAN LETTER. Seller shall have furnished to Purchaser a letter
               -------------                                             
from

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
Auchan SA ("Auchan") in the form of Schedule 8.06 hereto (the "Auchan Letter")
pursuant to which Auchan agrees to be jointly and severally liable for the
obligations of Seller under this Agreement to the same extent as if Auchan were
a party hereto.

          8.07 LEGAL OPINIONS. Purchaser shall have received opinions of in-
               --------------                                            
house French counsel to Auchan and U.S. counsels to Seller and the Company in
the forms of Schedule 8.07(a), (b), (c) and (d) hereof, respectively.

          8.08 REGULATORY AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS AND CONSENTS. Subject to
               ------------------------------------------------          
Sections 6.05, 6.09 and 6.10 all authorizations, consents, approvals and permits
of federal, state and local governmental agencies and third parties necessary to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or necessary
to the continued operation of the business of the Company after the Closing to
the extent they must be obtained prior to the Closing shall have been obtained,
except those which the failure to obtain would not have a Material Adverse
Effect; provided, however, that if Purchaser waives the requirements of this
Section 8.08 with respect to any such authorization, consent, approval or
permit, Seller shall have no liability for "Damages" (as hereinafter defined)
with respect thereto.

          8.09 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. During the period commencing on the date
               -----------------------                                  
of this Agreement and ending on October 15, 1997, the Company shall not have
suffered any material adverse change in its financial condition, business,
operations or prospects, excluding any such change, directly or indirectly,
caused by or resulting from any Environmental Condition or by business or
economic conditions which are generally applicable to companies in the Company's
industry.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                       CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS
                       ----------------------------------

          Each and every obligation of Seller under this Agreement to be
performed on or before the Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction, on
or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, unless waived
in writing by Seller:

          9.01 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE.  The representations
               -----------------------------------                      
and warranties of Purchaser contained in Article IV hereof shall be in all
material respects true and accurate as of the date when made and at and as of
the Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were made at and
as of such date.
START HERE

          9.02 PERFORMANCE.  Purchaser shall have performed and complied
               -----------                                              
with all agreements, obligations and conditions required by this Agreement to be
performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          9.03 CERTIFICATES.  Purchaser shall have furnished Seller with
               ------------                                             
such certificates of its officers to evidence compliance with the conditions set
forth in this Article IX as may reasonably be requested by Seller.

          9.04 LEGAL OPINIONS.  Seller shall have received opinions of
               --------------                                         
counsel to Purchaser and its assignee, if applicable, in the forms of Schedule
9.04(a) and (b) hereof.

                                   ARTICLE X
                          SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION
                          ----------------------------

          10.01 SURVIVAL.
                -------- 
                    (a)   All representations and warranties made by any party
in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder for a period of twelve
months following the Closing; provided that the representations and warranties
contained in Sections 3.01 and 3.04 shall survive the Closing in perpetuity and
the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.16 and 3.17 shall
survive the Closing through the applicable statute of limitations period.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no claim based upon
misrepresentation or breach of representation or warranty shall be made, no
action or litigation with respect thereto commenced, and no remedy shall be
available unless written notice specifying with particularity the
misrepresentation or breach claimed shall have been delivered on or prior to the
expiration of such period in which case such representation or warranty shall
survive until the claim with respect thereto has been finally resolved.
                    (b)   Except as otherwise provided herein, all covenants and
agreements made by any party in this Agreement shall survive the Closing
hereunder until all obligations set forth therein shall have been satisfied.

          10.02 INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLER.  Subject to the limitations and
                -------------------------                                 
conditions set forth in this Article X, Seller hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Purchaser and each subsidiary, affiliate, director,
officer, employee or agent of Purchaser from and against all demands, claims,
actions or causes of action, assessments, losses, damages, liabilities, costs
and expenses, including, without limitation, interest, penalties and reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses of investigation, enforcement and collection
(collectively "Damages"), asserted against or imposed upon or incurred by
Purchaser or any subsidiary or affiliate, director, officer, employee or agent
of Purchaser arising or resulting from a breach of any representation, warranty
or covenant of Seller contained in this Agreement.

          10.03 INDEMNIFICATION BY PURCHASER. Subject to the limitations
                ----------------------------                            
and conditions set forth in this Article X, Purchaser and the Company, jointly
and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, and each
subsidiary, affiliate, director, officer, employee or agent of Seller from and
against all Damages asserted against or imposed upon or incurred by Seller or
any subsidiary, affiliate, director, officer, employee or agent of Seller

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
arising or resulting from (a) a breach of any representation, warranty or
covenant of Purchaser contained in this Agreement, (b) any Environmental
Condition or (c) the assets, liabilities, business, operations or employees of
the Company, whether accruing before or after the Closing Date, provided that
nothing in this clause (c) shall relieve Seller from any liability under
Sections 6.06(b), 6.09, 6.10, 6.13(d), 6.13(e) or 10.02.

          10.04 LIMITATIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION.
                ------------------------------ 
                (a)   Except as provided in Article VI, the remedies provided in
this Article X shall be exclusive and shall preclude assertion by either party
of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against the
other for claims based on this Agreement.

                (b)   Any claims for indemnity under this Agreement shall be
subject to the following limitations and adjustments: (i) the provisions of
Section 10.02 shall be effective only when the aggregate amount of all Damages
for which Seller may be liable under this Article X exceeds $3,981,000 in which
case Seller shall be liable for only such amounts as exceed $3,981,000, provided
that this limitation shall not apply to indemnification for Damages for breaches
of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 6.06(b), 6.09, 6.10, 6.13(d) and 6.13(e) and further
provided that with respect to Damages arising out of a breach of Sections 3.16
or 6.13 (other than as specified in subsections 6.13(d)(i) and (ii) and
6.13(e)), which breach relates to income taxes of the Company (as opposed to and
excluding any other taxes, such as sales, use, value added, withholding, social
security, property or any other taxes), Section 10.02 shall be effective when
the amount of such Damages for which Seller may be liable exceeds $500,000; (ii)
the amount of any claim by either party for indemnification shall be subject to
adjustment to reflect (A) any actual direct or indirect income tax benefit
(taking into account the amount of any indemnification actually received)
resulting therefrom to the indemnified party, (B) any insurance coverage with
respect thereto and (C) any amounts reasonably recoverable from third parties
(net of expenses) based on claims the indemnified party has against such third
parties which would reduce the damages that could otherwise be sustained; (iii)
in no event shall Seller be liable, in the aggregate, for indemnification
hereunder in an amount greater than $33,175,000, provided, however, that Damages
arising with respect to breaches of Sections 3.01 and 3.04 shall not be subject
to such limitation; and (iv) neither party hereto shall be liable to the other
party for special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, except that
nothing in this clause (iv) shall relieve an Indemnifying Party (as hereinafter
defined) from liability for such damages where an Indemnified Party (as
hereinafter defined) becomes liable therefor to a third party.

                10.05  CONDITIONS OF INDEMNIFICATION.
                       ----------------------------- 
                (a)    Any party claiming a right to indemnification hereunder
(an "Indemnified Party") shall give prompt written notice to the other party
(the "Indemnifying Party") of the commencement of any action, audit,
investigation, suit or proceeding, the receipt of any demand or the occurrence
of any item or incident in connection with which the

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
Indemnified Party bases its claim for indemnification from the Indemnifying
Party under this Article X.

                (b) In the event the claim is a third party claim against an
Indemnified Party, upon notice from the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying
Party may assume the defense of any such action, audit, investigation, suit,
proceeding or demand, including its compromise or settlement, and the
Indemnifying Party shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses thereof and shall
be fully responsible for the outcome thereof, subject to the provisions of
Section 10.04; provided that the Indemnifying Party's counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; and provided further that (i)
the Indemnified Party is kept fully informed of all developments and is
furnished copies of all relevant papers; (ii) the Indemnifying Party diligently
prosecutes the defense; and (iii) the Indemnified Party shall have the right to
participate, at its own expense and through counsel selected by it, in the
defense of any such claim.  The Indemnifying Party shall give notice to the
Indemnified Party as to its intention to assume the defense of any such action,
audit, investigation, suit, proceeding or demand within twenty (20) days after
the date of the Indemnified Party's notice thereof.  If the Indemnifying Party
assumes the defense of such action, audit, investigation, suit, proceeding or
demand, (i) no compromise or settlement thereof may be effected by the
Indemnified Party without the Indemnifying Party's prior written consent (which
shall not unreasonably be withheld) and (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall have
no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement thereof effected
without its consent.  If the Indemnifying Party does not, within twenty (20)
days after the receipt of written notice from the Indemnified Party, give notice
to the Indemnified Party of its assumption of the defense of the action, audit,
investigation, suit, proceeding or demand in question, then subject to the right
of the Indemnifying Party, upon written notice to Indemnified Party, to assume
the defense thereof, at any time prior to settlement, compromise or final
determination, the Indemnifying Party shall be bound by the Indemnified Party's
control of the defense thereof and by any determination made in such action,
audit, investigation, suit, proceeding or demand by a court or decision maker of
competent jurisdiction, but no compromise or settlement may be effected by the
Indemnified Party without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld).

                                   ARTICLE XI
                            TERMINATION AND REMEDIES
                            ------------------------

                 11.01  TERMINATION. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
                        -----------                                            
notwithstanding:

                        (a)   MUTUAL CONSENT. This Agreement may be terminated
                              --------------
by the mutual consent of the parties hereto, in which event the parties shall
promptly issue joint instructions to the Escrow Agent to release the Earnest
Money and all interest earned thereon to Purchaser.

                        (b)   DEFAULT. In the event that a party hereto shall,
                              -------
                              contrary to the
                           

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
terms of this Agreement, intentionally take any action which prevents
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or intentionally fail or
refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated herein or fail or refuse to
take any other action referred to herein necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein (after any applicable conditions to such
actions have been satisfied), then the non-defaulting party, after affording the
defaulting party a 10-day period after notice in which to cure such breach or
default, shall have the right, in addition to the other rights specified in
Section 11.02 below, to terminate this Agreement by written notice given to the
other party hereto.  If the defaulting party is Purchaser, the Earnest Money and
all interest earned thereon shall be released to Seller.  In no event shall
Purchaser be in default or Seller entitled to the Earnest Money as a result of a
failure or refusal of Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby unless the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VII and Article
VIII have been satisfied or waived by Purchaser prior to the Closing.
                (c)    UPSET DATE. In the event that the Closing shall not have
                       ----------
occurred on or prior to October 31, 1997, then, unless otherwise agreed to in
writing between the parties hereto, this Agreement shall terminate on or
following such date (as such date may be postponed pursuant hereto), upon
written notice given by one party to the other, unless the absence of such
occurrence shall be due to the failure or refusal of the party seeking to
terminate this Agreement of the type described in Section 11.01(b). In the event
of termination pursuant to this Section 11.01(c), where there has been no
failure or refusal on the part of Purchaser of the type referred to in Section
11.01(b) or no default on the part of Purchaser, the Earnest Money and all
interest earned thereon shall be released to Purchaser. In no event shall
Purchaser be in default or Seller be entitled to the Earnest Money as a result
of a failure or refusal of Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby unless the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VII and Article
VIII have been satisfied or waived by Purchaser prior to the Closing.
                (d)    LEGAL RESTRAINT. Either party may, by written notice to
                       ---------------   
the other party, terminate this Agreement if at the time the written notice of
termination is given, there is in effect a preliminary or permanent injunction
enjoining consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         11.02  REMEDIES.
                -------- 
                (a)    SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. Subject to compliance with the
                       --------------------
terms of Section 11.02(d) hereof, any party desiring to proceed with the Closing
despite any failure or refusal of the other party hereto of the type described
in Section 11.01(b) hereof shall have the right to pursue the remedy of specific
performance.
                (b)    DAMAGES. Subject to compliance with the terms of Section
                       ------- 
11.02(d) hereof, any party terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section
11.01(b) hereof shall, if the failure or refusal referred to in Section 11.01(b)
hereof constituted a material breach of this Agreement, have the right to sue
for damages and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, theretofore suffered and sustained by

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
the non-defaulting party; provided, that no party shall be liable to the other
for special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages by reason of such
breach. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, if the prevailing party
is Seller, Seller shall receive (as liquidated damages and as its sole and
exclusive remedy for loss of its bargain and not as a penalty) the Earnest Money
and all interest earned thereon.
                (c)    EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Except as set forth in Section
                       ---------------------
11.02(b) above, any termination of this Agreement by any party hereto shall have
the effect of causing this Agreement to thereupon become void and of no further
force or effect whatsoever, and thereupon no party hereto will have any rights,
duties, liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever against any
other party hereto based upon either this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, except in each case the obligations of each party for its
own expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement as provided in Section 12.04 and the obligations of each party with
respect to confidentiality set forth in Section 6.02 hereof.
                (d)    CURE PERIOD. Any party seeking any form of relief
                       -----------
referred to in Sections 11.02(a) or (b) hereof shall, as a condition to the
right to seek such relief, afford the defaulting party hereto with a 10-day
period to effect reasonable cure of such breach or default.

                                  ARTICLE XII
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
                            ------------------------

          12.01 COMMISSIONS AND FINDERS' FEES.  Each of the parties
                -----------------------------                      
represents that the negotiations relative to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby have been carried on by Seller directly with Purchaser in
such manner as not to give rise to any claims against any of the parties hereto
for a brokerage commission, finders' fee or other like payment, except for any
fees owed to Societe Generale Securities Corporation, which are the
responsibility of Seller.  Insofar as any such claims are made which are alleged
to be based on an agreement or arrangements made by, or on behalf of, a party,
such party agrees to indemnify and hold the other party harmless from and
against all liability, loss, cost, charge or expense, including reasonable
counsel fees, arising therefrom.

          12.02 AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION.  This Agreement may only be
                --------------------------                             
amended, modified and supplemented by written agreement executed by Purchaser
and Seller.
          12.03 WAIVER OF COMPLIANCE.  Any failure of Seller, on the one
                --------------------                                    
hand, or Purchaser, on the other, to comply with any obligation, covenant,
agreement or condition herein may be expressly waived in writing by Purchaser or
Seller, respectively, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict
compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not
operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other
failure.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
          12.04 EXPENSES. Subject to Article XI hereof and the parties'
                --------                                               
ability to collect all Damages from a breach of this Agreement, if the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated, each of the
parties hereto will pay its own expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in
connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated by this
Agreement, including, without limitation, all fees of its counsel.  If the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, the Company shall
pay all expenses of Purchaser in connection therewith.  In addition, Seller
shall bear the expense of any stock transfer tax or sales tax applicable to the
transactions contemplated hereby.

          12.05 NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other
                -------                                           
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or mailed, certified or
registered mail with postage prepaid or delivered by express delivery or
facsimile transmission (with copy by mail):

(a)         If to Seller, to:

                 Docks U.S.A., Inc.
                 c/o SA Auchan
                 40 Avenue de Flandre
                 59170 Croix, France
                 Attention:  Directeur Financier Groupe
                 Fax:    33.3.20.89.25.02

            With a copy to:

                 Bureau Francis Lefebvre - New York
                 712 Fifth Avenue, 29/th/ floor
                 New York, NY 10019
                 Attention:  Carina Levintoff, Esq.
                 Fax:    (212) 246-2951

or to such other person or address as Seller shall furnish to Purchaser in
writing.

(b)         If to Purchaser, to:

                 PH Holding Corporation
                 c/o The Pantry, Inc.
                 1801 Douglas Drive
                 Sanford, NC 27330
                 Attention:  Peter J. Sodini
                 Fax:    (919) 774-3329

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
            With a copy to:

                 Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated
                 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1900
                 Los Angeles, CA 90025
                 Attention:  Charles P. Rullman and Jon D. Ralph
                 Fax:    (310) 444-1870

            and to:

                 Riordan & McKinzie
                 300 South Grand Avenue, 29/th/ Floor
                 Los Angeles, CA 90071
                 Attention:  Richard J. Welch, Esq.
                 Fax:    (213) 229-8550

or to such other person or address as Purchaser shall furnish to Seller in
writing.

          12.06 ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement and all of the provisions
                ----------                                           
hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement
nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by
any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, except
that Purchaser may assign its rights hereunder to any lender or to a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Purchaser, and Seller may assign its rights hereunder to an
affiliate of Seller in accordance with Section 6.14, provided that no such
assignment shall relieve the assignor of any of its obligations hereunder.

          12.07 GOVERNING LAW.
                ------------- 
                (a)   This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties
hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law doctrine. In the event
of a breach of this Agreement by Seller, on the one hand, or Purchaser, on the
other hand, the non-breaching party shall be entitled to recover its costs and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in enforcing this
Agreement.
                (b)   The parties hereto, acting for themselves and for their
respective successors and assigns, without regard to domicile, citizenship or
residence, hereby expressly and irrevocably (i) consent and subject themselves
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York or any New York State court sitting in New York
City in respect of any and all matters arising under or in connection with this
Agreement, (ii) agree that all claims, actions and proceedings arising under or

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
relating to this Agreement may be heard and determined in any such court, (iii)
agree not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement in any other forum, and (iv) agree to the enforcement of any judgment
rendered by any such court in any court in the United States or foreign
jurisdiction, in accordance with the laws governing enforcement of judgments in
that jurisdiction.  Each of the parties waives any defense of inconvenient forum
to the maintenance of any action or proceeding so brought.  Service of process,
notices and demands of any such court may be made upon any party by personal
service at any place where it may be found or by mailing copies of such process,
notices, demands and communications by certified or registered mail, postage
prepaid and return receipt requested, to the address of such party hereinabove
set forth.  Each party irrevocably and unconditionally waives its right to a
trial by jury.

          12.08 COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed
                ------------                                 
simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

          12.09 EFFECTIVENESS; BINDING EFFECT.  This Agreement shall
                -----------------------------                       
become effective as to each party hereto when and only when this Agreement shall
have been executed by such party; provided, however, that this Agreement shall
                                  --------  -------                           
be null and void ab initio as to each party hereto in the event that both
                 -- ------                                               
parties hereto shall not have executed this Agreement within five (5) days of
the date upon which any party hereto shall have executed this Agreement.

          12.10 HEADINGS.  The headings of the Sections and Articles of
                --------                                               
this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not constitute a part
hereof.

          12.11 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, including the Schedules
                ----------------                                          
hereto, and the Escrow Agreement set forth the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained
herein and therein, and supersede all prior agreements, promises, covenants,
arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or
written, express or implied, by any officer, employee or representative of any
party hereto, except the Confidentiality Agreement, which remains in full force
and effect.

          12.12 THIRD PARTIES.  Except as specifically set forth or
                -------------                                      
referred to herein, nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be
construed to confer upon or give to any person or entity other than the parties
hereto and their successors or assigns, any rights or remedies under or by
reason of this Agreement.

          12.13 NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  This Agreement is solely and
                --------------------------                               
exclusively between Purchaser and Seller and any obligations of Seller created
herein shall be 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
the obligations solely of Seller. The directors, officers, employees,
representatives and affiliates of Seller or the Company shall have no liability
for any obligations of Seller under this Agreement or for any Damages based on,
in respect of or by reason of this Agreement or Seller's obligations hereunder
or any breach thereof. Purchaser, for itself and its affiliates (including, 
post-Closing, the Company), hereby waives, remises and releases each director,
officer, employee, representative and affiliate of Seller and the Company from
all such obligations and Damages. The directors, officers, employees,
representatives and affiliates of Purchaser (other than the Company) shall have
no liability for any obligations of Purchaser or the Company under this
Agreement or for any Damages based on, in respect of or by reason of this
Agreement or Purchaser's or the Company's obligations hereunder or any breach
thereof. Seller, for itself and its affiliates, hereby waives, remises and
releases each director, officer, employee, representative and affiliate of
Purchaser (other than the Company) from all such obligations and Damages.

          12.14 MUTUAL AGREEMENT.  This Agreement embodies the arm's-
                ----------------                                    
length negotiation and mutual agreement between the parties hereto and shall not
be construed against any party as having been drafted by it.

          12.15 SEVERABILITY.  If in any jurisdiction, any provision of
                ------------                                           
this Agreement or its application to any party or circumstance is restricted,
prohibited or unenforceable, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be
ineffective only to the extent of such restriction, prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof and
without affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction or its application to other parties or circumstances.  In addition,
if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any
reason in any jurisdiction be held to be excessively broad as to time, duration,
geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be construed, by limiting and
reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the
applicable law of such jurisdiction as it shall then appear.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement,
each by its duly authorized officer, all as of the day and year first above
written.


                               DOCKS U.S.A., INC.

                                  /s/ GUY GEFFROY 
                               By:______________________________
                               Title: Treasurer


                               PH HOLDING CORPORATION
                                  
                                   /s/ PETER J. SODINI
                               By: _____________________________
                               Title: President


                               LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
                               solely for the purpose of Section 10.03

                                   /s/ EDDIE JACKSON
                               By: _____________________________
                               Title: President

                                       39

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2
 
                      ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT


          This ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of this 23rd day of October 1997, by and between PH HOLDING
CORPORATION, a North Carolina corporation ("Assignor"), and THE PANTRY, INC., a
Delaware corporation and owner of all of the outstanding capital stock of
Assignor ("Assignee"), with reference to the following recitals of fact:


                               R E C I T A L S:


          WHEREAS, Assignor and Docks U.S.A., Inc., a Nevada corporation
("Seller"), have entered into that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
August 26, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto
as Exhibit A and made a part hereof, wherein Seller has agreed to sell and
   ---------                                                              
Assignor has agreed to purchase all of the outstanding capital stock of Lil'
Champ Food Stores, Inc., a Florida corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Seller (the "Acquisition"), on the terms and conditions contained therein.

          WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign, and Assignee desires to assume
all of Assignor's rights, interests and obligations under the Purchase
Agreement, as hereinafter set forth.


                              A G R E E M E N T:


          NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.   Assignor hereby sells, assigns, transfers and conveys to Assignee
all of its right, title and interest in, to and under the Purchase Agreement.

          2.   Assignee does hereby accept such assignment of the Purchase
Agreement and covenants for itself and its successors and assigns that it will
keep, observe, perform and does hereby assume all of the terms, covenants,
conditions, duties, liabilities and obligations contained in the Purchase
Agreement to be performed, observed or kept on the part of Assignor under the
Purchase Agreement.

          3.   Nothing in this Agreement shall relieve Assignor of any of its
obligations under the Purchase Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
          4.   Assignor represents and warrants to Assignee that the Purchase
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (a) is the true, correct and complete
                             ---------                                      
agreement between Assignor and Seller with respect to the Acquisition, and (b)
is currently in full force and effect with no defaults by Assignor thereunder.
Assignor further represents and warrants to Assignee that Assignor (c) has
complied with all of its obligations under the Purchase Agreement, and (d) is
the current holder of the rights of "Purchaser" under the Purchase Agreement,
and has not previously assigned any of its rights as "Purchaser" under the
Purchase Agreement to any other party.

          5.   This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one agreement.

          6.   This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

          7.   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law
provisions.



                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have entered into this Agreement
as of the day and year first indicated above.



"ASSIGNOR":                            PH HOLDING CORPORATION, a North Carolina
                                       corporation



                                       By:  /s/ Peter J. Sodini
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter J. Sodini
                                            Title: President


"ASSIGNEE":                            THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation



                                       By:  /s/ Peter J. Sodini
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Peter J. Sodini
                                            Title: President and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer

                                       3

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1

                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                      OF

                                 THE PANTRY, INC.


  The Pantry, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware, hereby certifies the following:

  1.  The name of the Corporation is "The Pantry, Inc." and the name under which
the Corporation was originally incorporated is "Montrose Pantry Acquisition
Corporation."  The date of filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation
with the Secretary of State was July 13, 1987.

  2.  This Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates and
further amends the Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation.  The text
of the Certificate of Incorporation as amended or supplemented heretofore and as
further amended hereby shall read as herein set forth in full:

                                 I.

      The name of the Corporation is THE PANTRY, INC.

                                 II.

      The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is
      Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington,
      County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is
      The Corporation Trust Company.

                                 III.

      The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the
      Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
      corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of
      Delaware.

                                 IV.

      A. The Corporation shall have the authority to issue Three Hundred
      Thousand shares of common stock with the par value of one cent ($0.01) per
      share.
<PAGE>
 
     B.  The Corporation shall also have the authority to issue One Hundred and
     Fifty Thousand shares of preferred stock with a par value of one cent
     ($0.01) per share in one or more series with such preferences, limitations
     and relative rights as may be determined by the board of directors prior to
     the issuance of such stock.

                                 V.

     A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable for monetary
     damages for breach of his duty as a director, except for liability (i) for
     any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
     stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith which involve
     intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section
     174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction
     from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

                                 VI.

     A.  Right to Indemnification.  Each person who was or is made a party or is
     threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or
     proceeding, whether civil, criminal administrative or investigative
     (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a
     person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director
     or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
     Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
     corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
     including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis
     of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director,
     officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a
     director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held
     harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the
     Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be
     amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that
     such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification
     rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such
     amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys'
     fees, judgements, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid
     or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person
     in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a
     person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and
     shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and
     administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in paragraph B.
     hereof, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking
     indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by
     the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification
     conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall include the
     right to be paid by the Corporation the expense incurred in defending any
     such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however,
     that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law so requires, the payment of
     such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a
     director of officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or
     is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without
     limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final
     disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the
     Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director of officer,
     to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that
     such director of officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this
     Section or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of
     Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the
     Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification
     of directors and officers.

     B.  Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under paragraph A. of this
     Section is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty days after a
     written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any
     time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid
     amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, the claimant
     shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It
     shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to
     enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in
     advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is
     required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not
     met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware
     General Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for
     the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the
     Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of
     Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a
     determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification
     of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met
     the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General
     Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including
     its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders)
     that the claimant has not met such applicable standard or conduct, shall be
     a defense to the action or create a presumption

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

     C.  Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the payment
     of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final
     disposition conferred in this Section shall not be exclusive of any other
     right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
     provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of
     stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

     D. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to
     protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
     Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
     other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or
     not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against
     such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

                                 VII.

     In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute,
     the board of directors of the Corporation shall have the power to adopt,
     amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

                                 VIII.

     Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law shall not be applicable
     to the Corporation.

                                 IX.

     The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
     provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now
     or hereafter prescribed by statute and all rights conferred upon the
     stockholders hereunder granted and subject to this reservation.


  4. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly approved by the
stockholders in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said The Pantry, Inc. has caused this certificate
to be signed by Eugene B. Horne, Jr., its President and attested by Mark W.
King, Secretary, this 5th day of August, 1994.


                                     THE PANTRY, INC.

                                     /s/ Eugene B. Horne, Jr. 
                                     -------------------------------
ATTEST:                              Eugene B. Horne, Jr., President

/s/ Mark C. King
- -------------------------
Mark C. King, Secretary

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
                         CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF
                               PREFERENCES OF THE
                            SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
                              OF THE PANTRY, INC.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Pursuant to Section 151 of the
                         General Corporation Law of the
                               State of Delaware

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


          The undersigned, W. Clay Hamner, does hereby certify as follows:

          A.   That W. Clay Hamner is, and at all times herein mentioned was,
the duly elected and acting Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Pantry,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation").

          B.   That the following resolution was duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (the "Board"):

          RESOLVED, that pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, there is
hereby created a series of preferred stock of the Corporation, designated as
"Series A Preferred Stock", which series shall consist of Fifty Thousand
(50,000) shares, $0.01 par value per share.  In addition to those set forth in
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall have the powers and preferences, the participating,
optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions set forth below:

          1.   Definitions.  As used in this resolution, the following terms
               -----------                                                  
shall have the meanings indicated:

               (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

               (b) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, $0.01 par value,
per share issued or to be issued by the Corporation.

               (c) "Corporation" shall mean The Pantry, Inc.

               (d) "Original Issue Date" shall mean the date of the original
issuance of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

          (e) "Series A Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series A Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issued or to be issued by the Corporation.

<PAGE>
 
          (f) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation at least fifty percent
(50%) of whose outstanding voting stock shall at the time be owned directly or
indirectly by the Corporation, or by one or more Subsidiaries of the
Corporation.

          2.   Dividends.
               --------- 

               (a) The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then
outstanding shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board,
out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative
dividends in an amount equal to Sixty Dollars ($60.00) per share per semi-annual
calendar period, plus an amount determined by applying a twelve percent (12%)
annual rate compounded semi-annually to any accrued but unpaid dividend amount
from the last day of the semi-annual calendar period when such dividend accrues
to the actual date of payment of such dividend, and no more. Such dividends on
the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be payable at such
intervals as the Board may from time to time determine (each of such dates being
a "dividend payment date") to the persons who are holders of record of
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock on the respective dividend
payment dates. Each of such semi-annual dividends (whether payable in cash or in
stock) shall be fully cumulative and shall accrue from day to day (whether or
not declared) from the first (1st) day of each semi-annual calendar period in
which such dividend may be payable as herein provided, except that with respect
to the first semi-annual calendar dividend, such dividend shall accrue from the
Original Issue Date. Dividends, when, as and if declared, may, at the discretion
of the Board, be payable in cash or by issuing additional shares, including
fractional shares, of Series A Preferred Stock to the holders of record of
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at the rate of one share for
each One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) of dividend, and the issuance of such
additional shares shall constitute full payment of such dividends, with all
holders entitled to receive the same proportions of cash and shares of Series A
Preferred Stock if a dividend is payable in cash and shares or Series A
Preferred Stock. No dividend shall be declared, set aside or paid to holders of
any of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation, including
without limitation, any outstanding shares of Common Stock, unless at the same
time a dividend in an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends as set
forth above is declared and paid to the holders of outstanding shares of Series
A Preferred Stock.

               (b) All dividends paid with respect to the outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to subparagraph 2(a) shall be paid pro rata to
the holders entitled thereto.

               (c) Holders of outstanding fractional shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a ratably proportionate amount of all
dividends accruing with respect to each outstanding share of Series A Preferred
Stock pursuant to subparagraph 2(a), and all of such dividends with respect to
such outstanding fractional shares shall be fully cumulative and shall accrue
(whether or not declared) and shall be payable in the same manner and at such
times as provided for in subparagraph 2(a).

                                      2.

<PAGE>
 
          3.   Liquidation Rights of Series A Preferred Stock.
               ---------------------------------------------- 

               (a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the
assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders,
whether such assets are capital, surplus or earnings, before any payment or
declaration and setting apart for payment of any amount shall be made in respect
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, an amount equal to One Thousand
Dollars ($1,000.00) per share of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding, plus
all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for liquidation
(whether or not declared), and no more. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets to
be distributed among the holders of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such stockholders of the
full preferential amounts aforesaid, then the entire assets of the Corporation
to be distributed shall be distributed ratably among the holders of outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock based on the full preferential amounts for
the number of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by each
holder.

               (b) After the payment or setting apart of the payment to the
holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the preferential
amounts aforesaid, the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock, after
payment or setting apart of any payments to outstanding shares of preferred
stock which are junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, shall be entitled to
receive ratably all the remaining assets of the Corporation.

               (c) A consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any
other corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Corporation as those terms are used in this paragraph 3
unless such consolidation, merger or sale shall be in connection with a
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

               (d) The payment of preferential amounts pursuant to this
paragraph 3 with respect to each outstanding fractional share of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be equal to a ratably proportionate amount of the
preferential amount payable with respect to each outstanding share of Series A
Preferred Stock.

          4.   Voluntary Redemption by the Corporation.
               --------------------------------------- 

               (a) The Corporation, at the option of the Board, may at any time
or from time to time redeem the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock
in whole or in part from any source of funds legally available therefor.

               (b) The redemption price for each outstanding share of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) plus an amount in cash
equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends to the date of such redemption
(whether or not declared) (the "Redemption Price").

                                      3.

<PAGE>
 
          (c) In the event of a redemption of only a part of the outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall effect such redemption
pro rata according to the number of shares held by each holder of outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

          (d) At least ten (10) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to
the date fixed for any redemption of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock (the "Redemption Date"), written notice (the "Redemption Notice"
and the Series A Preferred Stock referenced in such Redemption Notice shall be
referred to herein as the "Redeemed Stock") shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to
each holder of record of the outstanding shares of Redeemed Stock at his or her
post office address last shown on the records of the Corporation.  The
Redemption Notice shall state:

           (i) Whether all or less than all the outstanding shares of the Series
 A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed and the total number of shares being
 redeemed;

           (ii) The number of outstanding shares of Redeemed Stock held by
 the holder which the Corporation intends to redeem;

           (ii) The Redemption Date and Redemption Price; and

           (iv) That the holder is to surrender to the Corporation, in the
 manner and at the place designated, the certificate or certificates
 representing the outstanding shares of Redeemed Stock to be redeemed.

          (e) On or before the Redemption Date, each holder of outstanding
shares of Redeemed Stock shall surrender the certificate or certificates
representing such shares to the Corporation, in the manner and at the place
designated in the Redemption Notice, and thereupon the Redemption Price for such
shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such
certificate or certificates as the owner thereof, and each surrendered
certificate shall be cancelled and retired.  In the event less than all of the
shares represented by any such certificate or certificates are redeemed, a new
certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares.

          (f) On or prior to the Redemption Date, the Company shall set apart,
as a sinking fund, a sum equal to the Redemption Price of all of the outstanding
shares of Redeemed Stock, with irrevocable instructions and authority to the
appropriate officers of the Corporation to pay, on or after the Redemption Date,
the Redemption Price to the respective holders upon the surrender of their share
certificate or certificates.  The establishment of the sinking fund shall
constitute full payment of the shares to the holders thereof, and from and after
the date of the establishment of such sinking fund, the shares shall be deemed
to be no longer outstanding, and the holders thereof shall cease to be
stockholders with respect to such shares and shall have no rights with respect
thereto except the rights to receive payment of the Redemption Price of the
shares, without interest, upon surrender of their certificate or certificates
therefor.  Any monies so set apart and unclaimed at the end of one (1) year from

                                      4.

<PAGE>
 
the Redemption Date shall no longer be set aside as a sinking fund and shall
become unallocated assets of the Corporation.

          5.   Voting Rights.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or
               -------------                                                   
as required under Delaware law, shares of Series A Preferred Stock (a) shall not
be entitled to vote on any matter coming for a vote before the stockholders of
the Corporation and (b) shall not be included in determining the number of
shares voting or entitled to vote on any such matters.

          6.   Exchange.
               -------- 

               (a) Subject to the limitation set forth in this subparagraph
6(a), the Corporation, at its sole option, may require the outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock, including fractional shares thereof, to be exchanged,
which exchange may be accomplished in whole or from time to time in part, on any
dividend payment date (as described in subparagraph 2(a) hereof), for junior
subordinated notes due 2005 of the Corporation paying interest semi-annually at
a rate equal to twelve percent (12%) per annum (the "Notes"). The Notes shall be
subject to mandatory redemption of the entire principal amount of each such Note
on the date which is ten (10) years from Original Issue Date. No such exchange
may be required by the Corporation unless all accrued but unpaid dividends
(whether or not declared) on the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock
(whether or not such shares of Series A Preferred Stock are required to be
exchanged) have been paid or will be paid concurrently with the exchange. The
Notes may contain such subordination provisions as may be authorized by the
Board.

               (b) The Corporation shall effect the exchange it is permitted to
require under subparagraph 6(a) pro rata according to the number of shares held
by each holder of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.  Holders of
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock which are required to be
exchanged will be entitled to receive One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) principal
amount of the Notes in exchange for each outstanding share of Series A Preferred
Stock (with appropriate adjustments for fractional shares) held by them which is
required to be exchanged (the "Exchange Price").  Following any such exchange,
the rights of holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock as
stockholders of the Corporation shall cease with respect to those outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock which are to be exchanged (except the right
to receive on the date of exchange an amount equal to the amount of accrued and
unpaid dividends to the date of exchange on the shares which are required to be
exchanged), and the person or persons entitled to receive the Notes issuable
upon exchange shall be treated, with respect to such Notes, for all purposes as
the holder of such Notes.

               (c) At least ten (10) days and not more than sixty (60) days
prior to the date fixed for any exchange of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock (the "Exchange Date"), written notice (the "Exchange Notice" and
the Series A Preferred Stock referenced in such Exchange Notice shall be
referred to herein as the "Exchanged Stock") shall be mailed, postage prepaid,
to each holder of record of the outstanding shares of Exchanged Stock at his or
her post office address last shown on the records of the Corporation. The
Exchange Notice shall state:

                                      5.

<PAGE>
 
           (i) The percentage of the outstanding shares of the Series A
 Preferred Stock which are being required to be exchanged;

           (ii) The number of outstanding shares of Exchanged Stock held by
 the holder which the Corporation intends to exchange;

           (ii) The Exchange Date and Exchange Price; and

           (iv) That the holder is to surrender to the Corporation, in the
 manner and at the place designated, his or her certificate or certificates
 representing the outstanding shares of Exchanged Stock to be exchanged.

          (d) On or before the Exchange Date, each holder of outstanding shares
of Exchanged Stock shall surrender the certificate or certificates representing
such shares to the Corporation, in the manner and at the place designated in the
Exchange Notice, and thereupon the Exchange Price for such shares shall be
delivered to the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates
as the owner thereof, and each surrendered certificate shall be cancelled and
retired.  The shares to be exchanged shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding
from and after the Exchange Date and the holders thereof shall cease to be
stockholders with respect to such shares and shall have no rights with respect
thereto except the rights to receive the Exchange Price upon surrender of their
certificate or certificates therefor.  In the event less than all of the shares
represented by any such certificate or certificates are exchanged, a new
certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the unexchanged shares.

          7.   Restrictions and Limitations.
               ---------------------------- 

          (a) The Corporation shall not, without the consent of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock:

           (i) Change or alter, in a manner so as to affect adversely, the
 exchange, dividend, liquidation, voting or redemption rights or obligations of
 the holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock provided for
 herein; or

            (ii) Amend this paragraph 7(a).

          (b) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this paragraph 7, any
changes or amendments to the powers, preferences, and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, or the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, with respect to the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock may be made in accordance with applicable law.

                                      6.

<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of
Designation of Preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock of the Corporation to
be signed by its duly authorized officer this 29/th/ day of November, 1995.



                                       /s/ W. Clay Hamner
                                       ------------------
                                       W. Clay Hamner,
                                       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


NORTH CAROLINA

DURHAM COUNTY

          I, Susan Calloway Posg, a Notary Public of the aforesaid County and
State, do hereby certify that W. Clay Hamner personally appeared before me this
day and acknowledged that he is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The
Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and that by authority duly given and as an
act of the Corporation, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by its
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and sealed with its common corporate seal.

          Witness my hand and notarial seal this 29/th/ day of November, 1995.


                              /s/ Susan Calloway Posg
                              ------------------------------------------
                              Notary Public


[seal]
My Commission Expires

        11/20/99
- --------------------------------

                                      7.

<PAGE>
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                           CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
                                     OF THE
                            SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
                                       OF
                                THE PANTRY, INC.



          The Pantry, Inc. (the "Company"), a corporation organized and existing
under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
does hereby certify:

          FIRST:    That the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
          -----                                                             
adopted resolutions proposing and declaring advisable each of the amendments to
the Company's Certificate of Designation of the Series A Preferred Stock filed
with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 30, 1995 at 12:40 p.m. with
respect to its Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series
A Preferred Stock"), set forth below, and that such amendments were approved by
a majority of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and notice was
provided to such holders pursuant to the applicable provisions of Section 228 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

          SECOND:   A new definition shall be added to Section 1 as follows:
          ------                                                            

               (g) "Series B Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series B Preferred
               Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issued or to be issued by the
               Corporation.

          THIRD:    The last sentence of Section 2(a) shall be deleted and
          -----                                                           
replaced with the following:

               Except with respect to the declaration, set aside or payment of a
               dividend to the holders of outstanding shares of Series B
               Preferred Stock, no dividend shall be declared, set aside or paid
               to holders of any of the outstanding shares of the capital stock
               of the Corporation, including without limitation, any outstanding
               shares of Common Stock, unless at the same time a dividend in an
               amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends as set forth
               above is declared and paid to the holders of outstanding shares
               of Series A Preferred Stock.

<PAGE>
 
          FOURTH:   A new clause (g) shall be added to Section 4 as follows:
          ------                                                            

               Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 4 top the
               contrary, the Company shall not redeem any shares of Series A
               Preferred Stock unless and until all accrued dividends due on
               shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if any, have been paid in
               full.

          FIFTH:    That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance
          -----                                                                
with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate to be
executed this 26th day of December, 1996.


                                       THE PANTRY, INC.,
                                       a Delaware corporation

                                       /s/ Peter J. Sodini 
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Peter J. Sodini
                                       Chief Executive Officer

                                      2.

<PAGE>
 
                         CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF
                               PREFERENCES OF THE
                            SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK
                              OF THE PANTRY, INC.
                        ------------------------------

                         Pursuant to Section 151 of the
                         General Corporation Law of the
                               State of Delaware
                        ------------------------------

          The undersigned, Peter J. Sodini and Mark C. King, do hereby certify
as follows:

          A.   That Peter J. Sodini is, and at all times herein mentioned was,
the duly elected and acting Chief Executive Officer of The Pantry, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and that Mark C. King is, and at all
times herein mentioned was, the duly elected and acting Secretary of the
Corporation.

          B.   That the following resolution was duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (the "Board"):

          RESOLVED, that pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, there is
hereby created a series of preferred stock of the Corporation, designated as
"Series B Preferred Stock", which series shall consist of Twenty Five Thousand
(25,000) shares, $0.01 par value per share.  In addition to those set forth in
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock shall have the powers and preferences, the participating,
optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions set forth below:

     1.   Definitions.  As used in this resolution, the following terms
          -----------                                                  
shall have the meanings indicated:

          (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          (b) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, $0.01 par value,
per share issued or to be issued by the Corporation.

          (c) "Corporation" shall mean The Pantry, Inc.

          (d) "Liquidation Event" shall mean any transaction or series of
related transactions that result in the sale of fifty percent (50%) or more of
the capital stock of the Corporation or of all or substantially all of the
assets thereof and any merger, consolidation or similar transaction.
<PAGE>
 
          (e) "Original Issue Date" shall mean the date of the original
issuance of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

          (f) "Series A Certificate" shall mean the Certificate of Designation
of Preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on November 30, 1995.

          (g) "Series A Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series A Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issued by the Corporation pursuant to the
Series A Certificate.

          (h) "Series B Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series B Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issued or to be issued by the Corporation.


     2.   Dividends.
          --------- 

          (a) The holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock then
outstanding shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board,
out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative
dividends in an amount equal to Thirty-Two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($32.50) per
share per quarterly period, plus an amount determined by applying a thirteen
percent (13%) annual rate compounded quarterly to any accrued but unpaid
dividend amount from the last day of the quarterly period when such dividend
accrues to the actual date of payment of such dividend, and no more. Such
dividends on the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be payable
at such intervals as the Board may from time to time determine (each of such
dates being a "dividend payment date") to the persons who are holders of record
of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock on each of the respective
dividend payment dates. Each of such quarterly dividends shall be fully
cumulative and shall accrue from day to day (whether or not declared) from the
first (1st) day of each quarterly period in which such dividend may be payable
as herein provided, except that with respect to the first quarterly dividend due
on the Series B Preferred Stock, such dividend shall accrue from the Original
Issue Date. Dividends, when, as and if declared, may, at the discretion of the
Board, be payable in cash or by issuing additional shares, including fractional
shares, of Series B Preferred Stock to the holders of record of outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Stock, at the rate of one share for each One
Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of dividend, and the issuance of such additional
shares shall constitute full payment of such dividends, with all holders
entitled to receive the same proportions of cash and shares of Series B
Preferred Stock if a dividend is payable in cash and shares or Series B
Preferred Stock. No dividend shall be declared, set aside or paid to holders of
any of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation, including
without limitation, any outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Common
Stock, unless at the same time a dividend in an amount equal to all accrued but
unpaid dividends as set forth above is declared and paid to the holders of
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          (b) All dividends paid with respect to the outstanding shares of
Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to subparagraph 2(a) shall be paid pro rata to
the holders entitled thereto.

          (c) Holders of outstanding fractional shares of Series B Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to a ratably proportionate amount of all dividends
accruing with respect to each outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock
pursuant to subparagraph 2(a), and all of such dividends with respect to such
outstanding fractional shares shall be fully cumulative and shall accrue
(whether or not declared) and shall be payable in the same manner and at such
times as provided for in subparagraph 2(a).

     3.   Liquidation Rights of Series B Preferred Stock.
          ---------------------------------------------- 

          (a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of outstanding shares
of Series B Preferred Stock, shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of
the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, whether such
assets are capital, surplus or earnings, before any payment or declaration and
setting apart for payment of any amount shall be made in respect of the
outstanding shares of any other class or series of the Corporation's capital
stock, including without limitation, shares of Series A Preferred Stock and of
Common Stock, an amount equal to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) per share of
Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends
thereon to the date fixed for liquidation (whether or not declared), and no
more.  If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets to be distributed among the holders
of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to
permit the payment to such stockholders of the full preferential amounts
aforesaid, then the entire assets of the Corporation to be distributed shall be
distributed ratably among the holders of outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock based on the full preferential amounts for the number of
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by each holder.

          (b) After the payment or setting apart of the payment to the holders
of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock of the preferential amounts
aforesaid, the holders of outstanding shares of any other class or series of the
capital stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to receive the remaining
assets of the Corporation ratably, in order of seniority thereof.

          (c) Following a Liquidation Event, the holder of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock may, in the discretion thereof,
deem such Liquidation Event a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation that triggers the rights of such holders, as further set forth in
Section 3(a) above.

          (d) The payment of preferential amounts pursuant to this paragraph 3
with respect to each outstanding fractional share of Series B Preferred Stock

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
shall be equal to a ratably proportionate amount of the preferential amount
payable with respect to each outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock.

     4.   Voting Rights.  At all meetings of the stockholders of the
          -------------                                             
Corporation and in the case of any actions of stockholders in lieu of a meeting,
each holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to ten (10)
votes per share of Series B Stock held thereby. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in Section 5 below or as required by law, the holders of Common Stock
and Series B Preferred Stock shall vote together as a single class in accordance
with the preceding sentence, and neither the Common Stock nor the Series B
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote as a separate class on any matter to
be voted on by stockholders of the Corporation.

     5.   Restrictions and Limitations.
          ---------------------------- 

          (a) The Corporation shall not, without the consent of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting
separately as a single class:

              (i) Issue any securities with equal or superior rights with
 respect to dividends or liquidation preference;

              (ii) Repurchase any shares of, make any dividend or distribution
 to, or any reclassification with respect to any of the Corporation's
 outstanding shares of capital stock, except that no such vote shall be required
 with respect to any such action taken in accordance with the Series A
 Certificate with respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock;

              (iii) Amend or modify the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation
 or Bylaws so as to adversely affect the relative rights, preferences,
 qualification, limitations or restrictions or the Series B Preferred Stock; and

               (iv) Amend this paragraph 5(a).

          (b) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this paragraph 5, any
changes or amendments to the powers, preferences, and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, or the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, with respect to the outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock may be made in accordance with applicable law.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of
Designation of Preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock of the Corporation to
be signed and attested by its duly authorized officers this 26th day of
December, 1996.


                                    /s/ Peter J. Sodini
                                    ---------------------------
                                    Peter J. Sodini
                                    Chief Executive Officer

Attest:


/s/ Mark C. King
- ---------------------- 
Mark C. King
Secretary

                                       5

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.3
 
                         CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                      OF
                                SANDHILLS, INC.


     FIRST:    The name of the corporation is Sandhills, Inc.

     SECOND:   The corporation's registered office in the State of Delaware is
located at 900 Market Street, Second Floor, Wilmington, County of New Castle,
Delaware 19801.  The registered agent at that address is Delaware Trust Capital
Management, Inc.

     THIRD:    The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity in which a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation
Law may engage; provided, that the corporation shall engage in no activity other
than the maintenance and management of intangible investments and the collection
and distribution of the income from such intangible investments.

     FOURTH:   The corporation shall have the authority to issue One Thousand
(1,000) shares of common stock, having a par value of One Cent ($0.01) per share
and the corporation shall not change the authorization of the number of shares
of stock, of any kind, which the corporation may issue without the unanimous
consent of all of the stockholders of the corporation.

     FIFTH:    To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation
Law, as currently in effect or as hereafter enacted, each director of the
corporation shall incur no personal liability to the corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a
director.

     SIXTH:    To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation
Law, as currently in effect or as hereafter enacted, each director, officer,
employee and agent of the corporation shall be indemnified and held harmless by
the corporation.

     SEVENTH:  The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by
and under the direction of the Board of Directors, the number of members of
which shall be as set forth in the bylaws of the corporation.  Unless required
by the bylaws of the corporation, the directors need not be elected by ballot.

     EIGHTH:   Each meeting of the stockholders and directors of the corporation
shall be held within Delaware.  The books of the corporation physically shall be
maintained in Delaware.

     NINTH:    Neither the certificate of incorporation nor the bylaws of the
corporation may be amended without the unanimous consent of all of the
stockholders of the corporation.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     TENTH:    The named and mailing address of the incorporator is Michael J.
Semes, Esquire, Suite 603, 1300 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

     ELEVENTH: The powers of the incorporator shall terminate upon the
appointment of directors.

     The undersigned, incorporator of the corporation, for the purpose of
forming a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware hereby files this
certificate of incorporation, and accordingly sets his hand and seal hereunto
this 24th day of November, 1992.


                                    /s/ Michael J. Semes
                                    --------------------
                                    Michael J. Semes
                                    Incorporator

                                       2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.4





                                    BYLAWS


                                      OF


                                SANDHILLS, INC.


                         As adopted November 24, 1992
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>

ARTICLE I  -   STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS...................................   1
     (S)1.     General..................................................   1 
     (S)2.     Annual Meetings..........................................   1
     (S)3.     Special Meetings.........................................   1
     (S)4.     Quorum...................................................   1
     (S)5.     Proxies..................................................   2
     (S)6.     Voting...................................................   2
     (S)7.     Notice of Meetings.......................................   2
     (S)8.     Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting.......................   2
     (S)9.     List of Stockholders.....................................   2
                                                                        
ARTICLE II  -  DIRECTORS................................................   3 
     (S)1.     Number and Term..........................................   3
               (S)1.1   General.........................................   3
               (S)1.2   Increase in Number of Directors.................   3
               (S)1.3   Decrease in Number of Directors.................   3
               (S)1.4   Vacancies.......................................   3
     (S)2.     Regular Meetings.........................................   4 
     (S)3.     Special Meetings.........................................   4
               (S)3.1   General.........................................   4
               (S)3.2   Notice..........................................   4
     (S)4.     Quorum...................................................   4 
     (S)5.     Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting.......................   4
     (S)6.     Participation in Meeting by Conference Telephone.........   4
     (S)7.     Compensation.............................................   5
     (S)8.     Removal..................................................   5
                                                                        
ARTICLE III -  OFFICERS.................................................   5 
     (S)1.     General..................................................   5 
     (S)2.     Salaries.................................................   5
     (S)3.     Term of Office...........................................   5
     (S)4.     President................................................   5
     (S)5.     Vice President...........................................   6
     (S)6.     Secretary................................................   6
     (S)7.     Treasurer................................................   6
                                                                            
ARTICLE IV  -  CORPORATE RECORDS........................................   6
</TABLE>                                                                

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
                                  (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
ARTICLE V  -   STOCK CERTIFICATES.......................................   7
     (S)1.     General..................................................   7
     (S)2.     Transfers................................................   7
     (S)3.     Lost Certificates........................................   7
     (S)4.     Record Date..............................................   7
               (S)4.1...................................................   7
               (S)4.2...................................................   7
               (S)4.3...................................................   8
               (S)4.4...................................................   8

ARTICLE VI  -  DIVIDENDS................................................   8
     (S)1.     Declaration and Payment..................................   8
     (S)2.     Reserves.................................................   8

ARTICLE VII -  NOTICE...................................................   8
     (S)1.     General..................................................   8
     (S)2.     Waiver...................................................   8

ARTICLE VIII - MISCELLANEOUS............................................   9
     (S)1.     Financial Transactions...................................   9
     (S)2.     Fiscal Year..............................................   9
     (S)3.     Corporate Seal...........................................   9
     (S)4.     Reliance upon Books and Records..........................   9
     (S)5.     Indemnification..........................................   9
</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                                    BYLAWS

                                      OF

                                SANDHILLS, INC.

              As adopted by the incorporator on November 24, 1992



                                 *************

                      ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS

     (S)1.     General.
               ------- 

               Each meeting of stockholders of the corporation shall be held at
such place within Delaware as may be selected from time to time by the Board of
Directors.

     (S)2.     Annual Meetings.
               --------------- 

               The annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held in November
of each year on such specific date as determined by the Board of Directors.  At
the annual meeting, the stockholders shall elect Directors to succeed those
Directors whose terms expire and shall transact such other business as may
properly be brought before the meeting.

     (S)3.     Special Meetings.
               ---------------- 

               Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by
the President, the Board of Directors, a majority of the stockholders or as
otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation or the Delaware General
Corporation Law ("DGCL") (the certificate of incorporation and DGCL are referred
to hereinafter collectively as "law") and shall be held at such time and place
within Delaware as he or they shall fix. Unless otherwise specified in the
notice of such special meeting, any business may be brought before such meeting.

     (S)4.     Quorum.
               ------ 

               A majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled
to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a
meeting of stockholders.  If less than a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote is represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so
represented may adjourn the meeting without further notice.  At such adjourned
meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be
transacted which 

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.  The
stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact
business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

     (S)5.     Proxies.
               ------- 

               Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders
may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing filed with
the clerk of the meeting before the beginning of such meeting.

     (S)6.     Voting.
               ------ 

               Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share entitled to
vote which is registered in such stockholder's name on the record date for such
meeting, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws or by law.  All voting,
except as otherwise provided by law, may be by a voice vote; provided, that any
stockholder may in person or by proxy, demand that a vote be taken by written
ballot.  Unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws or by law, all matters
voted upon shall be determined by a majority of shares of stock outstanding that
are entitled to vote on such matter.

     (S)7.     Notice of Meetings.
               ------------------ 

               Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any
action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall
state the place within Delaware, date and time of the meeting.  Unless otherwise
provided in these bylaws or by law, written notice of each meeting shall be
given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of
the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.

     (S)8.     Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting.
               ---------------------------------- 

               Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior
notice and without vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so
taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than
the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present
and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting
by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who
have not consented in writing.

     (S)9.     List of Stockholders.
               -------------------- 

               Upon request in writing by a stockholder, the officer who has
charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least
ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,
and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
registered in the name of each stockholder. No share of stock upon which any
installment is due and unpaid on the record date for a meeting shall be voted at
such meeting.  The list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for
any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period
of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the
city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the
notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the principal office of the
corporation.  The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of
the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any
stockholder who is present.

                            ARTICLE II - DIRECTORS


     (S)1.     Number and Term.
               --------------- 

               (S)1.1    General.
                         ------- 

                         The number of Directors who shall constitute the Board
of Directors shall be such number as the Board of Directors shall, in accordance
with the provisions provided in these bylaws, from time to time determine,
except that in the absence of any such determination, such number shall be three
(3).  A Director need not be a stockholder in the corporation.  The Directors
shall be elected by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders of
the corporation, and each Director shall be elected for the term of one year,
and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his earlier
resignation or removal.

               (S)1.2    Increase in Number of Directors.
                         ------------------------------- 

                         The Board of Directors may increase the number of
Directors between annual meetings of stockholders upon the approval of a
majority of the Directors then serving.  Such additional Directors shall be
elected by a vote of a majority of those Directors then holding office.
Directors so elected shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders
and until their successors are elected and qualified.

               (S)1.3    Decrease in Number of Directors.
                         ------------------------------- 

                         Any decrease in the authorized number of Directors
shall only become effective by approval of at least 75% of the stockholders of
the corporation.

               (S)1.4    Vacancies.
                         --------- 

                         If the office of any Director becomes vacant for any
reason, a majority of the Directors remaining in office, even if less than a
quorum, may elect a successor Director for the unexpired term of the position
that was vacated.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     (S)2.     Regular Meetings.
               ---------------- 

               Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held without
notice at such time, date and place within Delaware as shall be determined by
the Board of Directors.

     (S)3.     Special Meetings.
               ---------------- 

               (S)3.1    General.
                         ------- 

                         Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be
called by any Director, such person whom the Board of Directors may designate,
or a majority of the stockholders of the corporation.  Special meetings of the
Board of Directors shall be held at such time, date and place within Delaware as
the person or persons calling such meeting shall designate.

               (S)3.2    Notice.
                         ------ 

                         Notice of a special meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be given to each Director, by whom it is not waived, not less than twenty
four (24) hours in advance of such meeting.  Unless otherwise indicated in the
notice of such meeting, any business may be transacted at such meeting.

     (S)4.     Quorum.
               ------ 

               A majority of the total number of directors then authorized, who
are physically present in Delaware, shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of any business of the Board of Directors.

     (S)5.     Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting.
               ---------------------------------- 

               Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of
the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a
meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may
be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the
minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

     (S)6.     Participation in Meeting by Conference Telephone.
               ------------------------------------------------ 

               One or more Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board
of Directors, of a committee of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders,
by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.
Participation in this manner shall constitute presence at such meeting only if
such Director is physically present in Delaware.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     (S)7.     Compensation.
               ------------ 

               Directors shall receive compensation, if any, for their service
as Directors of the corporation in the manner determined by the Board of
Directors. Nothing contained in these bylaws shall be construed to preclude any
Director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving
compensation therefor.

     (S)8.     Removal.
               ------- 
 
               Any Director may be removed, with or without cause, by the
holders of a majority of the shares then of record.

                            ARTICLE III - OFFICERS

     (S)1.     General.
               ------- 

               The executive officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the
Directors and shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Board of Directors shall also choose a Chairman of the Board of Directors,
and may elect such other officers as it shall deem necessary.  Any number of
offices may be held by the same person.

     (S)2.     Salaries.
               -------- 

               Salary, if any, of each officer of the corporation shall be fixed
by the Board of Directors.

     (S)3.     Term of Office.
               -------------- 

               The officers of the corporation shall hold office for one year
and until successors are chosen and qualified. Any officer or agent elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by
the Board of Directors whenever in the judgment of the Board of Directors the
best interest of the corporation will be served thereby.

      (S)4.    President.
               --------- 

               The President shall be the chief executive officer of the
corporation and shall have general and active management of the business of the
corporation, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried
into effect, subject, however, to the right of the Board of Directors to
delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by law exclusively conferred
on the President, to any other officer or officers of the corporation.  The
President shall execute bonds and mortgages requiring a seal, under the seal of
the corporation, and shall have the general power and duties of supervision and
management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation.  In the
absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President shall preside
at the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     (S)5.     Vice President.
               -------------- 

               The Vice President shall assist the President in the carrying out
of the President's duties as an officer of the corporation and shall have such
other powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.  In
the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform the
duties and exercise the powers of the President.

     (S)6.     Secretary.
               --------- 

               The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors
and all meetings of the stockholders and act as clerk thereof, and record all
the votes of the corporation and the minutes of all its transactions in a book
to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for all committees of
the Board of Directors when required.  The Secretary shall be given, or cause to
be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of
Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board
of Directors or President.  The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the
corporate seal of the corporation, and when authorized by the Board of Directors
shall affix the same to such instrument requiring the seal of the corporation.

     (S)7.     Treasurer.
               --------- 

               The Treasurer shall have custody of  the corporate funds and
securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the corporation, and shall keep the moneys
of the corporation in a separate account to the credit of the corporation.  The
Treasurer, along with such other properly authorized officer, if appropriate,
shall disburse the funds of the corporation as directed by the Board of
Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to
the President and Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever
they may require it, an account of all transactions and of the financial
condition of the corporation.

                        ARTICLE IV - CORPORATE RECORDS

     Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall,
upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right
during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the
corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and
records, and to make copies or extracts therefrom.  A proper purpose shall mean
a purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder.  In
every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks
the right to inspection, the demand under the oath shall be accompanied by a
power of attorney or such other writing which authorizes the attorney or such
other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder.  The demand under oath shall
be directed to the corporation at its principal office.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
                        ARTICLE V - STOCK CERTIFICATES

     (S)1.     General.
               ------- 

               The stock certificates of the corporation shall be numbered and
registered as they are issued in the stock ledger and transfer books of the
corporation.  They shall bear the corporate seal and shall be signed by the
President and Secretary of the corporation.

     (S)2.     Transfers.
               --------- 

               Transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the
corporation upon surrender of the certificates therefor, endorsed by the person
named in the certificate or by attorney, lawfully constituted in writing.  No
transfer shall be made which is inconsistent with law.

     (S)3.     Lost Certificates.
               ----------------- 

               The corporation may issue a new stock certificate in place of any
certificate validly issued, which is alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of such certificate, or his
legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it
against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss,
theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new
certificate.

     (S)4.     Record Date.
               ----------- 

               In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in
respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any
other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall
not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such
meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days before any other action.

     If no record date is fixed:

               (S)4.1    the record date for determining stockholders entitled
to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if
notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held.

               (S)4.2    the record date for determining stockholders entitled
to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no
prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the day on which
the first written consent is expressed.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
               (S)4.3    the record date for determining stockholders for any
other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Directors adopts the resolution relating to such matter.

               (S)4.4    a determination of stockholders of record entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment
of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.


                            ARTICLE VI - DIVIDENDS

     (S)1.     Declaration and Payment.
               ----------------------- 

               The Board of Directors may declare and pay dividends upon the
outstanding shares of the corporation, from time to time and to such extent as
they deem advisable, in the manner, and upon the terms and conditions provided
by law.

     (S)2.     Reserves.
               -------- 

               Before payment of any dividend there may be set aside out of the
net profits of the corporation such sums or sums as the Board of Directors, from
time to time, in its sole discretion, determines to be in the best interests of
the corporation.  The Board of Directors may abolish any such reserve at any
time in the same manner in which such reserve was created.


                             ARTICLE VII - NOTICE

     (S)1.     General.
               ------- 

               Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws or by law, any
notice required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation shall be in writing and may be delivered by (i) hand,
(ii) United States mail, postage prepaid, (iii) Federal Express (or any other
nationally recognized courier), delivery charge prepaid, or (iv) telecopy or any
other similar facsimile device.  Each notice shall be addressed to the recipient
at such recipient's last known address (or telecopy number) as it appears in the
applicable records of the corporation.  Such notice shall be effective (i) when
received if hand delivered, mailed or couriered, and (ii) when dispatched if
given by telecopy.

     (S)2.     Waiver.
               ------ 

               A written waiver of any notice, signed by the recipient thereof,
whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given,
shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to have been given to such
recipient.  Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting is required to
be specified in such waiver.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                         ARTICLE VIII - MISCELLANEOUS


     (S)1.     Financial Transactions.
               ---------------------- 

               All financial transactions of the corporation, including the
execution of checks, demands and notes of the corporation, shall be approved by
such officer or officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time
determine. Such approval shall be evidenced by the signature of such officer or
officers.

     (S)2.     Fiscal Year.
               ----------- 

               The fiscal year of the corporation shall be as determined by the
Board of Directors.

     (S)3.     Corporate Seal.
               -------------- 

               The Board of Directors shall approve a seal of the corporation,
which shall meet the requirements imposed by law.

     (S)4.     Reliance upon Books and Records.
               ------------------------------- 

               The Directors and officers of the corporation shall, in the
performance of their duties as such, be fully protected in relying in good faith
on the books and records of the corporation.

     (S)5.     Indemnification.
               --------------- 

               The corporation shall indemnify all officers, directors and
employees to the fullest extent permitted by law as currently in effect or as
amended from time to time.


     The undersigned, Secretary of the corporation, does hereby certify that the
foregoing is a true copy of the bylaws of the corporation that are in effect on
the date hereof.



Dated:  November 24, 1992                   /s/ Francis B. Jacobs III [SEAL]
        --------------------------          -------------------------

                                      -9-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.5
 
                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                      OF
                         LIL' CHAMP/JIFFY STORES, INC.


     Pursuant to Section 607.1007, Florida Statutes, as amended, the Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, of Lil' Champ/Jiffy Stores, Inc., a Florida
corporation, Charter No. 302305, are hereby amended by revising Section 1.1
thereof to read as set forth below, and, as so amended, are hereby restated to
read in their entirety as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I
                               NAME AND ADDRESS

     SECTION 1.1 NAME.  The name of this corporation is Lil' Champ Food Stores,
Inc.

     SECTION 1.2 ADDRESS.  The address of this corporation, until changed by
resolution of the board of directors, is 9143 Phillips Highway, Suite 200,
Jacksonville, Florida 32256.

                                  ARTICLE II
                                   DURATION

     SECTION 2.1 DURATION.  This corporation shall exist perpetually.

                                  ARTICLE III
                                   PURPOSES

     SECTION 3.1 PURPOSES.  This corporation is organized for the purpose of
transacting any or all lawful business permitted under the laws of the United
States and of the State of Florida.

                                  ARTICLE IV
                                 CAPITAL STOCK

     SECTION 4.1 AUTHORIZED CAPITAL.  The maximum number of shares of stock
which this corporation is authorized to have outstanding at any one time is Five
Hundred (500) shares, consisting of a single class designated "Common Stock,"
with a par value of One Dollar ($1.00) per share.

     SECTION 4.2 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF STOCK.  The shareholders may, by
Bylaw provision or by shareholders' agreement recorded in the minute book,
impose such restrictions on the sale, transfer or encumbrance of the capital
stock of this corporation as they may see fit.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                   DIRECTORS

     SECTION 5.1 NUMBER.  The number of directors of this corporation shall be
fixed and may be increased or diminished from time to time by the Bylaws, but
shall never be less than one.

     SECTION 5.2 COMPENSATION.  The board of directors is hereby specifically
authorized to make provision for reasonable compensation to its members for
their services as directors, and to fix the basis and conditions upon which such
compensation shall be paid.  Any director of this corporation may also serve the
corporation in any other capacity and receive compensation therefor in any form.

     SECTION 5.3 INDEMNIFICATION.  The board of directors is hereby specifically
authorized to make provision for indemnification of directors, officers,
employees and agents to the full extent permitted by law.

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                    BYLAWS

     SECTION 6.1 BYLAWS.  Bylaws shall be adopted and may be altered, amended or
repealed from time to time by either the shareholders or the board of directors,
but the board of directors shall not alter, amend or repeal any Bylaw adopted by
the shareholders if the shareholders specifically provide in the Bylaw adopted
by the shareholders if the shareholders specifically provide in the Bylaws that
such Bylaw is not subject to amendment or repeal by the board of directors.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 7.1 AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS.  This corporation expressly elects not
to be governed by Section 607.104, Florida Statutes, or any successor provision
thereto.

     SECTION 7.2 CONTROL-SHARE ACQUISITIONS.  Section 607.109, Florida Statutes,
or any successor provision thereto, does not apply to control-share acquisitions
of shares of this corporation.

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                   AMENDMENT

     SECTION 8.1 RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND.  This corporation reserves the
right to amend or repeal any provision contained in these Articles of
Incorporation, and any right conferred upon the shareholders is subject to this
reservation.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     These Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Lil' Champ Food
Stores, Inc., were adopted August 18, 1992, pursuant to Section 607.0821,
Florida Statutes, as amended, by unanimous written consent of the board of
directors of Lil' Champ/Jiffy Stores, Inc., and were approved August 18, 1992,
pursuant to Section 607.0704, Florida Statutes, as amended, by written consent
of the sole shareholder of said corporation, which approval was sufficient for
approval by said shareholder.

     Dated August 18, 1992.

                                       LIL' CHAMP/JIFFY STORES, INC.


                                       By: /s/ Eddie K. Jackson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Eddie K. Jackson, President

                                       3

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.6
 
                          AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
                                      OF
                         LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.

                          (Adopted January 24, 1997)



                                   ARTICLE I
                                   ---------

                               BUSINESS OFFICES
                               ----------------

     SECTION 1.1    GENERAL.  The principal office of this Corporation shall be
located at 9143 Phillips Highway, Suite 200, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.  The
Corporation shall have such other offices as its business may require and as may
be approved by the Board of Directors, within or without the State of Florida.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                   ----------

                    REGISTERED OFFICES AND REGISTERED AGENTS
                    ----------------------------------------

     SECTION 2.1    FLORIDA.  The address of the initial registered office of
this Corporation in the State of Florida shall be c/o C T Corporation System,
8751 West Broward Boulevard, Plantation, Florida 33324, and the name of the
registered agent of the Corporation at such address is C T Corporation System.
The Corporation, with the approval of its Board of Directors, may from time to
time designate a different address as its registered office or a different
person as its registered agent in the State of Florida, or both; provided,
however, that such designation shall become effective upon the filing of a
statement of such change with the Department of State of the State of Florida as
is required by Florida law.

     SECTION 2.2    OTHER STATES.  In the event the Corporation is required or
desires to qualify to transact or conduct business in one or more states other
than Florida, the Corporation shall designate the location of the registered
office in each such state and designate the registered agent for service of
process at such address, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors,
in the manner provided by the law of the state in which the Corporation is to be
qualified.
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III
                                  -----------

                             SHAREHOLDERS MEETINGS
                             ---------------------

     SECTION 3.1    PLACE OF MEETING.  Meetings of the shareholders shall be
held at the principal office of the Corporation or any other place, within or
without the State of Florida, designated in the notice of the meeting.

     SECTION 3.2    ANNUAL MEETING.  An annual meeting of the Shareholders shall
be held within six (6) months after the close of each fiscal year of the
Corporation at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors, at which
meeting the Shareholders shall elect a Board of Directors and transact other
business.  If an annual meeting is not held within any 13-month period, the
circuit court of the circuit in which the registered office of the Corporation
is located may, on the application of any Shareholder, summarily order a meeting
to be held.

     SECTION 3.3    SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Shareholders
shall be held when directed by the Chair of the Board, the President or the
Board of Directors, or when requested in writing by the holders of not less than
ten percent (10%) of all the shares entitled to vote at the meeting.  A meeting
requested by Shareholders shall be called for a date not less than ten (10) nor
more than sixty (60) days after the request is made, unless the Shareholders
requesting the meeting designate a later date.  The call for the meeting shall
be issued by the Secretary, unless the Chair of the Board, the President, the
Board of Directors or the Shareholders requesting the meeting shall designate
another person to do so.

     SECTION 3.4    NOTICE.  Written notice stating the place, day, hour of the
meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is called, shall be delivered to each Shareholder of record entitled
to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days
before the meeting, either by personal delivery or by telegram, cablegram,
telex, telephonic facsimile or by first class mail, by or at the direction of
the Chair of the Board, the President, the Secretary, or the Officer or persons
calling the meeting.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered
when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the Shareholder at his
address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation, with
postage thereon prepaid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no such notice
to Docks U.S.A., Inc., shall be deemed delivered until actually received by such
Corporation at the address specified by it in writing for notice of Shareholder
meetings.

     SECTION 3.5    NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETINGS.  When a meeting is adjourned
to another time or place, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the
adjourned meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, and any business may
be transacted at the adjourned meeting that might have been transacted on the
original date of the meeting.  If, however, after the adjournment of the Board
of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the
adjourned meeting 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
shall be given as provided in Section 3.4 above, to each shareholder of record
on the new record date entitled to vote at such meeting.

     SECTION 3.6    WAIVER OF NOTICE.  Whenever notice is required to be given
to any Shareholder, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons
entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall
be the equivalent to the giving of such notice.  Attendance of a person at a
meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the
person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning
of the meeting, to the transaction of business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the
purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Shareholders need be specified
in the written waiver of notice.

     SECTION 3.7    CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS AND FIXING RECORD DATE.

     (a) For the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to
vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to
receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of
Shareholders for any purpose, the Board of Directors may provide that the stock
transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any
case, sixty (60) days.  If the stock transfer books shall be closed for the
purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of Shareholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten (10) days
immediately preceding such meeting.

     (b) In lieu of closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may
fix in advance a date as the record date for any determination of Shareholders,
such date in any case to be not more than sixty (60) days and, in case of a
meeting of Shareholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which
the particular action requiring such determination of Shareholders is to be
taken.

     (c) If the stock transfer books are not closed and no record date is fixed
for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice or to vote at a meeting
of Shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or
for any other purpose, the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the
date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring such dividend
is adopted or such other action is taken, as the case may be, shall be the
record date for such determination of Shareholders.

     (d) When a determination of Shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
Shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall
apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.

     SECTION 3.8    RECORD OF SHAREHOLDERS HAVING VOTING RIGHTS.  If the
Corporation shall have six (6) or more shareholders, the Officer or agent having
charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the Corporation shall make, at
least ten (10) days before each meeting of 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Shareholders, a complete list of the Shareholders entitled to vote at such
meeting or any adjournment thereof, with the address of and the number and class
and series, if any, of shares held by each. The list, for a period of ten (10)
days prior to such meeting, shall be kept on file at the registered office of
the Corporation, at the principal place of business of the Corporation or at the
Office of the transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation, and any
Shareholder shall be entitled to inspect the list at any time during usual
business hours. The list shall also be produced and kept open at the time and
place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any Shareholder
at any time during the meeting. If the requirements of this section have not
been substantially complied with, the meeting, on demand of any Shareholder in
person or by proxy, shall be adjourned until the requirements are complied with.
If no such demand is made, failure to comply with the requirements of the
section shall not affect the validity of any action taken at such meeting.

     SECTION 3.9    SHAREHOLDER QUORUM.  A majority of the shares entitled to
vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting
of Shareholders.  When a specified item of business is required to be voted on
by a class or series of stock, a majority of the shares of such class or series
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of such item of business by that
class or series.  If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter
shall be the act of the Shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or
voting by class is required by Florida law, by the Articles of Incorporation or
by these Bylaws.  After a quorum has been established at a Shareholders'
meeting, the subsequent withdrawal of Shareholders, so as to reduce the number
of shares entitled to vote at the meeting below the number required for a
quorum, shall not affect the validity of any action taken at the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.

     SECTION 3.10   VOTING OF SHARES.

     (a)  Each outstanding share entitled to vote, regardless of class, shall be
entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of
Shareholders, except as may otherwise be provided in the Articles of
Incorporation.  If the Articles of Incorporation provide for more or less than
one vote for any share on any matter, every reference in these Bylaws to a
majority or other proportion of shares shall refer to such a majority or other
proportion of shares entitled to be cast.

     (b)  A Shareholder may vote either in person or by proxy executed in
writing by the Shareholder or his duly authorized attorney-in-fact.

     (c)  At each election for Directors, every Shareholder entitled to vote at
such election shall have the right to vote, in person or by proxy, the number of
shares owned by him for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected at
that time and for whose election he has a right to vote, and if cumulative
voting is specifically authorized by the Articles of Incorporation, he shall
have the right to cumulate his votes by giving one candidate as many votes as
the 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
number of Directors to be elected at that time multiplied by the number of his
shares, or by distributing such votes on the same principle among any number of
such candidates.

     SECTION 3.11   PROXIES.

     (a)  Every Shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders or to
express consent or dissent without a meeting, or his duly authorized attorney-
in-fact, may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.

     (b)  Every proxy must be signed by the Shareholder or his attorney-in-fact.
No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date
thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.  Every proxy shall be revocable
at the pleasure of the Shareholder executing it, except as otherwise provided by
Florida law.

     (c)  If a proxy for the same shares confers authority upon two or more
persons and does not otherwise provide, a majority of them present at the
meeting, or if only one is present then that one, may exercise all the powers
conferred by the proxy; but if the proxy holders present at the meeting are
equally divided as to the right and manner of voting in any particular case, the
voting of such shares shall be prorated.

     SECTION 3.12   ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT A MEETING.

     (a)  Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
Shareholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual
or special meeting of such Shareholders, may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not
less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or
take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were
present and voted. If any class of shares is entitled to vote thereon as a
class, such written consent shall be required of the holders of a majority of
the shares of each class of shares entitled to vote as a class thereon and of
the total shares entitled to vote thereon.

     (b)  Within ten (10) days after obtaining such authorization by written
consent, notice must be given to those shareholders who have not consented in
writing.  The notice shall fairly summarize the material features of the
authorized action and, if the action be a merger, consolidation, or sale or
exchange of assets for which dissenters rights are provided by Florida law, the
notice shall contain a clear statement of the right of Shareholders dissenting
therefrom to be paid the fair value of their shares upon compliance with further
provisions of such Florida law regarding the rights of dissenting Shareholders.

     (c)  In the event that the action to which the shareholders consent is such
as would have required the filing of a certificate under any provision of
Florida law, if such action had 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
been voted on by Shareholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under
such section shall state that written consent has been given in accordance with
the provisions of Section 607.394, Florida Statutes, or the applicable successor
provision of Florida law.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------

                                   DIRECTORS
                                   ---------

     SECTION 4.1    FUNCTION.  All corporate powers shall be exercised by or
under the authority of, and the business and affairs of this Corporation shall
be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise
may be required by Florida law.

     SECTION 4.2    QUALIFICATION.  Directors need not be residents of the State
of Florida or Shareholders of this Corporation.

     SECTION 4.3    COMPENSATION.  Directors shall not be paid compensation as
such except as otherwise approved by the shareholders.

     SECTION 4.4    NUMBER.  The number of Directors of this Corporation shall
be fixed from time to time by the Shareholders or by the Board of Directors, but
shall never be less than one (1).  Unless otherwise provided by resolution of
the Shareholders, the number of Directors shall consist of that number elected
at each annual meeting of the Shareholders.  Either the Shareholders or the
Board of Directors may by resolution increase or decrease the number of
Directors at any time or from time to time between annual meetings of the
Shareholders, provided that the number of Directors shall never be less than one
(1).

     SECTION 4.5    ELECTION.  At each annual meeting of Shareholders, the
Shareholders shall elect Directors.

     SECTION 4.6    VACANCIES.  Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors,
including any vacancy created by reason of any increase in the number of
Directors, may be filled either by the Shareholders or by the Board of
Directors.

     SECTION 4.7    TERMS.  Each Director, however elected or appointed, shall
hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting of Shareholders and until
such Director's successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until such
Director's earlier resignation, removal from office, or death.

     SECTION 4.8    REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  Any Director or the entire Board of
Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of the
Shareholders called expressly for that purpose.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 4.9    QUORUM AND VOTING.  A majority of the number of Directors
fixed by these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which the
quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 4.10   EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES.

     (a)  The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the
full Board of Directors, may designate from among its members an executive
committee and one or more committees each of which, to the extent provided in
such resolution, shall have and may exercise all the authority of the Board of
Directors, except as limited by Florida law.

     (b)  The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted in accordance with this
section, may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any such
committee who may act in the place and stead of any absent member or members at
any meeting of such committee.

     SECTION 4.11   PLACE OF MEETING.  Regular and special meetings of the Board
of Directors may be held within or without the State of Florida and, unless
otherwise stated in a resolution of the Board of Directors fixing the time and
place of the meeting or in the notice of the meeting, shall be held at the
principal office of the Corporation.

     SECTION 4.12   TIME, NOTICE, AND CALL OF MEETINGS.

     (a)  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held without
notice immediately following the annual meeting of Shareholders each year, and
may be held without notice at such other times, not more frequently than
monthly, as the Board of Directors may fix by resolution. Special meetings of
the Board of Directors may be held at such other times as called by the Chair of
the Board or a majority of the Directors. Written notice of the time and place
of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director
either by personal delivery, telegram, cablegram, telex, or telephonic facsimile
at least two (2) days before the meeting, or by notice mailed by first-class
mail at least seven (7) days before the meeting.

     (b)  Notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given to any
Director who signs a waiver of notice either before or after the meeting.
Attendance of a Director at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of such
meeting and waiver of any and all objections to the place of the meeting, the
time of the meeting, or the manner in which it has been called or convened,
except when a Director states, at the beginning of the meeting, any objection to
the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened.

     (c)  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the
notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     (d)  Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of such
board by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same
time.  Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a
meeting.

     SECTION 4.13   ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING.  Any action required to be taken
at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any action which may be taken at a
meeting of the Directors or a committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting
if a consent in writing, setting forth the action to be taken, signed by all of
the Directors, or all the members of such committee, as the case may be, is
filed in the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors or of such
committee.  Such consent shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote.

     SECTION 4.14   DIRECTOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

     (a)  No contract or other transaction between this Corporation and one or
more of its Directors, or between this Corporation and any other corporation,
firm, association, or entity in which one or more of the Directors are Directors
or Officers or are financially interested, shall be either void or voidable
becuase of such relationship or interest, or because such Director or Directors
are present at the meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof that
authorizes, approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction, or because the
vote or votes of such Director or Directors are counted for such purpose, if:

          (i)    The fact of such relationship or interest is disclosed or known
to the Board of Directors or committee that authorizes, approves, or ratifies
the contract or transaction by a vote or consent sufficient for the purpose
without counting the votes or consents of such interested Directors; or

          (ii)   The fact of such relationship or interest is disclosed or
known to the Shareholders entitled to vote and they authorize, approve, or
ratify such contract or transaction by vote or written consent; or

          (iii)  The contract or transaction is fair and reasonable as to the
Corporation at the time it is authorized by the Board of Directors, a committee,
or the Shareholders.

     (b)  Common or interested Directors may be counted in determining the
presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee
thereof that authorizes, approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                   ---------

                        CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                        -------------------------------

     SECTION 5.1    DUTIES.  The person who shall preside at all meetings of
Shareholders and of the Board of Directors shall be known as the Chair of the
Board, which person shall be the principal executive officer of Docks U.S.A.,
Inc., or such other person as may be designated from time to time by the
principal executive officer of Docks U.S.A., Inc., or in the absence of such
principal executive officer or his or her designee, such other person as may be
designated by the Board of Directors of Docks U.S.A., Inc.  If the Chair of the
Board is absent or unable to act at any meeting of Shareholders or of the Board
of Directors, the President, and in his or her absence or inability to act, the
Executive Vice President, shall preside at the meeting.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                                  ----------

                                   OFFICERS
                                   --------

     SECTION 6.1    OFFICERS.  This Corporation shall have a President, an
Executive Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, who may but need not be
Directors, and may have one or more other Vice Presidents, who may but need not
be Directors.  Such Officers shall be chosen by the Board of Directors annually
at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held following the annual meeting
of Shareholders.  Each such Officer shall serve until such Officer's successor
shall have been chosen and qualified or until such Officer's earlier
resignation, removal from office, or death.  This Corporation may also have one
or more other Officers and one or more Assistant Secretaries, Assistant
Treasurers and other agents, who shall be chosen, serve for such terms, and have
such duties as may be determined or provided for by the Board of Directors. Any
person may hold two or more offices.  Election or appointment of an Officer or
agent shall not of itself create contract rights.

     SECTION 6.2    DUTIES.  The Officers of this Corporation shall have the
following duties:

     (a)  PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the chief executive officer of the
          ---------                                                            
Corporation, shall generally and actively supervise and control the business and
affairs of the Corporation and shall have such other duties as are normally
incident to the office of President, subject to the direction of the Board of
Directors.

     (b)  EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT.  The Executive Vice President shall have
          ------------------------
such duties as are normally incident to the office of Executive Vice President,
subject to the direction of the Board of Directors. If the President is absent
or unable to act, the Executive Vice President shall perform the duties of the
President.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     (c)  SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall have custody of and maintain all of
          ---------
the corporate records, except the financial records, shall record the minutes of
all meetings of the Shareholders and the Board of Directors or its committees,
shall send all notices of meetings, shall have such other duties as are normally
incident to the office of Secretary, and shall perform such other duties as may
be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President.

     (d)  TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall have custody of all corporate funds
and financial records, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements and render accounts thereof at the annual meetings of Shareholders
and whenever else required by the Board of Directors or the President, shall
have such other duties as are normally incident to the office of Treasurer, and
shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors
or the President.

     (e)  VICE PRESIDENTS.  Each Vice President, if any are elected, shall have
          ---------------                                                      
whatever powers the Board of Directors may from time to time assign and shall
perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the
President.

     SECTION 6.3    REMOVAL OF OFFICERS.  Any officer or agent may be removed by
the Board of Directors, with or without cause, whenever in the judgment of the
Board of Directors the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby.

     SECTION 6.4    VACANCIES.  Any vacancy, however occurring, in any office
may be filled by the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 6.5    COMPENSATION.  The compensation of the President, the
Executive Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and any other Officers
elected or appointed by the Board of Directors shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors and may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.  The
fact that an Officer is also a Director shall not preclude such person from
receiving compensation as either a Director or Officer, nor shall it affect the
validity of any resolution by the Board of Directors fixing such compensation.
The President, with the approval of the Treasurer, shall have authority to fix
the salaries of all employees of the Corporation other than Officers elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  -----------

                               STOCK CERTIFICATES
                               ------------------

     SECTION 7.1    AUTHORIZED SHARES; ISSUANCE.  This Corporation may issue the
shares of stock authorized by its Articles of Incorporation and none other.
Shares may be issued only pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors.  No shares shall be issued until the full amount of the consideration
therefor has been paid, or in violation of any provision of law, 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or any valid agreement recorded in
the minute book of the Corporation.

     SECTION 7.2    CERTIFICATES.  Every holder of shares in this Corporation
shall be entitled to have a certificate representing all shares to which such
holder is entitled.

     SECTION 7.3    SIGNATURES.  Certificates representing shares in this
Corporation shall be signed by the President or the Executive Vice President and
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and may be sealed with the seal of
this Corporation or a facsimile thereof.  The signatures of the President or the
Executive Vice President or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary may be
facsimiles if the certificate is manually signed on behalf of a transfer agent
or a registrar, other than the Corporation itself or an employee of the
Corporation.

     SECTION 7.4    FORM.  Each certificate representing shares shall state upon
the face thereof:  the name of the Corporation; that the Corporation is
organized under the laws of Florida; the name of the person or persons to whom
issued; the number and class of shares, and the designation of the series, if
any, which such certificate represents; and the par value of each share
represented by such certificate, or a statement that the shares are without par
value.  Each certificate shall otherwise comply, in all respects, with the
requirements of law and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each
certificate representing shares that are restricted as to the sale, disposition,
or other transfer of such shares shall contain the statements required by
Florida law.

     SECTION 7.5    TRANSFER OF SHARES.  Subject to any valid restrictions on
transfer and the provisions of these Bylaws for closing of the stock transfer
books, and except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporation or its transfer
agent shall register a share certificate presented to it for transfer only if
the certificate is properly endorsed and surrendered for transfer by the holder
of record or by his duly authorized attorney.  The Corporation or its transfer
agent may require the signature of such person to be guaranteed by a commercial
bank or trust company or by a member of the New York or American Stock Exchange.

     SECTION 7.6    LOST, STOLEN, OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.  The Corporation
shall issue a new stock certificate in the place of any certificate previously
issued if the holder of record of the certificate (a) makes proof in affidavit
form that it has been lost, destroyed, or wrongfully taken; (b) requests the
issue of a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the
certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without
notice of any adverse claim; (c) gives bond in such form as the Corporation may
direct, to indemnify the Corporation, the transfer agent and the registrar
against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction,
or theft of the certificate; and (d) satisfies any other reasonable requirements
imposed by the Corporation.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  -----------

                               BOOKS AND RECORDS
                               -----------------

     SECTION 8.1    BOOKS AND RECORDS.

     (a)  This Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of
account and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Shareholders, the Board
of Directors, and any committees of the Board of Directors.

     (b)  This Corporation shall keep at its registered office or principal
place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, a record
of its Shareholders, giving the names and addresses of all Shareholders, and the
number, class, and series, if any, of the shares held by each.

     (c)  Any books, records, and minutes may be in written form or in any other
form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.

     SECTION 8.2    SHAREHOLDERS' INSPECTION RIGHTS.  Any person who shall have
been a holder of record of at least one quarter of one percent ( 1/4%) of the
shares or of voting trust certificates therefor at least six (6) months
immediately preceding his demand or shall be the holder of record of, or the
holder of record of voting trust certificates for, at least five percent (5%) of
the outstanding shares of any class or series of the Corporation, upon written
demand stating the purpose thereof, shall have the right to examine, in person
or by agent or attorney, at any reasonable time or times, for any proper
purpose, the Corporation's relevant books and records of accounts, minutes, and
record of Shareholders and to make extracts therefrom.

     SECTION 8.3    FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

     (a)  Unless modified by resolution of the Shareholders not later than four
(4) months after the close of each fiscal year, this Corporation shall prepare a
balance sheet showing in reasonable detail the financial condition of the
Corporation as of the close of its fiscal year and a profit and loss statement
showing the results of its operation during its fiscal year.

     (b)  Upon the written request of any Shareholder or holder of voting trust
certificates for shares of the Corporation, the Corporation shall mail to such
Shareholder or holder of voting trust certificates a copy of the most recent
such balance sheet and profit and loss statement.

     (c)  Such balance sheets and profit and loss statements shall be filed in
the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Florida, shall be kept
for at least five (5) years, and shall be subject to inspection during business
hours by any Shareholder or holder of voting trust certificates, in person or by
agent.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IX
                                  ----------

                                   DIVIDENDS
                                   ---------

     SECTION 9.1    PAYMENT.  The Board of Directors of this Corporation from
time to time may declare and the Corporation may pay dividends as permitted by
law on its shares in cash, property, or its own shares, except when the
Corporation is insolvent or when the payment thereof would render the
Corporation insolvent, subject to the provisions of Florida law.


                                   ARTICLE X
                                   ---------

                                 CORPORATE SEAL
                                 --------------

     SECTION 10.1   FORM.  The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate
seal, which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon, and may be
facsimile, engraved, printed, or an impression seal.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   ----------

                                   AMENDMENT
                                   ---------

     SECTION 11.1   POWER TO AMEND.  These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or
repealed, and new Bylaws may be adopted, only by the Shareholders.

     SECTION 11.2   REQUISITES FOR AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS.  These Bylaws may
be amended or repealed, wholly or in part, by a majority of the Shareholders
entitled to vote thereon present at any Shareholders' meeting if notice of the
proposed action was included in the notice of the meeting or is waived in
writing by a majority of the Shareholders entitled to vote thereon.


                                  ARTICLE XII
                                  -----------

                                  FISCAL YEAR
                                  -----------

     SECTION 12.1   GENERAL.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on
such date as may be fixed or approved by resolution of the Board of Directors.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE XIII
                                 ------------

                            POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
                            -----------------------

     SECTION 13.1   POLICIES AND GUIDELINES.  The duties and authority of the
Board of Directors, Officers and other management personnel of the Corporation
may be further defined or limited by policies and guidelines adopted and revised
from time to time by the Shareholders or the Board of Directors.


                                  ARTICLE XIV
                                  -----------

                                INDEMNIFICATION
                                ---------------

     SECTION 14.1   DEFINITIONS.   For purposes of this Article:

     (a)  "Directors" and "Officers" include persons who shall have served as
Directors or Officers, respectively, at any time on or after May 3, 1991.

     (b)  "Expenses" include all expenses actually and reasonably incurred with
respect to a Proceeding, including, without limitation, fees, expenses and
disbursements of attorneys, accountants, financial consultants and other
professionals.

     (c)  "Liabilities" include obligations to pay a judgment, settlement,
penalty, fine or tax (including, without limitation, any withholding or
employment tax and any excise tax assessed with respect to the Corporation, any
employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as to which the Director or
Officer is or was serving in an Official Capacity), together with any obligation
to pay interest thereon.

     (d)  "Proceeding" includes any threatened, asserted, pending or completed
claim, action, suit or other type of proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, whether formal or informal, including, without
limitation, any arbitration proceeding or other proceeding for the resolution of
any claim or dispute and any privately conducted negotiations, and including,
without limitation, any settlement, hearing, trial or appeal of any of the
foregoing.

     (e)  "Serving in an Official Capacity" includes (i) serving as a Director,
Officer or agent of the Corporation (other than as an attorney-at-law,
accountant, financial consultant or other person separately retained and
compensated for the provision of goods or services to the Corporation) or (ii)
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including any employee benefit plan (other than as an attorney-at-law,
accountant, financial consultant or other person separately retained and
compensated for the provision of goods or services to the enterprise).

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 14.2   MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION.  The Corporation shall indemnify
any Director or Officer who was or is a party to any Proceeding, other than an
action by, or in the right of, the Corporation, by reason of the fact that such
Director or Officer is or was Serving in an Official Capacity, against all
Liabilities and Expenses incurred in connection with such Proceeding, if such
Director or Officer acted in good faith, based on such investigation or care as
the Board of Directors or the Shareholders may deem reasonable, and in a manner
such Director or Officer reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.  The
Corporation also shall indemnify any Director or Officer who was or is a party
to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation against all Expenses
incurred in connection with such Proceeding, if such Director or Officer has
been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such Proceeding.

     SECTION 14.3   ADVANCE OF EXPENSES.  The Corporation shall advance Expenses
incurred by a Director or Officer in defending any Proceeding for which such
person may be entitled to indemnification under this Article, unless the Board
of Directors makes a preliminary good faith determination that such Director or
Officer engaged in willful misconduct or acted with a conscious disregard for
the best interests of the Corporation.  Any such advancement of Expenses with
respect to a matter shall be conditioned upon the execution by such Director or
Officer of a written agreement to repay any such advances of Expenses if such
Director or Officer is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification
under this Article with respect to such matter.

     SECTION 14.4   INSURANCE.  Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to
require indemnification to the extent that insurance proceeds under any policy
or policies of insurance carried by the Corporation or any affiliate of the
Corporation are available to satisfy any Liability or Expense incurred by a
Director or Officer by reason of the fact that such Director or Officer is or
was Serving in an Official Capacity.

     SECTION 14.5   NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  This Article is not intended
for the benefit of and shall not create any rights in favor of any third
parties, it being the intent of the parties that this Article be solely for the
benefit of Directors or Officers, their heirs and personal representatives, in
the event that any Director or Officer incurs any Liability or Expense for which
such Director or Officer is entitled to indemnification hereunder.

     SECTION 14.6   DURATION OF COVERAGE.  Indemnification pursuant to this
Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an officer or
director and shall inure to the benefit of such person's heirs and personal
representatives.  No amendment to this Article shall diminish any rights of a
Director or Officer with respect to matters arising or causes of action accruing
prior to such amendment.

     SECTION 14.7   OTHER INDEMNIFICATION.  Nothing in this Article shall be
deemed exclusive, and the Corporation may make any other or further
indemnification of Liabilities and 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
Expenses or advancement of Expenses of any of its Directors, Officers,
employees, or agents, under any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested
directors, or otherwise, provided that any such indemnification or advancement
of Expenses shall not be in violation of the Act or other applicable laws.

     SECTION 14.8   ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.  Notwithstanding anything in this
Article XIV to the contrary:

     (a)  the provisions of this Article XIV are supplemental and in addition
to, and do not supersede or diminish, any rights of any person, or of the heirs
or personal representatives of any person: (i) who shall have served as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation's predecessor, Lil'
Champ Food Stores, Inc., a Florida Corporation, under such predecessor
Corporation's prior bylaw provisions for indemnification of directors, officers,
employees or agents, with respect to matters arising or causes of action
accruing prior to May 3, 1991, or (ii) who has entered or at any time after May
3, 1991, may enter into any separate indemnification contract or agreement with
Docks U.S.A., Inc., with respect to matters arising or causes of action accruing
either prior to or after May 3, 1991, and the Corporation shall indemnify any
such person as provided in such prior bylaw provision or such separate
indemnification contract or agreement;

     (b)  the provisions of this Article XIV do not supersede any prior waivers
or releases of indemnification rights or claims given to this Corporation
(formerly Huntley's Jiffy Stores, Inc., a Florida corporation) or to Docks
U.S.A., Inc., a Nevada Corporation, by any person who shall have served as a
director, officer, employee or agent of said Huntley's Jiffy Stores, Inc., and
do not apply to any rights or claims so waived or released, and such prior
waivers or releases remain in full force and effect.

     The undersigned, W. Dale Fish, Secretary of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc., a
Florida corporation, certifies that the foregoing Amended and Restated Bylaws
were duly adopted by the sole shareholder of the Corporation, Docks U.S.A.,
Inc., on January 24, 1997.



                         /s/ W. Dale Fish
                         ------------------------
                         W. Dale Fish, Secretary

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                       16

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3



                         SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
                            BETWEEN THE PANTRY, INC.
                                      AND
                       IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY


     THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (the "Supplemental Indenture") is made
as of the 23rd day of October, 1997 by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter the "Company"), SANDHILLS, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Sandhills"), and IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a banking company
organized under the laws of the State of New York, as trustee (hereinafter the
"Trustee").

                                R E C I T A L S:
                                - - - - - - - - 

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have entered into an Indenture dated
November 4, 1993 and a Supplemental Indenture dated December 4, 1995 (as so
amended, the "Indenture"; all terms defined in the Indenture shall have the same
meaning in this Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise defined herein); and

     WHEREAS, the Company is entering into certain financing and related
transactions (the "Transactions") which will benefit the Company and its
Subsidiaries; and

     WHEREAS, it is a condition to the Transactions that the Subsidiaries of the
Company guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Indenture; and

     WHEREAS, Sandhills is the only Subsidiary of the Company as of the date
hereof; and

     WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company, and Sandhills have
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and Sandhills to make
Sandhills a guarantor of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture; and

     WHEREAS, Article IX of the Indenture provides a manner by which the
Indenture may be amended, and by which compliance with the provisions of the
Indenture may be waived, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities, by written act of
said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee; and

     WHEREAS, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Securities have delivered said consents to the Trustee and the
Company; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Indenture,
and with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Securities, the Company and Trustee have agreed to enter into
this Supplemental Indenture;

     NOW THEREFORE, each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of each
other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the
Company's 12% Senior Notes due 2000:
<PAGE>
 
     1.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, compliance by the Company with Section
4.17 of the Indenture is hereby waived, insofar as it would require that a
favorable opinion by an investment banking firm of national standing be
delivered to the Trustee as to the fairness to the Company or to PH Holding
Corporation, an Unrestricted Subsidiary ("PHC") of the assignment to, and
assumption by, the Company of that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of
August 26, 1997 providing for the acquisition of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc., a
Florida corporation, and the use in the consummation of such acquisition of
$4,000,000 placed in escrow for such purpose by PHC.  As a result of such
waiver, no such opinion shall be required in respect of such acquisition or such
use of funds.

     2.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, the definition of "Consolidated EBITDA"
contained in Section 1.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:

         "Consolidated EBITDA" means, with respect to any person, for any
          -------------------   
     period, the Consolidated Net Income of such person for such period adjusted
     to add thereto (to the extent deducted from revenues in determining
     Consolidated Net Income), without duplication, the sum of (i) Consolidated
     Income Tax Expense, (ii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense
     and (iii) Consolidated Fixed Charges; provided that in calculating the
     "Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio" for purposes of Subsection
     4.10(c)(i) only, Consolidated Net Income shall be further adjusted by
     adding thereto (without duplication) (iv) any other non-cash charges of
     such person in such period.

      3.  Subject to Section 10 hereof, the definition of "Permitted Liens"
contained in Section 1.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:

          "Permitted Liens" means any of the following:
           ---------------                             

          (a) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of any
     court only to the extent, for an amount and for a period not resulting in
     an Event of Default with respect thereto and so long as such Lien is being
     contested in good faith and is adequately bonded, and any appropriate legal
     proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such
     judgment, decree or order shall not have been finally determined or the
     period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have
     expired;

          (b) security for payment of worker's compensation or other federal or
     state mandated insurance made in the ordinary course of business consistent
     with past practices;

          (c) security for the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts
     (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases, public or
     statutory obligations,

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like
     nature incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice;

          (d) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet
     due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
     proceedings by the Company or the applicable Subsidiary if adequate
     reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or
     such Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP;

          (e) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, landlords,
     materialmen, repairmen or other like Liens arising by operation of law in
     the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices and
     Liens on deposits made to obtain the release of such Liens if (i) the
     underlying obligations are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or
     (ii) such Liens are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
     proceedings by the Company or the applicable Subsidiary and adequate
     reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or
     such Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP;

          (f) easements, rights-of-way, zoning and similar restrictions and
     other similar encumbrances or title defects incurred in the ordinary course
     of business and consistent with past practices 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 (as such property is used by
     the Company or such Subsidiary) or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
     the business of the Company or such Subsidiary or any of their
     Subsidiaries; provided, that any such Liens are not incurred in connection
                   --------
     with any borrowing of money or any commitment to loan any money or to
     extend any credit;

          (g) Liens incurred in connection with the incurrence of Refinancing
     Indebtedness in compliance with the Indenture with respect to Indebtedness
     secured by Liens, which are no more adverse to the interests of holders of
     the Notes than the Liens replaced or extended thereby;

          (h) Permitted PP&E Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to
     and in accordance with paragraph (d) of the covenant "Limitation on the
     Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness and the Issuance of Disqualified
     Capital Stock";

          (i) Liens in existence and outstanding on the Issue Date after giving
     effect to the Offering and the application of the net proceeds thereof;

          (j) Liens which secure Acquired Indebtedness, provided that such Liens
     do not extend to or cover any other property or assets and were not put in
     place in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition; and

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          (k) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph
     (b) or paragraph (c) of the second paragraph of the covenant "Limitation on
     the Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness and the Issuance of Disqualified
     Capital Stock."

     4.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, the definition of "Restricted
Investment" contained in Section 1.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

          "Restricted Investment" means any Investment other than (a) Cash
           ---------------------                                          
     Equivalents, (b) investments in, or loans or advances made to employees,
     officers and directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practices, which loans or advances
     are reasonably related to their duties on behalf of the Company or its
     Subsidiaries, (c) recourse loans of up to an aggregate of $1 million
     outstanding at any time to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries
     made in connection with the purchase of Qualified Capital Stock of the
     Company, (d) contributions of up to $5 million in the aggregate to one
     particular Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided, to the extent
                                                        -------- 
     that such Unrestricted Subsidiary has distributed, returned or otherwise
     delivered cash or Cash Equivalents to, or for the benefit or account of,
     the Company, directly or indirectly, the amount of such distribution,
     return or delivery will be deemed to reduce the amount theretofore
     contributed pursuant to this clause (d) for the purposes of the $5 million
     limit, (e) Investments in any Subsidiary or any person which, as a result
     of such Investment, becomes a Subsidiary and (f) Investments by any
     Subsidiary in the Company or in any other Subsidiary of the Company.

     5.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, Section 4.10 of the Indenture is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     Section 4.10   Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness and the
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                    Issuance of Disqualified Capital Stock.
                    -------------------------------------- 

          Except as set forth below in this Section 4.10, the Company will not,
     and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,
     issue, assume, guaranty, incur, become directly or indirectly liable with
     respect to (including as a result of an acquisition, merger or
     consolidation), extend the maturity of, or otherwise become responsible
     for, contingently or otherwise (individually and collectively, to "incur,"
     or, as appropriate, an "incurrence"), any Indebtedness or any Disqualified
     Capital Stock from and after the Issue Date.

          (a) If (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
     continuing at the time of, or would occur after giving effect, on a pro
                                                                         ---   
     forma basis, to such incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified
     ----- 
     Capital Stock, and (ii) on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness
     or issuance of Disqualified Capital

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     Stock (the "Incurrence Date"), the Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage
     Ratio of the Company for the Reference Period immediately preceding the
     Incurrence Date, after giving effect, on a pro forma basis, to such
                                                --- -----
     incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Capital Stock, would
     be at least 2.00 to 1, if the Incurrence Date is prior to November 15,
     1998, or 2.50 to 1, if the Incurrence Date is on or subsequent to November
     15, 1998, then the Company may incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified
     Capital Stock which, in either case, has an Average Life greater than the
     Notes.

          (b) (i) The Company and its Subsidiaries may incur revolving credit
     Indebtedness and letters of credit Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal
     amount at any one time outstanding (including any Indebtedness issued to
     refinance, replace or refund such Indebtedness) not to exceed $45 million,
     less the amount of Net Proceeds of Asset Sales that have been applied to
     permanently reduce borrowing and commitments under any such facilities;
     provided that the proceeds of such Indebtedness are used for working
     --------
     capital and other general corporate purposes; and provided further, that
                                                       -------- -------
     $15 million of the Indebtedness that may be incurred under this paragraph
     (b) may be incurred only for working capital purposes and/or letters of
     credit Indebtedness and (ii) the Company's Subsidiaries may incur
     Indebtedness consisting of guarantees of such Indebtedness of the Company.

          (c) (i) The Company and its Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness in an
     aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding (including any
     Indebtedness issued to refinance, replace or refund such Indebtedness) not
     to exceed $50 million; provided that after giving effect, on a pro forma
                            --------                                --- -----
     basis, to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Consolidated Fixed
     Charges Ratio of the Company for the Reference Period immediately preceding
     the Incurrence Date would be at least 1.70 to 1; and provided further that
     the proceeds of such Indebtedness are used for the acquisition of Capital
     Stock or convenience store assets of a person that is not affiliated with
     the Company and that is engaged in a Related Business; and (ii) the
     Company's Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness consisting of guarantees of
     such Indebtedness of the Company.

          (d) The Company may incur Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes and
     other obligations pursuant to this Indenture up to the amounts specified
     herein as of the Issue Date, and the Company's Subsidiaries may incur
     Indebtedness consisting of guarantees of such Indebtedness of the Company.

          (e) The Company and its Subsidiaries may incur (i) Indebtedness of
     Lil' Champ consisting of Capital Lease Obligations of Lil' Champ existing
     at the date of its acquisition by the Company in an aggregate principal
     amount not to exceed $14 million and (ii) Permitted PP&E Financing,
     provided, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred
     --------
     pursuant to this subparagraph (e)(ii) (including any Indebtedness issued to
     refinance, replace or refund such Indebtedness) shall not 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     exceed an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the Company's Consolidated
     Total Tangible Assets as of the end of the fiscal quarter for which
     financial information is available most recently preceding the date of
     determination, determined in accordance with GAAP, and shall not constitute
     more than 100% of the cost (reportable on the balance sheet (including all
     appropriate notes thereto) of such consolidated entity in accordance with
     GAAP) of the PP&E so purchased or leased.

          (f) The Company may incur Indebtedness evidenced by up to $200.0
     million in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Subordinated Notes due
     2007 and other obligations pursuant to the Indenture related thereto, and
     the Company's Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness consisting of guarantees
     of such Indebtedness of the Company.

          (g) The Company and its Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness solely in
     respect of performance bonds (to the extent that such incurrence does not
     result in the incurrence of any obligation for the payment of borrowed
     money of others), all in the ordinary course of business, in amounts and
     for the purposes customary in the Company's industry for operations similar
     to those of the Company; provided, that the aggregate principal amount
                              --------
     outstanding of such Indebtedness (including any Indebtedness issued to
     refinance, refund or replace such Indebtedness) shall at no time exceed
     $1.0 million.

          (h) Indebtedness of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company to the
     Company or any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company or Indebtedness
     of the Company to any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company.

          (i) The Company (and in the case of (b), (e) (g) and (h), its
     Subsidiaries) may incur Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any
     Indebtedness or Disqualified Capital Stock, as applicable, described in
     clauses (a) through (h) of this covenant so long as, in the case of
     Indebtedness used to refinance, refund, or replace Indebtedness in clauses
     (b), (e), (g) and such Refinancing Indebtedness is of the character that
     satisfies the applicable requirements of such clauses.

          (j) The Company and its Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness
     representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
     property or services used in the ordinary course of their business that
     would constitute ordinarily a trade payable to trade creditors (other than
     accounts payable or other obligations to trade creditors arising in the
     ordinary course of business which have remained unpaid for greater than 90
     days, except those which are being contested in good faith and for which
     adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP).

     6.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, Section 1.1 of the Indenture is hereby
amended by the addition thereto of the following definitions.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
          "Consolidated Total Tangible Assets" means, with respect to any
           ----------------------------------
     person, the total assets as would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of
     such person minus unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents,
     trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and all other items
     which would be treated as intangibles on the consolidated balance sheet of
     the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

          "Guarantee" means, as the context may require, individually, a
           ---------
     guarantee, or collectively, any and all guarantees, of the Obligations of
     the Company with respect to the Notes by each Guarantor pursuant to the
     terms of Article XIV hereof, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit
     D.

          "Guarantor" means all direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company
           ---------                                                           
     listed on the signature pages hereto and each Subsidiary which guarantees
     payment of the Notes pursuant to Section 14.5 and "Guarantors" means such
     entities, collectively.

     7.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, the Indenture is hereby amended by the
addition thereto of Article XIV, to read in its entirety as follows:

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                                   GUARANTEE

     Section 14.1  Guarantee.
                   --------- 

          Subject to the provisions of this Article XIV, each Guarantor hereby
     jointly and severally unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the
     Trustee, (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium,
     if any, and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due
     and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and
     punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of, and premium, if
     any, and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and
     punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders
     or the Trustee (including, without limitation amounts due the Trustee under
     Section 7.7) all in accordance with the terms of such Note and this
     Indenture, and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or
     renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will
     be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms
     of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by acceleration or
     otherwise. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder
     shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be
     unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such
     Note or this Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such
     Note or this Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to
     the Company with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note or the Trustee,
     or any other circumstances

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or
such Guarantor.

     Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment,
filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the
Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest or
notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and
all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged
as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof, premium
if any, and interest thereon and as provided in Section 8.1 hereof.  Each
Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and
the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the
obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI
hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction
or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations
guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of
such obligations as provided in Article VI hereof, such obligations (whether or
not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor
for the purpose of this Guarantee.  In addition, without limiting the foregoing
provisions, upon the effectiveness of any acceleration under Article VI hereof,
either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may make a demand
for payment on the Notes under the Guarantee provided for in this Article XIV
and not discharged.

     The Guarantee set forth in this Section 14.1 shall not be valid or become
obligatory for any purpose with respect to a Note until the certificate of
authentication on such Note shall have been signed by or on behalf of the
Trustee by its manual signature.

Section 14.2  Execution and Delivery of Guarantees.
              ------------------------------------ 

     To evidence the Guarantee set forth in this Article XIV, each Guarantor
hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form
included in Exhibit D hereto shall be placed on each Note authenticated and made
available for delivery by the Trustee to the Registrar and that this Guarantee
shall be executed on behalf of each Guarantor by the manual or facsimile
signature of an Officer of each Guarantor.

          Each Guarantor hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section
14.1 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to
endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     If an Officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on the Guarantee no longer
holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which the
Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

     The delivery of any Note by the Trustee to the Registrar, after the
authentication thereof hereunder, shall  constitute due delivery of the
Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.

Section 14.3  Limitation of Guarantee.
              ----------------------- 

     The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount as
will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such
Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or
on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other
Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under
this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guarantee
not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or
state law.  Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a
Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro
rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Guarantor.

Section 14.4  Additional Guarantors.
              --------------------- 

     The Company covenants and agrees that it shall cause any Person which is or
becomes, on or after October ___, 1997, a subsidiary of the Company, to execute
a supplemental indenture and guarantee satisfactory in form and substance to the
Trustee pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall guarantee the obligations of the
Company under the Notes and this Indenture in accordance with this Article XIV
with the same effect and to the same extent as if such Person had been named
herein as a Guarantor.  Each additional guarantee shall be substantially in the
form of Exhibit D hereto, shall reference the Note to which it relates in a
manner sufficiently specific to identify such Note and shall be authenticated
and made available for delivery by the Trustee to the Registrar on or after the
date of such supplemental indenture.


     Section 14.5  Release of Guarantor.
                   -------------------- 

     A guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its
Guarantee if:

     (i)  the Guarantor has sold all or substantially all of its assets or the
          Company and its Subsidiaries have sold all of the Capital Stock of the
          Guarantor owned by them, in each case in a transaction in compliance
          with Sections 4.13 and 5.1 hereof; or

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     (ii) the Guarantor merges with or into or consolidates with, or transfers
          all or substantially all of its assets to, the Company or another
          Guarantor in a transaction in compliance with Section 5.1 hereof;

and in each such case, such Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied
with.

     Section 14.6  Trustee Duties, Notice, etc.
                   ----------------------------

          Any provision in this Article XIV or elsewhere in the Indenture
     allowing the Trustee to request information or to take any action
     authorized by, or on behalf of any Guarantor or Holder, shall be permissive
     and shall not be obligatory on the Trustee except as the Holders may direct
     in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.  The Trustee shall be
     under no obligation to marshal in favor of any Guarantor any other
     guarantees or other security or any moneys or other assets that the Trustee
     may be entitled to receive or upon which the Trustee or the Holders may
     have a claim.  The Trustee shall not be bound by any representation,
     warranty or promise now, or at any time hereafter, made to any Guarantor.

     8.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, the Indenture is hereby amended by the
addition thereto of Exhibit D and the form of Note to be issued pursuant to the
Indenture is hereby amended by the addition thereto of the following provision,
in each case to read in its entirety as follows:

          This Guarantee Agreement (this "Guarantee") is dated as of __________
     and made by [each of] the undersigned in favor of the holder of Note No.
     ___ of the 12% Senior Notes due 2000 of The Pantry, Inc. (the "Company")
     issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of November 4, 1993 as
     supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 4, 1995 and
     the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October __, 1997 and
     ____________ under which IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company acts as trustee
     (the "Indenture"). Capitalized terms used in this Guarantee without
     definition will have the meanings set forth for such terms in the
     Indenture.

          [Each of] the undersigned (the "Guarantors") hereby jointly and
     severally unconditionally guarantees, with all other Guarantors thereof, to
     the extent set forth in the Indenture, and subject to the provisions of the
     Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and
     premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same shall
     become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise,
     the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, and
     premium and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and
     punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders
     or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article XIV
     of the Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or
     renewal of any Notes or any
                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due
or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether
at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

     The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee
pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article
XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the
precise terms and limitations of this Guarantee.


 
                         ----------------------------------------

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

     9.   Subject to Section 10 hereof, for value received, Sandhills hereby
agrees to become a party to the Indenture as a Guarantor under and pursuant to
Article XIV of the Indenture and to jointly and severally unconditionally
guarantee to the Holders of the Securities (a) the due and punctual payment of
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities, when and
as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration
or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of,
and premium and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and
punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or
the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article XIV of the
Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any
Securities or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid
in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or
renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.  Sandhills
further agrees to waive and not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or
any other rights against the Company or any other Subsidiary as a result of any
payment by such Subsidiary under its Guarantee.


     10.  Upon the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture by the
Company, Sandhills and the Trustee, the Indenture shall be supplemented in
accordance herewith, and this Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the
Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Securities heretofore or
hereafter authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be bound
thereby; provided, however, that Sections 1 through 9 hereof shall become
         --------  -------                                               
operative upon the satisfaction (or waiver by the Company) of the conditions set
forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated
September 18, 1997, that was provided to Holders of Securities in connection
with the Company's solicitation of consents by such Holders to the waiver and
amendments set forth herein.  Upon the receipt by the Trustee of (i) an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such conditions have been satisfied, or
waived by the Company, and (ii) an Opinion 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
of Counsel to the effect set forth in Section 9.6 of the Indenture, the
amendments set forth herein shall become operative.

     11.  Except as supplemented hereby, all provisions in the Indenture shall
remain in full force and effect.  This Supplemental Indenture is an indenture
supplemental to and in implementation of the Indenture, and the Indenture and
this Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together.
The Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture is in all respects
confirmed and preserved.

     12.  If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or
conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under
such Act to be part of and govern any provision of this Supplemental Indenture,
the provision of such Act shall control.  If any provision of this Supplemental
Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may
be so modified or excluded, the provision of such Act shall be deemed to apply
to the Indenture as so modified or to be excluded by this Supplemental
Indenture, as the case may be.

     13.  In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

     14.  Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture or the
Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto and thereto and their successors hereunder and thereunder and the Holders
of Securities, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under the Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture or the Securities.

     15.  The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the
Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. In
entering into this Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to the
benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting
the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, whether or not
elsewhere herein so provided.

     16.  This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of law principles thereof.

     17.  This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in counterparts, each of
which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.


                                              Company:

                                              THE PANTRY, INC.
[CORPORATE SEAL]

Attest: /s/ JON D. RALPH                      By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
        ----------------------                      ----------------------------
         Assistant Secretary                         Senior Vice President
                                              Title: ---------------------
                           
 
                            
                                              Guarantors:
  
                                              SANDHILLS, INC.,
[CORPORATE SEAL]

Attest: /s/ JON D. RALPH                      By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
        ----------------------                    --------------------------- 
        Assistant Secretary                   Title: Executive Vice President
                                                     ------------------------


                                              Trustee:

                                              IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST 
                                              COMPANY


Attest:  /s/                                  By:   /s/ STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO
        ----------------------                      --------------------------
                                                     Assistant Vice President
        ----------------------, Secretary     Title: -------------------------
                                                     Stephen J. Giurlando  
                                      -13-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4
 
                         THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
                           BETWEEN THE PANTRY, INC.
                                      AND
                       IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY


     THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (the "Supplemental Indenture") is made as
of the 23rd day of October, 1997 by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter the "Company"), LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC., a Florida
corporation ("Lil' Champ"), and IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a banking
company organized under the laws of the State of New York, as trustee
(hereinafter the "Trustee").

                               R E C I T A L S:
                               - - - - - - - - 

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have entered into an Indenture dated
November 4, 1993, a Supplemental Indenture dated December 4, 1995 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 23, 1997 (as so amended, the
"Indenture"; all terms defined in the Indenture shall have the same meaning in
this Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise defined herein); and

     WHEREAS, the Company has entered into certain financing and related
transactions (the "Transactions") which benefit the Company and its
Subsidiaries; and

     WHEREAS, it is a requirement of the Transactions that the Subsidiaries of
the Company guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Indenture; and

     WHEREAS, Lil' Champ has become a Subsidiary of the Company as of the date
hereof; and

     WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company and Lil' Champ have
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and Lil' Champ to
make Lil' Champ a guarantor of the obligations of the Company under the
Indenture; and

     WHEREAS, Article XIV of the Indenture provides for the terms and conditions
of the guarantee of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture by the
Subsidiaries of the Company.

     NOW THEREFORE, each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of each
other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the
Company's 12% Senior Notes due 2000:

     1.   For value received, Lil' Champ hereby agrees to become a party to the
Indenture as a Guarantor under and pursuant to Article XIV of the Indenture and
to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to the Holders of the
Securities (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if
any, and interest on the Securities, when and as the same shall become due and
payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual
payment of interest on overdue principal of, and premium and, to the extent
permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other
obligations of the Company to the Holders or the 
<PAGE>
 
Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article XIV of the
Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any
Securities or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid
in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or
renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.  Lil' Champ
further agrees to waive and not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or
any other rights against the Company or any other Subsidiary as a result of any
payment by such Subsidiary under its Guarantee.

     2.   Upon the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture by the
Company, Lil' Champ and the Trustee, the Indenture shall be supplemented in
accordance herewith, and this Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the
Indenture for all purposes.  Upon the receipt by the Trustee of (i) an Officers'
Certificate certifying that such conditions have been satisfied, or waived by
the Company, and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect set forth in Section
9.6 of the Indenture, the amendments set forth herein shall become operative.

     3.   Except as supplemented hereby, all provisions in the Indenture shall
remain in full force and effect.  This Supplemental Indenture is an indenture
supplemental to and in implementation of the Indenture, and the Indenture and
this Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together.
The Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture is in all respects
confirmed and preserved.

     4.   If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or
conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under
such Act to be part of and govern any provision of this Supplemental Indenture,
the provision of such Act shall control.  If any provision of this Supplemental
Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may
be so modified or excluded, the provision of such Act shall be deemed to apply
to the Indenture as so modified or to be excluded by this Supplemental
Indenture, as the case may be.

     5.   In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

     6.   Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture or the
Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties
hereto and thereto and their successors hereunder and thereunder and the Holders
of Securities, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under the Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture or the Securities.

     7.   The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the
Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. In
entering into this Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to the
benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting
the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, whether or not
elsewhere herein so provided.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     8.   This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of law principles thereof.

     9.   This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in counterparts, each of
which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


                                  SIGNATURES

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.


                                            Company:

                                            THE PANTRY, INC.
[CORPORATE SEAL]

Attest: /s/ JON D. RALPH                    By:  /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
        --------------------------               -------------------------------
        Asst. Secretary                     Title:  Senior Vice President
        --------------------------                  ----------------------------


                                            Guarantors:

                                            LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.,
[CORPORATE SEAL]

Attest:  /s/ JON D. RALPH                   By:  /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
         -------------------------               -------------------------------
         Asst. Secretary                    Title:  Executive Vice President
         -------------------------                  ----------------------------



                                            Trustee:

                                            IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY


   Attest:                                     By:  /s/ STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO
                                                 -------------------------------
By:      /s/                                Title:  Assistant Vice President
         -------------------------                  ----------------------------

                                      -3-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.5


                               THE PANTRY, INC.


                          THE GUARANTORS named herein


                                      and


              UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee


                                   INDENTURE

                          Dated as of October 23, 1997



                                  $200,000,000

                   10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    TIA                                                     Indenture
  Section                                                    Section
  -------                                                   ---------
  <S>                                                       <C>
   310(a)(1)                                                8.10
      (a)(2)                                                8.10
      (a)(3)                                                N.A.
      (a)(4)                                                N.A.
      (b)                                                   8.08; 8.10;
                                                            12.02
      (b)(1)                                                8.10
      (b)(9)                                                8.10
      (c)                                                   N.A.
   311(a)                                                   8.11
      (b)                                                   8.11
      (c)                                                   N.A.
   312(a)                                                   2.05
      (b)                                                   12.03
      (c)                                                   12.03
   313(a)                                                   8.06
      (b)(1)                                                8.06
      (b)(2)                                                8.06
      (c)                                                   12.02
      (d)                                                   8.06
   314(a)                                                   4.02; 4.04;
                                                            12.02
      (b)                                                   N.A.
      (c)(1)                                                12.04; 12.05
      (c)(2)                                                12.04; 12.05
      (c)(3)                                                N.A.
      (d)                                                   N.A.
      (e)                                                   12.05
      (f)                                                   N.A.
   315(a)                                                   8.01; 8.02
      (b)                                                   8.05; 12.02
      (c)                                                   8.01
      (d)                                                   6.05; 8.01;
                                                            8.02
      (e)                                                   6.11
</TABLE>
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
        ================
        N.A means Not Applicable

        Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed
              to be a part of the Indenture
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C> 
   316(a) (last sentence)                                  12.06
      (a)(1)(A)                                            6.05
      (a)(1)(B)                                            6.04
      (a)(2)                                               9.02
      (b)                                                  6.07
      (c)                                                  9.04
   317(a)(1)                                               6.08
      (a)(2)                                               6.09
      (b)                                                  8.12
   318(a)                                                  12.01
</TABLE>
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
        ================
        N.A means Not Applicable

        Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed
              to be a part of the Indenture
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                         
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
       ARTICLE ONE
           DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01.  Definitions.................................................   1

Section 1.02.  Other Definitions...........................................  28

Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act...........  29

Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction.......................................  29


       ARTICLE TWO
                                   THE NOTES

Section 2.01.  Amount of Notes.............................................  30

Section 2.02.  Form and Dating.............................................  31

Section 2.03.  Execution and Authentication................................  31

Section 2.04.  Registrar and Paying Agent..................................  32

Section 2.05.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.........................  33

Section 2.06.  Noteholder Lists............................................  34

Section 2.07.  Transfer and Exchange.......................................  34

Section 2.08.  Replacement Notes...........................................  35

Section 2.09.  Outstanding Notes...........................................  36
</TABLE>
                                      -i-

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
 
<S>                                                                         <C>
Section 2.10.  Treasury Notes............................................... 36

Section 2.11.  Temporary Notes.............................................. 37

Section 2.12.  Cancellation................................................. 37

Section 2.13.  Defaulted Interest........................................... 37

Section 2.14.  CUSIP Number................................................. 38

Section 2.15.  Deposit of Moneys............................................ 38

Section 2.16.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes....................... 38

Section 2.17.  Special Transfer Provisions.................................. 41

Section 2.18.  Computation of Interest...................................... 44

       ARTICLE THREE
                                   REDEMPTION

Section 3.01.  Election to Redeem; Notices to Trustee....................... 44

Section 3.02.  Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be Redeemed................. 45

Section 3.03.  Notice of Redemption......................................... 45

Section 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption............................... 46

Section 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.................................. 47

Section 3.06.  Notes Redeemed in Part....................................... 47

       ARTICLE FOUR
                                   COVENANTS
Section 4.01.  Payment of Notes............................................. 48
</TABLE> 
                                     -ii-

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
Section 4.02.  SEC Reports.................................................. 48

Section 4.03.  Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws...................... 49

Section 4.04.  Compliance Certificate....................................... 49

Section 4.05.  Taxes........................................................ 51

Section 4.06.  Limitation on Additional Indebtedness........................ 51

Section 4.07.  Limitation on Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries..... 51

Section 4.08.  Limitation on Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries....... 52

Section 4.09.  Limitation on Restricted Payments............................ 52

Section 4.10.  Limitation on Certain Asset Sales............................ 54

Section 4.11.  Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates................... 57

Section 4.12.  Limitations on Liens......................................... 58

Section 4.13.  Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries....................... 59

Section 4.14.  Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions............... 59

Section 4.15.  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment
                Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.............. 60

Section 4.16.  Payments for Consent......................................... 60

Section 4.17.  Legal Existence.............................................. 61

Section 4.18.  Change of Control............................................ 61

Section 4.19.  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Books
                 and Records; Compliance with
</TABLE>
                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
               Law.........................................................  64

Section 4.20.  Further Assurance to the Trustee............................  65

Section 4.21.  Limitation on Other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness........  65

Section 4.22.  Limitation on Conduct of Business...........................  65

Section 4.23.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.............................  66

       ARTICLE FIVE
                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

Section 5.01.  Limitation on Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets......  66

Section 5.02.  Successor Person Substituted................................  67 

       ARTICLE SIX
                             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01.   Events of Default..........................................  68

Section 6.02.   Acceleration...............................................  70
                                                                         
Section 6.03.   Other Remedies.............................................  71
                                                                         
Section 6.04.   Waiver of Defaults and Events of Default...................  72
                                                                         
Section 6.05.   Control by Majority........................................  72
                                                                         
Section 6.06.   Limitation on Suits........................................  72
                                                                         
Section 6.07.   Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.......................  73
                                                                         
Section 6.08.   Collection Suit by Trustee.................................  73
                                                                         
Section 6.09.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...........................  74
</TABLE>
                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                          <C>
Section 6.10.  Priorities...................................................  74

Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs........................................  75

Section 6.12.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies...........................  75

       ARTICLE SEVEN
                                 SUBORDINATION

Section 7.01.  Notes Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.....................  75

Section 7.02.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, etc...............  76

Section 7.03.  Suspension of Payment When Senior
                Indebtedness in Default.....................................  78

Section 7.04.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness....................  80

Section 7.05.  Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness......  80

Section 7.06.  Provisions Solely To Define Relative Rights..................  81

Section 7.07.  Trustee To Effectuate Subordination..........................  81

Section 7.08.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions........................  82

Section 7.09.  Notice to Trustee............................................  82

Section 7.10.  Reliance on Judicial Order or
                Certificate of Liquidating Agent............................  83

Section 7.11.  Rights of Trustee as a Holder of Senior
                Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee's Rights..............  84

Section 7.12.  Article Applicable to Paying Agents..........................  84
</TABLE>
                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 


                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
Section 7.13.  No Suspension of Remedies................................... 84

Section 7.14.  Defeasance of Subordination................................. 84

       ARTICLE EIGHT
                                    TRUSTEE
Section 8.01.  Duties of Trustee........................................... 85

Section 8.02.  Rights of Trustee........................................... 86

Section 8.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee................................ 87

Section 8.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer........................................ 87

Section 8.05.  Notice of Defaults.......................................... 87

Section 8.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders............................... 88

Section 8.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.................................. 88

Section 8.08.  Replacement of Trustee...................................... 90

Section 8.09.  Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger, etc............. 91

Section 8.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification............................... 91

Section 8.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company........... 92

Section 8.12.  Paying Agents............................................... 92


       ARTICLE NINE
                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.................................. 92

Section 9.02.  With Consent of Holders..................................... 93

Section 9.03.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act......................... 95
</TABLE>
                                     -vi-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
Section 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents........................... 95

Section 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Notes............................ 96

Section 9.06.  Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc............................. 96

       ARTICLE TEN                          
                   DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE              

Section 10.01.  Discharge of Indenture..................................... 96

Section 10.02.  Legal Defeasance........................................... 97

Section 10.03.  Covenant Defeasance........................................ 98

Section 10.04.  Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...... 98

Section 10.05.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations
                  To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions..... 101

Section 10.06.  Reinstatement............................................. 101

Section 10.07.  Moneys Held by Paying Agent............................... 102

Section 10.08.  Moneys Held by Trustee.................................... 102

       ARTICLE ELEVEN
                           GUARANTEE OF NOTES

Section 11.01.  Guarantee................................................. 103

Section 11.02.  Execution and Delivery of Guarantees...................... 104

Section 11.03.  Limitation of Guarantee................................... 105

Section 11.04.  Additional Guarantors..................................... 105

Section 11.05.  Release of Guarantor...................................... 105
</TABLE>
                                     -vii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Section 11.06.  Guarantee Obligations Subordinated to             
                 Guarantor Senior Indebtedness..........................  106

Section 11.07.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, etc.,  
                 of a Guarantor.........................................  106

Section 11.08.  Suspension of Guarantee Obligations When          
                 Guarantor Senior Indebtedness in Default...............  108

Section 11.09.  Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Guarantor     
                 Senior Indebtedness....................................  110

Section 11.10.  Guarantee Subordination Provisions Solely         
                 To Define Relative Rights..............................  111

Section 11.11.  Application of Certain Article 7 Provisions.............  112

       ARTICLE TWELVE
                             MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls............................  112
                                                                       
Section 12.02.  Notices.................................................  112
                                                                        
Section 12.03.  Communications by Holders with Other Holders............  114
                                                                        
Section 12.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent......  114
                                                                        
Section 12.05.  Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion..........  114
                                                                        
Section 12.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.............................  115
                                                                        
Section 12.07.  Business Days; Legal Holidays...........................  115
                                                                        
Section 12.08.  Governing Law...........................................  116
                                                                        
Section 12.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements...........  116
</TABLE>
                                    -viii-
               
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
<S>                                                                      <C>
Section 12.10.  No Recourse Against Others..............................  116
                                                                  
Section 12.11.  Successors..............................................  117
                                                                  
Section 12.12.  Multiple Counterparts...................................  117
                                                                  
Section 12.13.  Table of Contents, Headings, etc........................  117
                                                                  
Section 12.14.  Separability............................................  117

                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

Exhibit A.      Form of Note............................................  A-1
                                                                        
Exhibit B.      Form of Legend and Assignment for Rule 144A.............  B-1
                                                                        
Exhibit C.      Form of Legend and Assignment                           
                    for Regulation S Note...............................  C-1
                                                                        
Exhibit D.      Form of Legend for Global Note..........................  D-1
                                                                        
Exhibit E.      Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection       
                 with Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors.........  E-1
                                                                        
Exhibit F.      Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection       
                 with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S................  F-1
                                                                        
Exhibit G.      Form of Guarantee.......................................  G-1
</TABLE>
                                     -ix-
<PAGE>
 
                                      -1-

          INDENTURE, dated as of October 23, 1997, among THE PANTRY, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined)
and UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as trustee (the "Trustee").

          Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

ARTICLE ONE

                  DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01.  Definitions.
               ----------- 

          "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (including an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with any other Person or which is
assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person and, in
each case, not incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or
contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such merger,
consolidation or acquisition.

          "Additional Interest" means additional interest on the Notes which the
Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to pay to the Holders
pursuant to Section 4 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

          "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specific Person, any other
Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls,
or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.
For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative
meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and "under common control
with"), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise; provided that, for purposes of Section 4.11, beneficial
                        --------                                               
ownership of at least 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-

10% of the voting securities of a Person, either directly or indirectly, shall
be deemed to be control.

          "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent, or agent for service of
notices and demands.

          "Asset Acquisition" means (a) an Investment by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any other Person pursuant to which such
Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) the acquisition by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of the assets of any Person (other than
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) which constitute all or substantially
all of the assets of such Person or comprise any division or line of business of
such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the
ordinary course of business.

          "Asset Sale" means the sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other
disposition in any single transaction or series of related transactions of (i)
any Capital Stock of or other equity interest in any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company, (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of any business owned
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, or a division, line of
business or comparable business segment of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or (iii) any other asset or property of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary other than in the ordinary course of business; provided that Asset
Sale shall not include (a) any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other
disposition (1) to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary or to any other
Person if after giving effect thereto such other Person becomes a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or (2) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person as an
Investment in such Person provided that the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary receives consideration at the time at least equal to the fair market
value of such asset or properties and such Investment is included in clause
(viii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09; (b) Sale and Lease-Back
Transactions completed within 270 days following the original acquisition of the
subject assets where the original acquisition occurred after the date of the
Indenture; (c) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company on a consolidated basis in a manner 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -3- 

permitted pursuant to the provisions described under Section 5.01; or (d) sales
or dispositions of obsolete equipment or other assets in the ordinary course of
business.

          "Asset Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, (i) cash
received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from such
Asset Sale (including cash received as consideration for the assumption of
liabilities incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such Asset Sale),
after (a) provision for all income or other taxes measured by or resulting from
such Asset Sale, (b) payment of all brokerage commissions, underwriting and
other fees and expenses related to such Asset Sale, (c) provision for minority
interest holders in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such
Asset Sale, (d) repayment of Indebtedness that is required to be repaid in
connection with such Asset Sale and (e) deduction of appropriate amounts to be
provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a reserve,
in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets sold
or disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and
other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to
environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with
the assets sold or disposed of in such Asset Sale, and (ii) promissory notes and
other noncash consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company from such Asset Sale or other disposition upon the liquidation or
conversion of such notes or noncash consideration into cash.

          "Attributable Indebtedness" means, in respect of a Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted
according to GAAP at the cost of indebtedness implied in the lease) of the total
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the
lease included in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (including any period for
which such lease has been extended).

          "Available Asset Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale,
the aggregate Asset Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale that have not been
applied in accordance with clauses (iii)(a) or (iii)(b), and which have not yet
been the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

basis for an Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance with clause (iii)(c)
of the first paragraph of Section 4.10.

          "Board of Directors" with respect to any Person means the board of
directors of such Person or any committee authorized to act therefor.

          "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified pursuant to
an Officers' Certificate to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of
the Company or a Guarantor, as appropriate, and to be in full force and effect,
and delivered to the Trustee.

          "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether
voting or non-voting) of corporate stock, partnership interests or any other
participation, right or other interest in the nature of an equity interest in
such Person including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock of
such Person or any option, warrant or other security convertible into any of the
foregoing.

          "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means, with respect to any Person,
Indebtedness represented by obligations under a lease that is required to be
capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the
amount of such Indebtedness shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations
determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "Cash Equivalents" means (i) marketable direct obligations issued by,
or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any
agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in
each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii)
marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of
America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from either S&P or Moody's; (iii) commercial paper maturing no more
than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition,
having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody's; (iv)
certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank
organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or
the District of Columbia or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank having at the date
of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than
$250,000,000; (v) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days
for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered
into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iv) above;
and (vi) investments in money market funds which invest substantially all their
assets in securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (v) above.

          A "Change of Control" of the Company will be deemed to have occurred
at such time as (i) any Person (including a Person's Affiliates and associates),
other than a Permitted Holder, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined under
Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange
Act) of 50% or more of the total voting or economic power of the Company's
Common Stock, (ii) any Person (including a Person's Affiliates and associates),
other than a Permitted Holder, becomes the beneficial owner of more than 33 1/3%
of the total voting power of the Company's Common Stock, and the Permitted
Holders beneficially own, in the aggregate, a lesser percentage of the total
voting power of the Common Stock of the Company than such other Person and do
not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or
designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company,
(iii) there shall be consummated any consolidation or merger of the Company in
which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to
which the Common Stock of the Company would be converted into cash, securities
or other property, other than a merger or consolidation of the  Company in which
the holders of the Common Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to
the consolidation or merger hold, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of
the Common Stock of the surviving corporation immediately after such
consolidation or merger, or (iv) during any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by such
Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the
Company has been approved by 66 2/3% of the directors then still in office who
either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

election or recommendation for election was previously so approved) cease to
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.

          "Common Stock" of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person
that is generally entitled to (i) vote in the election of directors of such
Person or (ii) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise
participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others
that will control the management and policies of such Person.

          "Company" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article 5 and
thereafter means the successor.

          "Company Request" means any written request signed in the name of the
Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer
of the Company and attested to by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of
the Company.

          "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any
Person, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person during the four full fiscal quarters
(the "Four Quarter Period") for which financial information is available ending
on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate
the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the "Transaction Date") to
Consolidated Fixed Charges of such Person for the Four Quarter Period.  In
addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this
definition, "Consolidated EBITDA" and "Consolidated Fixed Charges" shall be
calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such
                                    ---------                             
calculation to (i) the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the application of the
proceeds thereof) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any
incurrence or repayment of other Indebtedness (and the application of the
proceeds thereof), other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the
ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to working
capital facilities, occurring during the Four Quarter Period or at any time
subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the
Transaction Date, as if such incurrence or repayment, as the case may be (and
the application of the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-

proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period and (ii)
any Asset Sale or Asset Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset
Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of such
Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Person who becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming
or otherwise being liable for Acquired Indebtedness) and also including any
EBITDA (provided that such EBITDA shall be included only to the extent
        -------------
includable pursuant to the definition of "Consolidated Net Income") attributable
to the assets which are the subject of the Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale
during the Four Quarter Period) occurring during the Four Quarter Period or at
any time subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior
to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition (including
the incurrence, assumption or liability for any such Acquired Indebtedness)
occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period. If such Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly guarantees Indebtedness of a
third Person, the preceding sentence shall give effect to the incurrence of such
guaranteed Indebtedness as if such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such
Person had directly incurred or otherwise assumed such guaranteed Indebtedness.
Furthermore, in calculating "Consolidated Fixed Charges" for purposes of
determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this "Consolidated Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio," (1) interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a
fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which will continue to be so
determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum
equal to the rate of interest on such Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction
Date; (2) if interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction
Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a
prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates,
then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have
been in effect during the Four Quarter Period; and (3) notwithstanding clause
(1) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the
extent such interest is covered by one or more Interest Rate Agreements, shall
be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the
operation of such agreements.

          "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person, for
any period, the sum, without duplication, of 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

(i) Consolidated Interest Expense, plus (ii) the product of (x) the amount of
all dividend payments on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person (other
than dividends paid in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock))
paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period times (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one
minus the then current effective consolidated federal, state and local tax rate
of such Person, expressed as a decimal.

          "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person, for
any period, the aggregate amount of interest which, in conformity with GAAP,
would be set forth opposite the caption "interest expense" or any like caption
on an income statement for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis (including, but not limited to, (i) imputed interest included
in Capitalized Lease Obligations, (ii) all commissions, discounts and other fees
and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financing, (iii) the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements and
other hedging obligations to the extent treated as interest expense under GAAP,
(iv) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, (v) amortization
of discount or premium, if any, and (vi) all other non-cash interest expense
(other than interest amortized to cost of sales)) plus, without duplication, all
net capitalized interest for such period and all interest incurred or paid under
any guarantee of Indebtedness (including a guarantee of principal, interest or
any combination thereof) of any Person, plus the amount of all dividends or
distributions paid on Disqualified Capital Stock (other than dividends paid or
payable in shares of Capital Stock of the Company) but excluding amortization of
financing fees and expenses.

          "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP; provided, however, that (a) the Net Income of any Person (the "other
           --------  -------                                                   
Person") in which the Person in question or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
has less than a 100% interest (which interest does not cause the Net Income of
such other Person to be consolidated into the Net Income of the Person in
question in accordance with GAAP) shall be included only to the extent of the
amount of dividends or distributions paid to the Person 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-

in question or the Restricted Subsidiary, (b) the Net Income of any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Person in question that is subject to any consensual
restriction or limitation on the payment of dividends or the making of other
distributions shall be excluded to the extent of such restriction or limitation,
(c)(i) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition and (ii) any
net gain or loss resulting from an Asset Sale by the Person in question or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business
shall be excluded, (d) extraordinary gains and losses shall be excluded, (e)
income or loss attributable to discontinued operations (including, without
limitation, operations disposed of during such period whether or not such
operations were classified as discontinued) shall be excluded, (f) in the case
of a successor to the referent Person by consolidation or merger or as a
transferee of the referent Person's assets, any earnings of the successor
corporation prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer of assets shall be
excluded, (g) any non-recurring non-cash losses and charges shall be excluded,
(h) for purposes of calculations referred to in Section 4.09 only, any net
income attributable to payments or dividends received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary that offset the amount of Investments made in reliance on
clause (ii) of the definition of "Net Investments" shall be excluded, and (i)
for purposes of clauses (c)(ii), (d) and (g) only, the associated tax effects in
respect of such period shall be excluded.

          "Consolidated Total Tangible Assets" means, with respect to any
person, the total assets as would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of such
person minus unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks,
service marks, trade names, copyrights and all other items which would be
treated as intangibles on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

          "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at
any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Indenture is located
at United States Trust Company of New York, 114 West 47th Street, New York, NY
10036, attention: Corporate Trust Department.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -10-

          "Currency Agreement" means, for any Person, any foreign exchange
contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement
designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values.

          "Default" means any event that is, or with the passing of time or
giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

          "Depository" means, with respect to the Notes issued in the form of
one or more Global Notes, The Depository Trust Company or another Person
designated as Depository by the Company, which Person must be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act.

          "Designated Senior Indebtedness," as to the Company or any Guarantor,
as the case may be, means any Senior Indebtedness or Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness, as the case may be, under (i) the Senior Credit Facility and (ii)
any other Indebtedness in an original principal amount (or committed
availability) of at least $25 million if the instrument governing the same
expressly provides that such Indebtedness is "Designated Senior Indebtedness"
for purposes of the Indenture.

          "Disqualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock of a Person or a
Restricted Subsidiary thereof which, by its terms (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the
option of the holder), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or
is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or
prior to the maturity date of the Notes, for cash or securities constituting
Indebtedness.  Without limitation of the foregoing, Disqualified Capital Stock
shall be deemed to include any Preferred Stock of a Person or a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person, with respect to either of which, under the terms of
such Preferred Stock, by agreement or otherwise, such Person or Restricted
Subsidiary is obligated to pay current dividends or distributions in cash during
the period prior to the maturity date of the Notes; provided, however, that
                                                    --------  -------      
Preferred Stock of a Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof that is issued
with the benefit of provisions requiring a change of control offer to be made
for such Preferred Stock in the event of a change of control of such Person or
Restricted Subsidiary which provisions have 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -11-

substantially the same effect as the provisions described in Section 4.18 shall
not be deemed to be Disqualified Capital Stock solely by virtue of such
provisions.

          "EBITDA" means with respect to any Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, for any period, an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated
Net Income for such period, plus (ii) the provision for taxes for such period
based on income or profits to the extent such income or profits were included in
computing Consolidated Net Income and any provision for taxes utilized in
computing net loss under clause (i) hereof, plus (iii) Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period (but only including Redeemable Dividends in the
calculation of such Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent that such
Redeemable Dividends have not been excluded in the calculation of Consolidated
Net Income), plus (iv) depreciation for such period on a consolidated basis,
plus (v) amortization of intangibles for such period on a consolidated basis,
plus (vi) any other non-cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income for such
period, minus (b) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such
period, all for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and provided, however, that, for
                                                --------  -------           
purposes of calculating EBITDA during any fiscal quarter, cash income from a
particular Investment of such Person shall be included only (x) if cash income
has been received by such Person with respect to such Investment during each of
the previous four fiscal quarters, or (y) if the cash income derived from such
Investment is attributable to Cash Equivalents.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
          
          "Exchange Notes" has the meaning provided in the Registration Rights
Agreement.

          "fair market value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the
price which could be negotiated in an arm's-length transaction, for cash,
between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under
undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.  Fair market value
shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company acting reasonably
and in good faith and shall be evidenced by a 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -12-

resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company delivered to the Trustee.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied as in effect in the United States from time to time, except that, for
purposes of calculating financial ratios, GAAP shall mean generally accepted
accounting principles utilized by the Company as of the Issue Date.

          "Guarantee" means the guarantee of the Obligations of the Company with
respect to the Notes by each Guarantor pursuant to the terms of Article Eleven
hereof.

          "Guarantor" means each of the Guarantors listed on the signature page
to this Indenture as well as each Restricted Subsidiary which guarantees payment
of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.13, and "Guarantors" means such entities,
collectively.

          "Guarantor Senior Indebtedness," as to any Guarantor, means the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on, and any and all other fees,
expense reimbursement obligations and other amounts due pursuant to the terms of
all agreements, documents and instruments providing for, creating, securing or
evidencing or otherwise entered into in connection with (a) all Indebtedness of
such Guarantor owed to lenders under the Senior Credit Facility, (b) all
obligations of such Guarantor with respect to any Interest Rate Agreement or
Currency Agreement or any guarantee thereof, (c) all obligations of such
Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other person in respect of amounts paid under
letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments and all obligations
of such Guarantor with respect to guarantees of such reimbursement obligations,
(d) all other Indebtedness of such Guarantor which does not provide that it is
to rank pari passu with or subordinate to the Guarantees and (e) all deferrals,
renewals, refinancings, extensions and refundings of, and amendments,
modifications and supplements to, any of the Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
described above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing,
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness will not include (i) Indebtedness of such
Guarantor to any of its Subsidiaries, or to any Affiliate of such Guarantor or
any of such Affiliate's Subsidiaries, (ii) Indebtedness represented by the
Guarantees, (iii) any Indebtedness which by the express terms of the agreement
or instrument creating, evidencing or governing the 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -13-

same is junior or subordinate in right of payment to any item of Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness, (iv) any trade payable arising from the purchase of goods
or materials or for services obtained in the ordinary course of business, (v)
Indebtedness incurred in violation of this Indenture, (vi) Indebtedness
represented by Disqualified Capital Stock and (vii) any Indebtedness to or
guaranteed on behalf of, any shareholders, director, officer or employee of such
Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Guarantor.

          "Holder" or "Noteholder" means the Person in whose name a Note is
registered on the Registrar's books.

          "incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of
any Person, to create, issue, incur (by  conversion, exchange or otherwise),
assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness or
other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of
any such Indebtedness or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person
(and "incurrence," "incurred," "incurable," and "incurring" shall have meanings
correlative to the foregoing); provided, that a change in GAAP that results in
                               --------                                       
an obligation of such Person that exists at such time becoming Indebtedness
shall not be deemed an incurrence of such Indebtedness.

          "Indebtedness" means (without duplication), with respect to any
Person, any obligation at any time outstanding, secured or unsecured, contingent
or otherwise, which is for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the
lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion
thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or
representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
property (excluding, without limitation, any balances that constitute accounts
payable or trade payables, and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of business) if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would
appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance
with GAAP, and shall also include, to the extent not otherwise included, (i) any
Capitalized Lease Obligations (excluding any imputed interest therein) of such
Person, (ii) obligations secured by a lien to which the property or assets owned
or held by such Person is subject, whether or not the obligation or obligations
secured thereby shall have been assumed, to the extent of the 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -14-

fair market value of such property or assets, (iii) guarantees of items of other
Persons which would be included within this definition for such other Persons
(whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of the
guarantor), to the extent of the amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed, (iv)
all obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit,
banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction, (v) Disqualified Capital
Stock of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, and (vi) obligations
of any such Person under any Currency Agreement or any Interest Rate Agreement
applicable to any of the foregoing (if and to the extent such Currency Agreement
or Interest Rate Agreement obligations would appear as a liability upon a
balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP). The amount of
Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such
date of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to
contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the
contingency giving rise to the obligations; provided that (i) the amount
                                            --------
outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount
is the principal amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized
portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as
determined in conformity with GAAP and (ii) Indebtedness shall not include any
liability for federal, state, local or other taxes. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the foregoing definition, any trade payable arising from the
purchase of goods or materials or for services obtained in the ordinary course
of business shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries for purposes of this definition. Furthermore,
guarantees of (or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting)
Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not
also be included.

          "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended, restated or supplemented
from time to time.

          "Independent Financial Advisor" means an investment banking firm of
national reputation in the United States (i) which does not, and whose
directors, officers and employees or Affiliates do not, have a direct or
indirect financial interest in the Company and (ii) which, in the judgment of
the Board of Directors of the Company, is otherwise independent and qualified to
perform the task for which it is to be engaged.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -15-

          "Initial Purchasers" means CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp.
and First Union Capital Markets Corp.

          "Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501 (a)(1), (2), (3) or
(7) promulgated under the Securities Act.

          "Interest Payment Date" means the stated maturity of an
installment of interest on the Notes.

          "Interest Rate Agreement" means, with respect to any Person, any
interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar
agreement or other similar agreement designed to protect the party indicated
therein against fluctuations in interest rates.

          "Investments" means, with respect of any Person, directly or
indirectly, any advance, account receivable (other than an account receivable
arising in the ordinary course of business of such Person), loan or capital
contribution to (by means of transfers of property to others, payments for
property or services for the account or use of others or otherwise), the
purchase of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership or joint
venture interests or other securities of, the acquisition, by purchase or
otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets or stock or
other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or the making of any
investment in any Person.  Investments shall exclude (i) extensions of trade
credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade
practices of such Person and (ii) the repurchase of securities of any Person by
such Person.  For the purposes of Section 4.09 of this Indenture, (i)
"Investment" shall include and be valued at the fair market value of the net
assets of any Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary
is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary and shall exclude the fair market value
of the net assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such
Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the
amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the
cost of all additional Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or
write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment, reduced by
the payment of 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -16-

dividends or distributions in connection with such Investment or any other
amounts received in respect of such Investment; provided that no such
                                                --------             
payment of dividends or distributions or receipt of any such other amounts shall
reduce the amount of any Investment if such payment of dividends or
distributions or receipt of any such amounts would be included in Consolidated
Net Income.  If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or
otherwise disposes of any Common Stock of any direct or indirect Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or
disposition, the Company no longer owns, directly or indirectly, greater than
50% of the outstanding Common Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary, the Company
shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or
disposition equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock of such
Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

          "Issue Date" means the date the Notes are first issued by the Company
and authenticated by the Trustee under this Indenture.

          "Lien" means with respect to any property or assets of any Person, any
mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement, encumbrance, preference,
priority, or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including
without limitation, any Capitalized Lease Obligation, conditional sales, or
other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as
any of the foregoing).

          "Material Restricted Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary that,
as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter, accounted for 10% or more of
the Company's consolidated (i) total assets, (ii) shareholders' equity or (iii)
operating income (calculated for the four most recent fiscal quarters),
determined in each case in accordance with GAAP.

          "Maturity Date" means October 15, 2007.

          "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -17-

          "Net Cash Proceeds" means the aggregate amount of U.S. Legal Tender
and Cash Equivalents received by a Person from the sale of Capital Stock, after
payment of expenses, commissions and the like incurred in connection therewith.

          "Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the
net income (loss) of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "Net Investment" means the excess of (i) the aggregate amount of all
Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures made by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary on or after the Issue Date (in the case of an
Investment made other than in cash, the amount shall be the fair market value of
such Investment as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary) over (ii) the sum of (a) the aggregate
amount returned in cash on or with respect to such Investments whether through
interest payments, principal payments, dividends or other distributions or
payments and (b) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or joint venture from the disposition of all or any portion of such
Investments (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company); provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
with respect to all Investments made in any Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint
venture the sum of clauses (a) and (b) above with respect to such Investments
shall not exceed the aggregate amount of all such Investments made in such
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

          "Net Proceeds" means (a) in the case of any sale of Capital Stock by
or equity contribution to any Person, the aggregate net proceeds received by
such Person, after payment of expenses, commissions and the like incurred in
connection therewith, whether such proceeds are in cash or in property (valued
at the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of such Person, at the time of receipt) and (b) in the case of any
exchange, exercise, conversion or surrender of outstanding securities of any
kind for or into shares of Capital Stock of the Company which is not
Disqualified Capital Stock, the net book value or principal amount of such
outstanding securities on the date of such exchange, exercise, conversion or
surrender (plus any additional amount required to be paid by the holder to such
Person upon such exchange, exercise, conversion or surrender, less any and all
payments made to the holders, e.g., on account 
                              ---
<PAGE>
 
                                     -18-
 
of fractional shares and less all expenses incurred by such Person in connection
therewith).

          "Non-Payment Event of Default" means any event (other than a Payment
Default) the occurrence of which entitles one or more Persons to accelerate the
maturity of any Designated Senior Indebtedness.

          "Non-U.S. Person" means a Person who is not a U.S. person, as defined
in Regulation S.

          "Notes" means the securities issued by the Company, including, without
limitation, the Private Exchange Notes, if any, and the Exchange Notes, treated
as a single class of securities, as amended or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with the terms hereof, that are issued pursuant to this Indenture.

          "Obligations" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, any principal,
premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages
and other expenses payable under the documentation governing such Indebtedness.

          "Offering" means the offering of the Notes as described in the
Offering Memorandum.

          "Offering Memorandum" means the Offering Memorandum dated October 17,
1997 pursuant to which the Notes issued on the Issue Date were offered.

          "Officer", with respect to any Person (other than the Trustee), means
the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, the President,
any Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or the
Secretary of such Person, or any other officer of such Person designated by the
Board of Directors of such Person and set forth in an Officers' Certificate
delivered to the Trustee.

          "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice
President and the Chief Financial Officer or any Treasurer of such Person that
shall comply with applicable provisions of this Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -19-


          "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to the Trustee from legal counsel, which counsel is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, stating the matters required by Section
12.05 and delivered to the Trustee.

          "Payment Default" means any default, whether or not any requirement
for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, or any other condition to
such default becoming an event of default has occurred, in the payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on or any other amount payable in
connection with Designated Senior Indebtedness.

          "Permitted Asset Swap" means any transfer of properties or assets by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in which 80% of the
consideration received by the transferor consists of properties or assets (other
than cash) that will be used in the business of the transferor; provided that
                                                                --------     
(i) the aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company) of the property or assets (including cash) being
transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is not greater than the
aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company) of the property or assets (including cash) received by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such exchange and (ii) the
aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company) of all property or assets transferred by the Company
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with exchanges in any
period of twelve consecutive months shall not exceed $20 million.

          "Permitted Holders" shall mean any member of senior management of the
Company, Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated or Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., and
any successor entity thereof controlled by the principals of Freeman Spogli &
Co. Incorporated or Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., as the case may be, and any
entity controlled by either of them (other than any of their portfolio
companies).

          "Permitted Indebtedness" means:

    (i)   Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising under
          or in connection with the Senior Credit Facility in an aggregate
<PAGE>
 
                                      -20-

          principal amount not to exceed (x) $50 million outstanding at any time
          under an acquisition facility plus (y) the greater of (A) $45 million
          or (B) an amount equal to the product of 4.0% times the Company's
          consolidated total revenues for the four full fiscal quarters for
          which financial information is available ended immediately preceding
          the date of determination, determined in accordance with GAAP, under a
          revolving credit and letter of credit facility less, in the case of
          (x) or (y), any mandatory prepayment actually made thereunder (to the
          extent, in the case of payments of revolving credit borrowings, that
          the corresponding commitments have been permanently reduced) or
          scheduled payments actually made thereunder;

   (ii)   Indebtedness under the Notes and the Guarantees;

   (iii)  Indebtedness not covered by any other clause of this definition which
          is outstanding on the Issue Date;

   (iv)   Indebtedness of the Company to any Wholly Owned Subsidiary and
          Indebtedness of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the Company or another
          Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

   (v)    Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations incurred
          to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement or remodeling of
          property or assets in the ordinary course of business, which Purchase
          Money Indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations do not in the
          aggregate exceed 10% of the Company's Consolidated Total Tangible
          Assets at any time;

   (vi)   Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements; 

   (vii)  Refinancing Indebtedness;

   (viii) Indebtedness under the Senior Notes and guarantees thereof by the
          Guarantors; and
<PAGE>
 
                                      -21-

   (ix)      additional Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
             Subsidiaries not to exceed $15 million in aggregate principal
             amount at any one time outstanding.

          "Permitted Investments" means Investments made on or after the
Issue Date consisting of:

   (i)       Investments by the Company, or by a Restricted Subsidiary thereof,
             in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

   (ii)      Investments by the Company, or by a Restricted Subsidiary thereof,
             in a Person, if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person
             becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) such Person
             is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers
             or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated
             into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof;

   (iii)     Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

   (iv)      reasonable and customary loans made to employees not to exceed $1
             million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

   (v)       an Investment that is made by the Company or a Restricted
             Subsidiary thereof in the form of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes,
             debentures, partnership or joint venture interests or other
             securities that are issued by a third party to the Company or such
             Restricted Subsidiary solely as partial consideration for the
             consummation of an Asset Sale that is otherwise permitted under
             Section 4.10;

   (vi)      Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements entered into in
             the ordinary course of the Company's or its Restricted
             Subsidiaries' business; and

   (vii)     recourse loans of up to an aggregate of $2 million outstanding at
             any time to employees of
<PAGE>
 
                                      -22-

             the Company or its Subsidiaries made in connection with the
             purchase of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified
             Capital Stock).

          "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens on Property or assets of, or any
shares of Capital Stock of or secured indebtedness of, any corporation existing
at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or
at the time such corporation is merged into the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens are not incurred in connection with, or
              --------                                                        
in contemplation of, such corporation becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or merging into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii)
Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that any such Lien does not
                                         --------                            
extend to or cover any Property, Capital Stock or Indebtedness other than the
Property, shares or debt securing the Indebtedness so refunded, refinanced or
extended, (iii) Liens in favor of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, (iv) Liens securing industrial revenue bonds, (v) Liens to secure
Purchase Money Indebtedness that is otherwise permitted under this Indenture;
provided that (a) any such Lien is created solely for the purpose of securing
- --------                                                                     
Indebtedness representing, or incurred to finance, refinance or refund, the cost
(including sales and excise taxes, installation and delivery charges and other
direct costs of, and other direct expenses paid or charged in connection with,
such purchase or construction) of such Property, (b) the principal amount of the
Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such costs, and (c)
such Lien does not extend to or cover any Property other than such item of
Property and any improvements on such item, (vi) statutory liens or landlords',
carriers', warehouseman's, mechanics', suppliers', materialmen's, repairmen's or
other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which do not secure
any Indebtedness and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if a reserve or other
appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP
shall have been made therefor, (vii) other Liens securing obligations incurred
in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $5,000,000 in
the aggregate at any one time outstanding, (viii) any extensions, substitutions,
replacements or renewals of the foregoing, (ix) Liens for taxes, assessments or
governmental charges that are not due or are being contested in good faith 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -23-

by appropriate proceedings and (x) Liens securing Capitalized Lease Obligations
permitted to be incurred under clause (v) of the definition of "Permitted
Indebtedness,"; provided that such Lien does not extend to any property other
                --------                                                     
than that subject to the underlying lease.

          "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
government (including any agency or political subdivision thereof).

          "Physical Notes" means certificated Notes in registered form in
substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A.
                                    --------- 

          "Preferred Stock" means any Capital Stock of a Person, however
designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to
dividends, distributions or liquidation proceeds of such Person over the holders
of other Capital Stock issued by such Person.

          "Private Exchange" has the meaning set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement.

          "Private Exchange Notes" has the meaning set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement.

          "Private Placement Legend" means the legend initially set forth on the
Rule 144A Notes in the form set forth in Exhibit B.
                                         --------- 

          "Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property owned by such Person whether or not included in the
most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries under
GAAP.

          "Public Equity Offering" means a public offering by the Company of
shares of its Common Stock (however designated and whether voting or non-voting)
and any and all rights, warrants or options to acquire such Common Stock.

          "Purchase Agreement" means the Securities Purchase Agreement dated
October 17, 1997 by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial
Purchasers.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -24-

          "Purchase Money Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness incurred in the
ordinary course of business by a Person to finance the cost (including the cost
of construction, improvement or remodeling) of an asset or property, provided
                                                                     --------
that (x) the principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the sum of
(i) 100% of such cost and (ii) reasonable fees and expenses of such Person
incurred in connection therewith and (y) any lien or encumbrance securing such
Indebtedness is placed on such asset or property not more than 270 days after
its acquisition or the completion of construction, improvement or remodeling, as
the case may be.

          "Qualified Institutional Buyer" or "QIB" shall have the meaning
specified in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

          "Redeemable Dividend" means, for any dividend or distribution with
regard to Disqualified Capital Stock, the quotient of the dividend or
distribution divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory
federal income tax rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then
applicable to the issuer of such Disqualified Capital Stock.

          "Redemption Date" when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed
means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to the terms of the Notes.

          "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that refunds, refinances
or extends any Indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the Issue Date or
other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, but only to the extent
that (i) the Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes to at least
the same extent as the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or extended, if
at all, (ii) the Refinancing Indebtedness is scheduled to mature either (a) no
earlier than the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or extended, or (b)
after the maturity date of the Notes, (iii) the portion, if any, of the
Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the maturity
date of the Notes has a weighted average life to maturity at the time such
Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the
weighted average life to maturity of the portion of the Indebtedness being
refunded, refinanced or extended that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the
<PAGE>
 
                                      -25-

maturity date of the Notes, (iv) such Refinancing Indebtedness is in an
aggregate principal amount that is equal to or less than the sum of (a) the
aggregate principal amount then outstanding under the Indebtedness being
refunded, refinanced or extended, (b) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, and premiums owed, if any, not in excess of preexisting prepayment
provisions on such Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced or extended and (c)
the amount of customary fees, expenses and costs related to the incurrence of
such Refinancing Indebtedness, and (v) such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred
by the same Person that initially incurred the Indebtedness being refunded,
refinanced or extended, except that the Company may incur Refinancing
Indebtedness to refund, refinance or extend Indebtedness of any Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that any Indebtedness incurred to
                           --------  -------                                   
refund, refinance or extend Indebtedness incurred by the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date pursuant to the terms of the
Indenture and any Indebtedness incurred under the Senior Credit Facility to
refinance the Senior Notes need not comply with clauses (ii) or (iii) above;
provided, further, that, for purposes of calculations made under the Permitted
- --------  -------                                                             
Indebtedness definition, such Indebtedness may be treated as Refinancing
Indebtedness.

          "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Company, the Guarantors and the
Initial Purchasers, as amended from time to time.

          "Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities
Act.

          "Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee, means an
officer or assistant officer assigned to the corporate trust department of the
Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for
the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a
particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.

          "Restricted Note" has the same meaning as "Restricted Security" set
forth in Rule 144(a)(3) promulgated under the Securities Act; provided, that the
                                                              --------          
Trustee shall be entitled to 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -26-

request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether
any Note is a Restricted Note.

          "Restricted Payment" means any of the following:  (i) the declaration
or payment of any dividend or any other distribution or payment on Capital Stock
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any payment made
to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Capital Stock
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than (x)
dividends or distributions payable solely in Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Capital Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase
such Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), and (y) in the case
of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, dividends or distributions payable to
the Company or to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company), (ii) the purchase,
redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Capital Stock
owned by the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, excluding
Disqualified Capital Stock) or any option, warrants or other rights to purchase
such Capital Stock, (iii) the making of any principal payment on, or the
purchase, defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement
for value, prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled
sinking fund payment, of any Indebtedness which is subordinated in right of
payment to the Notes (other than subordinated Indebtedness acquired in
anticipation of satisfying a scheduled sinking fund obligation, principal
installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of
acquisition), (iv) the making of any Investment or guarantee of any Investment
in any Person other than a Permitted Investment, (v) any designation of a
Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary on the basis of the
Investment by the Company therein and (vi) forgiveness of any Indebtedness of an
Affiliate of the Company to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company.  For purposes of determining the amount expended for Restricted
Payments, cash distributed or invested shall be valued at the face amount
thereof and property other than cash shall be valued at its fair market value.

          "Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of the Company other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary and includes all of the Subsidiaries of the Company
existing as of the Issue 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -27-

Date. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary or any Person that is to become a Subsidiary as a Restricted
Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such action (and treating any
Acquired Indebtedness as having been incurred at the time of such action), (i)
the Company could have incurred at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other
than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 4.06 and (ii) no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

          "Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

          "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

          "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" means any arrangement with any
Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been
or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to
such Person in contemplation of such leasing.

          "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and its successors.

          "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as
constituted from time to time or any successor performing substantially the same
functions.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          "Senior Credit Facility" means the Credit Agreement dated as of
October 23, 1997, among the Company, the lenders party thereto in their
capacities as lenders thereunder, the Initial Purchasers, as co-arrangers, and
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as syndication agent, and First Union
National Bank, as administrative agent, together with the related documents
thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security
documents), in each case as such agreements may be amended (including any
amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing,
replacing or otherwise restructuring 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -28-

(including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder (provided
                                                                     --------
that such increase in borrowings is permitted by Section 4.06, whether or not
under clause (i) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness") or adding
Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors
thereunder) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any
successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent,
lender or group of lenders.

          "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on, and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations and
other amounts due pursuant to the terms of all agreements, documents and
instruments providing for, creating, securing or evidencing or otherwise entered
into in connection with (a) all Indebtedness of the Company owed to lenders
under the Senior Credit Facility, (b) all obligations of the Company with
respect to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement, (c) all
obligations of the Company to reimburse any bank or other person in respect of
amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments,
(d) all other Indebtedness of the Company which does not provide that it is to
rank pari passu with or subordinate to the Notes and (e) all deferrals,
     ---- -----                                                        
renewals, refinancings, extensions and refundings of, and amendments,
modifications and supplements to, any of the Senior Indebtedness described
above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior
Indebtedness will not include (i) Indebtedness of the Company to any of its
Subsidiaries, or to any Affiliate of the Company or any of such Affiliate's
Subsidiaries, (ii) Indebtedness represented by the Notes, (iii) any Indebtedness
which by the express terms of the agreement or instrument creating, evidencing
or governing the same is junior or subordinate in right of payment to any item
of Senior Indebtedness, (iv) any trade payable arising from the purchase of
goods or materials or for services obtained in the ordinary course of business,
(v) Indebtedness incurred in violation of this Indenture, (vi) Indebtedness
represented by Disqualified Capital Stock and (vii) any Indebtedness to or
guaranteed on behalf of any shareholders, director, officer or employee of the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

          "Senior Notes" means the Company's 12% Series B Senior Notes Due 2000.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -29-

          "Subsidiary" of any specified Person means any corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association or other business entity, whether now
existing or hereafter organized or acquired, (i) in the case of a corporation,
of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Capital Stock entitled
(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of
directors, officers or trustees thereof is held by such first-named Person or
any of its Subsidiaries; or (ii) in the case of a partnership, joint venture,
association or other business entity, with respect to which such first-named
Person or any of its Subsidiaries has the power to direct  or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such entity by contract or otherwise
or if in accordance with GAAP such entity is consolidated with the first-named
Person for financial statement purposes.

          "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code (S)(S)
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture (except as provided in
Section 9.03 hereof).

          "Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the
successor.

          "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) PH Holding Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, (b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (c) any other
Subsidiary of the Company which is classified after the Issue Date as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Company; provided that a Subsidiary may be so classified as an Unrestricted
         --------                                                          
Subsidiary only if such classification is in compliance with Section 4.09.  The
Trustee shall be given prompt notice by the Company of each resolution adopted
by the Board of Directors of the Company under this provision, together with a
copy of each such resolution adopted.

          "U.S. Government Obligations" means (a) securities that are direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit are pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -30-

at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt
issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as
custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific
payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held
by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt;
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
- --------                                      
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository
receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S.
Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal or interest on any such
U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder
of such depository receipt.

          "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary, all of the
outstanding voting securities (other than directors' qualifying shares) of which
are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.

Section 1.02.  Other Definitions.
               ------------------

          The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections
indicated as follows:
 
          Term                     Defined in Section
          ----                     ------------------  
<PAGE>
 
                                      -31-

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
"Affiliate Transaction"..............   4.11
"Agent Members"......................   2.16(a)
"Bankruptcy Law".....................   6.01
"Bankruptcy Proceeding"..............   7.02
"Business Day".......................   12.07
"CEDEL"..............................   2.16(a)
"Change of Control Offer"............   4.18
"Change of Control Purchase Price"...   4.18
"Change of Control Payment Date".....   4.18
"Covenant Defeasance"................   10.03
"Custodian"..........................   6.01
"Euroclear"..........................   2.16(a)
"Event of Default"...................   6.01
"Excess Proceeds Offer"..............   4.10
"Global Notes".......................   2.16(a)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                      -32-

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
"Guarantor Bankruptcy Proceeding"....   11.07
"Guarantor Blockage Period"..........   11.10
"Guarantor Default Notice"...........   11.10
"Initial Blockage Period"............   7.03
"Legal Defeasance"...................   10.02
"Legal Holiday"......................   12.07
"Offer Period".......................   4.10
"Other Notes"........................   2.02
"Paying Agent".......................   2.04
"Payment Blockage Period"............   7.03
"Purchase Date"......................   4.10
"Registrar"..........................   2.04
"Regulation S Global Notes"..........   2.16(a)
"Regulation S Notes".................   2.02
"Reinvestment Date"..................   4.10
"Restricted Global Note".............   2.16(a)
"Rule 144A Notes"....................   2.02
</TABLE>

Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust 
               Indenture Act.
               -----------------------------------

          Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion
of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture
to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of
this Indenture.  If any provision of this Indenture modifies any provision of
the TIA that may be so modified, such TIA provision shall be deemed to apply to
this Indenture as so modified.  If any provision of this Indenture excludes any
TIA provision that may be so excluded, such TIA provision shall be excluded from
this Indenture.  The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the
following meanings:

                   "Commission" means the SEC.

                   "indenture securities" means the Notes.

                   "indenture securityholder" means a Holder or Noteholder.

                   "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -33-

                   "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
          Trustee.

                   "obligor on the indenture securities" means the Company, the
          Guarantors or any other obligor on the Notes.

          All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have
the meanings therein assigned to them.

Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction.
               --------------------- 

          Unless the context otherwise requires:

          (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined
     expressly or by reference;

          (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
     assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

          (3)  "or" is not exclusive;

          (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural
     include the singular;

          (5) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both
     genders; and

          (6) whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context,
     Principal, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to
     any Note, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of
     Additional Interest to the extent that, in such context, Additional
     Interest is, was or would be payable in respect thereof.


ARTICLE TWO

                                   THE NOTES
Section 2.01.  Amount of Notes.
               --------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -34-

          The Trustee shall authenticate Notes for original issue on the Issue
Date in the aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000, upon a written order of
the Company in the form of an Officers' Certificate of the Company.  Such
written order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date
on which the Notes are to be authenticated.

          Upon receipt of a Company Request and an Officers' Certificate
certifying that a registration statement relating to an exchange offer specified
in the Registration Rights Agreement is effective and that the conditions
precedent to a private exchange thereunder have been met, the Trustee shall
authenticate an additional series of Notes in an aggregate principal amount not
to exceed $200,000,000 for issuance in exchange for the Notes tendered for
exchange pursuant to such exchange offer registered under the Securities Act not
bearing the Private Placement Legend or pursuant to a Private Exchange.
Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes may have such distinctive series
designations and such changes in the form thereof as are specified in the
Company Request referred to in the preceding sentence.

Section 2.02.  Form and Dating.
               --------------- 

          The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication with respect
thereto shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, which is
                                                        ---------          
incorporated in and forms a part of this Indenture.  The Notes may have
notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rule or usage to which the
Company is subject.  Any such notations, legends or endorsements shall be
furnished to the Trustee in writing.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Notes offered and sold to Qualified Institutional Buyers in reliance
on Rule 144A ("Rule 144A Notes") shall bear the legend and include the form of
assignment set forth in Exhibit B, Notes offered and sold in offshore
                        ---------                                    
transactions in reliance on Regulation S ("Regulation S Notes") shall bear the
legend and include the form of assignment set forth in Exhibit C, and Notes
                                                       ---------           
transferred to Institutional Accredited Investors in transactions exempt from
registration under the Securities Act not made in reliance on Rule 144A or
Regulation S ("Other Notes") shall be represented by Physical Notes bearing the
Private Placement Legend.  Each Note shall be dated the date of its
authentication.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -35-

          The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and
are expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the
Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture,
expressly agree to such terms and provisions and agree to be bound thereby.

                  The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and
exchange at the offices of the Registrar.

Section 2.03.  Execution and Authentication.
               ---------------------------- 

          Two Officers shall sign, or one Officer shall sign and one Officer
(each of whom shall, in each case, have been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate actions) shall attest to, the Notes for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature.

          If an Officer whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time
of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee
authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

          No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Note
shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been
duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
any Note shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued
and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Note to the Trustee
for cancellation as provided in Section 2.12, for all purposes of this Indenture
such Note shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered
hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

          The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable
to the Company to authenticate the Notes.  Unless otherwise provided in the
appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate the Notes whenever the
Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the
Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company and Affiliates of the Company.
Each Paying Agent is designated as an authenticating agent for purposes of this
Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -36-

          The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.04.  Registrar and Paying Agent.
               -------------------------- 

          The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which shall be located
in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, State of New York) where
Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the
"Registrar"), and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment
(the "Paying Agent") and an office or agency where notices and demands to or
upon the Company, if any, in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be
served.  The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer
and exchange.  The Company may have one or more additional Paying Agents.  The
term "Paying Agent" includes any additional Paying Agent.  Neither the Company
nor any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.  The Company may change any
Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Noteholder.

          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies (in or outside the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York) where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such
purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however,
                                                              --------  ------- 
that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company
of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, for such purposes.  The Company will give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in
the location of any such other office or agency.  The Trustee is not required to
qualify to do business in any jurisdiction outside the state of New York and
shall be in full compliance with the provisions of this Indenture by refusing
any request to so qualify.

          The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the provisions of
the TIA.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that
relate to such Agent.  The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and
address of any such Agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or
Paying Agent, or fail to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as
such and shall be entitled to compensation in accordance with Section 8.07.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -37-

          The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent
and agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes and
this Indenture.  The Company shall give written notice to the Trustee in the
event that the Company decides to act as Registrar.

Section 2.05.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
               ----------------------------------- 

          Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the
Noteholders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (whether such money
has been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes), and the
Company and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee of any default by the
Company (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment.  Money
held in trust by the Paying Agent need not be segregated except as required by
law and in no event shall the Paying Agent be liable for any interest on any
money received by it hereunder.  The Company at any time may require the Paying
Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds
disbursed and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2), upon written request to the Paying
Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith all money so held by it to the
Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed.  Upon making such payment, the
Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the
Trustee.

Section 2.06.  Noteholder Lists.
               ---------------- 

          The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
the Noteholders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date,
and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such
form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and
addresses of the Noteholders.

Section 2.07.  Transfer and Exchange.
               --------------------- 

          Subject to Sections 2.16 and 2.17, when Notes are presented to the
Registrar with a request from the Holder of such Notes to register a transfer or
to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized
denominations, the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -38-

Registrar shall register the transfer as requested. Every Note presented or
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or
be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorneys
duly authorized in writing. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges,
the Company shall issue and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes
evidencing such transfer or exchange at the Registrar's request. No service
charge shall be made to the Noteholder for any registration of transfer or
exchange. The Company may require from the Noteholder payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any transfer taxes or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not
apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.06, 4.10, 4.18 or 9.05 (in
which events the Company shall be responsible for the payment of such taxes).
The Company and the Registrar shall not be required to exchange or register a
transfer of any Note for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the selection
of Notes to be redeemed or any Note selected for redemption.

          Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any
Note, the Trustee, the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Company may deem and
treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of
such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, and premium, if
any, or interest on such Note, and neither the Trustee, the Registrar, the
Paying Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

          Any Holder of the Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global
Note, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Note may
be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such
Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the
Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

          Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Company, the Registrar
and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer,
exchange or assignment of such Holder's Note in violation of any provision of
this Indenture and/or applicable U.S. Federal or state securities law.

          Except as expressly provided herein, neither the Trustee nor the
Registrar shall have any duty to monitor the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -39-

Company's compliance with or have any responsibility with respect to the
Company's compliance with any Federal or state securities laws.

Section 2.08.  Replacement Notes.
               ----------------- 

          If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or the Trustee, or
if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Note if the Holder of such Note furnishes to the Company and the
Trustee evidence reasonably acceptable to them of the ownership and the
destruction, loss or theft of such Note and if the requirements of Section 8-405
of the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date of this
Indenture are met.  If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond
shall be posted, sufficient in the judgment of both to protect the Company, the
Trustee or any Paying Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if such
Note is replaced.  The Company may charge such Holder for the Company's
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing such Note and the Trustee may
charge the Company for the Trustee's expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) in replacing such Note.  Every
replacement Note shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the
Company.

Section 2.09.  Outstanding Notes.
               ----------------- 

          The Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee except for (a) those canceled by it,
(b) those delivered to it for cancellation, (c) to the extent set forth in
Sections 10.01 and 10.02, on or after the date on which the conditions set forth
in Section 10.01 or 10.02 have been satisfied, those Notes theretofore
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and (d) those described in
this Section 2.09 as not outstanding.  Subject to Section 2.10, a Note does not
cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its Affiliates holds the
Note.

          If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee receives written notice satisfactory to it that
the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Note is a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -40-

          If the Paying Agent holds, in its capacity as such, on any Maturity
Date or on any optional redemption date, money sufficient to pay all accrued
interest and principal with respect to the Notes payable on that date and is not
prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms
of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be
outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

Section 2.10.  Treasury Notes.
               -------------- 

          In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Notes have concurred in any declaration of acceleration or notice of default or
direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to
this Indenture, Notes owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall
be disregarded as though they were not outstanding, except that for the purposes
of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
declaration, notice, direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification
or other change to this Indenture, only Notes as to which a Responsible Officer
of the Trustee has received an Officers' Certificate stating that such Notes are
so owned shall be so disregarded.  Notes so owned which have been pledged in
good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes the pledgee's
right so to act with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not of the
Company, any other obligor on the Notes or any of their respective Affiliates.

Section 2.11.  Temporary Notes.
               --------------- 

          Until definitive Notes are prepared and ready for delivery, the
Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes.
Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may
have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall
authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.  Until such
exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and
privileges as definitive Notes.

Section 2.12.  Cancellation.
               ------------ 

          The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for
cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -41-



shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of
transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered
for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and
shall (subject to the record-retention requirements of the Exchange Act) destroy
canceled Notes and deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
The Company may not reissue or resell, or issue new Notes to replace, Notes that
the Company has redeemed or paid, or that have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation.

Section 2.13.  Defaulted Interest.
               ------------------ 

          If the Company defaults on a payment of interest on the Notes, it
shall pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent permitted by law) any
interest payable on the defaulted interest, in accordance with the terms hereof,
to the Persons who are Noteholders on a subsequent special record date, which
date shall be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date.  The
Company shall fix such special record date and payment date and provide the
Trustee at least 20-days notice of the proposed amount of defaulted interest to
be paid and the special payment date and at the same time the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of
such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee
for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment.  At least 15
days before such special record date, the Company or the Trustee, in the name
and at the expense of the Company, shall mail to each Noteholder a notice that
states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted
interest, and interest payable on defaulted interest, if any, to be paid.  The
Company may make payment of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner
not inconsistent with the requirements (if applicable) of any securities
exchange on which the Notes may be listed and, upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the
Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this sentence, such manner of
payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, any interest which is paid prior to the
expiration of the grace period provided in Section 6.01 hereof shall be paid to
the Holders of the Notes as of the regular record date for the Interest Payment
Date for which interest has not been paid.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -42-

Section 2.14.  CUSIP Number.
               ------------ 

          The Company in issuing the Notes may use a "CUSIP" number, and if so,
such CUSIP number shall be included in notices of redemption or exchange as a
convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no
                        --------                                       
representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number
printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.  The Company shall
promptly notify the Trustee of any such CUSIP number used by the Company in
connection with the issuance of the Notes and of any change in the CUSIP number.

Section 2.15.  Deposit of Moneys.
               ----------------- 

          On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the
principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes, the Company
shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money
sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such due date, in a timely
manner which permits the Trustee to remit payment to the Holders on such due
date.  The principal and interest on Global Notes shall be payable to the
Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and
the sole holder of the Global Notes represented thereby.  The principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on Physical Notes shall be payable at the office
of the Paying Agent.

Section 2.16.  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes.
               -------------------------------------- 

          (a)  Rule 144A Notes initially shall be represented by one or more
notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the
"Restricted Global Note").  Regulation S Notes initially shall be represented by
one or more notes in registered, global form without interest coupons
(collectively, the "Regulation S Global Note," and, together with the Restricted
Global Note and any other global notes representing Notes, the "Global Notes").
The Global Notes shall bear legends as set forth in Exhibit D.  The Global Notes
                                                    ---------                   
initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee
of such Depository, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member
(or, in the case of the Regulation S Global Notes, of Euroclear System
("Euroclear") and Cedel Bank, S.A. ("CEDEL")), (ii) be delivered to the Trustee
as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Exhibit
                                                                        -------
B with respect to 
- -                                             
<PAGE>
 
                                      -43-

Restricted Global Notes and Exhibit C with respect to Regulation S Global Notes.
                            ---------

          Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depository
("Agent Members") shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any
Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its
custodian, or under the Global Notes, and the Depository may be treated by the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute
owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee or any agent of the Company
or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository
and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the
exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.

          (b)  Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfer in whole,
but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees.
Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be transferred or
exchanged for Physical Notes in accordance with the rules and procedures of the
Depository and the provisions of Section 2.17.  In addition, a Global Note shall
be exchangeable for Physical Notes if (i) the Depository (x) notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global
Note and the Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor depository or (y)
has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the
Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elect to cause
the issuance of such Physical Notes or (iii) there shall have occurred and be
continuing a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.  In all
cases, Physical Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial
interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved
denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depository (in accordance with
its customary procedures).

          (c)  In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the
beneficial interest in any Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to
paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more Physical Notes are to be
issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the
principal amount of the Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount
of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred, and 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -44-

the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall upon receipt of a written order
from the Company authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more
Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.

          (d)  In connection with the transfer of Global Notes as an entirety to
beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Global Notes shall be deemed to
be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner
identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its beneficial interest
in the Global Notes, an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes of
authorized denominations.

          (e)  Any Physical Note constituting a Restricted Note delivered in
exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b), (c) or (d)
shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraphs (a)(i)(x) and (c) of Section
2.17, bear the Private Placement Legend or, in the case of the Regulation S
Global Note, the legend set forth in Exhibit C, in each case, unless the Company
                                     ---------                                  
determine otherwise in compliance with applicable law.

          (f)  On or prior to the 40th day after the later of the commencement
of the offering of the Notes represented by a Regulation S Global Note and the
original issue date of such Notes (such period through and including such 40th
day, the "Restricted Period"), a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global
Note may be held only through Euroclear or CEDEL, as indirect participants in
DTC, unless transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an
interest in the corresponding Restricted Global Note, only upon receipt by the
Trustee of a written certification from the transferor to the effect that such
transfer is being made (i)(a) to a Person who the transferor reasonably believes
is a Qualified Institutional Buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of
Rule 144A or (b) pursuant to another exemption from the registration
requirements under the Securities Act which is accompanied by an opinion of
counsel regarding the availability of such exemption and (ii) in accordance with
all applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other
jurisdiction.

          (g)  Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Note may be
transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the
Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the
Restricted Period, only if 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -45-

the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate to the effect
that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of
Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available) and that, if such transfer occurs prior
to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the interest transferred will be
held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or CEDEL.

          (h)  Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is
transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another
Global Note shall, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Note
and become an interest in such other Global Note and, accordingly, shall
thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures
applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it
remains such an interest.

          (i)  The Holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold
interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled
to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

Section 2.17.  Special Transfer Provisions.
               --------------------------- 

          (a)  Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors and Non-
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Persons.  The following provisions shall apply with respect to the
- ------------                                                           
registration of any proposed transfer of a Note constituting a Restricted Note
to any Institutional  Accredited Investor which is not a QIB or to any Non-U.S.
Person:

          (i)  the Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note
               constituting a Restricted Note, whether or not such Note bears
               the Private Placement Legend, if (x) the requested transfer is
               after October 23, 1999 or such other date as such Note shall be
               freely transferable under Rule 144 as certified in an Officer's
               Certificate or (y) (1) in the case of a transfer to an
               Institutional Accredited Investor which is not a QIB (excluding
               Non-U.S. Persons), the proposed transferee has delivered to the
               Registrar a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E
                                                                    ---------
               hereto or (2) in the case of a transfer to a Non-U.S. Person
               (including a QIB), the proposed transferor has delivered to the
               Registrar a
<PAGE>
 
                                      -46-

               certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto;
                                                        ---------
               provided that in the case of a transfer of a Note bearing the
               --------
               Private Placement Legend for a Note not bearing the Private
               Placement Legend, the Registrar has received an Officers'
               Certificate authorizing such transfer; and

          (ii) if the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a
               beneficial interest in a Global Note, upon receipt by the
               Registrar of (x) the certificate, if any, required by paragraph
               (i) above and (y) instructions given in accordance with the
               Depository's and the Registrar's procedures,

whereupon (a) the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and
(if the transfer does not involve a transfer of outstanding Physical Notes) a
decrease in the principal amount of a Global Note in an amount equal to the
principal amount of the beneficial interest in a Global Note to be transferred,
and (b) the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an
increase in the principal amount of a Global Note in an amount equal to the
principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note transferred or
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available
for delivery one or more Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.

          (b)  Transfers to QIBs.  The following provisions shall apply with
               -----------------                                            
respect to the registration of any proposed registration of transfer of a Note
constituting a Restricted Note to a QIB (excluding transfers to Non-U.S.
Persons):

          (i)  the Registrar shall register the transfer if such transfer is
               being made by a proposed transferor who has checked the box
               provided for on such Holder's Note stating, or has otherwise
               advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that the sale
               has been made in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a
               transferee who has signed the certification provided for on such
               Holder's Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and
               the Registrar in writing, that it is purchasing the Note for its
               own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
               investment discretion and that it and any such
<PAGE>
 
                                      -47-

               account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware
               that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
               acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the
               Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has
               determined not to request such information and that it is aware
               that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations
               in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by
               Rule 144A; and

          (ii) if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Notes to
               be transferred consist of Physical Notes which after transfer are
               to be evidenced by an interest in the Restricted Global Note,
               upon receipt by the Registrar of instructions given in accordance
               with the Depository's and the Registrar's procedures, the
               Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an
               increase in the principal amount of the Restricted Global Note in
               an amount equal to the principal amount of the Physical Notes to
               be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Notes
               so transferred.

          (c)  Private Placement Legend.  Upon the registration of transfer,
               ------------------------                                     
exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the
Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
Upon the registration of transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the
Private Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the
Private Placement Legend unless (i) it has received the Officers' Certificate
required by paragraph (a)(i)(x) of this Section 2.17, (ii) there is delivered to
the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to
the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are
required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities
Act or (iii) such Note has been sold pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act and the Registrar has received an Officers'
Certificate from the Company to such effect.

          (d)  General.  By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private
               -------                                                    
Placement Legend, each Holder of such Note acknowledges the restrictions on
transfer of such Note set forth 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -48-

in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will
transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.

          The Registrar shall retain for a period of two years copies of all
letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section
2.16 or this Section 2.17.  The Company shall have the right to inspect and make
copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any
reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable notice to the Registrar.

Section 2.18.  Computation of Interest.
               ----------------------- 

          Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months.


ARTICLE THREE

                                  REDEMPTION


Section 3.01.  Election to Redeem; Notices to Trustee.
               -------------------------------------- 

          If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of the
Notes, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice
shall be agreed to in writing by the Trustee) but not more than 65 days before
the Redemption Date, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the redemption
price, and deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such
redemption will comply with the conditions contained in paragraph 6 of the
Notes.  Notice given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.01 may not be
revoked after the time that notice is given to Noteholders pursuant to Section
3.03.

          If the Company is required to make an offer to repurchase Notes
pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.10 or 4.18 hereof, it shall furnish to
the Trustee at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a repurchase date
(or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Trustee in writing), an
Officers' Certificate setting forth (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant
to which the repurchase shall occur, (ii) the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -49-

repurchase date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, (iv) the
repurchase price and (v) a statement to the effect that (a) the Company or one
of its Restricted Subsidiaries has effected an Asset Sale and the conditions set
forth in Section 4.10 have been satisfied or (b) a Change of Control has
occurred and the conditions set forth in Section 4.18 have been satisfied, as
applicable.

Section 3.02.  Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be 
               Redeemed.
               -----------------------------------

          In the event that fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the
Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed, if the Notes are listed on a
national securities exchange, in accordance with the rules of such exchange or,
if the Notes are not so listed, either on a pro rata basis or by lot, or such
                                            --- ----                         
other method as it shall deem fair and equitable; provided, however, that if a
                                                  --------  -------           
partial redemption is made with the proceeds of a Public Equity Offering,
selection of the Notes or portion thereof for redemption shall be made by the
Trustee on a pro rata basis to the extent practical, unless such a method is
             --- ----                                                       
prohibited.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and, unless the
Trustee is acting as such, the Registrar of the Notes selected for redemption
and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal
amount thereof to be redeemed.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions
of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Notes
and portions thereof selected by the Trustee shall be redeemed in amounts of
$1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000.  For all purposes of this Indenture unless
the context otherwise requires, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes
called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.
               -------------------- 

          At least 30 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date,
the Company shall mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice of redemption by first-
class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his or her last address as
the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar pursuant to
Section 2.04 hereof.

          The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the
CUSIP numbers thereof) and shall state:
<PAGE>
 
                                      -50-

          (1) the Redemption Date;

          (2) the redemption price and the amount of premium and accrued
     interest to be paid;

          (3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the
     principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption
     Date and upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal
     amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued;

          (4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

          (5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the
     Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

          (6) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption
     payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and
     after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to
     receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent;

          (7) the provision of paragraph 6 of the Notes pursuant to which the
     Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

          (8) the aggregate principal amount of Notes that are being
     redeemed.

          At the Company's written request made at least five Business Days
prior to the date on which notice is to be given, the Trustee shall give the
notice of redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's sole expense.

Section 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.
               ------------------------------ 

          Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.03 is mailed,
Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at
the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the
Redemption Date.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid
at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the
Redemption Date, provided that if the Redemption Date is after a regular record
                 --------                                                      
date and on or prior to 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -51-

the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder
of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date, and provided,
                                                                  --------
further, that if a Redemption Date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on
- -------
the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the period
from such Redemption Date to such succeeding Business Day.

Section 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.
               --------------------------- 

          On or prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on each Redemption
Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available
funds money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if
any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than
Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been
delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.  All money earned on
funds held in trust by the Trustee or any Paying Agent and any excess or
remaining funds shall be remitted to the Company.

          On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the
redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on Notes
called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the
preceding paragraph, the Notes called for redemption will cease to accrue
interest and the only right of the Holders of such Notes will be to receive
payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the first proviso in Section
3.04, accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to the Redemption Date.  If any
Note surrendered for redemption shall not be so paid, interest will be paid,
from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid
principal of the Note and any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in
each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Notes.

Section 3.06.  Notes Redeemed in Part.
               ---------------------- 

          Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part (with, if the
Company or Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by,
the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), the Trustee
shall authenticate for the Holder thereof a new Note equal in principal amount
to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -52-

ARTICLE FOUR

                                   COVENANTS

Section 4.01.  Payment of Notes.
               ---------------- 

          The Company shall pay the principal of and interest (including all
Additional Interest as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement) on the
Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture.
An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it
is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for
and sufficient to pay such installment.

          The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal (including post-
petition interest in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law), and overdue
interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Notes.

Section 4.02.  SEC Reports.
               ----------- 

          (a)  The Company shall file with the SEC all information, documents
and reports to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, provided that if the Company is not required to file with the SEC
              --------                                                         
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, it will continue to make
such filings to the extent permitted by the SEC.  The Company (at its own
expense) shall file with the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the
SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other
reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by
rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company files with the SEC pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Upon qualification of this
Indenture under the TIA, the Company shall also comply with the provisions of
TIA (S) 314(a).  Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the
Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such
shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
<PAGE>
 
                                      -53-

          (b)  At the Company's expense, regardless of whether the Company is
required to furnish such reports and other information referred to in paragraph
(a) above to their equityholders pursuant to the Exchange Act, the Company shall
cause such reports and other information to be mailed to the Holders at their
addresses appearing in the register of Notes maintained by the Registrar within
15 days after it files them with the SEC.

          (c)  The Company shall, upon request, provide to any Holder of Notes
or any prospective transferee of any such Holder any information concerning the
Company (including financial statements) necessary in order to permit such
Holder to sell or transfer Notes in compliance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
                --------  -------                                           
furnish such information in connection with any request made on or after the
date which is two years from the later of (i) the date such Note (or any
predecessor Note) was acquired from the Company or (ii) the date such Note (or
any predecessor Note) was last acquired from an "affiliate" of the Company
within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Section 4.03.  Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
               --------------------------------------- 

          The Company and the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may
lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a
defense or otherwise) or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law which
would prohibit or forgive the Company and the Guarantors from paying all or any
portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on the Notes as
contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or
which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the
extent that they may lawfully do so) the Company and the Guarantors hereby
expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that they
will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to
the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as
though no such law had been enacted.

Section 4.04.  Compliance Certificate.
               ---------------------- 

          (a)  The Company and the Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee,
within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year and 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -54-

on or before 45 days after the end of the first, second and third quarters of
each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate (one of the signers on behalf of each
of the Company and the Guarantors of which shall be the principal executive
officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the
Company and such Guarantors) stating that a review of the activities of the
Company and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year or fiscal quarter, as the
case may be, has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a
view to determining whether the Company and the Guarantors have kept, observed,
performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further
stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of
his or her knowledge, the Company and the Guarantors have kept, observed,
performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and
are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms,
provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or
she may have knowledge and what action they are taking or propose to take with
respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has
occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the
principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event
has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company and the
Guarantors is taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

          (b)  So long as the Trustee has not received an Officer's Certificate
stating that it would be contrary to the then current recommendations of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the year-end financial
statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.02 above shall be accompanied by a
written statement of the Company's independent public accountants (who shall be
a firm of established national reputation) that in making the examination
necessary for certification of such financial statements nothing has come to
their attention which would lead them to believe that the Company or any
Guarantor has violated any provisions of this Article 4 or Article 5 of this
Indenture or, if any such violation has occurred, specifying the nature and
period of existence thereof, it being understood that such accountants shall not
be liable directly or indirectly for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such
violation.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -55-

          (c)  The Company and the Guarantors shall, so long as any of the Notes
are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming
aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying
such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company and the Guarantors
are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

          (d)  The Company currently operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year ending
on the last Thursday in September of each year.  The Company will provide
written notice to the Trustee of any change in its fiscal year.

Section 4.05.  Taxes.
               ----- 

          The Company and the Guarantors shall, and shall cause each of their
Subsidiaries to, pay prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments, and
governmental levies except as contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings.

Section 4.06.  Limitation on Additional Indebtedness.
               ------------------------------------- 

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Indebtedness); provided that if no Default or Event of Default shall
                        --------                                             
have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the
incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Company or any of the Guarantors may incur
Indebtedness including Acquired Indebtedness if after giving effect to the
incurrence of such Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the proceeds
thereof, the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is at least 2.0
to 1.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors may
incur Permitted Indebtedness; provided that the Company will not incur any
                              --------                                    
Permitted Indebtedness that ranks junior in right of payment to the Notes that
has a maturity or mandatory sinking fund payment prior to the maturity of the
Notes.

Section 4.07.  Limitation on Preferred Stock of
               Restricted Subsidiaries.
               --------------------------------

          The Company shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
issue any Preferred Stock (except Preferred Stock issued to the Company or a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -56-

Company) or permit any Person (other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of the Company) to hold any such Preferred Stock unless the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur or assume Indebtedness
under Section 4.06 (other than Permitted Indebtedness) in the aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation value of the Preferred Stock
to be issued.

Section 4.08.  Limitation on Capital Stock of
               Restricted Subsidiaries.
               ------------------------------

          The Company shall not (i) sell, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise
convey or dispose of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
or (ii) permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Capital Stock,
other than to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company.  The
foregoing restrictions shall not apply to an Asset Sale made in compliance with
Section 4.10, the issuance of Preferred Stock in compliance with Section 4.07 or
the pledge or hypothecation of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary made in
compliance with Section 4.12.

Section 4.09.  Limitation on Restricted Payments.
               --------------------------------- 
          The Company shall not make, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, any Restricted Payment, unless:

          (a)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing at the time of or immediately after giving effect to such Restricted
Payment;

          (b)  immediately after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted
                                        --- -----                          
Payment, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than
Permitted Indebtedness) under Section 4.06; and

          (c)  immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
aggregate of all Restricted Payments declared or made after the Issue Date does
not exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the Company's Cumulative Consolidated Net
Income (or minus 100% of any cumulative deficit in Consolidated Net Income
during such period), (2) 100% of the aggregate Net Proceeds received by the
Company from the issue or sale after the Issue Date of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Capital Stock or 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -57-

Capital Stock of the Company issued to any Subsidiary of the Company) of the
Company or any Indebtedness or other securities of the Company convertible into
or exercisable or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Capital Stock) of the Company which has been so converted, exercised or
exchanged, as the case may be, and (3) without duplication of any amounts
included in clause (c)(2) above, 100% of the aggregate Net Proceeds received by
the Company of any equity contribution from a holder of the Company's Capital
Stock, excluding, in the case of clauses (c)(2) and (3), any Net Proceeds from a
Public Equity Offering to the extent used to redeem the Notes. For purposes of
determining under this clause (c) the amount expended for Restricted Payments,
cash distributed shall be valued at the face amount thereof and property other
than cash shall be valued at its fair market value.

          The provisions of this Section 4.09 shall not prohibit (i) the payment
of any distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at
such date of declaration such payment would comply with the provisions of the
Indenture, (ii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of
any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or Indebtedness subordinated to the
Notes by conversion into, or by or in exchange for, shares of Capital Stock of
the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), or in an amount not in
excess of the Net Proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of other shares of Capital Stock of the Company
(other than Disqualified Capital Stock), (iii) the redemption or retirement of
Indebtedness of the Company subordinated to the Notes in exchange for, by
conversion into, or in an amount not in excess of the Net Proceeds of, a
substantially concurrent sale or incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company
(other than any Indebtedness owed to a Subsidiary) that is contractually
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes to at least the same extent as the
Indebtedness being redeemed or retired, (iv) the retirement of any shares of
Disqualified Capital Stock of the Company by conversion into, or by exchange
for, shares of Disqualified Capital Stock of the Company, or in an amount not in
excess of the Net Proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company) of other shares of Disqualified Capital Stock of the
Company, (v) repurchases from employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries in
connection with the termination of employment of shares of the Company's Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) in an amount not to exceed in the
aggregate the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -58-

sum of (A) $2 million plus (B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the
Company from the sale to employees of Capital Stock of the Company (other than
Disqualified Capital Stock) after the Issue Date, (vi) the Company's provision
of seller financing in the form of purchase money mortgages in connection with
sales of convenience stores and/or sites; provided, that the aggregate amount
                                          --------          
of such seller financing does not exceed $10 million at any time outstanding,
(vii) the making of Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries or other entities;
provided that the Net Investment at any time after the Issue Date shall not
- --------                                                    
exceed $15 million, or (viii) the making of other Restricted Payments not
specifically permitted herein not in excess of $5 million; provided that in
                                                           --------
calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made subsequent to the
Issue Date for purposes of clause (c) of the immediately preceding paragraph,
amounts expended pursuant to clauses (i) and (v) shall be included in such
calculation.

          Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company
shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such
Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the
calculations required by the covenant described above were computed, which
calculations may be based upon the Company's latest available financial
statements, and that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and no Default or Event of Default will occur immediately after
giving effect to any such Restricted Payments.

Section 4.10.  Limitation on Certain Asset Sales.
               --------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) the Company or such
applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at
the time of such sale or other disposition at least equal to the fair market
value of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of (as determined in good faith
by the Board of Directors of the Company, and evidenced by a Board Resolution);
(ii) not less than 80% of the consideration received by the Company or such
applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of (x) cash
or Cash Equivalents other than in the case where the Company is undertaking a
Permitted Asset Swap or (y) the assumption of any Indebtedness or liabilities
reflected on the balance sheet of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in
accordance with GAAP (other than Indebtedness that is subordinated to or pari
                                                                         ----
passu 
- -----                                                                     
<PAGE>
 
                                      -59-

with the Notes); and (iii) the Asset Sale Proceeds received by the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary are applied (a) first, to the extent the Company
or any such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, elects, or is required,
to prepay, repay or purchase indebtedness under any then existing Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary within 270 days
following the receipt of the Asset Sale Proceeds from any Asset Sale; provided
that any such repayment shall result in a permanent reduction of the commitments
thereunder in an amount equal to the principal amount so repaid; (b) second, to
the extent of the balance of Asset Sale Proceeds after application as described
above, to the extent the Company elects, to an investment in assets (including
Capital Stock or other securities purchased in connection with the acquisition
of Capital Stock or property of another Person) used or useful in businesses
similar or ancillary to the business of the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary as conducted on the Issue Date; provided that (1) such investment
                                           --------                         
occurs or the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary enters into contractual
commitments to make such investment, subject only to customary conditions (other
than the obtaining of financing), within 270 days following receipt of such
Asset Sale Proceeds (the "Reinvestment Date") and (2) Asset Sale Proceeds so
contractually committed are so applied within 360 days following the receipt of
such Asset Sale Proceeds; and (c) third, if on such 270th day in the case of
clauses (iii)(a) and (iii)(b)(1) or on such 360th day in the case of clause
(iii)(b)(2) with respect to any Asset Sale, the Available Asset Sale Proceeds
exceed $10 million, the Company shall apply an amount equal to such Available
Asset Sale Proceeds to an offer to repurchase the Notes, at a purchase price in
cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the purchase date (an "Excess Proceeds Offer").  If an
Excess Proceeds Offer is not fully subscribed, the Company may retain the
portion of the Available Assets Sale Proceeds not required to repurchase Notes.

          (b)  If the Company is required to make an Excess Proceeds Offer, the
Company shall mail, within 30 days following the date specified in clause
(iii)(c) above, a notice to the holders stating, among other things:  (1) that
such holders have the right to require the Company to apply the Available Asset
Sale Proceeds to repurchase such Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100%
of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
purchase date; (2) the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and
not 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -60-

later than 45 days from the date such notice is mailed; (3) the instructions
that each holder must follow in order to have such Notes purchased; and (4) the
calculations used in determining the amount of Available Asset Sale Proceeds to
be applied to the purchase of such Notes.  The Excess Proceeds Offer shall
remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement (the
"Offer Period").  The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Excess
Proceeds Offer, shall state:

             (1) that the Excess Proceeds Offer is being made pursuant to this
     Section 4.10 and the length of time the Excess Proceeds Offer will remain
     open;

             (2) the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

             (3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will
     continue to accrue interest;

             (4) that any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Excess
     Proceeds Offer shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Purchase
     Date and the deposit of the purchase price with the Trustee;

             (5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any
     Excess Proceeds Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form
     entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Note
     completed, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a
     Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of
     business on the Business Day preceding the Purchase Date;

             (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the
     Company, depositary or Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not
     later than the close of business on the third Business Day prior to the
     expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting
     forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder
     delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its
     election to have the Note purchased;

             (7) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by
     Holders exceeds the Available Asset Sale Proceeds, the Company shall select
     the Notes to be purchased 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -61-

     on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by
              ----
     the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000, or integral
     multiples thereof, shall be purchased); and

          (8) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be
     issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of
     the Notes surrendered.

          On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent
lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, Notes
or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Excess Proceeds Offer, deposit with
the Paying Agent U.S. legal tender sufficient to pay the purchase price plus
accrued interest, if any, on the Notes to be purchased and deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof
were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this
Section 4.10.  The Paying Agent shall promptly (but in any case not later than 5
days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount
equal to the purchase price of the Note tendered by such Holder and accepted by
the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, the
Guarantors shall endorse the guarantee thereon and the Trustee shall
authenticate and mail or make available for delivery such new Note to such
Holder equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Note
surrendered.  Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by
the Company to the Holder thereof.  If an Excess Proceeds Offer is not fully
subscribed, the Company may retain that portion of the Available Asset Sale
Proceeds not required to repurchase Notes and use such portion for general
corporate purposes, and such retained portion shall not be considered in the
calculation of "Available Asset Sale Proceeds" with respect to any subsequent
offer to purchase Notes.

          In the event of the transfer of substantially all of the property and
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety to a Person
in a transaction permitted under Section 5.01, the successor Person shall be
deemed to have sold the properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries not so transferred for purposes of this Section 4.10, and shall
comply with the provisions of this covenant with respect to such deemed sale as
if it were an Asset Sale.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -62-

          The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent
such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of
Notes pursuant to an Excess Proceeds Offer.  To the extent that the provisions
of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.10, the
Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and
shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.10 by
virtue thereof.

Section 4.11.  Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
               ------------------------------------------ 

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist any
transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation,
the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or services) with any
Affiliate (each an "Affiliate Transaction") or extend, renew, waive or otherwise
modify the terms of any Affiliate Transaction entered into prior to the Issue
Date unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is between or among the Company and
its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; or (ii) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction
are fair and reasonable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, and the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are at least as
favorable as the terms which could be obtained by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, in a comparable transaction made on an arm's-
length basis between unaffiliated parties.  In any Affiliate Transaction (or any
series of related Affiliate Transactions which are similar or part of a common
plan) involving an amount or having a fair market value in excess of $2 million
which is not permitted under clause (i) above, the Company must obtain a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company certifying that such
Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (ii) above.  In any Affiliate
Transaction (or any series of related Affiliate Transactions which are similar
or part of a common plan) involving an amount or having a fair market value in
excess of $10 million which is not permitted under clause (i) above, the Company
must obtain a favorable written opinion as to the fairness of such transaction
or transactions, as the case may be, from an Independent Financial Advisor.

          The foregoing provisions shall not apply to (i) any Restricted Payment
that is not prohibited by Section 4.09, or any 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -63-

transaction that is permitted by the definition of "Restricted Payment" (other
than the transactions described in clauses (iv) and (vii) of the definition of
"Permitted Investments"), (ii) reasonable fees and compensation paid to and
indemnity provided on behalf of officers, directors or employees of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as determined in good faith by the
Company's Board of Directors or senior management or (iii) any agreement as in
effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment thereto or any transaction
contemplated thereby (including pursuant to any amendment thereto) in any
replacement agreement thereto so long as any such amendment or replacement
agreement is not more disadvantageous to the holders in any material respect
than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

Section 4.12.  Limitations on Liens.
               -------------------- 

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create, incur or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any Liens of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) upon any property
or asset of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any shares of
Capital Stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary which owns property
or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure Indebtedness which is pari
                                                                            ----
passu with or subordinate in right of payment to the Notes unless (i) if such
- -----                                                                        
Lien secures Indebtedness which is pari passu with the Notes, then the Notes are
                                   ---- -----                                   
secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured until such
time as such obligation is no longer secured by a Lien or (ii) if such Lien
secures Indebtedness which is subordinated to the Notes, any such Lien shall be
subordinated to the Lien granted to the Holders of the Notes to the same extent
as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.

Section 4.13.  Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries.
               -------------------------------------- 

          The Company shall not create or acquire, and shall not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to create or acquire, any Subsidiary other than (i)
a Restricted Subsidiary existing as of the Issue Date, or (ii) a Restricted
Subsidiary that is conducting or will conduct only a business similar or
reasonably related to the business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries
on the Issue Date, or (iii) an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------      
each Restricted Subsidiary acquired or created pursuant to clause (ii) shall at
the time it 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -64-

has either assets or stockholders equity in excess of $25,000 have executed a
guarantee, substantially in the form attached to the Indenture (and with such
documentation relating thereto as the Trustee shall require, including, without
limitation a supplement or amendment to the Indenture and opinion of counsel as
to the enforceability of such guarantee), pursuant to which such Restricted
Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor.

Section 4.14.  Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back 
               ---------------------------------
               Transactions.
               ------------

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction unless (i) the consideration
received in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is at least equal to the fair
market value of the property sold, as determined in good faith by the  Board of
Directors of the Company and evidenced by a board resolution and (ii) the
Company could incur the Attributable Indebtedness in respect of such Sale and
Lease-Back Transaction in compliance with Section 4.06; provided that for
purposes of this Section 4.14, clause (v) of the definition of Permitted
Indebtedness shall be deemed to include Attributable Indebtedness relating to
operating leases.

Section 4.15.  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment 
               ----------------------------------------
               Restrictions Affecting Restricted 
               ---------------------------------   
               Subsidiaries.
               ------------

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to (a)(i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (A) on
its Capital Stock or (B) with respect to any other interest or participation in,
or measured by, its profits or (ii) repay any Indebtedness or any other
obligation owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (b)
make loans or advances or capital contributions to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) encumbrances or restrictions
existing on the Issue Date to the extent and in the manner such encumbrances and
restrictions are in effect on the 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -65-

Issue Date, (ii) the Senior Credit Facility, (iii) this Indenture, the Notes and
the Guarantees, (iv) applicable law, (v) any instrument governing Acquired
Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person,
or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the
property or assets of the Person (including any Subsidiary of the Person), so
acquired, (vi) customary non-assignment provisions in leases or other agreements
entered in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices,
(vii) Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that such restrictions are no more 
                                --------     
restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing
the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded, (viii) customary restrictions in security agreements or mortgages
securing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent
such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security
agreements and mortgages or (ix) customary restrictions with respect to a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to an agreement that has been
entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the
Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.16.  Payments for Consent.
               -------------------- 

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any  consideration, whether
by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder of any Notes for or as an
inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions
of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid
or agreed to be paid to all Holders of the Notes which so consent, waive or
agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to
such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 4.17.  Legal Existence.
               --------------- 

          Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its legal
existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Restricted
Subsidiary, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the
same may be amended from time to time) of each Restricted Subsidiary and the
rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -66-

provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such 
- --------  -------                                
right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries if the Board of Directors of the Company
shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the
conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the
Holders.

Section 4.18.  Change of Control.
               ----------------- 

          (a)  Within 20 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of such occurrence and shall make an
offer to purchase (the "Change of Control Offer") the outstanding Notes at a
purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus any accrued
and unpaid interest thereon to the Change of Control Payment Date (as
hereinafter defined) (such applicable purchase price being hereinafter referred
to as the "Change of Control Purchase Price") in accordance with the procedures
set forth below.

          If the Senior Credit Facility or other Senior Indebtedness is in
effect, or any amounts are owing thereunder or in respect thereof, at the time
of the occurrence of a Change of Control, prior to the mailing of the notice to
Holders described in paragraph (b) below, but in any event within 20 days
following any Change of Control, the Company shall (i) repay in full all
obligations and terminate all commitments under or in respect of the Senior
Credit Facility and all other Senior Indebtedness the terms of which require
repayment upon a Change of Control or offer to repay in full all obligations and
terminate all commitments under or in respect of the Senior Credit Facility and
all other such Senior Indebtedness and repay the obligations of each such lender
who has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under the
Senior Credit Facility and all other such Senior Indebtedness to permit the
repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.18.  The Company must first
comply with the covenant described in the preceding sentence before it shall be
required to purchase Notes in the event of a Change of Control; provided that
                                                                --------     
the Company's failure to comply with the covenant described in the preceding
sentence constitutes an Event of Default described in clause (3) under Section
6.01 hereof if not cured within 30 days after the notice required by such
clause.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -67-

          (b)  Within 20 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
Company also shall (i) cause a notice of the Change of Control Offer to be sent
at least once to the Dow Jones News Service or similar business news service in
the United States and (ii) send by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the
Trustee and to each Holder of the Notes, at the address appearing in the
register maintained by the Registrar of the Notes, a notice stating:

          (1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this
     Section 4.18 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment, and
     otherwise subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

          (2) the Change of Control Purchase Price and the purchase date
     (which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 45
     days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment
     Date"));

          (3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

          (4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change
     of Control Purchase Price, any Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the
     Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of
     Control Payment Date;

          (5) that Holders accepting the offer to have their Notes purchased
     pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the
     Notes, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the
     reverse of the Note completed, to a depository, if appointed, or the Paying
     Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business
     on the Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

          (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their acceptance if
     the depository or Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of
     business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment
     Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the
     name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Notes delivered for
     purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to
     have such Notes purchased;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -68-

          (7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will
     be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of
     the Notes surrendered, provided that each Note purchased and each such new
                            --------                                           
     Note issued shall be in an original principal amount in denominations of
     $1,000 and integral multiples thereof;

          (8) any other procedures that a Holder must follow to accept a
     Change of Control Offer or effect withdrawal of such acceptance; and

          (9) the name and address of the depository or Paying Agent.

          On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the
extent lawful, (i) accept for payment Notes or portions thereof tendered
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (ii) deposit with the depository or
Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions
thereof so tendered and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee
Notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the Notes or
portions thereof tendered to the Company.  The Paying Agent shall promptly mail
to each Holder of Notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase
price for such Notes, and the Company shall execute and issue, and the Trustee
shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holder, a new Note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided
                                                                      --------
that each such new Note shall be issued in an original principal amount in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

          (c)  (A) If either the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof
has issued any outstanding (i) Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of
payment to the Notes or (ii) Preferred Stock, and the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary is required to make a change of control offer or to make a
distribution with respect to such subordinated Indebtedness or Preferred Stock
in the event of a change of control, the Company shall not consummate any such
offer or distribution with respect to such subordinated Indebtedness or
Preferred Stock until such time as the Company shall have paid the Change of
Control Purchase Price in full to the Holders of Notes that have accepted the
Company's Change of Control Offer and shall otherwise have consummated the
Change of Control Offer made to Holders of the Notes and (B) the Company shall
not issue 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -69-

Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or Preferred
Stock with change of control provisions requiring the payment of such
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock prior to the payment of the Notes in the event
of a Change in Control under this Indenture.

          In the event that a Change of Control occurs and the Holders of Notes
exercise their right to require the Company to purchase Notes, if such purchase
constitutes a "tender offer" for purposes of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act
at that time, the Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 as
then in effect with respect to such repurchase and shall not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under this Section 4.18 by virtue thereof.

Section 4.19.  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Books and Records;
               -------------------------------------------------------
               Compliance with Law.
               --------------------

          (a)  The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, at all times cause all material properties used or useful in
the conduct of their business to be maintained and kept in good condition,
repair and working order (reasonable wear and tear excepted), except where the
failure to do so would not materially adversely affect the business, prospects
earnings, properties, assets or financial condition of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

          (b)  The Company shall maintain, and shall cause to be maintained for
each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance covering such risks as are
usually and customarily insured against by corporations similarly situated, in
such amounts as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated and with
such deductibles and by such methods as shall be customary and reasonably
consistent with past practice.

          (c)  The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account, in which full and
correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and
business of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, in
accordance with sound business practices sufficient to permit the preparation of
financial statements based thereon in accordance with GAAP.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -70-

          (d)  The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, comply with all statutes, laws, ordinances or government rules
and regulations to which they are subject, non-compliance with which would
materially adversely affect the business, prospects, earnings, properties,
assets or financial condition of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
taken as a whole; provided that the foregoing shall not be applicable to the
                  --------                                                  
extent that the Company is contesting in good faith the application of the
foregoing.

Section 4.20.  Further Assurance to the Trustee.
               -------------------------------- 

          The Company shall, upon the reasonable request of the Trustee, execute
and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be
reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the provisions of
this Indenture.

Section 4.21.  Limitation on Other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness.
               ----------------------------------------------------

          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, incur, contingently or otherwise, any
Indebtedness that is both (i) subordinate in right of payment to any Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case
may be, and (ii) senior in right of payment to the Notes and the Guarantees, as
the case may be.  For purposes of this Section 4.21, Indebtedness is deemed to
be senior in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantees, as the case may
be, if it is not explicitly subordinate in right of payment to Senior
Indebtedness at least to the same extent as the Notes and the Guarantees, as the
case may be, are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness.

Section 4.22.  Limitation on Conduct of Business.
               --------------------------------- 

          The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not engage in any
businesses which are not the same, similar or related to the businesses in which
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged in on the Issue Date or
which are in support of or ancillary to such businesses.

Section 4.23.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.
               ------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -71-

          The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for
payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company shall give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such
office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such
required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address
thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or
served at the address of the Trustee as set forth in Section 12.02.

          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.  The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of such designation or
rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

          The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee set forth in Section 12.02 as such office of the Company.


ARTICLE FIVE

                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION


Section 5.01.  Limitation on Consolidation,
               ---------------------------
               Merger and Sale of Assets.
               --------------------------

          (a)  The Company shall not and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, assign, transfer,
lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (as
an entirety or substantially as an entirety in one transaction or a series of
related transactions), to any Person unless:  (i) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be the continuing Person, or the Person
(if other than the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary) formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, are 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -72-

sold, assigned, transferred, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed of shall be
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Notes and
the Guarantees, and the obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the
Guarantees, shall remain in full force and effect; (ii) immediately before and
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis the Company or such
Person could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than
Permitted Indebtedness) under Section 4.06 hereof; provided that a Person that
                                                   --------
is a Guarantor may merge into the Company another Person that is a Guarantor
without complying with this clause (iii).

          (b)  In connection with any consolidation, merger or transfer of
assets contemplated by this Section 5.01, the Company shall deliver, or cause to
be delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Trustee, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating
that such consolidation, merger or transfer and the supplemental indenture in
respect thereof, if required, comply with this provision and that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction or transactions have
been complied with.

          For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment,
sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or
substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted
Subsidiaries of the Company, the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed
to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of
the Company.

Section 5.02.  Successor Person Substituted.
               ---------------------------- 

          Upon any consolidation or merger, or any transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Guarantor in accordance
with Section 5.01 above, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company or 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -73-

such Guarantor is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and
be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or
such Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes with the same effect as if
such successor entity had been named as the Company or such Guarantor herein and
therein, and thereafter the predecessor Company or such predecessor Guarantor,
as the case may be, shall be relieved of all obligations, covenants and
Guarantees, as applicable, under this Indenture and the Notes.


ARTICLE SIX

                             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES


Section 6.01.  Events of Default.
               ----------------- 

               An "Event of Default" occurs if:

               (1) there is a default in the payment of any principal of, or
     premium, if any, on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at
     maturity, upon redemption or otherwise (whether or not such payment shall
     be prohibited by the subordination provisions of this Indenture);

               (2) there is a default in the payment of any interest on any Note
     when the same becomes due and payable and the Default continues for a
     period of 30 days;

               (3) either the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary defaults in
     the observance or performance of any other covenant in the Notes or this
     Indenture for 30 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders
     of not less than 25% in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
     outstanding (except in the case of a default with respect to the provisions
     of Section 4.18 or Section 5.01 which shall constitute an Event of Default
     with such notice requirement but without such passage of time requirement);

               (4) there is a default in the payment at final maturity of
     principal, interest or premium in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or
     more with respect to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary thereof (other than the Notes), or there is an acceleration 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -74-

     of any such Indebtedness aggregating $10,000,000 or more, which default
     shall not be cured, waived or postponed pursuant to an agreement with the
     holders of such Indebtedness within 60 days after written notice of such
     default to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by
     any Holder, or which acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled within
     20 days after written notice of such Default to the Company by the Trustee
     or to the Company and the Trustee by any Holder;

             (5) the entry of a final judgment or judgments which can no longer
     be appealed for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000 against the
     Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof and such judgment remains
     undischarged, for a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of
     enforcement of such judgment shall not be in effect;

             (6) the Company or any Material Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to
     or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

                 (A)  commences a voluntary case,

                 (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in
          an involuntary case,

                 (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all
          or substantially all of its property,

                 (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
          creditors, or

                 (E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

             (7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree
     under any Bankruptcy Law that:

                 (A) is for relief against either of the Company or any Material
          Restricted Subsidiary in an involuntary case,

                 (B) appoints a Custodian of either of the Company or any
          Material Restricted Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the
          property of either of the Company or any Material Restricted
          Subsidiary, or
<PAGE>
 
                                     -75-

                 (C) orders the liquidation of either of the Company or any
          Material Restricted Subsidiary,
     
     and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

             (8) any of the Guarantees ceases to be in full force and effect or
     any of the Guarantees of a Material Restricted Subsidiary is declared to be
     null and void and unenforceable or any of the Guarantees of a Material
     Restricted Subsidiary is found to be invalid or any of the Guarantors
     denies in writing its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason
     of release of a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of Section 11.05).

                 The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any
     similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term
     "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar
     official under any Bankruptcy law.

                 The Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of the Notes of
     any Default (except in payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest
     on the Notes) if the Trustee considers it to be in the best interest of the
     Holders of the Notes to do so. Subject to Sections 8.01 and 8.02, the
     Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default, Event of
     Default, Change of Control or Asset Sale or the requirement for payment of
     Additional Interest unless written notice thereof shall have been given to
     a Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the
     Company or any other Person.

Section 6.02.  Acceleration.
               ------------ 

               If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising
     under Section 6.01(6) or (7) with respect to the Company) occurs and is
     continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of not
     less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
     may by written notice to the Company and the Trustee declare to be
     immediately due and payable the entire principal amount of all the Notes
     then outstanding plus accrued but unpaid interest to the date of
     acceleration and (i) such amounts shall become immediately due and payable
     or (ii) if there
<PAGE>
 
                                     -76-

     are any amounts outstanding under or in respect of the Senior Credit
     Facility, such amounts shall become due and payable upon the first to occur
     of an acceleration of amounts outstanding under or in respect of the Senior
     Credit Facility or five Business Days after receipt by the Company and the
     representative under the Senior Credit Facility of a notice of
     acceleration; provided, however, that after such acceleration but before a
                   --------  ------- 
     judgment or decree based on such acceleration is obtained by the Trustee,
     the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
     Notes may rescind and annul such acceleration if (i) all Events of Default,
     other than nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has
     become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived,
     (ii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on
     overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become
     due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid,
     (iii) if the Company has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and
     reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses, disbursements and advances and
     (iv) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type
     described in Section 6.01(4), the Trustee shall have received an Officers'
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been
     cured or waived. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or
     impair any right consequent thereto. In case an Event of Default specified
     in Section 6.01(6) or (7) with respect to the Company occurs, such
     principal, premium, if any, and interest amount with respect to all of the
     Notes shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other
     act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes.

Section 6.03.  Other Remedies.
               -------------- 

               If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may
     pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect
     the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
     or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this
     Indenture and may take any necessary action requested of it as Trustee to
     settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any proceedings to which
     it is a party.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -77-

               The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess
     any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay
     or omission by the Trustee or any Noteholder in exercising any right or
     remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or
     remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.
     No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are
     cumulative.

Section 6.04.  Waiver of Defaults and
               ----------------------
               Events of Default.
               ------------------

               Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 9.02 hereof, the Holders of a
     majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding have
     the right, on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes, to waive any
     existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences or compliance
     with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. Upon any such waiver,
     such Default shall cease to exist and be deemed to have been cured and not
     to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be
     deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred for every purpose of
     this Indenture and the Notes; but no such waiver shall extend to any
     subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right
     consequent thereto.

Section 6.05.  Control by Majority.
               ------------------- 

               The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
     Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting
     any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any
     trust or power conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture. The Trustee,
     however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this
     Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the
     rights of another Noteholder not taking part in such direction, and the
     Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the
     Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed
     may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a
     Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed may involve
     it in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may take any other 
                               --------         
     action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such
     direction.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -78-

Section 6.06.  Limitation on Suits.
               ------------------- 

               Subject to Section 6.07 below, a Noteholder may not institute any
     proceeding or pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes
     unless:
               (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a
     continuing Event of Default;

               (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
     the Notes then outstanding make a written request to the Trustee to pursue
     the remedy;

               (3) such Holder or Holders offer and if requested provide to the
     Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss,
     liability or expense;

               (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days
     after receipt of the request and the offer, and, if requested, provision of
     indemnity; and

               (5) no direction inconsistent (in the reasonable opinion of the
     Trustee) with such written request has been given to the Trustee during
     such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
     amount of the Notes then outstanding.

               A Noteholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights
     of another Noteholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another
     Noteholder.

Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.
               ------------------------------------ 

               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right
     of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, and premium, if
     any, and interest on the Note (including Additional Interest) on or after
     the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the
     enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is
     absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without
     the consent of the Holder.

Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.
               -------------------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -79-

               If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or
     interest specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is
     continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee
     of an express trust against the Company or the Guarantors (or any other
     obligor on the Notes) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and accrued
     interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and,
     to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue
     installments of interest, in each case at the rate set forth in the Notes,
     and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
     expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
     disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
               -------------------------------- 

               The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or
     documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of
     the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
     disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any
     other amounts due the Trustee under Section 8.07 hereof) and the
     Noteholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or
     the Guarantors (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its
     property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any
     monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to
     distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the
     extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in
     any such proceedings and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is
     hereby authorized by each Noteholder to make such payments to the Trustee,
     and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such
     payments directly to the Noteholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due
     to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances
     of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the
     Trustee under Section 8.07 hereof.

               Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee
     to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Noteholder
     any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
<PAGE>
 
                                     -80-

     affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize
     the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Noteholder in any such
     proceedings.

Section 6.10.  Priorities.
               ---------- 

               If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it
shall pay out the money in the following order:

               FIRST:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 8.07 hereof;

               SECOND:  to Noteholders for amounts then due and unpaid on the
     Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional
     Interest, if any) as to each, ratably, without preference or priority of
     any kind, according to the amounts then due and payable on the Notes; and

               THIRD:  to the Company or, to the extent the Trustee collects any
     amount from any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.

               The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a
record date and payment date for any payment to Noteholders pursuant to this
Section 6.10.

Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.
               --------------------- 

          In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.
This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, the Company, any
Guarantor or a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof or a suit by
Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding.

Section 6.12.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
               ---------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -81-

          If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce
any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and
the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former
positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and
the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.


ARTICLE SEVEN

                                 SUBORDINATION


Section 7.01.  Notes Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.
               ---------------------------------------- 

          The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Notes, by its
acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in
the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article 7, the Indebtedness represented
by the Notes and the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on the Notes are hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of
payment as provided in this Article 7 to the prior indefeasible payment and
satisfaction in full in cash of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness.

          This Article Seven shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons
who, in reliance upon such provisions, become holders of or continue to hold
Senior Indebtedness; and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders
of Senior Indebtedness; and such holders are made obligees hereunder and they or
each of them may enforce such provisions.

Section 7.02.  Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, etc.
               ----------------------------------------------

               In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or
proceeding, or any receivership, arrangement, reorganization, liquidation,
dissolution or other winding-up or other similar case or proceeding in
connection therewith whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, relative
to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or to the Company's assets, 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -82-

whether voluntary or involuntary, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit
of creditors or other marshalling of assets or liabilities of the Company
(except in connection with the merger or consolidation of the Company or its
liquidation or dissolution following the transfer of all or substantially all of
its assets, upon the terms and conditions permitted under Article 5) (all of the
foregoing, referred to herein as a "Bankruptcy Proceeding," and collectively as
"Bankruptcy Proceedings"), then and in any such event:

             (1) the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive
     payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all amounts due on or in
     respect of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company (including any interest
     accruing after the commencement of any such Bankruptcy Proceeding whether
     or not such interest is an allowable claim enforceable against the Company
     in any such proceeding), before the Holders of the Notes are entitled to
     receive or retain any payment or distribution of any kind on account of the
     Notes; and

             (2) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any
     kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, by set-off or
     otherwise, to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled but for
     the provisions of this Article 7 shall be paid by the liquidating trustee
     or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, whether a
     trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise,
     directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or
     representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under
     which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
     been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on
     account of the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the
     extent necessary to make payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness
     remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
     distribution, or provision therefor, to the holders of such Senior
     Indebtedness; and

             (3) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
     this Section 7.02, the Trustee or the Holder of any Note shall have
     received any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind
     or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including, without
<PAGE>
 
                                     -83-

     limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, in respect of the Notes before
     all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid and satisfied in full in
     cash, then such payment or distribution shall be held by the recipient in
     trust for the benefit of holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall be
     immediately paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or
     their representative or representatives to the extent necessary to make
     payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid after giving
     effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of
     Senior Indebtedness; and

             (4) the consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the
     Company with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of
     the Company following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its properties
     and assets substantially as an entirety to another Person upon the terms
     and conditions set forth in Article 5 hereof shall not be deemed a
     dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the
     benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company
     for the purposes of this Article 7 if the Person formed by such
     consolidation or the surviving entity of such merger or the Person which
     acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease such properties and assets
     substantially as an entirety, as the case may be, shall, as a part of such
     consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, comply with the
     conditions set forth in such Article 5 hereof.

Section 7.03.  Suspension of Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default.
               ---------------------------------------------------------

          (a)  Unless Section 7.02 hereof shall be applicable, after the
occurrence of a Payment Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness, no payment or
distribution of any kind or character (including, without limitation, cash,
property and any payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by
reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company being
subordinated to the payment of the Notes by the Company) may be made by or on
behalf of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, including,
without limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, for or on account of the
Notes, or for or on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of
the Notes, and neither the Trustee nor any holder or owner of any Notes shall
take or receive from the Company or any Restricted 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -84-

Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly in any manner, payment in
respect of all or any portion of Notes commencing on the date of receipt by the
Trustee of written notice from the representative of the holders of Designated
Senior Indebtedness (the "Representative") of the occurrence of such Payment
Default, and in any such event, such prohibition shall continue until such
Payment Default is cured, waived in writing or ceases to exist. At such time as
the prohibition set forth in the preceding sentence shall no longer be in
effect, subject to the provisions of the preceding and following paragraphs, the
Company shall resume making any and all required payments in respect of the
Notes, including any missed payments.

          (b)  Unless Section 7.02 hereof shall be applicable, upon the
occurrence of a Non-Payment Event of Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness,
no payment or distribution of any kind or character (including, without
limitation, cash, property and any payment or distribution which may be payable
or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company
being subordinated to the payment of the Notes by the Company) shall be made by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, including, without
limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, for or on account of the Notes or
for or on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of any Notes,
and neither the Trustee nor any holder or owner of any Notes shall take or
receive from the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly in
any manner, payment in respect of all or any portion of the Notes for a period
(a "Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date of receipt by the Trustee
of written notice from the Representative of such Non-Payment Event of Default
unless and until (subject to any blockage of payments that may then be in effect
under the preceding paragraphs) the earliest of:  (x) 179 days shall have
elapsed since the date of receipt of such written notice by the Trustee, (y)
such Non-Payment Event of Default shall have been cured or waived in writing or
shall have ceased to exist or such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall have
been paid in full or (z) such Payment Blockage Period shall have been terminated
by written notice to the Company or the Trustee from the Representative, after
which, in the case of clause (x), (y) or (z), the Company shall resume making
any and all required payments in respect of the Notes, including any missed
payments.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, in no event
shall a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date of the
receipt by the Trustee of the notice referred to 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -85-

in this Section 7.03(b) (the "Initial Blockage Period"). Any number of
additional Payment Blockage Periods may be commenced during the Initial Blockage
Period; provided, however, that no such additional Payment Blockage Period shall
        --------  -------
extend beyond the Initial Blockage Period. After the expiration of the Initial
Blockage Period, no Payment Blockage Period may be commenced under this Section
7.03(b) and no Guarantee Payment Blockage Period may be commenced under Section
11.08(b) hereof until at least 180 consecutive days have elapsed from the last
day of the Initial Blockage Period. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Indenture, no Non-Payment Event of Default with respect to Designated Senior
Indebtedness which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of
any Payment Blockage Period initiated by the Representative shall be, or be
made, the basis for the commencement of a second Payment Blockage Period
initiated by the Representative, whether or not within the Initial Blockage
Period, unless such Non-Payment Event of Default shall have been cured or waived
for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

          (c)  In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee or
the Holder of any Note shall have received any payment prohibited by the
foregoing provisions of this Section 7.03, then and in such event such payment
shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Representative initiating the
Payment Blockage Period, in trust for distribution to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness or, if no amounts are then due in respect of Senior Indebtedness,
promptly returned to the Company, or otherwise as a court of competent
jurisdiction shall direct.

Section 7.04.  Trustee's Relation to Senior Indebtedness.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Article 7, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Trustee shall
not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness other than under the
standards described in Section 8.01 if it shall mistakenly pay over or deliver
to Holders, the Company or any other Person moneys or assets to which any holder
of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 7 or
otherwise.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -86-

Section 7.05.  Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
               -------------------------------------------------------

          Upon the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of
the Notes shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness to receive payments and  distributions of cash, property and
securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of,
premium, if any and interest on the Notes shall be paid in full.  For purposes
of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the
Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article
7, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 7 to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Notes or the Trustee, shall, as
among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and
the Holders of the Notes, be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the
Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness.

          If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise
have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article 7 shall have been
applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article 7, to the payment of all
amounts payable under the Senior Indebtedness of the Company, then and in such
case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness at the time outstanding any payments or distributions received by
such holders of such Senior Indebtedness in excess of the amount sufficient to
pay all amounts payable under or in respect of such Senior Indebtedness in full
in cash.

Section 7.06.  Provisions Solely To Define Relative Rights.
               -------------------------------------------

          The provisions of this Article 7 are and are intended solely for the
purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes on the one
hand and the holders of Senior Indebtedness on the other hand.  Nothing
contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is
intended to or shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than
holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of
the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the
Notes the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes as 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -87-

and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms;
or (b) affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the
Notes and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior
Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Note from
exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon a Default or
an Event of Default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under
this Article 7 of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (1) in any case,
proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding-up, assignment for the
benefit of creditors or other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the
Company referred to in Section 7.02 hereof, to receive, pursuant to and in
accordance with such Section, cash, property and securities otherwise payable or
deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder, or (2) under the conditions specified
in Section 7.03, to prevent any payment prohibited by such Section or enforce
their rights pursuant to Section 7.03(c) hereof.

          The failure to make a payment on account of principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on the Notes by reason of any provision of this Article 7 shall
not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default hereunder.

Section 7.07.  Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.
               ----------------------------------- 

          Each Holder of a Note by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs
the Trustee on his behalf to take, in the Trustee's sole discretion, such action
as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in
this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such
purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or
reorganization of the Company whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership
proceedings, or otherwise, the timely filing of a claim for the unpaid balance
of the indebtedness of the Company owing to such Holder in the form required in
such proceedings and the causing of such claim to be approved.  If the Trustee
does not file such a claim prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to
file such a claim, the holders of Senior Indebtedness, or any Representative,
may file such a claim on behalf of Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.08.  No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
               ------------------------------------- 

          (a)  No right of any present or future holder of any Senior
Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -88-

shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to
act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith,
by any such holder, or by any non-compliance by the Company with the terms,
provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof
any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.

          (b)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (a) of this Section
7.08, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes,
without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Notes and without
impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 7 or the
obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Notes to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following:  (1) change the manner, place
or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior
Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which
Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (2) sell, exchange, release or otherwise
deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior
Indebtedness; (3) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection or
payment of Senior Indebtedness; and (4) exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights against the Company and any other Person; provided, however, that in no
                                                 --------  -------            
event shall any such actions limit the right of the Trustee or the Holders of
the Notes to take any action to accelerate the maturity of the Notes pursuant to
Article 6 hereof or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder or under
applicable laws if the taking of such action does not otherwise violate the
terms of this Indenture.

Section 7.09.  Notice to Trustee.
               ----------------- 

          (a)  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to
or by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office in respect of the Notes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 7 or any other provision of this
Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of
any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in
respect of the Notes, unless and until the Trustee shall have received written
notice thereof from the Company or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or from any
trustee, fiduciary or agent therefor; and, prior to the receipt of any such
written notice, the Trustee, subject to 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -89-



provisions of this Section 7.09, shall be entitled in all respects to assume
that no such facts exist.

          (b)  Subject to the provisions of Section 8.01 hereof, the Trustee
shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it and the Company of a written
notice by a Person representing itself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or
a trustee, fiduciary or agent therefor) to establish that such notice has been
given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee, fiduciary or agent
therefor); provided, however, that failure to give such notice to the Company
           --------  -------                                                 
shall not affect in any way the right of the Trustee to rely on such notice.  In
the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is
required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior
Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this
Article 7, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness
held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate
in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of
such Person under this Article 7, and if such evidence is not furnished, the
Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as
to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 7.10.  Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate 
               of Liquidating Agent.
               -----------------------------------------

          Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article 7, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01
hereof, and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency,
bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding-up
or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in
bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit
of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders, for the purpose of ascertaining the
Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of
Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 7.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -90-

Section 7.11.  Rights of Trustee as a Holder of Senior 
               Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee's 
               Rights.
               ---------------------------------------

          The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article 7 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which
may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior
Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of
its rights as such holder.  Nothing in this Article 7 shall apply to claims of,
or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.07 hereof.

Section 7.12.  Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
               ----------------------------------- 

          In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have
been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee"
as used in this Article 7 shall in such case (unless the context otherwise
requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within
its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were
named in this Article 7 in addition to or in place of the Trustee.

Section 7.13.  No Suspension of Remedies.
               ------------------------- 

          Nothing contained in this Article 7 shall limit the right of the
Trustee or the Holders of Notes to take any action to accelerate the maturity of
the Notes pursuant to Article 6 or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder or
under applicable law, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 7 of the
holders, from time to time, of Senior Indebtedness.

Section 7.14.  Defeasance of Subordination.
               --------------------------- 

          The subordination of the Notes provided by this Article 7 is expressly
made subject to the provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance in Article
10 hereof and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the
effectiveness of any such defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Notes then
outstanding shall thereupon cease to be subordinated pursuant to this Article 7.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -91-

ARTICLE EIGHT

                                    TRUSTEE

Section 8.01.  Duties of Trustee.
               ----------------- 

          (a)  If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
the Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of
the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of
care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under
the same circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

          (b)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

          (1)  The Trustee need perform only those duties that are
     specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.

          (2)  In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
     the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture but, in
     the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof
     are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall
     be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they
     conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not
     confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other
     facts stated therein).

          (c)  The Trustee shall not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

          (1)  This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of
     this Section 8.01.

          (2)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
     in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in
     ascertaining the pertinent facts.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -92-

          (3)  The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
     takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
     received by it pursuant to the terms hereof.

          (4)  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to
     expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
     the performance of any of its rights, powers or duties if it shall have
     reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate
     indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not
     reasonably assured to it.

          (d)  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, paragraphs (a),
(b), (c) and (e) of this Section 8.01 shall govern every provision of this
Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee.

          (e)  The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right
or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion
against any loss, liability, expense or fee.

          (f)  The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company or
any Guarantor.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by the law.

Section 8.02.  Rights of Trustee.
               ----------------- 

          Subject to Section 8.01 hereof:

          (1)  The Trustee may rely on any document reasonably believed by it
     to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.
     The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

          (2)  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require
     an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall
     conform to the provisions of Section 12.05 hereof.  The Trustee shall be
     protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take
     in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -93-

          (3)  The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall
     not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent (other
     than an agent who is an employee of the Trustee, as provided in Section
     8.01(c)) appointed by it with due care.

          (4)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
     omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized
     or within its rights or powers.

          (5)  The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the
     written advice or written opinion of such counsel as to matters of law
     shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in
     respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good
     faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

Section 8.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.
               ---------------------------- 

          The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Notes and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform
services for or otherwise deal with either the Company or any Guarantor, or any
Affiliates thereof, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  The Trustee, however, shall be
subject to Sections 8.10 and 8.11 hereof.

Section 8.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.
               -------------------- 

          The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation
as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes or any Guarantee,
it shall not be accountable for the Company's or any Guarantor's use of the
proceeds from the sale of Notes or any money paid to the Company or any
Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible
for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than
the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Notes,
Guarantee or this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 8.05.  Notice of Defaults.
               ------------------ 

          If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Noteholder 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -94-

notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs unless such Default has
been cured or waived. Except in the case of a Default in payment of the
principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may
withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in
good faith determine(s) that withholding the notice is in the interests of the
Noteholders.

Section 8.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.
               ----------------------------- 

          If required by TIA (S) 313(a), within 60 days after May 15 of any
year, commencing May 15, 1998 the Trustee shall mail to each Noteholder a brief
report dated as of such date that complies with TIA (S) 313(a).  The Trustee
also shall comply with TIA (S) 313(b)(2).  The Trustee shall also transmit by
mail all reports as required by TIA (S) 313(c) and TIA (S) 313(d).

          Reports pursuant to this Section 8.06 shall be transmitted by mail:

          (1)  to all Holders of Notes, as the names and addresses of such
     Holders appear on the Registrar's books; and

          (2)  to such Holders of Notes as have, within the two years
     preceding such transmission, filed their names and addresses with the
     Trustee for that purpose.

          A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Noteholders shall
be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed.
The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any
stock exchange.

Section 8.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.
               -------------------------- 

          The Company and the Guarantors shall pay to the Trustee and Agents
from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the
Company and the Trustee for its services hereunder (which compensation shall not
be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of
an express trust).  The Company and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee
and Agents upon request for all reasonable disbursements, expenses and advances
incurred or made by it in connection with its duties under this Indenture,
including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the
<PAGE>
 
                                      -95-

Trustee's agents and counsel, except any disbursement, expense, compensation or
advances as may be attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or bad
faith of the Trustee or its agents or counsel.

          The Company and the Guarantors shall indemnify each of the Trustee and
any predecessor Trustee for, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all
loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including without limitation taxes
(other than franchise taxes imposed on the Trustee and taxes based on the income
of the Trustee or such Agent) and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses
incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties
under this Indenture, including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing
this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section
8.07) and of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by any
Noteholder, the Company or any Guarantor) or liability in connection with the
exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder (including,
without limitation, settlement costs).  The Trustee or Agent shall notify the
Company and the Guarantors in writing promptly of any claim asserted against the
Trustee or Agent for which it may seek indemnity.  However, the failure by the
Trustee or Agent to so notify the Company and the Guarantors shall not relieve
the Company and the Guarantors of its obligations hereunder, except to the
extent the Company and the Guarantors are prejudiced thereby.  The Company and
the Guarantors shall defend the claim and the Trustee or Agent shall cooperate
in the defense (and may employ its own counsel) at the Company's and the
Guarantors' expense; provided, however, that the Company and the Guarantors
                     --------  -------                                     
shall not be responsible for the fees and expenses of the Trustee's or Agent's
separate counsel unless the Trustee or Agent is advised by counsel in writing
that it may have available to it defenses that are in addition to or in conflict
with the defenses available to the Company, and in such event, that the
Company's and the Guarantors' reimbursement obligation with respect to such
counsel will be limited to the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel and
the reasonable fees and expenses of other advisors, professionals and experts
engaged in connection with such additional or conflicting defenses.  The Company
need not pay for any settlement made without its written consent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Company and the Guarantors need not
reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the
Trustee or Agent solely as 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -96-

a result of the Trustee's or Agent's finally adjudicated violation of this
Indenture.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors need not
reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or
liability incurred by the Trustee through its negligence, willful misconduct or
bad faith.  To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section
8.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property
held or collected by the Trustee except such money or property held in trust to
pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.  The Trustee's right to
receive payment of any amounts under this Section 8.07 shall not be subordinate
to any other liability or indebtedness of the Company (even though the Notes may
be so subordinated).  The obligations of the Company under this Section 8.07 to
compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or
reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements
and advances shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the
satisfaction, discharge or other termination of this Indenture, including any
termination or rejection hereof under any Bankruptcy Law.

          When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(6) or (7) hereof occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

          For purposes of this Section 8.07, the term "Trustee" shall include
any trustee appointed pursuant to Article 8.

Section 8.08.  Replacement of Trustee.
               ---------------------- 

          No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article 8 shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under this Section.

          The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company and the Guarantors
in writing.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by notifying the Company and the
Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Company's
written 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -97-

consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may
remove the Trustee at its election if:

          (1)  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 8.10 hereof;

          (2)  the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

          (3)  a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee
     or its property; or

          (4)  the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

          If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee.

          If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee.

          If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 8.10 hereof, any
Noteholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of
the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately following
such delivery, the retiring Trustee shall, subject to its rights under Section
8.07 hereof, transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor
Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and
duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail
notice of its succession to each Noteholder.  Notwithstanding replacement of the
Trustee pursuant to this Section 8.08, the Company obligations under Section
8.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -98-

Section 8.09.  Successor Trustee by Consolidation,
               Merger, etc.
               -----------------------------------

          If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another
corporation, subject to Section 8.10 hereof, the successor corporation without
any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 8.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.
               ----------------------------- 

          This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA (S) 310(a)(1) and (2) in every respect.  The Trustee
(together with its corporate parent) shall have a combined capital and surplus
of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in the most recent applicable published
annual report of condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 310(b),
including the provision in (S) 310(b)(1).

Section 8.11.  Preferential Collection of
               Claims Against Company.
               --------------------------

          The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA (S) 311 (b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA (S) 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

Section 8.12.  Paying Agents.
               ------------- 

          The Company shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
execute and deliver to it and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent
shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 8.12:

          (A) that it will hold all sums held by it as agent for the payment
     of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (whether such
     sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any obligor on the Notes) in
     trust for the benefit of Holders of the Notes or the Trustee;

          (B) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of
     Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all
     sums so held in trust by it together with a full accounting thereof; and
<PAGE>
 
                                      -99-

          (C) that it will give the Trustee written notice within three (3)
     Business Days of any failure of the Company (or by any obligor on the
     Notes) in the payment of any installment of the principal of, premium, if
     any, or interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable.

ARTICLE NINE

                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS


Section 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.
               -------------------------- 

          The Company and the Guarantors, when authorized by a Board Resolution
of each of them, and the Trustee may amend, waive or supplement this Indenture
or the Notes without notice to or consent of any Noteholder:

          (1)  to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

          (2)  to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place
     of certificated Notes;

          (3)  to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the TIA;

          (4)  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

          (5)  to make any other change that does not materially and adversely
     affect the rights of any Noteholders hereunder;

          (6)  to add a Guarantor; or

          (7)  to provide for the issuance of the Exchange Notes and the
     Private Exchange Notes in accordance with Section 2.01 in a manner that
     does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Noteholder.

          Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its
Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental
indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section
9.06 hereof, 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -100-

the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company and the Guarantors in
the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms
of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and
stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be
obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects
its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.

Section 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.
               ----------------------- 

          The Company (when authorized by a Board Resolution), the Guarantors
(each when authorized by a Board Resolution) and the Trustee may modify or
supplement this Indenture or the Notes with the written consent of the Holders
of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Notes.  The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding Notes may waive compliance in a particular instance by the
Company or Guarantors with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.
Subject to Section 9.04, without the consent of each Noteholder affected,
however, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to
Section 6.04, may not:

          (1)  reduce the principal amount of outstanding Notes whose Holders
     must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver to this Indenture or the
     Notes;

          (2)  reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest,
     including defaulted interest, on any Note;

          (3)  reduce the principal of or premium on or change the stated
     maturity of any Note or change the date on which any Note may be subject to
     redemption or repurchase or reduce the redemption or repurchase price
     therefor;

          (4)  make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the
     Note or change the place of payment from New York, New York;

          (5)  waive a default in the payment of the principal of, or interest
     on, or redemption payment with respect to, any Note;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -101-

          (6)  make any changes in Sections 6.04 or 6.07 hereof or this
     sentence of Section 9.02; or

          (7)  modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the
     related definitions affecting the subordination or ranking of the Notes or
     any Guarantee in a manner which adversely affects the Holders of the Notes;
     or

          (8)  release any Guarantor from any of the obligations under its
     Guarantee or this Indenture other than in accordance with the terms of this
     Indenture.

          After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02
becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly
describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.

          Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a Board
Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and
upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee of the consent of the Noteholders as aforesaid and upon receipt by the
Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall
join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental
indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights,
duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may, but
shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

          It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or
waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance
thereof.

Section 9.03.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
               ----------------------------------- 

          Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall
comply with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents.
               --------------------------------- 

          Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes
effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent
conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same
Note or portion thereof, and 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -102-

of any Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place
thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Note. Any such
Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Note or
portion of a Note, if the Trustee receives the written notice of revocation
before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes
effective.

          The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment,
supplement, or waiver.  If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the
preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or
their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to
consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent
previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such
record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days
after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has
been obtained.

          After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes
effective, it shall bind every Noteholder, unless it makes a change described in
any of clauses (1) through (8) of Section 9.02 hereof.  In that case the
amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder of a Note
who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a
Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Note.

Section 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
               -------------------------------- 

          If an amendment, supplement, or waiver changes the terms of a Note,
the Trustee (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Company)
shall request the Holder of the Note (in accordance with the specific written
direction of the Company) to deliver it to the Trustee.  In such case, the
Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms
and return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so
determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue, the Guarantors
shall endorse, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the
changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note
shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or
waiver.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -103-

Section 9.06.  Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc.
               ------------------------------- 

          The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized
pursuant to this Article 8 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not
adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.
If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it.  In signing or refusing to
sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be entitled to
receive and, subject to Section 8.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying
upon an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating, in addition to
the matters required by Section 12.04, that such amendment, supplement or waiver
is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and is a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company and Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and
Guarantors in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions).

ARTICLE TEN

                      DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE


Section 10.01. Discharge of Indenture.
               ---------------------- 

          The Company and the Guarantors may terminate their obligations under
the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture, except the obligations referred to
in the last paragraph of this Section 10.01, if there shall have been cancelled
by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes
theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Notes that are asserted
to have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced as
provided in Section 2.08 hereof) and the Company has paid all sums payable by
them hereunder or deposited all required sums with the Trustee.

          After such delivery, the Trustee upon Company Request shall
acknowledge promptly in writing the discharge of the Company's and the
Guarantors' obligations under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture
except for those surviving obligations specified below.

          Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company in Sections 8.07, 10.05 and 10.06 hereof shall
survive.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -104-

Section 10.02. Legal Defeasance.
               ---------------- 

          The Company may at its option, by Board Resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the
Notes and the Guarantors discharged from their obligations under the Guarantees
on the date the conditions set forth in Section 10.04 below are satisfied
(hereinafter, "Legal Defeasance").  For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance
means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire
indebtedness represented by the Notes and to have satisfied all its other
obligations under such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are
concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, subject to
Section 10.06 hereof, execute instruments in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee and Company acknowledging the same), except for the
following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
hereunder:  (A) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely
from the trust funds described in Section 10.04 hereof and as more fully set
forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (B) the Company's
obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06,
2.07, 2.08, 2.09 and 4.23 hereof, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and
immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 8.07 hereof) and (D) this Article 10.
Subject to compliance with this Article 10, the Company may exercise its option
under this Section 10.02 with respect to the Notes notwithstanding the prior
exercise of its option under Section 10.03 below with respect to the Notes.

Section 10.03. Covenant Defeasance.
               ------------------- 

          At the option of the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Company, the Company and the Guarantors shall be
released from their respective obligations under Sections 4.02 (except for
obligations mandated by the TIA) through 4.19 and 4.21 through 4.22, inclusive,
and clause (a)(iii) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes
on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 10.04 hereof are
satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance").  For this purpose, such Covenant
Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and
shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -105-

limitation set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether
directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such
specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such
specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any
other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be
unaffected thereby.

Section 10.04. Conditions to Legal Defeasance
               or Covenant Defeasance.
               ------------------------------

          The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 10.02
or Section 10.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

          (1)  the Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
     deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements
     of Section 8.10 hereof who shall agree to comply with the provisions of
     this Article 10 applicable to it) as funds in trust for the purpose of
     making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and
     dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, (A) money in
     an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled
     payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with
     their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money
     in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a
     nationally-recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
     written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
     discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying
     trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of, premium, if any, and
     accrued interest on the outstanding Notes at the maturity date of such
     principal, premium, if any, or interest, or on dates for payment and
     redemption of such principal, premium, if any, and interest selected in
     accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Notes;

          (2)  no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall
     have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, or, with
     respect to Events of Default described under Section 6.01, shall have
     occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 91st
     day after the date of such deposit or, if longer, ending on 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -106-

     the day following the expiration of the longest preference period under any
     Bankruptcy Law applicable to the Company in respect of such deposit (it
     being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until
     the expiration of such period);

          (3)  such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause
     the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA with
     respect to any securities of the Company;

          (4)  such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result
     in a breach or violation of, or constitute default under this Indenture,
     the Senior Credit Facility or any other material agreement or instrument to
     which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by
     which they are bound;

          (5)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
     Counsel stating that, as a result of such Legal Defeasance or Covenant
     Defeasance, neither the trust nor the Trustee will be required to register
     as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
     amended;

          (6)  in the case of an election under Section 10.02 above, the
     Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating
     that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
     Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that or (ii) there has been
     a change in any applicable Federal income tax law with the effect that, and
     such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes or
     Persons in their positions will not recognize income, gain or loss for
     Federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such Legal Defeasance and
     will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
     manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would
     have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

          (7)  in the case of an election under Section 10.03 hereof, the
     Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
     effect that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income,
     gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant
<PAGE>
 
                                     -107-

     Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts,
     in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
     such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

          (8)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
     precedent provided for or relating to either the Legal Defeasance under
     Section 10.02 above or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 10.03 hereof
     (as the case may be) have been complied with;

          (9)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the
     Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Notes over any
     other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering,
     delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;

          (10) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
     Counsel to the effect that (A) the trust funds will not be subject to any
     rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation,
     those arising under the Indenture and (B) after the 91st day following the
     deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
     creditors' rights generally; and

          (11) the Company shall have paid or duly provided for payment under
     terms mutually satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee all amounts then
     due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.07 hereof.

Section 10.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government 
               Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other 
               Miscellaneous Provisions.
               --------------------------------------

          All money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds
thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.04 hereof in respect
of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in
accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment,
either directly or through any Paying Agent, to the Holders of such Notes, of
all sums due and to become due thereon in respect 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -108-

of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

          The Company and the Guarantors shall (on a joint and several basis)
pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or
assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section
10.04 hereof or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect
thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the
account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

          Anything in this Article 10 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon an Company
Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in
Section 10.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.

Section 10.06. Reinstatement.
               ------------- 

          If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with Section 10.01, 10.02 or 10.03 hereof
by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any
court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting
such application, then the Company's and each Guarantor's obligations under this
Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 10 until such time as
the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof; provided,
                                                                -------- 
however, that if the Company or the Guarantors have made any payment of
- -------                                                                
principal of, premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the
reinstatement of their obligations, the Company or the Guarantors, as the case
may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to
receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the
Trustee or Paying Agent.

Section 10.07. Moneys Held by Paying Agent.
               --------------------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -109-

          In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture
shall, upon written demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee, or if
sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof, to the
Company upon an Company Request (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the
Guarantors, to such Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be
released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

Section 10.08. Moneys Held by Trustee.
               ---------------------- 

          Any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held
by the Company or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the principal of,
or premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain
unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the
principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have
respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Company (or, if
appropriate, the Guarantors) upon a Company Request, or if such moneys are then
held by the Company or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released
from such trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment
shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company and
the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such
Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided,
                                                                     -------- 
however, that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to
- -------                                                                     
make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Company and the Guarantors,
either mail to each Noteholder affected, at the address shown in the register of
the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, or cause
to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published
in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general
circulation in the City of New York, New York, a notice that such money remains
unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than
30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of
such moneys then remaining will be repaid to the Company.  After payment to the
Company or the Guarantors or the release of any money held in trust by the
Company or any Guarantors, as the case may be, Noteholders entitled to the money
must look only to the Company and the Guarantors for payment as general
creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -110-

ARTICLE ELEVEN

                              GUARANTEE OF NOTES


Section 11.01. Guarantee.
               --------- 

          Subject to the provisions of this Article 11, each Guarantor hereby
jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder and to the
Trustee, (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if
any, and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and
payable, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest (including
Additional Interest) on the overdue principal of, and premium, if any, and
interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual
performance of all other Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the
Trustee (including without limitation amounts due the Trustee under Section
8.07) all in accordance with the terms of such Note and this Indenture, subject,
however, to the limitations set forth in Section 11.03, and (ii) in the case of
any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other
Obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed
in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise.  Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations
thereunder and hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of,
and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of
any such Note or this Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any
such Note or this Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to
the Company with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note or the Trustee, or
any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable
discharge of a surety or such Guarantor.

          Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for
payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of
the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company,
protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced
thereby and all demands whatsoever, and will covenant that this Guarantee will
not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal
thereof, premium if any, and interest 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -111-

thereon and as provided in Section 10.01 hereof. Each Guarantor further agrees
that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the
Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed
hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of
this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition
preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby,
and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as
provided in Article 6 hereof, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable)
shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this
Guarantee. In addition, without limiting the foregoing provisions, upon the
effectiveness of an acceleration under Article 6 hereof, the Trustee shall
promptly make a demand for payment on the Notes under the Guarantee provided for
in this Article 11 and not discharged.

          The Guarantee set forth in this Section 11.01 shall not be valid or
become obligatory for any purpose with respect to a Note until the certificate
of authentication on such Note shall have been signed by or on behalf of the
Trustee.

Section 11.02. Execution and Delivery of Guarantees.
               ------------------------------------ 

          To evidence the Guarantee set forth in this Article 11, each Guarantor
hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form
included in Exhibit G hereto shall be placed on each Note authenticated and made
available for delivery by the Trustee and that this Guarantee shall be executed
on behalf of each Guarantor by the manual or facsimile signature of an Officer
of each Guarantor.

          Each Guarantor hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section
11.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to
endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

          If an Officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on the Guarantee no
longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which
the Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

          The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication
thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -112-

of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.

Section 11.03. Limitation of Guarantee.
               ----------------------- 

          Notwithstanding any term or provision of this Indenture to the
contrary, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed hereunder
by any Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed
hereunder by such Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to
such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance
or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally.

Section 11.04. Additional Guarantors.
               --------------------- 

          The Company covenants and agrees that it shall cause any Person which
becomes obligated to guarantee the Notes, pursuant to the terms of Section 4.13
hereof, to execute a guarantee satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee
pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall guarantee the obligations of
the Company under the Notes and this Indenture in accordance with this Article
11 with the same effect and to the same extent as if such Person had been named
herein as a Guarantor.

Section 11.05. Release of Guarantor.
               -------------------- 

          A Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its
Guarantee if:

          (a)  (i) the Guarantor has sold all or substantially all of its assets
                   or the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have sold all
                   of the Capital Stock of the Guarantor owned by them, in each
                   case in a transaction in compliance with Sections 4.10 and
                   5.01 hereof; or

              (ii) the Guarantor merges with or into or consolidates with, or
                   transfers all or substantially all of its assets to, the
                   Company or another Guarantor in a transaction in compliance
                   with Section 5.01 hereof;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -113-

and in each such case, such Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied
with or (b) all other guarantees in respect of borrowed money made by such
Guarantor have been fully released and terminated.

          The Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Company and
upon receipt at the reasonable request of the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel
that the provisions of this Section 11.05 have been complied with, deliver an
appropriate instrument evidencing such release, and take such other actions as
may be reasonably necessary or desirable, upon receipt of a Company Request
accompanied by an Officers' Certificate certifying as to the compliance with
this Section 11.05.

Section 11.06. Guarantee Obligations Subordinated to 
               Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.
               -------------------------------------

          Each Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Notes,
by its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that to the extent and
in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article 11, the Indebtedness
represented by the Guarantee and the payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes pursuant to the Guarantee by such Guarantor are
hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment as provided in
this Article 11 to the prior indefeasible payment and satisfaction in full in
cash of all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor.

          This Section 11.06 and the following Sections 11.07 through 11.11
shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons who, in reliance upon such
provisions, become holders of or continue to hold Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
of any Guarantor; and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of each Guarantor; and such holders are made
obligees hereunder and they or each of them may enforce such provisions.

Section 11.07. Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, 
               etc., of a Guarantor.
               ------------------------------------------

          In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding,
or any receivership, arrangement, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or
other similar case or proceeding in 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -114-

connection therewith whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, relative
to any Guarantor or to its creditors, as such, or to its assets, whether
voluntary or involuntary, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of
creditors or other marshaling of assets or liabilities of any Guarantor (except
in connection with the merger or consolidation of a Guarantor or its liquidation
or dissolution following the transfer of all or substantially all of its assets,
upon the terms and conditions permitted under Article 5 of this Indenture) (all
of the foregoing referred to herein individually as a "Guarantor Bankruptcy
Proceeding" and collectively as "Guarantor Bankruptcy Proceedings"), then and in
any such event:

          (1) the holders of all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such
     Guarantor shall be entitled to receive payment and satisfaction in full in
     cash of all amounts due on or in respect of all such Guarantor Senior
     Indebtedness (including any interest accruing after the commencement of any
     such Bankruptcy Proceeding whether or not such interest is an allowable
     claim enforceable against the Company in any such proceeding) before the
     Holders of the Notes are entitled to receive or retain, pursuant to the
     Guarantee of such Guarantor, any payment or distribution of any kind by
     such Guarantor on account of its Guarantee; and

          (2) any payment or distribution of assets of such Guarantor of any
     kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, by set-off or
     otherwise, to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled but for
     the subordination provisions of this Article 11 shall be paid by the
     liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or
     distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating
     trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Guarantor Senior
     Indebtedness of such Guarantor or their representative or representatives
     or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any
     instruments evidencing any of such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness may have
     been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on
     account of such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each,
     to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash of all such
     Guarantor Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any
     concurrent payment or distribution, or provision therefor, to the holders
     of such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness; and
<PAGE>
 
                                     -115-

          (3) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
     this Section 11.07, the Trustee or the Holder of any Note shall have
     received any payment or distribution of assets of such Guarantor of any
     kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including,
     without limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, in respect of its
     Guarantee before all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor is
     paid and satisfied in full in cash, then such payment or distribution shall
     be held by the recipient in trust for the benefit of holders of such
     Guarantor Senior Indebtedness and shall be immediately paid over or
     delivered to the holders of such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or their
     representative or representatives to the extent necessary to make payment
     in full of all such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid after
     giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the
     holders of such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness;

          (4) the consolidation of such Guarantor with, or the merger of such
     Guarantor with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of
     such Guarantor following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its
     properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another Person upon
     the terms and conditions set forth in Article 5 hereof and in this Article
     11 shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation,
     reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of
     assets and liabilities of such Guarantor for the purposes of Article 5
     hereof if the Person formed by such consolidation or the surviving entity
     of such merger or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or
     lease such properties and assets substantially as an entirety, as the case
     may be, shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
     transfer or lease, comply with the conditions set forth in such Article 5
     hereof

Section 11.08. Suspension of Guarantee Obligations When 
               Guarantor Senior Indebtedness in Default.
               ----------------------------------------

          (a)  Unless Section 11.07 hereof shall be applicable, after the
occurrence of a Payment Default with respect to any Designated Senior
Indebtedness which constitutes Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, no payment or
distribution of any kind or character of a Guarantor (including, without
limitation, cash, property and any payment or distribution which may be payable
or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of such
<PAGE>
 
                                     -116-

Guarantor being subordinated to its Obligations on its Guarantee) may be made by
or on behalf of such Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Guarantor,
including, without limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise, for or on account
of its Guarantee, and neither the Trustee nor any Holder of any Notes shall take
or receive from any Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Guarantor,
directly or indirectly in any manner, payment in respect of all or any portion
of its Obligations on its Guarantee commencing on the date of receipt by the
Trustee of written notice from the representative of the holders of any
Designated Senior Indebtedness which constitutes Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
(the "Guarantor Representative") of such Payment Default, and in any such event,
such prohibition shall continue until such Payment Default is cured, waived in
writing or ceases to exist.  At such time as the prohibition set forth in the
preceding sentence shall no longer be in effect, subject to the provisions of
the preceding and following paragraph, such Guarantor shall resume making any
and all required payments in respect of its Guarantee, including any missed
payments.

          (b)  Unless Section 11.07 hereof shall be applicable, upon the
occurrence of a Non-Payment Event of Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness
guaranteed by a Guarantor (which guarantee constitutes Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor), no payment or distribution of any kind or
character (including, without limitation, cash, property and any payment or
distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any
other Indebtedness of such Guarantor being subordinated to its Obligations on
its Guarantee) shall be made by such Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary of
such Guarantor, including, without limitation, by way of set-off or otherwise,
for or on account of any of its Obligations on its Guarantee, and neither the
Trustee nor any Holder of any Notes shall take or receive from any Guarantor or
any Restricted Subsidiary of such Guarantor, directly or indirectly in any
manner, payment in respect of all or any portion of its Obligations on its
Guarantee for a period (a "Guarantee Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the
date of receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the Guarantor
Representative of such Non-Payment Event of Default, unless and until (subject
to any blockage of payments that may then be in effect under the preceding
paragraphs the earliest of:  (x) 179 days shall have elapsed since the date of
receipt of such written notice by the Trustee, (y) such Non-Payment Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived in writing or shall have ceased to exist
or such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall have 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -117-

been paid in full or (z) such Guarantee Payment Blockage Period shall have been
terminated by written notice to such Guarantor or the Trustee from the Guarantor
Representative, after which, in the case of clause (x), (y) or (z), such
Guarantor shall resume making any and all required payments in respect of its
Obligations on its Guarantee, including any missed payments. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Indenture, in no event shall a Guarantee Payment
Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date of the receipt by the
Trustee of the notice referred to in this Section 11.08(b) or, in the event of a
Non-Payment Event of Default which formed the basis for a Payment Blockage
Period under Section 7.03(b) hereof, 179 days from the date of the receipt by
the Trustee of the notice referred to in Section 7.03(b) (the "Initial Guarantee
Blockage Period"). Any number of additional Guarantee Payment Blockage Periods
may be commenced during the Initial Guarantee Blockage Period; provided,
                                                               --------
however, that no such additional Guarantee Payment Blockage Period shall extend
- -------
beyond the Initial Guarantee Blockage Period. After the expiration of the
Initial Guarantee Blockage Period, no Guarantee Payment Blockage Period may be
commenced under this Section 11.08(b) and no Payment Blockage Period may be
commenced under Section 7.03(b) hereof until at least 180 consecutive days have
elapsed from the last day of the Initial Guarantee Blockage Period.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, no Non-Payment Event of
Default with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness which existed or was
continuing on the date of the commencement of any Guarantee Payment Blockage
Period initiated by the Guarantor Representative shall be, or be made, the basis
for the commencement of a second Guarantee Payment Blockage Period initiated by
the Guarantor Representative, whether or not within the Initial Guarantee
Blockage Period, unless such Non-Payment Event of Default shall have been cured
or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

          (c)  In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee or
the Holder of any Note shall have received any payment from a Guarantor
prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.08, then and in such
event such payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Guarantor
Representative initiating the Guarantee Payment Blockage Period, in trust for
distribution to the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or, if no amounts
are then due in respect of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, promptly returned to
the Guarantor, or otherwise as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -118-

Section 11.09. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of 
               Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.
               -----------------------------------

          Upon the payment in full of all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of a
Guarantor, the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of cash,
property and securities of such Guarantor made on such Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness until all amounts due to be paid under the Guarantee shall be paid
in full.  For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to
holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to
which Holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article 11, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions
of this Article 11 to holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the
Notes or the Trustee, shall, as among each Guarantor, its creditors other than
holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes, be deemed
to be a payment or distribution by such Guarantor to or on account of such
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.

          If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise
have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article 11 shall have been
applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article 11, to the payment of all
amounts payable under Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, then and in such case, the
Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness at the time outstanding any payments or distributions received by
such holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness in excess of the amount sufficient
to pay all amounts payable under or in respect of such Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness in full in cash.

Section 11.10. Guarantee Subordination Provisions Solely 
               To Define Relative Rights.
               -----------------------------------------

          The subordination provisions of this Article 11 are and are intended
solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the
Notes on the one hand and the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness on the
other hand.  Nothing contained in this Article 11 or elsewhere in this Indenture
or in the Notes is intended to or shall (a) impair, as among each Guarantor, its
creditors other than holders of its Guarantor Senior Indebtedness and the
Holders of the Notes, the obligation of such Guarantor, which is absolute and
<PAGE>
 
                                     -119-

unconditional, to make payments to the Holders in respect of its Obligations on
its Guarantee in accordance with its terms; or (b) affect the relative rights
against such Guarantor of the Holders of the Notes and creditors of such
Guarantor other than the holders of the Guarantor Senior Indebtedness; or (c)
prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Note from exercising all remedies
otherwise permitted by applicable law upon a Default or an Event of Default
under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 11 of
the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (1) in any case, proceeding,
dissolution, liquidation or other winding-up, assignment for the benefit of
creditors or other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company referred
to in Section 11.07 hereof, to receive, pursuant to and in accordance with such
Section, cash, property and securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the
Trustee or such Holder, or (2) under the conditions specified in Section 11.08
hereof, to prevent any payment prohibited by such Section or enforce their
rights pursuant to Section 11.08(c) hereof.

          The failure by any Guarantor to make a payment in respect of its
obligations on its Guarantee by reason of any provision of this Article 11 shall
not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default hereunder.

Section 11.11.    Application of Certain Article 7 Provisions.
                  -------------------------------------------

          The provisions of Sections 7.04, 7.07, 7.08, 7.09, 7.10, 7.12 and 7.13
hereof shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to each Guarantor and their respective
                    ------- --------                                        
holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness and the rights, duties and obligations
set forth therein shall govern the rights, duties and obligations of each
Guarantor, the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, the Holders and the
Trustee with respect to the Guarantee and all references therein to Article 7
shall mean this Article 11.


ARTICLE TWELVE

                                 MISCELLANEOUS



Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.
               ---------------------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -120-


          If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA,
the required provision shall control.

Section 12.02.    Notices.
                  ------- 

          Except for notice or communications to Holders, any notice or
communication shall be given in writing and delivered in person, sent by
facsimile, delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

          If to the Company or any Guarantor:

               THE PANTRY, INC.
               1801 Douglas Drive
               Post Office Box 1410
               Sanford, NC  27330

               Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

               Fax Number:  (919) 774-3320

          If to the Trustee:

               United States Trust Company of New York
               114 West 47th Street
               New York, NY  10036

               Attention:  Corporate Trust Department

               Fax Number:  (212) 852-1626/7

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail with first-class postage prepaid, if
mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile; and the next business
day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by recognized overnight
courier guaranteeing next-day delivery.

          The Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee by written notice to the
others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -121-

          When this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and hand delivered, mailed with first-class postage prepaid or
delivered by recognized overnight courier, to each Holder affected by such
event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the
latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any),
prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders
is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any
notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders.

          In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by
reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required
by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the
approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

Section 12.03.    Communications by Holders
                  with Other Holders.
                  ------------------

          Noteholders may communicate pursuant to TIA (S) 312(b) with other
Noteholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.  The
Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA (S) 312(c).

Section 12.04.    Certificate and Opinion as
                  to Conditions Precedent.
                  -----------------------

          Upon any request or application by the Company or any Guarantor to the
Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor
shall furnish to the Trustee:

          (1) an Officers' Certificate (which shall include the statements
     set forth in Section 12.05 below) stating that, in the opinion of the
     signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture
     relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

          (2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set
     forth in Section 12.05 below) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel,
     all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -122-

Section 12.05.    Statements Required in Certificate
                  and Opinion.
                  -----------

          Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance by or on
behalf of the Company or any Guarantor with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Indenture shall include:

          (1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion
     has read such covenant or condition;

          (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
     or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
     certificate or opinion are based;

          (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he has
     made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him
     to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
     condition has been complied with; and

          (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
     Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

          Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are
erroneous, and provided that any such certificate or opinion names the Trustee
as an addressee and is furnished to the Trustee at the time of delivery of such
certificate or opinion.  Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be
based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion
of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that
the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.  Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered to the
Trustee may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required and
counsel delivering such 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -123-

Opinions of Counsel may rely on certificates of the Company or government or
other officials customary for opinions of the type required, including
certificates certifying as to matters of fact, including that various financial
covenants have been complied with.

Section 12.06.    Rules by Trustee and Agents.
                  --------------------------- 

          The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or meetings of
Noteholders.  The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their
functions.

Section 12.07.    Business Days; Legal Holidays.
                  ----------------------------- 

          A "Business Day" is a day that is not a Legal Holiday.  A "Legal
Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday, a federally-recognized holiday or a day on
which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.
If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made
at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no
interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 12.08.    Governing Law.
                  ------------- 

          THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE
AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES.

Section 12.09.    No Adverse Interpretation of Other 
                  Agreements.
                  -----------

          This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan,
security or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof.  No such
indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this
Indenture.

Section 12.10.    No Recourse Against Others.
                  -------------------------- 

          No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest, including Additional Interest, on any of the Notes, or for any claim
based thereon or otherwise in 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -124-

respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or
agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any
supplemental indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of
any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any stockholder,
officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Company
or of any successor entity or against the property or assets of any such
stockholder, officer, employee or director, either directly or through the
Company or any Guarantor, or any successor entity thereof, whether by virtue of
any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this
Indenture and the Notes are solely obligations of the Company and the
Guarantors, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is
or shall be incurred by, any stockholder, officer, employee or director of the
Company or any Guarantor, or any successor entity thereof, because of the
creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the
obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or the Notes or
implied therefrom, and that any and all such personal liability of, and any and
all claims against every stockholder, officer, employee and director, are hereby
expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the
execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Notes. It is understood that
this limitation on recourse is made expressly for the benefit of any such
shareholder, employee, officer or director and may be enforced by any of them.

Section 12.11.    Successors.
                  ---------- 

          All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture and
the Notes shall bind their respective successors.  All agreements of the
Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall
bind its successor.

Section 12.12.    Multiple Counterparts.
                  --------------------- 
          The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture.  Each
signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together
represent one and the same agreement.

Section 12.13.    Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
                  -------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -125-

          The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the
Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.14.    Separability.
                  ------------ 

          Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable and if
for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the
basic purpose of this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
<PAGE>
 
                                      S-1

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed all as of the date and year first written above.

                              THE PANTRY, INC.


                              By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG

                                  Name:  William T. Flyg
                                  Title: Senior V.P., Finance & CFO


                              GUARANTORS

                              Sandhills, Inc.


                              By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG

                                  Name:  William T. Flyg
                                  Title: Vice President


                              Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.


                              By:  /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG

                                  Name:  William T. Flyg
                                  Title: Executive V.P. & Assistant Secretary


                              United States Trust Company of New 
                                York, as Trustee


                              By: /s/ JAMES E. LOGAN

                                  Name:  James E. Logan
                                  Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------

                            [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

Number                                                            CUSIP

THE PANTRY, INC.

                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007

          The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company", which term
includes any successor corporation), for value received promises to pay to
or registered assigns the principal sum of                   ($          ), on
October 15, 2007.

          Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15,
1998

          Record Dates: April 1 and October 1

          This Note shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the
certificate of authentication shall have been executed by the Trustee by its
manual signature.

          Reference is made to the further provisions of this Security contained
herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this
place.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed
manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized Officers.


                              THE PANTRY, INC.


                              By:

                                  Name:
                                  Title:


                              By:

                                  Name:
                                  Title:


Certificate of Authentication:
This is one of the 10 1/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture

Dated:


United States Trust Company of New York,
 as Trustee

By: ____________________
    Authorized Signatory

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                  (REVERSE SIDE)
THE PANTRY, INC.

                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2007


1.     INTEREST.

          The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), promises to
pay interest on the principal amount of this Note semiannually on April 15 and
October 15 of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on April
15, 1998, at the rate of 10 1/4% per annum.  Interest will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  Interest on the Notes will
accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from the date of the original issuance of the Notes.

          The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal, and on overdue
premium, if any, and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate equal
to 2% per annum in excess of the rate borne by the Notes.

2.     METHOD OF PAYMENT.

          The Company will pay interest on this Note provided for in Paragraph 1
above (except defaulted interest) to the person who is the registered Holder of
this Note at the close of business on the April 1st or October 1st preceding the
Interest Payment Date (whether or not such day is a Business Day).  The Holder
must surrender this Note to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments.  The
Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United
States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts; provided, however, that the Company may pay principal, premium,
               --------  -------                                              
if any, and interest by check payable in such money.  They may mail an interest
check to the Holder's registered address.

3.     PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.

          Initially, United States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee")
will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change any Paying Agent
or Registrar without notice 

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
to the Holders of the Notes. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates may act as Paying Agent but may act as Registrar.

4.     INDENTURE; RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

          The Company issued this Note under an Indenture dated as of October
23, 1997 (the "Indenture") among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.
The terms of this Note include those stated in the Indenture and those made part
of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
(S)(S) 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture.  This Note is
subject to all such terms, and the Holder of this Note is referred to the
Indenture and said Trust Indenture Act for a statement of them.  All capitalized
terms in this Note, unless otherwise defined, have the meanings assigned to them
by the Indenture.

          The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited to
$200,000,000 aggregate principal amount.  The Indenture imposes certain
restrictions on, among other things, the incurrence of indebtedness, the
incurrence of liens and the issuance of capital stock by Restricted Subsidiaries
of the Company, mergers and sale of assets, the payments of dividends on, or the
repurchase of, capital stock of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
certain other restricted payments by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, certain transactions with, and investments in, their affiliates,
certain sale and lease-back transactions and contains a provision regarding
change-of-control transactions.

5.     SUBORDINATION.

          The Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is, to the extent and in the
manner provided in the Indenture, subordinated and subject in right of payment
to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness as defined in the
Indenture, and this Note is issued subject to such provisions.  Each Holder of
this Note, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee, on behalf of such Holder, to
take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints the Trustee
attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however, that the
                                                  --------  -------          
Indebtedness 

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
evidenced by this Note shall cease to be so subordinate and subject in right of
payment upon any defeasance of this Note referred to in Paragraph 18 below.

6.     OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

          The Company, at its option, may redeem the Notes, in whole at any time
or in part from time to time, at any time on or after October 15, 2002 upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed
as percentages of principal amount), set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve month period
beginning on October 15 of each year listed below:

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
          Year                     Redemption Price
          ----                     ----------------
          <S>                      <C>
          2002..................   105.125%
          2003..................   103.417%
          2004..................   101.708%
          2005 and thereafter...   100.000%
</TABLE>

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may redeem in the aggregate
up to 35% of the original principal amount of Notes at any time and from time to
time prior to October 15, 2000 at a redemption price equal to 110.25% of the
aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the Redemption Date out of the Net Proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings; provided that at least $130,000,000 of the aggregate principal amount
           --------                                                             
of Notes originally issued remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence
of any such redemption and that any such redemption occurs within 60 days
following the closing of any such Public Equity Offering.

7.     NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

          Notice of redemption will be mailed via first class mail at least 30
days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of
Notes to be redeemed at its registered address as it shall appear on the
register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar.  On and after any Redemption
Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for
redemption unless the Company shall fail to redeem any such Note.

8.     OFFERS TO PURCHASE.

          The Indenture requires that certain proceeds from Asset Sales be used,
subject to further limitations contained therein, to make an offer to purchase
certain amounts of Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Indenture.  The Company is also required to make an offer to purchase Notes upon
the occurrence of a Change of Control in accordance with procedures set forth in
the Indenture.

9.     REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

          Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement among the Company, the
Guarantors, CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp. and 

                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
First Union Capital Markets Corp., as initial purchasers of the Notes, the
Company will be obligated to consummate an exchange offer pursuant to which the
Holder of this Note shall have the right to exchange this Note for Notes of a
separate series issued under the Indenture (or a trust indenture substantially
identical to the Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Registration
Rights Agreement) which have been registered under the Securities Act, in like
principal amount and having substantially identical terms as the Notes. The
Holders shall be entitled to receive certain additional interest payments in the
event such exchange offer is not consummated and upon certain other conditions,
all pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement.

10.    DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE.

          The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof.  A Holder may register the transfer or
exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Note
selected for redemption or register the transfer of or exchange any Note for a
period of 15 days before the mailing of notice of redemption of Notes to be
redeemed or any Note after it is called for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

11.    PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.
  
          The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner
of it for all purposes.

12.    UNCLAIMED MONEY.

          If money for the payment of principal, premium or interest on any Note
remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money
back to the Company at its written request.  After that, Holders entitled to
money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an
"abandoned property" law designates another person.

                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
13.    AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER.

          Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be
modified, amended or supplemented by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee
with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding and any existing default or compliance with
any provision may be waived in a particular instance with the consent of the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding.  Without the consent of Holders, the Company, the Guarantors and
the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes or supplement the Indenture for
certain specified purposes including providing for uncertificated Notes in
addition to certificated Notes, and curing any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency, or making any other change that does not materially and adversely
affect the rights of any Holder.

14.    SUCCESSOR ENTITY.

          When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its
predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and immediately before and
thereafter no Default exists and certain other conditions are satisfied, the
predecessor corporation will be released from those obligations.

15.    DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.

          Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture.  If an Event of
Default (other than an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(6) or (7) of
the Indenture with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
by notice to the Company, or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, may declare to be immediately
due and payable the entire principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding
plus accrued but unpaid interest to the date of acceleration and (i) such
amounts shall become immediately due and payable or (ii) if there are any
amounts outstanding under or in respect of the Senior Credit Facility, such
amounts shall become due and payable upon the first to occur of an acceleration
of amounts outstanding under or in respect of the Senior Credit Facility or five
Business Days after receipt by the Company and the representative under the
Senior Credit Facility of a notice of acceleration; provided, however, that
                                                    --------  -------      
after such acceleration but before judgment or decree based on 

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
 
such acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain
circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration and its consequences if all
existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of principal, premium, if
any or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration, have
been cured or waived and if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment
or decree. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any
right consequent thereto. In case an Event of Default specified in Section
6.01(6) or (7) of the Indenture with respect to the Company occurs, such
principal amount, together with premium, if any, and interest with respect to
all of the Notes, shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration
or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes.

16.    TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

          The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other
capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the
Company, any Guarantor or their Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the
Company, any Guarantor or their Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

17.    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.

          As more fully described in the Indenture, a director, officer,
employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any Guarantor shall not have
any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the
Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect or by reason of,
such obligations or their creation.  The Holder of this Note by accepting this
Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of
the consideration for the issuance of this Note.

18.    DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of the entire
indebtedness on this Note and for defeasance of certain covenants in the
Indenture upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in
the Indenture.

19.    ABBREVIATIONS.

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
 
          Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of a Note
or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by
the entireties), JT TEN (joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).

20.    CUSIP NUMBERS.

          Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Note Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP Numbers to be
printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of the Notes.  No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed
only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

21.    GOVERNING LAW.

          THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.  EACH
OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
NOTE.

          THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY HOLDER OF A NOTE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
AND WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE INDENTURE.  REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:  THE
PANTRY, INC., 1801 Douglas Drive, Post Office Box 1410, Sanford, North Carolina
27330, Attention:  Chief Financial Officer.

22.    GUARANTEES.

          The Notes will be entitled to the benefits of certain Guarantees made
for the benefit of the Holders.  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a
statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and
obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders.

                                     A-10
<PAGE>
 
                                      -1-

                                   ASSIGNMENT
                                   ----------


I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

            (Insert assignee's social security or tax I.D. number)
                                        
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
            (Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoint:

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company.  The Agent may
substitute another to act for him.


Date: ____________           Your Signature: ___________________________________
                                              (Sign exactly as your 
                                              name appears on the 
                                              other side of this Note)

             Signature Guarantee:  _____________________________________________
<PAGE>
 
                      OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
                      ----------------------------------


          If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by
the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.18 of the Indenture, check the
appropriate box:

                       Section 4.10    [ ]                          Section 4.18

          If you want to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.18 of the Indenture, state the amount you
elect to have purchased:

$_______________________

Date: __________________

         Your Signature: _____________________________________
                         (Sign exactly as your name appears on 
                         the face of this Note)
 
_________________________
Signature Guaranteed
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                       ---------
                        [FORM OF LEGEND FOR 144A NOTE]
                        ------------------------------


THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE
UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS
SET FORTH BELOW.  BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT
PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") THAT IS TWO YEARS
AFTER THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THIS NOTE AND THE LAST DATE ON
WHICH THE COMPANY, OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY, WAS THE OWNER OF THIS
SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER
THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE
UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A
UNDER THE ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT,
PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES (OR HAS FURNISHED ON ITS BEHALF BY A U.S.
BROKER-DEALER) TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN
REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS
NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE), (D) OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER
THE ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144
UNDER THE ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.  IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION
TERMINATION DATE, IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR, THE
HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY SUCH
CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY
REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
OF THE ACT.  AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES"
AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE ACT.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
                      [FORM OF ASSIGNMENT FOR 144A NOTE]
                      ----------------------------------
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

            (Insert assignee's social security or tax I.D. number)

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
            (Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoint:

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company.  The Agent may
substitute another to act for him.

                                  [Check One]
                                  -----------

          [  ]  (a)  this Note is being transferred in compliance with the
          exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule
          144A thereunder.

                                       or
                                       --

          [  ]  (b)  this Note is being transferred other than in accordance
          with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the
          conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or Registrar shall not be
obligated to register this Note in the name of any person other than the Holder
hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set
forth herein and in Sections 2.16 and 2.17 of the Indenture shall have been
satisfied.

Date: __________________        Your Signature: _____________________
                                                (Sign exactly as your 
                                                name appears on the 
                                                other side of this 
                                                Note)

                                      B-2
<PAGE>
 
             Signature Guarantee: ____________________________________

                                      B-3
<PAGE>
 
             TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED
             ----------------------------------------------------

          The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.

Dated: __________________                   ________________________________
                                            NOTICE:  To be executed by
                                                     an executive officer

                                      B-4
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                       ---------


                    [FORM OF LEGEND FOR REGULATION S NOTE]
                    --------------------------------------


THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND, UNLESS SO
REGISTERED, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR
THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OR EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO,
THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>
 
                  [FORM OF ASSIGNMENT FOR REGULATION S NOTE]
                  ------------------------------------------

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
             
            (Insert assignee's social security or tax I.D. number)

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
            (Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoint:

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company.  The Agent may
substitute another to act for him.

                                  [Check One]
                                  -----------

          [  ]  (a)  this Note is being transferred in compliance with the
          exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule
          144A thereunder.

                                       or
                                       --

          [  ]  (b)  this Note is being transferred other than in accordance
          with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the
          conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or Registrar shall not be
obligated to register this Note in the name of any person other than the Holder
hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set
forth herein and in Sections 2.16 and 2.17 of the Indenture shall have been
satisfied.

Date: __________________          Your Signature: _____________________
                                                  (Sign exactly as your 
                                                  name appears on the 
                                                  other side of this 
                                                  Note)

                                      C-2
<PAGE>
 
             Signature Guarantee: ____________________________________

                                      C-3
<PAGE>
 
             TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED
             ----------------------------------------------------


          The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.

Dated: __________________     ________________________________
                              NOTICE:  To be executed by
                              an executive officer

                                      C-4
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT D
                                                                       ---------
                       [FORM OF LEGEND FOR GLOBAL NOTE]
                       --------------------------------


          Any Global Note authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a
legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of
a Restricted Note or Regulation S Note) in substantially the following form:

          THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY.  THIS NOTE IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN
THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE
LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE
(OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF
THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES
DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

          UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (A NEW YORK CORPORATION) ("DTC") TO THE COMPANY
OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME
AS IT REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE
TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

                                      D-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
                                                                       ---------


Form of Certificate to Be
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivered in Connection with
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
                   -----------------------------------------


                                                               ___________, ____
Attention:

             Re:  The Pantry, Inc. (the "Company") 10 1/4%
                  Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
                  (the "Notes")
                  ----------------------------------------

Dear Sirs:
             In connection with our proposed purchase of Notes, we confirm
that:

             1.   We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is
     subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture
     dated as of        , 1997 relating to the Notes and we agree to be bound
     by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes except in
     compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of
     1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

             2.   We understand that the Notes have not been registered under
     the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be offered, sold, pledged or
     otherwise transferred except as permitted in the following sentence.  We
     agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are
     acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell any Notes, we will do
     so only (i) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (ii) pursuant to an
     effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (iii) in
     accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a "qualified
     institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A),  (iv) to an institutional
     "accredited investor" (as defined 

                                      E-1
<PAGE>
 
     below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its
     behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you a signed letter containing certain
     representations and agreements relating to the restrictions on transfer of
     the Notes, (v) outside the United States to persons other than U.S. persons
     in offshore transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 904 of Regulation
     S under the Securities Act, or (vi) pursuant to any other exemption from
     registration under the Securities Act (if available), and we further agree
     to provide to any person purchasing any of the Notes from us a notice
     advising such purchaser that resales of the Notes are restricted as stated
     herein.

             3.   We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes, we
     will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications,
     legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably
     require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing
     restrictions.  We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will
     bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

             4.   We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in
     Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act)
     and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as
     to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the
     Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting each are able to
     bear the economic risk of our or their investment, as the case may be.

             5.   We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our account or
     for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional "accredited
     investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

         You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect
to the matters covered hereby.

                                   Very truly yours,
                                  [Name of Transferee]

                                      E-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  By: _______________________________
                                      _______________________________
                                      _______________________________
                                          Authorized Signature

                                      E-3
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT F
                                                                       ---------

Form of Certificate to Be Delivered
in Connection with Transfers
                           Pursuant to Regulation S


                                                                __________, ____


Attention:

         Re:  The Pantry, Inc. (the "Company")
              10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
              due 2007 (the "Notes")
              ---------------------------------
Dear Sirs:

         In connection with our proposed sale of $__________ aggregate principal
amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and
in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, we represent that:

         (1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a U.S. person or to a
     person in the United States;

         (2) either (a) at the time the buy offer was originated, the
     transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our
     behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United
     States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the
     facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither we nor
     any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been
     prearranged with a buyer in the United States;

         (3) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States
     in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of
     Regulation S, as applicable;

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
         (4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
     registration requirements of the Securities Act; and

         (5) we have advised the transferee of the transfer restrictions
     applicable to the Notes.

         You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.

                                   Very truly yours,
                                   [Name of Transferor]
                                   By: _____________________________
                                       _____________________________
                                       _____________________________
                                           Authorized Signature

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                       ---------


                              [FORM OF GUARANTEE]


         Each of the undersigned (the "Guarantors") hereby jointly and severally
unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in the Indenture dated as of
October 23, 1997 by and among The Pantry Inc., as issuer, the Guarantors, as
guarantors, and United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee (as amended,
restated or supplemented from time to time, the "Indenture"), and subject to the
provisions of the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal
of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same shall
become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the
due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, and premium and,
to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance
of all other obligations of the Company to the Noteholders or the Trustee, all
in accordance with the terms set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture, and (b)
in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of
such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or
performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at
stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

         The obligations of the Guarantors to the Noteholders and to the Trustee
pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article
11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the
precise terms and limitations of this Guarantee.

                              SANDHILLS, INC.

                              By:
  
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


                              LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC.
<PAGE>
 
                              By: __________________________
                                  Name:
                                  Title:    

                                  (1)    

                                  (i)

                                  (2)    

                                  (i)    

                                  (3)
                                  
                                  (i)    
 
                                  (4)    

                                  (i)

                                  (5)    

                                  (i)    

                                  (6)

                                  (i)

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.6

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of October 23, 1997

                                  by and among

                               THE PANTRY, INC.,

                          THE GUARANTORS named herein

                                      and

                        CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.
                                      and
                       FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
                             as Initial Purchasers
                           __________________________

                                  $200,000,000

                   10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Page
                                                                     ----

<S>                                                                  <C>
1.   Definitions....................................................   1

2.   Exchange Offer.................................................   5

3.   Shelf Registration.............................................   9

4.   Additional Interest............................................  10

5.   Registration Procedures........................................  13

6.   Registration Expenses..........................................  23

7.   Indemnification................................................  24

8.   Rules 144 and 144A.............................................  28

9.   Underwritten Registrations.....................................  28

10.  Miscellaneous..................................................  29

     (a) Remedies...................................................  29
     (b) No Inconsistent Agreements.................................  30
     (c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes....................  29
     (d) Amendments and Waivers.....................................  29
     (e) Notices....................................................  31
     (f) Successors and Assigns.....................................  31
     (g) Counterparts...............................................  32
     (h) Headings...................................................  32
     (i) Governing Law..............................................  32
     (j) Severability...............................................  32
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                                    Page
                                                                    ----
     <S>                                                            <C>
     (k) Notes Held by any Issuer or Its Affiliates................  32
     (l) Third Party Beneficiaries.................................  32
     (m) Entire Agreement..........................................  33
     (n) Joint and Several Obligations.............................  33
</TABLE>
                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                                      -1-


                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

          This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
                                                   ---------              
entered into as of October 23, 1997, by and among The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), the Guarantors (as defined) and CIBC Wood Gundy
                  -------                                                   
Securities Corp. and First Union Capital Markets Corp. (the "Initial
                                                             -------
Purchasers").
- ----------

          This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of October 17, 1997, by and among the Company, the
Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement") relating to the
                                            ------------------                  
sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $200,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Company's 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
(the "Notes") and the unconditional senior subordinated Guarantee thereof by the
      -----                                                                     
Guarantors on a joint and several basis (the "Guarantee").  In order to induce
                                              ---------                       
the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have
agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the
benefit of the holders of Registrable Notes (as defined), including, without
limitation, the Initial Purchasers.  The execution and delivery of this
Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the
Notes under the Purchase Agreement.

          The parties hereby agree as follows:

1.                                Definitions
                                  -----------

             As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

             Additional Interest:  See Section 4(a).
             -------------------                    
             Advice:  See the last paragraph of Section 5.
             ------ 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-

             Agreement:  See the first introductory paragraph to this
             ---------                                               
Agreement.

             Applicable Period:  See Section 2(b).
             -----------------                    

             Business Day:  A day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on
             ------------                                                      
which banking institutions in New York, New York are required to be closed.

             Closing Date:  The Closing Date as defined in the Purchase
             ------------                                              
Agreement.

             Commission:  The Securities and Exchange Commission.
             ----------                                          

             Company:  See the first introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
             -------                                               

             Effectiveness Date:  The 150th day after the Issue Date.
             ------------------                                      
             
             Effectiveness Period:  See Section 3(a).
             --------------------                    

             Event Date:  See Section 4(b).
             ----------                    

             Exchange Act:  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
             ------------                                                       
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

             Exchange Notes:  See Section 2(a).
             --------------                    

             Exchange Offer:  See Section 2(a).
             --------------                    

             Exchange Registration Statement:  See Section 2(a).
             -------------------------------                    

             Filing Date:  The 60th day after the Issue Date.
             -----------                                     
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

             Guarantee:  See the second introductory paragraph to this Agreement
             ---------                                                          

             Guarantors:  Sandhills, Inc. and Lil' Champs Food Stores, Inc.
             ----------                                                    

             Holder:  Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.
             ------                                              

             Indemnified Person:  See Section 7(c).
             ------------------                    

             Indemnifying Person:  See Section 7(c).
             -------------------                    

             Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of October 23, 1997, by and
             ---------
among the Company, the Guarantors and United States Trust Company of New York as
trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

             Initial Purchasers:  See the first introductory paragraph to
             ------------------                                          
this Agreement.

             Initial Shelf Registration:  See Section 3(a).
             --------------------------                    

             Inspectors:  See Section 5(o).
             ----------                    

             Issue Date:  October 23, 1997.
             ----------                    

             Issuers:  The Company and the Guarantors, collectively.
             -------                                                

             NASD:  National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
             ----                                                   

             Notes:  See the second introductory paragraph to this
             -----                                                
Agreement.

             Participant:  See Section 7(a).
             -----------                    
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

             Participating Broker-Dealer:  See Section 2(b).
             ---------------------------                    

             Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
             ------ 
company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government (including any agency or political subdivision
thereof).

             Private Exchange:  See Section 2(b).
             ----------------                    

             Private Exchange Notes:  See Section 2(b).
             ----------------------                    

             Prospectus:  The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
             ----------                                                        
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion
of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, and all other
amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

             Purchase Agreement:  See the second introductory paragraph to
             ------------------                                           
this Agreement.

             Records:  See Section 5(o).
             -------                    

             Registrable Notes:  Each Note upon original issuance thereof and at
             -----------------                                                  
all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv)
hereof is applicable upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent
thereto and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all
times subsequent thereto, until, in the case of any such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

earliest to occur of (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect to
any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable) covering
such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been
declared effective by the Commission and such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such
effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note, as the case may be, is sold in compliance with Rule 144, (iii) in
the case of any Note, such Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange
Offer for an Exchange Note or Exchange Notes which may be resold without
restriction under federal securities laws, or (iv) such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes
of the Indenture.

             Registration Statement:  Any registration statement of the Company,
             ----------------------                                             
including, but not limited to, the Exchange Registration Statement, that covers
any of the Registrable Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
registration statement.

             Rule 144:  Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
             --------                                                         
amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.

             Rule 144A:  Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
             ---------                                                          
amended from time to time, or any similar rule 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

(other than Rule 144) or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.

          Rule 415:  Rule 415 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
          --------                                                         
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the Commission.

          Securities Act:  The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
          --------------                                                        
and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

          Shelf Notice:  See Section 2(c).
          ------------                    

          Shelf Registration:  See Section 3(b).
          ------------------                    

          Subsequent Shelf Registration:  See Section 3(b).
          -----------------------------                    

          TIA:  The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
          ---                                               

          Trustee:  The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the
          -------                                                        
trustee under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange
Notes (if any).

          Underwritten registration or underwritten offering:  A registration in
          --------------------------------------------------                    
which securities of one or more of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.

2.                           Exchange Offer
                             --------------

          (a) Each of the Issuers agrees to file with the Commission, no later
than the Filing Date, an offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") any and all of
                                                 --------------
the Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes, if any) for a like
aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Company, guaranteed by the
Guarantors, which are identical in all material respects to the Notes (the
"Exchange Notes") (and which are entitled to the benefits of 
 --------------
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-

the Indenture or a trust indenture which is identical in all material respects
to the Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or any such identical
trust indenture as are necessary to comply with any requirements of the
Commission to effect or maintain the qualification thereof under the TIA) and
which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA), except that the
Exchange Notes shall have been registered pursuant to an effective Registration
Statement under the Securities Act, shall not contain terms regarding Additional
Interest or registration rights and shall contain no restrictive legend thereon.
The Exchange Offer shall be registered under the Securities Act on the
appropriate form (the "Exchange Registration Statement") and shall comply with
                       -------------------------------
all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. Each
of the Issuers agrees to use its best efforts to (x) cause the Exchange
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or
before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 30
days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the
Exchange Offer is first mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer
on or prior to the 60th day following the date on which the Exchange
Registration Statement is declared effective. If after such Exchange
Registration Statement is initially declared effective by the Commission, the
Exchange Offer or the issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder is interfered
with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the
Commission or any other governmental agency or court, such Exchange Registration
Statement shall be deemed not to have become effective for purposes of this
Agreement. Each Holder who participates in the Exchange Offer will be required
to represent that any Exchange Notes received by it will be acquired in the
ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the consummation of the
Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any
Person to participate in and is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in
the distribution of the Exchange Notes, that such 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

Holder is not an affiliate of any Issuer within the meaning of the Securities
Act (or if it is an affiliate, it will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable)
and if such Holder is a Broker Dealer, that will receive Exchange Notes for its
own account that were acquired as a result of market-making activities (or other
trading activities), it must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of Exchange Notes, and any additional representations
that in the written opinion of counsel to the Company are necessary under then-
existing interpretations of the Commission in order for the Exchange
Registration Statement to be declared effective. Upon consummation of the
Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the provisions of this
Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis mutandis, solely with respect to
                                   ------- --------
Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes held by
Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers shall have no further obligation
to register Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes and other than
in respect of any Exchange Notes as to which clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies)
pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.

          (b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the Staff of the Commission
with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is
the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a
"Participating Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have been
 ---------------------------
publicly disseminated by the Staff of the Commission or such positions or
policies, in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers, represent the prevailing
views of the Staff of the Commission. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall
also allow, to the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-

extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the Commission, the
use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent so permitted, all
Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the manner in
which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes.

          Each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus
contained therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered
by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with such requirements
in connection with offers and sales of the Exchange Notes, provided that such
                                                           --------          
period shall not exceed 180 days (or such longer period if extended pursuant to
the last paragraph of Section 5) (the "Applicable Period").
                                       -----------------   

          If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Initial Purchaser
holds any Notes acquired by it and having the status of an unsold allotment in
the initial distribution, the Issuers upon the request of any such Initial
Purchaser shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the
Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser, in exchange (the
"Private Exchange") for the Notes held by such Initial Purchaser, a like
 ----------------
principal amount of debt securities of the Company that are identical in all
material respects to the Exchange Notes except for the existence of restrictions
on transfer thereof under the Securities Act and securities laws of the several
states of the U.S. (the "Private Exchange Notes") (and which are issued pursuant
                         ----------------------                                 
to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes).  The Private Exchange Notes shall
bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.  Interest on the Exchange
Notes and Private Exchange Notes will accrue from the last interest payment date
on which interest was paid on the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -10-

Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the
Notes, from the Issue Date.

             In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:

             (1) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of
     the Exchange Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
     transmittal and related documents;

             (2) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer
     with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which
     may be the Trustee or an affiliate thereof;

             (3) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Notes at any
     time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business
     Day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and

             (4) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable
     laws.

             As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Issuers shall:

      (1)    ACCEPT FOR EXCHANGE ALL REGISTRABLE NOTES VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT
VALIDLY WITHDRAWN PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE PRIVATE EXCHANGE;

             (2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Notes
     so accepted for exchange; and

             (3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each
     Holder tendering such Registrable Notes, 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -11-

     Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in
     principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

          The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes may be issued under
(i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the
Indenture, which in either event will provide that the Exchange Notes will not
be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and that the
Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes, if any, will vote and
consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange
Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes, if any, will have the right to
vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.

          (c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the Commission, the Company is not permitted to
effect an Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 210
days of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes holding at
least $1 million of Private Exchange Notes so requests within 120 days of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer or (iv) in the case of Holders holding at
least $1 million of Exchange Notes that participate in the Exchange Offer (and
tender their Registrable Notes prior to the expiration thereof), such Holders do
not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange that may be sold without
restriction under federal securities laws (other than due solely to (i) the
status of such Holders as affiliates of any Issuer within the meaning of the
Securities Act and/or (ii) restrictions relating to any requirement to deliver a
prospectus upon resale, which requirement may be fulfilled by delivery of a
Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement) and so
notifies the Company within 30 days following the consummation of the Exchange
Offer (and providing a reasonable basis for their conclusions), in the case of
each of clauses (i)-(iv), then the Issuers shall promptly deliver to the Holders
and the Trustee written notice 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -12-

thereof (the "Shelf Notice") and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to 
              ------------                   
Section 3.

3.                           Shelf Registration
                             ------------------

          If a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c), then:

          (a) Shelf Registration.  The Issuers shall as promptly as reasonably
              ------------------                                              
practicable file with the Commission a Registration Statement for an offering to
be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the then
Registrable Notes (the "Initial Shelf Registration").  If the Issuers shall not
                        --------------------------                             
have yet filed the Exchange Registration Statement, each of the Issuers shall
file with the Commission the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the
Filing Date and shall use its best efforts to cause such Initial Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to
the Effectiveness Date.  Otherwise, each of the Issuers shall file with the
Commission the Initial Shelf Registration within 30 days of the delivery of the
Shelf Notice and shall use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration to
be declared effective under the Securities Act, if an Exchange Registration
Statement has not yet been declared effective, on or prior to the Effectiveness
Date or, in any other instance, as soon as practicable after the filing thereof
and in no event later than 90 days after filing of the initial Shelf
Registration Statement.  The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or
another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Notes for
resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including,
without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings).  The Issuers shall not
permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included in any
Shelf Registration.  Each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to keep the
Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until
the date which is 24 months from the effective date of such Initial 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -13-

Shelf Registration (or, if Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act is amended to
permit unlimited resales by non-affiliates within a lesser period, such lesser
period) (subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5
hereof) (the "Effectiveness Period") or such shorter period ending when (i) all
              ---------------------
Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in
the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or
(ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the Registrable Notes has
been declared effective under the Securities Act.

          (b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations.  If the Initial Shelf Registration
              ------------------------------                                    
or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason at
any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all
of the securities registered thereunder), each of the Issuers shall use its best
efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation
of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration in a manner to obtain the
withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an
additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of
the Registrable Notes (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration").  If a Subsequent
                          -----------------------------                    
Shelf Registration is filed, each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to
cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective as soon as
practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration
continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in the
Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial
Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registrations was previously
continuously effective.  As used herein the term "Shelf Registration" means the
                                                  ------------------           
Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.

          (c) Supplements and Amendments.  Each of the Issuers shall promptly
              --------------------------                                     
supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -14-

rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for
such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Shelf Registration or by any underwriter of
such Registrable Notes, in each case, with each Issuer's consent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

4.                         Additional Interest
                           -------------------
          (a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders of
Registrable Notes will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their
obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be
feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision.  Accordingly,
each of the Issuers agrees to pay, as liquidated damages, additional interest on
the Registrable Notes ("Additional Interest") under the circumstances and to the
                        -------------------                                     
extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent effect) (a
"Registration Default"):

              (i)   if (A) neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the
     Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the Filing Date or
     (B) notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or will consummate an
     Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration and
     such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the 30th day after
     delivery of the Shelf Notice, then, in the case of subclause (A),
     commencing on the day after the Filing Date or, in the case of subclause
     (B), commencing on the 31st day following delivery of the Shelf Notice,
     Additional Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Notes over and above
     the stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days
     immediately following the Filing Date or such 30th day, as the case may be,
     such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum
<PAGE>
 
                                      -15-

     at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period during which a
     Registration Default remains uncured;

             (ii)  if (A) neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the
     Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective on or prior to the
     Effectiveness Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated
     or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a
     Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not declared effective by
     the Commission on or prior to the 90th day following the date such Shelf
     Registration was required to be filed, then, in the case of subclause (A),
     commencing on the day after such Effectiveness Date or, in the case of
     subclause (B), commencing on the 91st day following the date such Shelf
     Registration was required to be filed, Additional Interest shall accrue on
     the Registrable Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of 0.50%
     per annum for the first 90 days immediately following the day after the
     Effectiveness Date or such 91st day, as the case may be, such Additional
     Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum at the beginning
     of each subsequent 90-day period during which a Registration Default
     remains uncured; and

             (iii) if (A) the Company has not exchanged Exchange Notes for all
     Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
     on or prior to 60 days after the date on which the Exchange Registration
     Statement was declared effective, (B) the Exchange Registration Statement
     ceases to be effective prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or (C)
     if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such
     Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
     Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the
     Registrable Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per
     annum for the first 90 days commencing on the (x) 61st day after such
<PAGE>
 
                                      -16-

     effective date in the case of (A) above or (y) the day such Exchange
     Registration Statement or Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the
     case of (B) and (C) above, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an
     additional 0.25% per annum at the beginning of each such subsequent 90-day
     period during which a Registration Default remains uncured;

provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Registrable Notes
- --------  -------                                                            
may not exceed in the aggregate 2.0% per annum; provided further that (1) upon
                                                -------- -------              
the filing of the Exchange Registration Statement or each Shelf Registration (in
the case of (i) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Registration
Statement or each Shelf Registration, as the case may be (in the case of (ii)
above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Notes for all Registrable Notes
tendered (in the case of (iii)(A) above) or upon the effectiveness of an
Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of (iii)(B) and (C) above), Additional Interest on any
Registrable Notes then accruing Additional Interest as a result of such clause
(or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.

          (b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within one business day after
each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional
Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date").  Any amounts of Additional
                                     ----------                              
Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section 4 will be
payable in cash semi-annually on each regular interest payment date specified in
the Indenture (to the Holders of Registrable Notes of record on the regular
record date therefor (specified in the Indenture) immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such regular interest payment date occurring
after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue.  The amount of
Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional
Interest rate by the principal amount of 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -17-

the Notes subject thereto, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such
period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day
months), and the denominator of which is 365.

5.                       Registration Procedures
                         -----------------------

          In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, each Issuer shall use its best efforts effect such
registrations to permit the sale of such securities covered thereby in
accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and
pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by each
Issuer hereunder, each Issuer shall:

          (a) Prepare and file with the Commission prior to the Filing Date, the
Exchange Registration Statement or if the Exchange Registration Statement is not
filed or is unavailable, a Shelf Registration as prescribed by Section 2 or 3,
and use its best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided that, if (1) a Shelf
                                                   --------                     
Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an
Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period and has advised the Company
that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer, before filing any Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers
shall, if requested, furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes
to be registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered by such Registration Statement, their
counsel and the managing underwriters, if any (with respect to a Shelf
Registration), a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents
(including copies of any documents to be 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -18-

incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed
(in each case at least five Business Days prior to such filing). The Issuers
shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments
or supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, or any
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel, or the
managing underwriters, if any, (with respect to a Shelf Registration) shall
reasonably object.

          (b) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-
effective amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Registration
Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable
Period, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by
any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to
be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under
the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities
covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so
supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being
sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus.  The
Issuers shall be deemed not to have used their best efforts to keep a
Registration Statement effective during the Applicable Period if they
voluntarily take any action that would result in selling Holders of the
Registrable Notes covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to
sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such Registrable Notes or such
Exchange Notes during that period unless such action is required by applicable
law, rule or regulation or unless the Issuers comply with this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the provisions of paragraph 5(k) hereof and the
last paragraph of Section 5.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -19-

          (c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period from whom the Company has received notice that it will be a
Participating Broker-Dealer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Notes,
and each such Participating Broker-Dealer, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any (with respect to a Shelf Registration), promptly (but in
any event within five Business Days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i)
when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has
been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment, when the same has become effective (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one
conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment
including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at
any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in
connection with sales of the Registrable Notes the representations and
warranties of any Issuer contained in any agreement (including any underwriting
agreement contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof) cease to be true and correct in
any material respect, (iv) of the receipt by any Issuer of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification
of a Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange
Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or
any information becoming 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -20-

known that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any
changes in, or amendments or supplements to, such Registration Statement,
Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and
(vi) of the Issuers' reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to
a Registration Statement would be appropriate.

          (d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification
(or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any
jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible date.

          (e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if
reasonably requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in
connection with an underwritten offering, (i) as promptly as practicable
incorporate in a prospectus 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -21-

supplement or post-effective amendment such information or revisions to
information therein as the managing underwriters, if any, or such Holders or
their counsel reasonably request to be included or made therein, (ii) make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after the Issuers have received notification of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment, and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration
Statement.

          (f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes and to
each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests and to counsel and each
managing underwriter, if any, without charge, one conformed copy of the
Registration Statement or Registration Statements and each post-effective
amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if
requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference and all exhibits.

          (g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their respective
counsel, and the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus) and
each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference
therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last
paragraph of this Section 5, the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -22-

Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and each
Participating Broker-Dealer, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers
(if any), in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Notes
covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes
pursuant to, and in the manner described in such Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto.

          (h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any delivery
of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Registration Statement by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, use its best efforts to register or qualify, and cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in
connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such
registration or qualification) of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as
the case may be, for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating
Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably
request in writing; provided that where Exchange Notes held by Participating
                    --------                                                
Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered pursuant to an underwritten
offering, counsel to the underwriters shall, at the cost and expense of the
Issuers, perform the Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and
qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h); keep each
such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the
period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any
and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-
Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration
Statement; provided that no Issuer shall be required to (A) qualify as a foreign
           --------                                                             
corporation in any 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -23-

jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would
subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is
not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal
dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

          (i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold, which certificates shall
not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit
with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such Registrable Notes to be in
such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or Holders may reasonably request.

          (j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by the
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such governmental
agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers
thereof or the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such
Registrable Notes, in which case the Issuers will cooperate in all reasonable
respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such
approvals.

          (k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph
5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to
Section 5(a) hereof) file with the Commission, at the Issuers' sole expense, a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to
be 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -24-

incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes being
sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such
Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, any such
Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.

          (l) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by a
Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any.

          (m) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with printed
certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable
Notes.

          (n) In connection with an underwritten offering of Registrable Notes
pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as is
customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes and
take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the managing
underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration
or the disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make
such representations and warranties to the underwriters, with respect to the
business of the Issuers and their subsidiaries and the Registration Statement,
Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to
underwriters in 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -25-

underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, and confirm the
same in writing if and when requested; (ii) obtain the opinion of counsel to the
Issuers and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriter or underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the
matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings of
debt securities similar to the Notes and such other matters as may be reasonably
requested by underwriters; (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriter or underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of
the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public
accountants of any subsidiary of any Issuer or of any business acquired by any
Issuer for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to
be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the
underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the
type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes and such other
matters as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters; and
(iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth
in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes covered
by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters or
agents) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section.
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.

          (o) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -26-

the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling
Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, and each Participating Broker-
Dealer, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable
Notes, if any, and one counsel for the selling Holders and one counsel for the
underwriters (collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally
                                 ----------
kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of each Issuer and its subsidiaries
(collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to
                    ------- 
exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers,
directors and employees of each Issuer and its subsidiaries to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such
Registration Statement. Records which an Issuer determines, in good faith, to be
confidential and any Records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential
shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such
Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such
Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to
a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction only after the
Inspector has given the Company notice of such requirement or (iii) the
information in such Records has been made generally available to the public
other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by such
Inspector. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer will be required to enter into a customary confidentiality
agreement and shall agree that information obtained by it and its agents as a
result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by
it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of any Issuer
unless and until such is made generally available to the public. Each Inspector
will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure of
such Records is sought in a court of competent  
<PAGE>
 
                                      -27-

jurisdiction pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iv) of the previous sentence or
otherwise, give notice to the Issuers and allow the Issuers to undertake
appropriate action to obtain a protective order or otherwise prevent disclosure
of the Records deemed confidential at its expense.

          (p) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a), as the case may be, to be qualified
under the TIA not later than the effective date of the Exchange Offer or the
first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in
connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and
the Holders of the Registrable Notes, to effect such changes to such indenture
as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the
terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its best efforts to cause such trustee to
execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other
forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

          (q) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and make generally available to its securityholders earnings statements
satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158
thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later
than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of
any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end
of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a
firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to
underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first
fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of a Registration
Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -28-

          (r) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form customary for
underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all
Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, the guarantees thereof and the related indenture
constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, to the extent
they are parties, enforceable against the Issuers, to the extent they are
parties, in accordance with their respective terms.

          (s) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated,
upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Issuers (or to such
other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Notes or
the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuers shall mark, or
caused to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes are
being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as
paid or otherwise satisfied.

          (t) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection
with any filings required to be made with the NASD.

          (u) Use its best efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary
to effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration
Statement contemplated hereby.

          The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request.  The Issuers may exclude
from 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -29-

such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller who fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each seller
as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish
promptly to the Issuers all information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such seller not
materially misleading.

          Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon receipt of any
notice from the Issuers of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi), such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered by such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and, in each case,
dissemination of such Prospectus until such Holder's or Participating Broker-
Dealer's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 5(k), or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice")
                                                                      ------  
by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has
received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto.  In the event the
Issuers shall give any such notice, each of the Effectiveness Period and the
Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods
from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the
date when each seller of Registrable Notes covered by such Registration
Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as
the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) or (y) the Advice.

6.                          Registration Expenses
                            ---------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                      -30-

          (a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers whether or not
the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective,
including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with
the NASD in connection with an underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses
of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue
Sky qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes (x) where the
holders of Registrable Notes are located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or
(y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable
Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if
the printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any of a Shelf Registration Statement, (iii) messenger,
telephone and delivery expenses incurred in connection with the Exchange
Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration, (iv) reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and, in the case of a Shelf
Registration only, reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for the
Initial Purchasers and the sellers of Registrable Notes (subject to Section
6(b)), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public
accountants referred to in Section 5(n)(iii) (including, without limitation, the
expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, (vii) Securities Act liability
insurance, if any Issuer desires such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all
other Persons retained by the Issuers, (ix) internal expenses of the Issuers
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and
employees 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -31-

of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any
annual or special audit, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with
any listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange, (xii)
the fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers
or sellers of securities (but not including any underwriting discounts or
commissions or transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of the
Registrable Notes which discounts, commissions or taxes shall be paid by Holders
of such Registrable Notes) and (xiii) the expenses relating to printing, word
processing and distributing all Registration Statements and Prospectuses.

          (b) In connection with any Shelf Registration hereunder, the Company
and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Holders of the
Registrable Notes being registered in such registration for the reasonable fees
and disbursements (which fees and disbursements shall not in any event exceed
$25,000) of not more than one counsel (and any appropriate local counsel) chosen
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes to be included in such Registration Statement.  The Company and the
Guarantors shall not have any obligation to pay any underwriting fees, discounts
or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities.

7.                           Indemnification
                             ---------------
          (a) Each of the Issuers jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-
Dealer, the officers, directors, employees and agents of each such Person, and
each Person, if any, who controls any such Person within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a
"Participant"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
 -----------
liabilities (including, without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and other
reasonable 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -32-

expenses actually incurred in connection with any suit, action or
proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by, arising out of or based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or caused by,
arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are
caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to
any Participant furnished to the Issuers in writing by or on behalf of such
Participant expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the Issuers shall
                                       --------  -------                        
not be liable if such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission was contained or made in any preliminary prospectus and corrected in
the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto and the Prospectus does
not contain any other untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission of a material fact that was the subject matter of the related
proceeding and any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense suffered or
incurred by the Participants resulted from any action, claim or suit by any
Person who purchased Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject
thereof from such Participant and it is established in the related proceeding
that such Participant failed to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as
amended or supplemented) to such Person with or prior to the confirmation of the
sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required
by applicable law, unless such failure to deliver or provide a copy of the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the
Issuers with Section 5 of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -33-

          (b) Each Participant will be required to agree, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each Issuer, its directors and officers
and each Person who controls each Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant, but only with
reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to the Issuers
in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus.  The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.

          (c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly
                                            ------------------                 
notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
                                                                  ------------
Person") in writing of the commencement of such action; but the omission so to
- ------                                                                        
notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability that it may
have to any indemnified party except to the extent that such omission results in
the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses.
The Indemnifying Person shall be entitled to participate therein and assume the
defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person
to represent the Indemnified Person and any others the Indemnifying Person may
reasonably designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and
expenses incurred by such counsel related to such proceeding.  In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel and all other expenses
incurred by the Indemnified Person shall be at the expense of such Indemnified
Person unless (i) the 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -34-

Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed in
writing to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a
reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Person or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any
impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person and such Indemnified Person shall have been advised by counsel that there
may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or
additional to those available to any such Indemnifying Person. It is understood
that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or
related proceeding or separate but substantially similar proceedings in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm
(in addition to any reasonably required local counsel) for all Indemnified
Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are
incurred. Any such separate firm for the Participants and such control Persons
of Participants shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold a
majority in interest of Registrable Notes sold by all such Participants and any
such separate firm for each Issuer, its directors, officers and such control
Persons of each Issuer shall be designated in writing by the Company. The
Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if
there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to
indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence,
if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested an Indemnifying Person
to reimburse the Indemnified Person for reasonable fees and expenses incurred by
counsel as contemplated by the third sentence of this paragraph, the
Indemnifying Person agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its consent if (i) such settlement is entered into
more than 30 days after receipt by such Indemnifying 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -35-

Person of the aforesaid request and (ii) such Indemnifying Person shall not have
reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the
date of such settlement; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Person shall
                         --------  -------
not be liable for any settlement effected without its consent pursuant to this
sentence if the Indemnifying Person is contesting, in good faith, the request
for reimbursement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could
have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release
of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance satisfactory to such
Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to an admission of
fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of an Indemnified Person.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and second
paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold
harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such
paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and in
order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions (or alleged statements or omissions) that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the parties
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -36-

material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand or by the
Participants or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may be, on the other,
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to correct or prevent such statement or omission and any other equitable
considerations appropriate under the circumstances.

          (e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation
                                                           --- ----           
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims,
damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall
be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable
legal or other expenses actually incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall a
Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Notes,
Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount
of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission.  No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

          (f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons
may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -37-

8.                           Rules 144 and 144A
                             ------------------

          Each of the Issuers covenants that it will file the reports required
to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder in a timely manner and, if
at any time it is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request
of any Holder of Registrable Notes, make publicly available other information so
long as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the
Securities Act.  Each of the Issuers further covenants, for so long as any
Registrable Notes remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or
beneficial owner of Registrable Notes in connection with any sale thereof and
any prospective purchaser of such Registrable Notes from such Holder or
beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Registrable Notes pursuant to
Rule 144A.

9.                         Underwritten Registrations
                           --------------------------

          If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are
to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.

          No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -38-

documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

10.                             Miscellaneous
                                -------------

          (a) Remedies.  In the event of a breach by any Issuer of any of its
              --------                                                       
obligations under this Agreement, each Holder of Registrable Notes and each
Participating Broker-Dealer holding Exchange Notes, in addition to being
entitled to exercise all rights provided herein, in the Indenture or, in the
case of an Initial Purchaser, in the Purchase Agreement, or granted by law,
including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its
rights under this Agreement.  Each Issuer agrees that monetary damages would not
be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of
any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the
event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall
waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

          (b) No Inconsistent Agreements.  None of the Issuers has entered, as
              --------------------------                                      
of the date hereof, and none of the Issuers shall enter, after the date of this
Agreement, into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  None of the
Issuers has entered and none of the issuers shall enter into any agreement with
respect to any of its securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back
rights with respect to a Registration Statement.

          (c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes.  None of the Issuers
              ---------------------------------------                      
shall, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Notes as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of
Registrable Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -39-

          (d) Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement may not
              ----------------------                                           
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, other than with the prior written
consent of (A) the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes and (B) in circumstances that
would adversely affect Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-
Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
Section 7 and this Section 10(d) may not be amended, modified or supplemented
without the prior written consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-
Dealer (including any person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to
any Registration Statement).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates
exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Notes whose securities are
being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer or sold pursuant to a Registration
Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or
compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes being tendered or being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration
Statement.

          (e) Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or
              -------                                                       
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-
class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:

             1.   if to a Holder of Registrable Notes or any Participating
     Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating
     Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the
     registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner to the Initial
     Purchasers as follows:
<PAGE>
 
                                      -40-

               CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.
               FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
               c/o CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp.
               424 Lexington Avenue
               3rd Floor
               New York, New York  10017
               Facsimile No.:  (212)
               Attention:  Corporate Finance
                           Department

           with a copy to:

               Cahill Gordon & Reindel
               80 Pine Street
               New York, New York  10005
               Facsimile No.:  (212) 269-5420
               Attention:  Roger Meltzer, Esq.

           2.  if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in
     Section 10(e)(1);

           3.  if to the Company, as follows:

               1801 Douglas Drive
               Post Office Box 1410
               Sanford, NC  27330
               Facsimile No.:  (919) 774-3324
               Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
 
                                      -41-

          with copies to:

               Riordan & McKinzie
               300 South Grand Avenue
               Los Angeles, CA  90071
               Facsimile No.:  (213) 229-8550
               Attention:  Roger H. Lustberg, Esq.

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.

          Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee under the
Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.

          (f) Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
              ----------------------                                            
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto
and the Holders; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the
                 --------  -------                                            
benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to
the extent such successor or assign holds Registrable Notes.

          (g) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
              ------------                                                  
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          (h) Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
              --------                                                        
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -42-

          (i) GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
              -------------                                                    
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

          (j) Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
              ------------                                                     
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction.  It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

          (k) Notes Held by any Issuer or Its Affiliates.  Whenever the consent
              ------------------------------------------                       
or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is
required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by any Issuer or its affiliates (as
such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted
in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage.

          (l) Third Party Beneficiaries.  Holders of Registrable Notes and
              -------------------------                                   
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -43-

          (m) Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Purchase
              ----------------                                             
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda among the Initial Purchasers on the
one hand and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents,
representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or
successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are
merged herein and replaced hereby.

          (n) Joint and Several Obligations.  All of the obligations of the
              -----------------------------                                
Issuers hereunder shall be joint and several obligations of each of them.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -44-

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.


                                     THE PANTRY, INC.

                                        /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                     By:____________________________
                                        Name:  William T. Flyg
                                        Title: Senior V.P., Finance & CFO




                                     LIL' CHAMPS FOOD STORES, INC.

                                        /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                     By:____________________________
                                        Name:  William T. Flyg
                                        Title: Executive V.P. & Assistant
                                               Secretary


                                     CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.

                                        /s/ PATRICE M. DANIELS
                                     By:____________________________
                                        Name:  Patrice M. Daniels
                                        Title: Managing Director



                                     FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.

                                        /s/ ERIC LLOYD
                                     By:____________________________
                                        Name:  Eric Lloyd
                                        Title: Director
<PAGE>
 
                                      -45-

                                     SANDHILLS, INC.


                                     By:  /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                         ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  William T. Flyg
                                        Title: Vice President

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.7

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


          THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this
"Agreement") is made and entered into as of October 23, 1997 by and between The
Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), FS Equity Partners III,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("FSEP III"), FS Equity Partners
International, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("FSEP International"; FSEP
III and FSEP International are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the
"FS Entities"), Peter J. Sodini, an individual ("Sodini"), Chase Manhattan
Capital, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, as successor to Chase Manhattan
Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("CMC"), CB Capital Investors, L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership ("CBC"), and Baseball Partners, a New York
general partnership ("BP"; CMC, CBC and BP, together with any other member of
the Chase Capital Group (as defined herein) to which any of CMC, CBC or BP
transfers Registrable Securities (as defined herein), are sometimes collectively
referred to herein as the "Chase Entities").  The FS Entities, the Chase
Entities and Sodini are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Holders" and
individually as the "Holder."


                                R E C I T A L S
                                - - - - - - - -

          A.   The Company, the FS Entities, CMC and BP have previously entered
into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the "Common Stock
Registration Rights Agreement") dated as of August 19, 1996 with respect to an
aggregate of One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Twenty-Nine (114,029) shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), held by
such parties;

          B.   Pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock
Purchase Agreement") dated October 23, 1997 entered into by and among the
Company, the FS Entities, CBC and Sodini (collectively, the "Purchasers"), the
Purchasers have agreed to purchase and the Company has agreed to sell to the
Purchasers an aggregate of Seventy-Two Thousand (72,000) shares of Common Stock
(all such shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Twenty-Nine (114,029) shares of
Common Stock defined as Registrable Securities under the Common Stock
Registration Rights Agreement, together with any other securities for which or
into which they may be converted or exchanged, shall be referred to herein as
the "Registrable Securities");

          C.   It is a condition precedent to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement that each of the FS
Entities, CMC and BP contribute each outstanding share of Series A Preferred
Stock, $.01 par value per share of the Company (the "Series A Preferred"), owned
by such entity to the capital of the Company pursuant to the terms of that
certain Contribution to Capital Agreement dated as of an even 
<PAGE>
 
date herewith by and among the Company, the FS Entities, CMC and BP (the
"Contribution Agreement");

          D.   Section 17 of that certain Amended and Restated Registration
Rights Agreement (the "Series A Registration Rights Agreement") dated as of
August 19, 1996 by and among the Company, the FS Entities, CMC and BP, which
sets forth certain registration rights with respect to the Series A Preferred,
provides that the Series A Registration Rights Agreement may be canceled or
discharged by written instrument executed by the Company and the holders of at
least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities, as defined therein, (i)
held by the FS Entities and (ii) held by CMC and BP;

          E.   Section 17 of the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement
provides that the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement may be amended by
written instrument executed by the Company and the holders of at least fifty
percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities, as defined therein, (i) held by the
FS Entities and (ii) held by CMC and BP;

          F.   The Holders collectively own at least fifty percent (50%) of the
Registrable Securities, as defined in the Series A Registration Rights Agreement
and the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement, held by each of the FS
Entities, CMC and BP, respectively, and hereby desire to terminate the Series A
Registration Rights Agreement and to amend and restate the Common Stock
Registration Rights Agreement in its entirety; and

          G.   The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has approved
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth herein.

                               A G R E E M E N T
                               - - - - - - - - -

          1.   Termination of Series A Registration Rights Agreement.  Effective
               -----------------------------------------------------            
as of the date hereof, and simultaneous with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the Series A
Registration Rights Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect.

          2.   Restrictions on Transfer.  Notwithstanding any provision
               ------------------------                                
contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Registrable Securities shall
not be transferable except upon the conditions specified in this Agreement,
which conditions are intended, among other things, to insure compliance with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in
respect of the transfer of such Registrable Securities.  Each Holder, on the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, agrees that such Holder will not
transfer the Registrable Securities prior to delivery to the Company of an
opinion of counsel (as such opinion and such counsel are described in Section 3
of this Agreement), or until registration of such Registrable Securities under
the Securities Act has become effective.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          3.   Opinion of Counsel.  In connection with any exercise or transfer
               ------------------                                              
of the Registrable Securities, the following provisions shall apply:

          (a) If in the opinion of Riordan & McKinzie, or such other counsel as
shall reasonably be approved by the Company, the proposed transfer of
Registrable Securities may be effected without registration of such Registrable
Securities under the Securities Act, each Holder shall be entitled to transfer
such Registrable Securities in accordance with the proposed method of
disposition.

          (b) If, in the opinion of such counsel the proposed transfer of such
Registrable Securities may not be effected without registration of such
Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, then none of the Holders shall
be entitled to transfer such Registrable Securities until such registration is
effected.

          (c) CMC and CBC may transfer Registrable Securities within the "Chase
Capital Group" without complying with the above opinion procedures provided that
the transferee agrees to be bound by all provisions of this Agreement.  "Chase
Capital Group" means and includes (a) The Chase Manhattan Corporation, (b)
entities that are controlled Affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the General
Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") of The Chase Manhattan Corporation and (c) entities
the majority of the equity owners of which are employees, officers or directors
of any of the foregoing.  BP may transfer Registrable Securities to a member of
the Chase Capital Group in the manner described in Section 6(b) of that certain
Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of an even date herewith
(the "Stockholders' Agreement") by and among the Company and the Holders.

          4.   Demand Registration.
               ------------------- 

          (a) Upon the written request of the Holder or Holders of at least
fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities (the "Initiating Holders") the
Company shall be obligated to effect the registration under the Securities Act
of such Registrable Securities as are requested to be registered by the
Initiating Holders, all in accordance with the following provisions of this
Agreement, provided that the obligation of the Company to effect such
registration shall not be deemed to have been satisfied until the registration
statement with respect thereto has become effective under the Securities Act and
only so long as no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration
statement or the qualification or registration of any of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which the Company shall be required
pursuant to Section 6(d) to register or qualify such Registrable Securities
shall not have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
initiated or threatened by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") or any similar state agency. Within ten (10) days of the request
for registration by the Initiating Holders, the Company shall give written
notice of such request to all Holders, who shall be entitled, by written notice
to the Company and subject to Section 5(a) hereof, to include shares of
Registrable Securities

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
in any registration prepared by the Company pursuant to this Section 4(a). The
Company shall not be obligated to effect more than three (3) demand
registrations pursuant to this Section 4(a).

          (b) In addition to the registration rights provided pursuant to
Section 4(a) hereof, at any time and from time to time after six months
following a firm commitment underwritten initial public offering of the
Company's Common Stock (an "IPO"), upon the written request of the Initiating
Holders, or at the request of any Holder which agrees to register Registrable
Securities having a value of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or more after an
IPO, the Company shall be obligated to effect the registration under the
Securities Act on Form S-3 (if the Company is then eligible to use such
registration form), or any similar short form registration adopted by the
Commission for which the Company may then be eligible, of all or any portion of
the Registrable Securities held by such Holder, all in accordance with the
applicable provisions of this Agreement.

          (c) Whenever the Company shall be requested by the Initiating Holders
pursuant to Section 4(a) or by a Holder pursuant to Section 4(b) to effect the
registration of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, the Company
shall, as provided in Section 5, effect the registration under the Securities
Act of the Registrable Securities which the Company has been requested to
register pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b), all to the extent requisite to permit
the disposition by such Holder of the Registrable Securities so registered.

          (d) In connection with requesting registration of Registrable
Securities pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b), if the Initiating Holders or a
Holder in the case of Section 4(b) advise the Company that they intend to
publicly offer or distribute Registrable Securities to be covered by the
registration statement pursuant to a firm commitment underwriting with an
investment banking firm or firms selected by the Holders, the Company and any
other person entitled to include shares of Common Stock in such registration
statement shall enter into the same underwriting agreement with such underwriter
or underwriters as shall such Holders, containing representations, warranties
and agreements not substantially different from those customarily made by an
issuer or selling shareholder in underwriting agreements with respect to
secondary distributions.

          (e) Neither the Company nor any of its security holders (other than
the Holders) shall have the right to include any securities of the Company in a
registration requested pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b) unless (a) such
securities are of the same class as any of the Registrable Securities included
in such registration and (b) the offering is either (a) not being underwritten
and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities requesting
registration consent to such inclusion in writing or (b) a firm commitment
underwriting and the managing underwriter has informed the Holders that
inclusion of such securities will not adversely affect the price range or the
probability of success of the offering and such securities are allocated as
provided in Section 4(f) and sold on the same terms and conditions as apply to
the Registrable Securities being sold.  If any security holders of the Company
(other than the 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Holders) register securities of the Company in a registration in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4(a) or (b), such security holders
shall pay their pro rata share of the Registration Expenses, as defined below,
unless the Company has agreed to pay such expenses and, in the opinion of
counsel to the Holders, such payment would not affect the ability of the
Registrable Securities to be registered or qualified under the blue sky laws of
any jurisdiction.

          (f) If the Company or any of its security holders request the right to
include equity securities in a registration statement filed pursuant to Section
4(a) or (b) and such securities are proposed to be sold in a firm commitment
underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company that, in
their opinion, the total number of securities requested to be included in such
registration exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering
without adversely affecting the price range or probability of success of such
offering, the securities to be included in such offering shall include (a)
first, all of the Registrable Securities being registered, (b) second, pro rata
among the other holders of the Company's securities requesting inclusion in such
registration on the basis of the number of shares of securities requested to be
registered by such holders and (c) third, such other securities being offered by
the Company.

          5.   "Piggyback" Registrations.
               ------------------------- 

          (a) If the Company at any time or from time to time after the IPO,
proposes to file with the Commission a registration statement under the
Securities Act (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8, or any
form substituting therefor, or filed in connection with an exchange offer) for
the sale of shares of Common Stock, it will at each such time give written
notice to each Holder of its intention so to do.  Upon the written request of
any Holder, the Company will use its best efforts to cause each Registrable
Security which the Company has been requested to register by any Holder, in the
aggregate, to be included in such registration statement under the Securities
Act, all to the extent required to permit the sale or other disposition by each
such Holder of the Registrable Securities so registered. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, of the offering
to be effected pursuant to such registration statement delivers a written
opinion to each Holder requesting the registration of Registrable Securities
that the total number of shares of Common Stock which it and any other persons
or entities intend to include in such offering would adversely affect the price
range or probability of success of such offering, then the Company shall include
in such registration:  (a) first, all securities the Company proposes to sell,
and (b) second, all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such
registration by any Holders and all securities of the Company requested to be
included in such registration by any other holders of Securities who are
entitled to include securities in such registration pursuant to written
registration rights agreements approved by the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Other Stockholders") in excess of the number of shares of its securities
of the Company proposes to sell which, in the opinion of such underwriters, can
be sold without adversely affecting the price range or probability of success of
such offering (allocated pro rata 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
among such Holders and the Other Stockholders on the basis of the number of
shares of such securities requested to be included therein).

          (b) If all or substantially all of the securities (other than the
Registrable Securities) to be registered for sale pursuant to a registration
statement, the intention to file which caused a notice to be given pursuant to
Section 5(a), are to be offered for sale for the account of the Company and are
to be distributed by or through an underwriter or underwriters of recognized
standing pursuant to underwriting terms appropriate for such transactions, then
each Holder agrees that such Holder shall forbear from selling Registrable
Securities to the public (except as part of such underwritten registration)
pursuant to a registration statement or pursuant to Rule 144 or 144A under the
Securities Act for a period of fourteen (14) business days prior to and one
hundred twenty (120) days following the effective date of the registration
statement to which reference is made in Section 5(a).

          (c) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if the
FS Entities are permitted to include any Registrable Securities in the IPO then
each other Holder shall also be permitted to include a pro rata portion of the
Registrable Securities held thereby.

          6.   Company's Obligations in Registration.  If and whenever the
               -------------------------------------                      
Company is obligated by the provisions of this Agreement to effect the
registration of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, the Company
will, as expeditiously as possible,

          (a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement with
respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become and remain effective during the period required
for the distribution of the securities covered by the registration statement,
provided that, if the Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement are not to be sold to or through underwriters acting for the Company,
the Company shall not be required to keep such registration statement effective,
or to prepare and file any amendment or supplement thereto, after the expiration
of one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which such registration
statement becomes effective under the Securities Act or such longer period
during which the Commission requires that such registration statement be kept
effective with respect to any of the Registrable Securities so registered;

          (b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective and
to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement, whenever any Holder shall desire to dispose of the same, subject,
however, to the proviso contained in Section 6(a) and provided that in any event
the Company's obligations under this Section 6(b) shall terminate on the first
anniversary of the effective date of any such registration statement;

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          (c) furnish to each Holder such number of copies of such registration
statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in
such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such
other documents as such Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
disposition of such Registrable Securities;

          (d) make the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, the
Chief Executive Officer and other members of the management of the Company
available to cooperate fully in any offering of Registrable Securities
hereunder, which cooperation shall include, among other things, the
participation of such persons in meetings with potential investors and the
assistance of such persons with the preparation of all materials for such
investors;

          (e) use its best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or
blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as each Holder shall reasonably request, and
do any and all other acts and things to so register or qualify which may be
necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in
such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities;

          (f) if at any time a prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act and any event occurs as a result of which the prospectus included
in such registration statement as then amended or supplemented would include an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the
prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company promptly will prepare
and file with the Commission an amendment or supplement which will correct such
statement or omission or an amendment which will effect such compliance and
shall use its best efforts to cause any amendment of such registration statement
containing an amended prospectus to be made effective as soon as possible; and

          (g) furnish to each Holder at the time of the disposition of
Registrable Securities by such Holder an opinion of counsel for the Company, in
form and substance satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that (a) a
registration statement covering such Registrable Securities has been filed with
the Commission under the Securities Act and has been made effective by order of
the Commission, (b) such registration statement and the prospectus contained
therein comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities
Act, and nothing has come to said counsel's attention which would cause it to
believe that either such registration statement or the prospectus contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (c) the
prospectus meeting the delivery requirements of the Securities Act is available
for delivery, (d) no stop order has been issued by the Commission suspending the

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
effectiveness of such registration statement and, to the best of such counsel's
knowledge, no proceedings for the issuance of such a stop order are threatened
or contemplated, and (e) there has been compliance with the applicable
provisions of the securities or blue sky laws of each jurisdiction in which the
Company shall be required pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof to register or qualify
such Registrable Securities, assuming the accuracy and completeness of the
information furnished to such counsel with respect to each filing related to
such laws.

          7.   Payment of Registration Expenses.  The costs and expenses of all
               --------------------------------                                
"piggyback" registrations and qualifications under the Securities Act pursuant
to Section 5 hereof, all registrations and qualifications under the Securities
Act pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof and three (3) demand registrations and
qualifications under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a), and of all
other actions which the Company is required to take or effect pursuant to this
Agreement shall be paid by the Company (including without limitation all
registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company and for each Holder and expenses of any special audit
incident to or required in connection with any such registration) (collectively,
"Registration Expenses"), provided that the Company shall not be obligated to
pay the underwriters' discount or commission in respect of such Registrable
Securities.

          8.   Information From Each Holder.  Notices and requests delivered by
               ----------------------------                                    
any Holder to the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall contain such
information regarding the Holder, such Holder's Registrable Securities and the
intended method of disposition thereof as shall reasonably be required in
connection with the action to be taken.

          9.   Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others.  The
               -----------------------------------------------------      
Company shall not effect any public sale or distribution of any of its equity
securities, or cause to be effected any other registration of such securities
(other than securities issued pursuant to an employee benefit plan), during the
fourteen (14) business days prior to, and during the one hundred twenty (120)-
day period beginning on the effective date of a registration statement covering
the Registrable Securities (the "Holdback Period"), and the Company shall cause
each holder of its equity securities (other than securities purchased in a
registered public offering) issued after November 30, 1995 to agree not to
effect any public sale or distribution of any securities during such period,
except as part of such registration, if permitted.  Each Holder agrees not to
effect any public sale or distribution of such securities during any Holdback
Period with respect to securities that the Company issued or agreed to be issued
prior to November 30, 1995, except pursuant to a registration covering the
Registrable Securities effected pursuant to Section 5 hereof.

          10.  Participation in Underwritten Registrations.  No Holder may
               -------------------------------------------                
participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a)
agrees to sell such Holder's securities on the basis provided in any
underwriting arrangements approved by the Holders and (b) completes and executes
all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
arrangements and this Agreement, provided that (x) if FSEP III, FSEP
International or any of their Affiliates, or the Chase Entities or any of their
Affiliates participate in such registration, such parties will not be required
to make any representations or warranties except those that relate solely to
such parties and (y) the liability of FSEP III, FSEP International or any of
their Affiliates, and the Chase Entities or any of their Affiliates to any
underwriter under such underwriting agreement will be limited to liability
arising from misstatements in, or omissions from, written information regarding
such parties provided by or on behalf of such parties for inclusion in the
prospectus and shall be limited to proceeds received by such Holder from the
offering.

          11.  Company's Indemnification.  In the event of any registration
               -------------------------                                   
under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement,
the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder and each
other person, if any, who controls each such Holder within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act and each other person (including any
underwriter) who participates in the offering of such Registrable Securities,
against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, to which any
Holder or such controlling person or a participating person may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law or
regulation, at common law or otherwise, to the extent that such loss, claim,
damage or liability (or proceeding in respect thereof) arises out of or is based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in any registration statement under which such Registrable Securities
were registered under the Securities Act, in any preliminary prospectus or final
prospectus contained therein, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or
arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Holder and each such
controlling person or participating person for any legal or other expense
reasonably incurred by such Holder or such controlling person or participating
person in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or proceeding, provided that the Company will not be liable in
any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement,
said preliminary or final prospectus or said amendment or supplement in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an
instrument duly executed by such Holder or such controlling or participating
person, as the case may be, specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company
may otherwise have.

          12.  Indemnification of Each Holder.  It shall be a condition of the
               ------------------------------                                 
Company's obligation under this Agreement to effect any registration under the
Securities Act that there shall have been delivered to the Company an agreement
or agreements duly executed by each Holder whereby each Holder, severally but
not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each other
person referred to in subparts (1), (2) and (3) of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act in respect of such registration statement and each other 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
person, if any, which controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act, against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or
several, to which the Company or such other person or such person controlling
the Company may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or
other federal or state law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, but only
to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability (or proceeding in
respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement
under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities
Act, in any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or in
any amendment or supplement thereto, or arises out of or is based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
which, in each such case, has been made in or omitted from such registration
statement, said preliminary or final prospectus or said amendment or supplement
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by an instrument duly executed by such Holder specifically for use in
the preparation thereof. Such indemnification shall be limited to proceeds
received by such Holder from the offering.

          13.  Notification of and Participation in Actions.  Promptly after
               --------------------------------------------                 
receipt by an indemnified party under this Agreement of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Agreement,
notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the
omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not affect the liability of
the indemnifying party hereunder except to the extent it is actually prejudiced
by such omission and will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under this Agreement.  In case any such
action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies an indemnifying
party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
participate in and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so as to assume the
defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified
party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred
by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.

          14.  Contribution.
               ------------ 

          (a) If the indemnification provided for in this Agreement from the
indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect
of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such indemnified party
would be otherwise entitled under this Agreement, then the indemnifying party,
in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified parties in
connection with the 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such
indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by,
such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages and liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include any
legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection
with any investigation or proceeding. In no event shall any Holder be required
to contribute an amount greater than the dollar amount of the net proceeds
received by such Holder with respect to the sale of Registrable Securities to
which such losses, claims, damages or liabilities relates.

          (b) The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Agreement were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Neither the Company nor any Holder, if guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act), shall be entitled
to contribution.  The contribution provided for in this Agreement shall survive
the transfer of the Registrable Securities and shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified
party.

          15.  Public Information.  At any time after the Company has completed
               ------------------                                              
its initial public offering of Common Stock, if any Holder desires to make sales
of any Registrable Securities in reliance on Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act the Company covenants and agrees that either there will be
available adequate current public information with respect to the Company as
required by paragraph (c) of said Rule 144 or the Company will use its best
efforts to make such information available without delay if such information is
not available.  Without limiting the foregoing, after the Company has completed
its initial public offering of Common Stock, the Company will timely file with
the Commission all reports required to be filed under Sections 13 and 15(d) of
the Exchange Act and will promptly furnish to each Holder, upon request, a
written statement that the Company has complied with all such reporting
requirements.

          16.  Subsequent Offerings of Shares.  The Company hereby grants to
               ------------------------------                               
each Holder the right of first refusal to purchase, pro rata, all or any part of
any Additional Securities, as defined below, which the Company may, from time to
time, propose to sell and issue.  A Holder's pro rata share, for purposes of
this right of first refusal, shall be such Holder's percentage interest in the
shares of Common Stock then outstanding (assuming, for purposes of such
percentage interest, complete conversion of all outstanding convertible
securities and complete exercise of any and all outstanding options and warrants
of the Company).  This right of first refusal shall be subject to the following
provisions:

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          (a) "Additional Securities" shall mean any shares of capital stock of
the Company, including any shares of Common Stock or of preferred stock, whether
now authorized or not, and any rights, options or warrants to purchase such
shares, and securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become,
convertible into such shares, provided that "Additional Securities" do not
include (a) any securities that are issued on a proportional basis to all of the
holders of Common Stock, (b) any securities that are issued or issuable in
connection with any public offering of shares of Common Stock by the Company,
(c) any securities issued pursuant to the acquisition of another corporation by
the Company, (d) any of the Company's Common Stock (or related options
exercisable for such Common Stock) issued to employees, officers and directors
of, and consultants to, the Company, pursuant to any arrangement approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company, (e) any securities issued upon conversion or
exercise of any convertible securities, options or warrants, provided that the
rights of first refusal established by this Section 16 first applied or were
properly waived with respect to the initial sale or grant by the Company of such
convertible securities, options or warrants, (f) any securities issued in
connection with any stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization by the
Company, and (g) any securities issued in connection with an issuance of debt
securities of the Company where the primary purpose of such issuance is to
provide debt financing for the Company.

          (b) In the event the Company proposes to undertake an issuance of
Additional Securities, it shall give each Holder written notice of its
intention, describing the type of Additional Securities, and the price and terms
upon which the Company proposes to issue the same.  Each Holder shall have
fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of any such notice to agree to
purchase up to such Holder's pro rata share of such Additional Securities for
the price and upon the terms specified in the notice by giving written notice to
the Company and stating therein the quantity of Additional Securities to be
purchased.

          (c) If a Holder fails to exercise the right of first refusal within
such fifteen (15) days period, the Company shall have ninety (90) days
thereafter to sell the Additional Securities with respect to which a Holder's
option was not exercised, at the price and upon terms no more favorable to the
purchasers of such securities than specified in the Company's notice.  In the
event the Company has not sold the Additional Securities within said ninety (90)
day period, the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any Additional
Securities, without first offering such securities to the Holders in the manner
provided in Section 16.

          (d) The rights granted to a Holder under this Section 16 shall
terminate (a) upon completion of the Company's initial public offering of Common
Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement that results in gross
proceeds to the Company of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) or more or (b)
upon the sale by a Holder of more than fifty percent (50%) of the shares of
Common Stock held by such Holder on the date of such sale, provided that a
transfer within the Chase Capital Group will not count against this 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
limitation if made in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of the
Stockholders Agreement of even date herewith.

          17.  Amendments.  This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented,
               ----------                                                   
canceled or discharged except by written instrument executed by the Company and
the holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities held
by the FS Entities and fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities held by
the Chase Entities.

          18.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the
               ----------------------                                    
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties, provided, however, that the registration and other rights set forth in
this Agreement may only be assigned to a purchaser of at least fifty percent
(50%) of the Registrable Securities held by such party on the date of such sale,
provided that the Chase Entities may transfer their rights within the Chase
Capital Group subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of
the Stockholders' Agreement.

          19.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
               ------------                                                
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same Agreement and
each of which shall be deemed an original.

          20.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
               -------------                                                    
in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to
principles of conflicts of laws.

          21.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is intended by the parties
               ----------------                                            
hereto as a final expression of their agreement, and is intended to be a
complete and exclusive statement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein.  This Agreement is intended to and does hereby
supersede and restate entirely in all respects the Registration Rights
Agreement.

          22.  Other Registration Rights.  The Company will not enter into any
               -------------------------                                      
agreement granting registration rights with respect to its securities which is
in conflict or inconsistent with the rights of the Holders set forth in this
Agreement.

          23.  Waiver of Rights.  Each of CMC and BP hereby acknowledges and
               ----------------                                             
agrees that, notwithstanding its rights under Section 17 of the Common Stock
Registration Rights Agreement, it hereby waives any and all rights to acquire
any Additional Securities with respect to the transactions contemplated by the
Stock Purchase Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be signed by an officer or partner thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date
first written above.

                         THE PANTRY, INC.,
                         a Delaware corporation


                         By:  /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Name:  William T. Flyg
                                     -------------------------------------------
                              Title: Senior Vice President - Finance and
                                     Chief Financial Officer
                                     -------------------------------------------


                         FS EQUITY PARTNERS III, L.P.,
                         a Delaware limited partnership

                         By:  FS Capital Partners, L.P.
                              Its:  General Partner

                              By:   FS Holdings, Inc.
                                    Its: General Partner


                                    By:  /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  William M. Wardlaw
                                                --------------------------------
                                         Title: Vice President
                                                --------------------------------


                         FS EQUITY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, L.P.,
                         a Delaware limited partnership

                         By:  FS&Co. International, L.P.
                              Its:  General Partner

                              By:   FS International Holdings Limited
                                    Its: General Partner


                                    By:  /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name:  William M. Wardlaw
                                                --------------------------------
                                         Title: Vice President 
                                                --------------------------------


                    [Signatures continued on following page]

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                   [Signatures continued from previous page]



                         CHASE MANHATTAN CAPITAL, L.P.
                         a Delaware limited partnership

                              By:   Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation,
                                    Its:  General Partner

                              By:   /s/ DONALD HOFMANN
                                    --------------------------------------
                              Name:  Donald Hofmann
                                     -------------------------------------
                              Title: General Partner
                                     -------------------------------------


                         CB CAPITAL INVESTORS, L.P.

                              By:   CB Capital Investors, Inc.,
                                    Its:  General Partner

                              By:   /s/ DONALD HOFMANN
                                    --------------------------------------
                              Name:  Donald Hofmann
                                     -------------------------------------
                              Title: General Partner
                                     -------------------------------------
                  

                         BASEBALL PARTNERS,
                         a New York general partnership


                         By:  /s/ CHRISTOPHER BEHRENS
                              --------------------------------------------
                              Name: Christopher Behrens
                                    --------------------------------------
                              Title:    General Partner


                         PETER J. SODINI


                         /s/ PETER J. SODINI
                         --------------------------------------------
                         Peter J. Sodini



                                       15

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 4.8
                                         

                             AMENDED AND RESTATED

                            STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND AMONG

                               THE PANTRY, INC.,

                         FS EQUITY PARTNERS III, L.P.,

                    FS EQUITY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, L.P.,

                        CHASE MANHATTAN CAPITAL, L.P.,

                          CB CAPITAL INVESTORS, L.P.,

                               BASEBALL PARTNERS

                                      AND

                                PETER J. SODINI



                               OCTOBER 23, 1997
<PAGE>
 
          THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT (this "Agreement")
is made and entered into as of October 23, 1997 by and among The Pantry, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), FS Equity Partners III, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("FSEP III"), FS Equity Partners International, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("FSEP International"), Chase Manhattan Capital,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and successor-in-interest to Chase
Manhattan Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("CMC"), CB Capital
Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("CBC"), Baseball Partners, a
New York general partnership ("BP"), and Peter J. Sodini, an individual
("Sodini").


                                    RECITALS

          1.   The Company, FSEP III, FSEP International, CMC and BP wish to
amend and restate that certain Stockholders' Agreement dated as of August 19,
1996 (the "Old Stockholders' Agreement") by and among such parties, as further
set forth below.

          2.   The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of an even date herewith by and among the Company, FSEP III,
FSEP International, CBC and Sodini.


                                   AGREEMENT

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


          1.   Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized
               -----------                                           
terms shall have the following meanings:

         Affiliate:  Such term shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of
         ---------                                                              
the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.

         Chase Entities:  CMC, CBC, BP and any member of the Chase Capital Group
         --------------                                                         
to which any of CMC, CBC or BP transfers shares of Common Stock in accordance
with Section 6.

         Common Stock:  The Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
         ------------                                                      
Company.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
         Employee:  Any employee, director or consultant of the Company.
         --------                                                       

         FS Entities:  FSEP III and FSEP International.
         -----------                                   

         Person:  Any individual, corporation, entity, partnership, joint
         ------                                                          
venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

         Public Market Sale:  A sale of securities into the public market
         ------------------                                              
pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration statement.

         SBIC:  A Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small
         ----                                                                 
Business Administration (or any successor agency) (the "SBA") that owns shares
of Common Stock.

         Securities Act:  The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
         --------------                                          

         SEC:  Securities and Exchange Commission.
         ---                                      

         Voting Securities:  All of the outstanding shares of the capital stock
         -----------------                                                     
of the Company then possessing general voting power with respect to the election
of directors.

          2.   Right of First Offer.
               -------------------- 

               (a) Offer.  Subject to Section 6(a), if either Sodini or any of
                   -----
the Chase Entities determines to solicit, or causes to be solicited, proposals
for the acquisition (whether by means of a sale of stock, exchange or other
method of sale) of any shares of Common Stock, or receives an unsolicited offer
to so acquire any such shares and such Person determines to pursue such an offer
for the acquisition of such shares, such Person shall first give the FS Entities
written notice (the "Notice") of such intention, which notice shall include a
term sheet stating, among other material terms, the minimum sales price that
such Person would accept for such shares (the "Target Price"). The FS Entities
shall have the right for a period of 20 days following the delivery of the
Notice (the "Acceptance Period") to accept the offer to purchase all but not
less than all such shares at the Target Price and upon the other terms provided
with the Notice.

               (b) Acceptance.  The FS Entities shall, if either so desires,
                   ----------
exercise their rights by delivering to such Person written notice of election
prior to 5:00 p.m. Los Angeles time on or before the last day of the Acceptance
Period. The acceptance of the offer to purchase all such shares of Common Stock
shall identify the committed source of financing for such purchase or provide
evidence that the FS Entities are able to effect the purchase. Such Person and
the FS Entities shall, as soon as reasonably possible, negotiate in good faith a
definitive acquisition agreement containing appropriate provisions customary for
a 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
transaction of the type contemplated. If no definitive agreement is agreed upon
within 30 days after negotiations are so commenced, such Person shall be free to
resume its efforts to sell such shares of Common Stock to other prospective
buyers, as further set forth in Section 2(c) below.

               (c) Rejection.  If the FS Entities elect not to exercise their
                   ---------                                                 
purchase rights under Section 2(b) during the Acceptance Period or if such
Person and the FS Entities are unable to conclude negotiations of a definitive
agreement during the 30-day period described above, such Person shall have the
right for a period of 60 days thereafter to sell such shares of Common Stock or,
within such 60-day period, to enter into a definitive agreement to sell such
shares within 30 days of the date of such agreement for a sales price equal to
or greater than the Target Price and upon terms that are not materially less
favorable to such Person than the terms provided to the FS Entities in the
Notice.

               (d) Below Target Price Offer.  If such Person receives a written
                   ------------------------
offer for such shares of Common Stock at any time during such 60-day period
which is acceptable to such Person but is less than the Target Price or upon
terms materially less favorable to such Person than the terms provided to the FS
Entities in the Notice (the "Below Target Price Offer"), such Person shall
promptly deliver a copy of the Below Target Price Offer to the FS Entities.
During the 20-day period following delivery of such written offer, the FS
Entities shall have the right to accept the offer to purchase all, but not less
than all, of such shares of Common Stock on the terms reflected in the Below
Target Price Offer. The FS Entities shall, if they so desire, exercise such
right by delivering to such Person written notice of election prior to 5:00 p.m.
Los Angeles time on or before the final day of such additional 20-day period
(and shall identify the committed source of financing or evidence that the FS
Entities are able to effect the purchase), and such Person and the FS Entities
shall then negotiate a definitive acquisition agreement, in each case in the
manner contemplated by Section 2(b) above. If the FS Entities do not elect to
accept the offer to purchase such shares on such terms within such 20-day period
or if such Person and the FS Entities are unable to conclude negotiations of a
definitive agreement within 30 days of the date of the acceptance of the Below
Target Price Offer, such Person shall have 60 days to consummate the sale of
such shares at a price and upon terms that are not materially less favorable to
such Person than the price and terms specified in the Below Target Price Offer.

               (e) Exempt Transfers. The FS Entities' rights under this Section
                   ----------------
2 shall not apply to (i) transfers by Sodini or the Chase Entities in connection
with a public offering of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a registration
statement filed with and declared effective by the SEC, (ii) transfers pursuant
to Rule 144 of the Securities Act or (iii) transfers permitted by Section 6
below.

               (f) Transferees Bound.  The obligations of each of Sodini and the
                   -----------------                                            
Chase Entities pursuant to this Section 2 shall be binding upon any transferee
of any of the shares of Common Stock held by such Persons, and Sodini and each
of the Chase Entities shall 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
obtain and deliver to the FS Entities a written commitment to be bound by such
provisions from such transferee prior to any transfer.

         3.    Obligation to Sell Securities.
               ----------------------------- 

               (a) Sale Requirement.  Subject to Section 6(a), if the FS
                   ----------------
Entities find a third-party buyer, who is not an Affiliate of the FS Entities,
for all, but not less than all, of the shares of Common Stock held by the FS
Entities (whether such sale is by way of purchase, merger or other form of
transaction), upon the request of the FS Entities, Sodini and each of the Chase
Entities shall sell all of their respective shares of Common Stock to such 
third-party buyer pursuant to the terms and conditions negotiated by the FS
Entities for the sale of all the shares of Common Stock held by the FS Entities.
Sodini and each of the Chase Entities further agrees to timely take such other
actions as the FS Entities may reasonably request to enforce each of Sodini's
and the Chase Entities' respective obligation to sell his and its shares of
Common Stock and otherwise as necessary in connection with the approval of the
consummation of such sale, including any approval by the Company's stockholders
of such sale.

               (b) Conditions to Sale Requirement.  The obligations of each of
                   ------------------------------
Sodini and the Chase Entities pursuant to this Section 3 are subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions:

                    (i)   Upon the consummation of a transaction as described in
          Section 3(a) (the "Proposed Transaction"), Sodini and the Chase
          Entities will each receive the same form and amount of consideration
          per share, or if the FS Entities are given an option as to the form
          and amount of consideration to be received, Sodini and the Chase
          Entities will be given the same option;

                    (ii)  No FS Entity or Affiliate of an FS Entity who holds
          any debt or other securities issued by the Company (i.e., securities
          other than shares of Common Stock) shall, pursuant to the Proposed
          Transaction, receive in consideration of such debt or other securities
          an amount greater than the sum of, without duplication, a) the face
          amount or liquidation value of such securities, plus b) any accrued
          but unpaid interest or dividends (including cumulative dividends, if
          applicable) plus c) any prepayment or redemption premium or penalty
          set forth in the terms of the agreements evidencing such securities;

                    (iii) Neither Sodini nor any Chase Entity shall be
          obligated to make any out-of-pocket expenditure prior to the
          consummation of the Proposed Transaction (excluding modest
          expenditures for postage, copies, etc.) and neither Sodini nor any
          Chase Entity shall be obligated to pay more than his or its "pro rata
          share" of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a
          consummated Proposed Transaction to the extent such costs are incurred
          for the 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          benefit of the FS Entities, Sodini and all Chase Entities selling
          shares of Common Stock and are not otherwise paid by the Company or
          the third-party (costs incurred by or on behalf of an FS Entity for
          its sole benefit will not be considered costs of the Proposed
          Transaction hereunder);

                    (iv)   In the event that either Sodini or the Chase Entities
          are required to make any representations or indemnities in connection
          with the Proposed Transaction (other than representations and
          indemnities concerning each such Person's valid ownership of his or
          its shares of Common Stock, free of all liens and encumbrances (other
          than those arising under applicable securities laws), and such
          Person's authority, power, and right to enter into and consummate such
          purchase or merger agreement without violating any other agreement),
          then each of Sodini and each Chase Entity shall not be liable with
          respect to a sale of such shares for more than his or its "pro rata
          share" of any liability for misrepresentation or indemnity and such
          liability shall be capped at no more than his or its "pro rata share"
          of the total purchase price received in such Proposed Transaction by
          such Person for such shares; and

                    (v)  Neither Sodini nor any Chase Entity shall be obligated
          to take any action, or refrain from taking any action, that he or it
          reasonably believes will result in his or in its or any of its
          Affiliates' violation of any law or order.

                    (vi) As used in this Section 3, a "pro rata share" shall
          mean the ratio of (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock to be
          sold by such Person in a Proposed Transaction, to (ii) the total
          number of shares of Common Stock to be sold by all entities in such
          Proposed Transaction.

          (c) Transferees Bound.  The obligations of each of Sodini and the
              -----------------                                            
Chase Entities pursuant to this Section 3 shall be binding upon any transferee
of any of his or their shares of Common Stock and each of Sodini and each Chase
Entity shall obtain and deliver to the FS Entities a written commitment to be
bound by such provisions from such transferee prior to any transfer.

         4.    Tag Along Rights.
               ---------------- 

               (a)  Rights. Neither the FS Entities nor the Chase Entities (each
                    ------
of the foregoing may from time to time be the "Selling Holder") shall sell or
otherwise dispose of to any Person (the "Buyer") (other than transfers within
the Chase Capital Group pursuant to Section 6) any shares of Common Stock held
or beneficially owned by the Selling Holder unless the non-Selling Holder (the
"Non-Selling Holder") together with Sodini or any other holder of shares of
Common Stock who have rights to participate in sales or other dispositions of
such shares by any of the Stockholders pursuant to written agreements by and
between such 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Stockholder and any such holder (collectively, and together with the Non-Selling
Holders, the "Co-Sale Right Holders"), are given an opportunity to sell or
otherwise dispose of to the Buyer their respective Pro Rata Share (determined in
accordance with Section 4(b) below) of any shares of Common Stock held by such
Co-Sale Right Holders (the "Tag Along Rights").

               (b)  TAR Offer. Prior to the consummation by the Selling Holder
                    ---------
of any sale or other disposition of the Selling Holder's shares of Common Stock
which is subject to the provisions of Section 4(a), the Selling Holder shall
cause the bona fide offer from the Buyer to purchase or otherwise acquire such
Selling Holder's shares of Common Stock from the Selling Holder to be reduced to
writing (the "TAR Offer") and shall deliver written notice of the TAR Offer,
together with a true copy of the TAR Offer (the "TAR Notice"), to each of the 
Co-Sale Right Holders in the event such proposed sale or other disposition is
subject to the Tag Along Rights (a "TAR Sale"). Each TAR Offer shall include an
offer to purchase or otherwise acquire from each Co-Sale Right Holder
(individually, a "TAR Offeree" and collectively, the "TAR Offerees"), at the
same time, at the same price and on the same terms as apply to the sale or other
disposition by the Selling Holder to the Buyer and according to the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement, not less than the amount of the
shares of Common Stock held by such TAR Offeree as shall be equal to the product
of (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock which the Buyer desires to
purchase or otherwise acquire, times (ii) the TAR Offeree's Pro Rata Share,
which is a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of shares of
shares of Common Stock subject to the TAR Offer held by such TAR Offeree on the
date of the TAR Notice and the denominator of which is the total number of
shares of Common Stock held on such date by the Selling Holder and all the TAR
Offerees who elect, pursuant to Section 4(c) below, to accept the TAR Offer.
Pursuant to Section 4(d), the Selling Holder may then sell to the Buyer the
number of shares of Common Stock remaining after the shares of Common Stock to
be sold by the TAR Offerees are subtracted from the number of shares of Common
Stock to be sold by the Selling Holder as contained in the TAR Offer.

               (c)  Acceptance Notice.  If a TAR Offeree desires to accept the
                    -----------------
TAR Offer with respect to his or its shares of Common Stock, such TAR Offeree
shall do so by delivering to the Selling Holder a written notice stating such
TAR Offeree's irrevocable acceptance of the TAR Offer with respect to such TAR
Offeree's shares of Common Stock and setting forth the amount of the shares of
Common Stock that such TAR Offeree desires to sell to the Buyer (the "Acceptance
Notice"), which Acceptance Notice shall be delivered to the Selling Holder
within 20 days after the delivery of the TAR Notice to such TAR Offeree. Such
Acceptance Notice shall constitute such TAR Offeree's agreement to sell to the
Buyer the lesser of (i) the amount of such TAR Offeree's shares of Common Stock
which such TAR Offeree is entitled to sell to the Buyer pursuant to this Section
4 and (ii) the amount of such TAR Offeree's shares of Common Stock which such
TAR Offeree desires to sell to the Buyer as set forth in such TAR Offeree's
Acceptance Notice. In addition, such Acceptance Notice shall include (i) a
written undertaking of the TAR Offeree to deliver, at least three business days
prior to the expected date of the consummation of such sale or other disposition
to the 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Buyer as indicated in the TAR Notice, such documents (including stock
assignments and stock certificates, if any) as shall be reasonably required to
transfer the amount of such TAR Offeree's shares of Common Stock that such TAR
Offeree agrees to sell to the Buyer pursuant to the TAR Offer and (ii) a limited
power-of-attorney authorizing the Selling Holder to transfer such shares to the
Buyer pursuant to the terms of the TAR Offer. If a TAR Offeree does not deliver
an Acceptance Notice to the Selling Holder in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 4(c), such TAR Offeree shall be deemed to have irrevocably rejected
the TAR Offer.

               (d)  Consummation.  If there is a decrease in the price to be
                    ------------
paid by the Buyer for the shares of Common Stock to be sold from the price set
forth in the TAR Offer, which decrease is acceptable to the Selling Holder or
other material change in terms which are less favorable to the Selling Holder
but which are acceptable to the Selling Holder, the Selling Holder shall notify
the TAR Offerees of such decrease or other material terms, and each TAR Offeree
shall have five business days from the date of receipt of the notice of such
decrease to reduce the shares of Common Stock he or it will sell to such Buyer
as previously indicated in the applicable Acceptance Notice. The Selling Holder
shall act as agent for the TAR Offerees in connection with such sale or other
disposition and shall cause to be remitted promptly to each of the TAR Offerees
the total consideration for the shares of Common Stock sold by such TAR Offeree
pursuant thereto, which consideration shall be in the same form as the
consideration received by the Selling Holder and shall be net of such TAR
Offeree's applicable portion of the expenses of such sale or other disposition,
as provided in Section 4(e) below. The Selling Holder shall furnish, or shall
cause to be furnished, promptly such other evidence of the consummation and time
of consummation of such sale or other disposition and the terms thereof as shall
be reasonably requested. If the Selling Holder does not complete such sale or
other disposition, the Selling Holder shall return to the TAR Offerees all
documents (including stock assignments and stock certificates, if any) and
powers-of-attorney which the TAR Offerees delivered to the Selling Holder
pursuant to the terms of this Section 4 or otherwise in connection with such
sale or other disposition.

               (e)  Expenses.  Each Co-Sale Right Holder shall bear such
                    --------
holder's pro rata share of the reasonable expenses incurred by the Selling
Holder in connection with any sales or other dispositions of such Co-Sale Right
Holder's shares of Common Stock made pursuant to the Tag Along Rights.

               (f)  Exempt Sales.  The Tag Along Rights and obligations set
                    ------------
forth in this Section 4 shall not apply to a Public Market Sale.

         5.    Affiliate Transactions.
               ---------------------- 

               (a)  Neither the Company nor any Affiliate will enter into any
transaction with any stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate thereof or with
any member of management of the Company unless the terms and conditions of such
transaction are no less

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
favorable to the Company or its Affiliate, as the case may be, than would be
obtained in a comparable arm's length transaction with an unaffiliated third
party.

               (b)  As long as the Chase Entities (or any of them) own shares of
Common Stock, no FS Entity or any Affiliate of an FS Entity will be entitled to
payment of fees except for services rendered in connection with a material
acquisition, merger, divestiture, reorganization or restructuring, provided that
such fee is no more favorable to the FS Entity or an Affiliate of the FS Entity
than would be available from a nationally recognized investment banking firm,
and provided, further, that such fee shall not be payable without the consent of
the Majority Chase Entities, as defined below, if the FS Entity is selling its
entire interest in an acquisition, merger, reorganization or restructuring
transaction. The foregoing shall not prevent payment after the date hereof of a
fee of $2,000,000 to an FS Entity or an Affiliate of an FS Entity in connection
with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase
Agreement.

         6.    Transfers; Transfers Within Chase Capital Group.
               ----------------------------------------------- 

               (a) Prior to February 18, 1998, no Chase Entity shall sell,
assign, transfer, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of (collectively, a
"Transfer") any shares of Common Stock or any right, title or interest therein,
without the consent of the FS Entities. Except as otherwise set forth in Section
3, prior to February 18, 1998, no FS Entity shall sell, assign, transfer,
hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock, or any
right, title or interest therein, without the consent of the Majority Chase
Entities. Any attempt to Transfer any shares of Common Stock, or any right,
title or interest therein, other than in compliance with this Agreement, shall
be null and void, and the Company shall not give effect to any such attempted
transaction or transfer.

               (b) For purposes of this Agreement, "Chase Capital Group" means
and includes (i) The Chase Manhattan Corporation, (ii) entities that are
Affiliates of The Chase Manhattan Corporation and (iii) entities the majority of
the equity owners of which are employees, officers or directors of any of the
foregoing. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any
member of the Chase Capital Group may Transfer its shares of Common Stock to
other members of the Chase Capital Group without restriction, provided that any
transferee agrees to be bound by provisions in this Agreement, and members of
the Chase Capital Group may purchase shares of Common Stock from BP upon the
Transfer of such shares of Common Stock by BP to such members, including without
limitation, any Transfer resulting from the enforcement of a security interest
by Chase in such shares existing as of the date hereof pursuant to the terms of
a pledge agreement between Chase and BP (the "Pledge Agreement"), provided that
the Transfer of such shares of Common Stock by BP or Chase in connection with
the enforcement by Chase of its rights under the Pledge Agreement to any person
other than a member of the Chase Capital Group shall be subject to Section 2
hereof, and provided, further, that, to the extent the terms of the Pledge
Agreement are contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with the terms of this
Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
supersede all such contrary or inconsistent terms. In the event of a Transfer
within the Chase Capital Group, all references to "Chase" or the "Chase
Entities" shall thereafter refer to each of the members of the Chase Capital
Group with respect to the shares of Common Stock owned by such member. The FS
Entities' Tag Along Rights pursuant to Section 4 will not apply to Transfers
within the Chase Capital Group, or to Transfers from BP to the Chase Capital
Group.

          7.   Regulatory Compliance Cooperation.
               --------------------------------- 

               (a) In the event that an SBIC determines that it has a Regulatory
Problem (as defined below), the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to take all such actions as are reasonably requested by such SBIC in
order (i) to effectuate and facilitate any transfer by such SBIC of any
Securities (as defined below) of the Company then held by such SBIC to any
Person designated by such SBIC and approved by the FS Entities (with such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld), (ii) to permit such SBIC (or any
Affiliate of such SBIC) to exchange all or any portion of the voting Securities
then held by such Person on a share-for-share basis for shares of a class of 
non-voting Securities of the Company, which non-voting Securities shall be
identical in all respects to such voting Securities, except that such new
Securities shall be non-voting and shall be convertible into voting Securities
on such terms as are requested by such SBIC in light of regulatory
considerations then prevailing, (iii) to continue and preserve the voting
interests with respect to the Company arising out of such SBIC's ownership of
voting Securities before the transfers and amendments referred to above
(including entering into such additional agreements as are requested by such
SBIC to permit any Person(s) designated by such SBIC and approved by the FS
Entities (with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) to exercise any
voting power which is relinquished by such SBIC upon any exchange of voting
Securities for nonvoting Securities of the Company) and (iv) entering into such
additional agreements, adopting such amendments to this Agreement, the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company and other relevant
agreements and taking such additional actions, in each case as are reasonably
requested by such SBIC in order to effectuate the intent of the foregoing.

               If an SBIC elects to transfer Securities of the Company to a
Regulated Holder (as defined below) in order to avoid a Regulatory Problem, the
Company shall enter into such agreements with such Regulated Holder as it may
reasonably request in order to assist such Regulated Holder in complying with
applicable laws, rules and regulations to which it is subject. Such agreements
may include restrictions on the redemption, repurchase or retirement of
Securities of the Company that would result or be reasonably expected to result
in such Regulated Holder holding more voting securities or total securities
(equity and debt) than it is permitted to hold under such regulations.

               (b) In the event an SBIC has the right to acquire any of the
Company's Securities (as the result of a preemptive offer, pro rata offer or
otherwise), at such SBIC's request the Company will offer to sell to such SBIC
non-voting Securities on the same 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
terms as would have existed had such SBIC acquired the Securities so offered and
immediately requested their exchange for non-voting Securities pursuant to
paragraph (a) above.

               (c)  In the event that any subsidiary of the Company ever offers
to sell any of its Securities to an SBIC, then the Company will cause such
subsidiary to enter into agreements with such SBIC substantially similar to this
Section 7 and Section 8.

               (d)  For purposes of this Section 7:

                    (i)   "Regulated Holder" means any holder of the Company's
          Securities that is (or that is a subsidiary of a bank holding company
          that is) subject to the various provisions of Regulation Y of the
          Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Systems, 12 C.F.R., Part 225
          (or any successor to Regulation Y);

                    (ii)  "Regulatory Problem" means (A) any set of facts or
          circumstances wherein it has been asserted by any governmental
          regulatory agency (or an SBIC believes that there is a significant
          risk of such assertion) that such Person (or any bank holding company
          that controls such Person) is not entitled to hold, or exercise any
          material right with respect to, all or any portion of the Securities
          of the Company which such Person holds or (B) when such Person and its
          Affiliates would own, control or have power (including voting rights)
          over a greater quantity of Securities of the Company than is permitted
          under any law or regulation or any requirement of any governmental
          authority applicable to such Person or to which such Person is
          subject; and

                    (iii) "Securities" means with respect to any Person, such
          Person's capital stock or any options, warrants or other Securities
          which are directly or indirectly convertible into, or exercisable or
          exchangeable for, such Person's capital stock (whether or not such
          derivative Securities are issued by the Company).  Whenever a
          reference herein to Securities refers to any derivative Securities,
          the rights of an SBIC shall apply to such derivative Securities and
          all underlying Securities directly or indirectly issuable upon
          conversion, exchange or exercise of such derivative Securities.

               (e)  Any transferee of Securities from Buyer must agree in
writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

          8.   Information Rights and Related Covenants.
               ---------------------------------------- 

               (a)  Within 75 days after the closing of a purchase of shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company
shall provide to each SBIC a certificate of its chief financial officer (i)
verifying (and describing in

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
reasonable detail) the use of the proceeds of such SBIC's financing and (ii)
certifying compliance by the Company with the provisions of this Agreement and
any purchase or subscription agreement to which such SBIC is a party. In
addition to any other rights granted hereunder, the Company shall provide each
SBIC, any Affiliate of such SBIC and the SBA access to its books and records for
the purpose of verifying the use of the proceeds of such Person's financing and
for all other purposes required by the SBA.

               (b) Promptly after the end of each fiscal year (but in any event
prior to February 28 of each year), the Company shall provide to each SBIC a
written assessment, in form and substance satisfactory to such SBIC, of the
economic impact of such SBIC's financing hereunder, specifying the full-time
equivalent jobs created or retained, the impact of the financing on the
Company's business in terms of expanded revenue and taxes and other appropriate
economic benefits, including, but not limited to, technology development or
commercialization, minority business development, urban or rural business
development, expansion of exports and assistance to manufacturing firms.

               (c) Upon the request of an SBIC or any Affiliates of an SBIC, the
Company will (i) provide to such Person such financial statements and other
information as such Person may from time to time request for the purpose of
assessing the Company's financial condition and (ii) furnish to such Person all
information requested by it in order for it to prepare and file SBA Form 468 and
any other information requested or required by any governmental agency asserting
jurisdiction over such Person.

               (d) For a period of one year following the date hereof, neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will change its business activity if
such change would render the Company ineligible to receive financial assistance
from a Small Business Investment Company under the Small Business Investment Act
and the regulations thereunder. If the Company breaches this covenant, then, in
addition to all other remedies available to each SBIC, such SBIC may demand that
the Company immediately repurchase all securities acquired by such SBIC at the
purchase price paid therefor.

               (e) The Company will at all times comply with the non-
discrimination requirements of 13 C.F.R., Parts 112, 113 and 117.

         9.    Observer Rights.  From and after August 19, 1996, the Chase
               ---------------                                            
Entities shall no longer be entitled to designate one non-voting observer (the
"Observer") to be admitted to each meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Company and each subsidiary, including telephonic meetings.

         10.   Representation on the Board of Directors.  Subject to the
               ----------------------------------------                 
terms and conditions of this Section 10, and provided that the Chase Entities
own at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company,
at each annual or special meeting of stockholders of Company, or in any written
consent executed in lieu of a stockholder meeting, 

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
at or pursuant to which persons are being elected to fill positions on the Board
of Directors of Company, each of the FS Entities and the Chase Entities agrees
to exercise, or cause to be exercised, voting rights with respect to Voting
Securities then owned or held of record by such entity in such a manner that a
candidate designated by a majority vote of the shares of Common Stock held by
the Chase Entities (the "Majority Chase Entities") shall be elected to fill and
continue to hold one of the positions on the Board of Directors of the Company.
If at any time from and after the date hereof, the Majority Chase Entities shall
notify the FS Entities of its desire to remove any director previously
designated by the Majority Chase Entities to serve on the Board of Directors of
the Company, each of the FS Entities agrees to exercise or cause to be exercised
voting rights with respect to Voting Securities owned or held of record by such
entity so as to remove such director of the Company. If at any time from and
after the date hereof, any director previously designated by the Majority Chase
Entities to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company ceases to be a
director (whether by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise), the
Majority Chase Entities shall be entitled to designate a successor director to
fill the vacancy created thereby, and each of the FS Entities agrees to exercise
its voting rights with respect to Voting Securities owned or held of record by
such entity so as to elect such designee as a director of Company. The Majority
Chase Entities may not assign their rights pursuant to this Section 10 and such
rights will terminate if the Majority Chase Entities hold less than ten percent
(10%) of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.

         11.   Copy of Agreement. A copy of this Agreement and all amendments
               -----------------                                   
hereto shall be filed with the Secretary of the Company and shall be kept at the
principal executive offices of the Company.

         12.   Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
               -------------                                          
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard
to the conflicts of laws rules thereof.

         13.   Successors and Assigns. Except for the right set forth in Section
               ----------------------                                    
10 of this Agreement, which is not assignable, the FS Entities and the Chase
Entities may assign their respective rights under this Agreement in connection
with the transfer or sale of at least 50% of the Securities held by each;
provided, however, that any such transfer or sale must be in compliance with
this Agreement and all applicable federal and state securities laws. Any
transferee of Securities will be bound by all obligations of the transferring
party hereunder and shall obtain a written undertaking to be so bound prior to
any such transfer. Each of the Chase Entities only may assign its rights under
this Agreement to only one (1) assignee and such assignee shall not be entitled
to further assign such rights.

         14.   Continuation of Rights and Obligations. All of the FS Entities'
               --------------------------------------                
and the Chase Entities' other rights and obligations shall continue in full
force and effect following the Company's initial public offering of shares of
Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement.

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
         15.   Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, modified or
               --------------------                                 
supplemented, and compliance with any provision hereof may be waived, only with
the written consent of the FS Entities, the Majority Chase Entities and Sodini,
and any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver so consented to in writing
shall be binding upon the parties hereto and all transferees of shares of Common
Stock held by any of the FS Entities, the Majority Chase Entities and Sodini.

         16.   Interpretation. The headings of the sections contained in this
               --------------                                            
Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement
of the parties and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.

         17.   Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
               -------                                                    
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given if delivered personally or delivered by telecopier (with receipt
confirmed) or three (3) days after deposit in the mail, by registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested) postage prepaid, (i) if to the FS
Entities, at Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated, 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard,
Suite 1900, Los Angeles, California 90025, Attention: William M. Wardlaw,
telecopier: (310) 444-1870, (ii) if to the Chase Entities, at Chase Capital
Partners, L.P., 380 Madison Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10017,
Attention: Christopher C. Behrens, telecopier: (212) 622-3101 and (iii) if to
Sodini, The Pantry, Inc., 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North Carolina 27330,
telecopier: (919) 774-3329 (or at such other address or telecopier number for
any party as shall be specified by like notice provided that notices of a change
of address or telecopier number shall be effective only upon receipt thereof).

         18.   Legends. All certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock that
               -------                                                     
are issued to the FS Entities, the Chase Entities and Sodini shall be legended
as follows (in addition to any other legend required to be placed thereon):

         "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSFER AND VOTING THEREOF AS SET FORTH IN
THAT CERTAIN AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER
23, 1997, WHICH MAY BE VIEWED AT THE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS OF THE
CORPORATION AND A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER WITHOUT CHARGE
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR."

         19.   Further Assurances.  The Company covenants and agrees that it
               ------------------                                           
will act in good faith to preserve for the FS Entities, the Chase Entities and
Sodini the benefits of this Agreement and that it will take no voluntary action
to impair the benefits hereof or to avoid or seek to avoid the observance or
performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
hereunder or to deny to the FS Entities, the Chase Entities or Sodini any of the
benefits or protections contemplated hereby.

         20.   Injunctive Relief. It is acknowledged that it will be impossible
               -----------------                                     
to measure in money the damages that would be suffered if the parties hereto
fail to comply with any of the obligations herein imposed on them and that, in
the event of any such failure, an aggrieved party hereto will be irreparably
damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at law. Any such party shall,
therefore, be entitled to injunctive relief, including specific performance, to
enforce such obligations, and if any action should be brought in equity to
enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto
shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.

         21.   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
               ------------                                                
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

         22.   Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties
               ----------------                                            
hereto as a final expression of their agreement, and is intended to be a
complete and exclusive statement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein. This Agreement is intended to and does hereby supersede
entirely in all respects the Old Stockholders' Agreement, which shall terminate
and have no further force or effect.

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.

                             THE PANTRY, INC.,
                             a Delaware corporation


                             By:  /s/  WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                  Name:  William T. Wardlaw
                                         ---------------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Vice President - Finance and
                                         Chief Financial Officer
                                         ---------------------------------


                             FS EQUITY PARTNERS III, L.P.,
                             a Delaware limited partnership

                             By:  FS Capital Partners, L.P.
                                  Its: General Partner

                                  By:  FS Holdings, Inc.
                                  Its: General Partner


                                          By: /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                              ----------------------------
                                             Name: William M. Wardlaw
                                                   -----------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    ----------------------


                             FS EQUITY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, L.P.,
                             a Delaware limited partnership

                             By:  FS&Co. International, L.P.
                             Its: General Partner

                                  By:  FS International Holdings Limited
                                  Its: General Partner

                                       By: /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                          -----------------------------
                                          Name:  William M. Wardlaw
                                                 ----------------------
                                          Title: Vice President
                                                 ----------------------

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                             CHASE MANHATTAN CAPITAL, L.P.
                             a Delaware limited partnership

                                     By:  Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation
                                     Its: General Partner

                                     By:    /s/ DONALD HOFMANN
                                            ------------------------------
                                     Name:  Donald Hofmann
                                            ------------------------------
                                     Title: General Partner
                                            ------------------------------


                             CB CAPITAL INVESTORS, L.P.,
                             a Delaware limited partnership

                                     By:  CB Capital Investors, Inc.
                                     Its: General Partner

                                     By:    /s/ DONALD HOFMANN
                                            ------------------------------
                                     Name:  Donald Hofmann
                                            ------------------------------
                                     Title: General Partner
                                            ------------------------------


                             BASEBALL PARTNERS,
                             a New York general partnership

                             By:  /s/ CHRISTOPHER BEHRENS
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Christopher Behrens
                                         ---------------------------------
                                  Title:  General Partner


                             PETER J. SODINI

                             By:  /s/ PETER J. SODINI
                                  ----------------------------------------
                                    Peter J. Sodini

                                      16

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



                               RIORDAN & McKINZIE
                       300 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2900
                         Los Angeles, California  90071



                               December 19, 1997

                                 


The Pantry, Inc.
Post Office Box 1410
1801 Douglas Drive
Sanford, North Carolina  27331-1440

Sandhills, Inc.
913 Market Street, Suite 806
Wilmington, Delaware  19801

Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
9143 Phillips Highway, Suite 200
Post Office Box 23180
Jacksonville, Florida  32241-3180

           Re:  The Pantry, Inc. -- 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
                due October 15, 2007 -- Registration Statement on Form S-4
                -----------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We have acted as counsel to The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), Sandhills, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Sandhills'), and Lil'
Champ Food Stores, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Lil' Champ"; Sandhills and Lil'
Champ shall be collectively referred to as the "Guarantors"), in connection with
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act") of, and the offer to exchange, the Company's 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes due October 15, 2007 to be registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") (the "Exchange Notes"), for its outstanding 10
1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2007.  This opinion is delivered
to you in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement") for the aforementioned Exchange Notes and exchange
offer, filed as of the date hereof with the Commission under the Securities Act.
Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given
to them in the Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
 
The Pantry, Inc.
Sandhills, Inc.
Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
December 19, 1997
Page 2


          In rendering this opinion, we have examined copies identified to our
satisfaction as being copies of the Indenture, attached as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and originals, counterparts or copies identified to our
satisfaction as being true copies of such other documents as we have deemed
necessary or appropriate to render the opinions given below.  We have assumed
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the
conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as
certified, conformed or photostatic copies.

          We have investigated such questions of law for the purpose of
rendering this opinion as we have deemed necessary.  We express no opinion with
respect to compliance with state securities laws or with respect to any state or
federal fraudulent conveyance statutes.

          Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications, exceptions
and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, when the Indenture
shall become qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and
when the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees shall have been duly executed,
authenticated and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and the exchange
offer contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Exchange Notes and
Guarantees will be legally issued and fully paid and constitute the legally
valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively.

          To the extent that the obligations of the Company under the Indenture
may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that
the Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Trustee is duly qualified to
engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture; that the Indenture has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and constitutes the
valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Trustee; that the Trustee is in
compliance, generally and with respect to acting as a trustee under the
Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the Trustee has
the requisite corporate and legal power and authority to perform its obligations
under the Indenture.

          We advise you that certain members of this firm own interests,
directly or indirectly, in a partnership which owns a majority of the stock of
the Company.
<PAGE>
 
The Pantry, Inc.
Sandhills, Inc.
Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
December 19, 1997
Page 3


          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement.

                                  Very truly yours,

 
                                  /s/ Riordan & McKinzie

<PAGE>
 
                                                               EXHIBIT 10.7


                                                             
                      -------------------------------------


                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                     among


                               THE PANTRY, INC.,


                         FS EQUITY PARTNERS III, L.P.,


                    FS EQUITY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, L.P.,


                           CB CAPITAL INVESTORS, L.P.


                                      and


                                PETER J. SODINI

                      -------------------------------------


                          Dated as of October 23, 1997

                      -------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Page
                                                                                   ----
<S>                             <C>                                                <C>
          ARTICLE I             THE TRANSACTIONS................................    1

          1.1                   Purchase and Sale...............................    1

          1.2                   Purchase Price..................................    1

          1.3                   Closing Matters.................................    2

          1.4                   Time and Place of Closing.......................    2

          1.5                   Fees and Expenses...............................    2

          ARTICLE II            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS    2

          2.1                   Organization....................................    2

          2.2                   Authority.......................................    2

          2.3                   No Violation....................................    3

          2.4                   Brokers.........................................    3

          2.5                   Securities Act Representation...................    4

          ARTICLE III           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY...    4

          3.1                   Corporate Organization..........................    4

          3.2                   Capital Stock...................................    4

          3.3                   Newly Issued Shares.............................    5

          3.4                   Authority.......................................    6

          3.5                   No Violation....................................    6

          3.6                   Litigation......................................    7

          3.7                   Financial Statements and SEC Reports............    7
</TABLE> 

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                         TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                  Page
                                                                                  ----
<S>                             <C>                                                <C> 
          3.8                   Absence of Certain Changes or Events............    8

          3.9                   Brokers; Certain Expenses.......................    8

          3.10                  Senior Notes Offering Memorandum................    8

          3.11                  Small Business Matters..........................    8

          ARTICLE IV            COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS........................    9

          4.1                   Efforts to Consummate...........................    9

          4.2                   Consents........................................    9

          4.3                   Delivery of Financial Statements and Other
                                Documents.......................................   10

          ARTICLE V             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT............................   11

          5.1                   Conditions to Each Party's Obligations..........   11

          5.2                   Conditions to the Obligations of the Company....   11

          5.3                   Conditions to the Obligations of the Purchasers.   11

          ARTICLE VI            MISCELLANEOUS...................................   12

          6.1                   Notices.........................................   12

          6.2                   Headings; Agreement.............................   13

          6.3                   Publicity.......................................   13

          6.4                   Entire Agreement................................   13

          6.5                   Conveyance Taxes................................   14

          6.6                   Assignment......................................   14
</TABLE> 

                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
                         TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                  Page
                                                                                  ----
<S>                             <C>                                                <C> 
          6.7                   Counterparts....................................   14

          6.8                   Amendment.......................................   14

          6.9                   Governing Law...................................   14

          6.10                  Third Party Beneficiaries.......................   14

          6.11                  Limitation of Liability.........................   14
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
EXHIBITS
- --------

Exhibit A      Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement

Exhibit B      Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit C      Contribution to Capital Agreement

SCHEDULES
- ---------

Schedule A  Schedule of Purchasers

Schedule B  Outstanding Common Stock

                                       iv
<PAGE>
 
                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                            ------------------------



    STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of October 23, 1997 among
The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), FS Equity Partners
III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("FSEP III"), FS Equity Partners
International, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("FSEP International"), CB
Capital Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Chase"), and Peter J.
Sodini, an individual ("Sodini").  FSEP III, FSEP International, Chase and
Sodini are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Purchasers" and
individually as a "Purchaser".

                                R E C I T A L S:
                                - - - - - - - - 

         The Purchasers wish to purchase from the Company an aggregate amount of
72,000 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), for $450.00 per share of Common Stock in the amounts and for
the consideration set forth opposite each such Purchaser's name on Schedule A
                                                                   ----------
attached hereto; and

         The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has approved this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth herein.

                               A G R E E M E N T:
                               - - - - - - - - - 

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions contained
herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and in order to set
forth the terms and conditions of the transactions described herein, the parties
hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE

                                THE TRANSACTIONS

     1.1 Purchase and Sale.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
         -----------------                                                   
forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, as defined below, the Purchasers shall
purchase from the Company and the Company shall sell to the Purchasers 72,000
shares of Common Stock.

     1.2 Purchase Price.  The purchase price to be paid by the Purchasers for
         --------------                                                      
the shares of Common Stock acquired hereunder shall be $450.00 per share of
Common Stock.
<PAGE>
 
     1.3 Closing Matters.  At the Closing  each Purchaser will wire transfer in
         ---------------                                                       
same day funds to the Company the sums set forth opposite such Purchaser's name
on Schedule A in payment of the purchase price for the shares of Common Stock to
   ----------                                                                   
be purchased by such Purchaser, provided that Sodini may pay a portion of his
purchase price in cash and a portion in the form of a promissory note, the terms
of which shall be acceptable to Sodini and the Company, and  the Company shall
deliver a certificate or certificates to such Purchaser, representing the shares
of Common Stock purchased thereby.

     1.4 Time and Place of Closing.  The consummation of the transactions
         -------------------------                                       
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at 10:00 a.m.
New York time, at the offices of the Company at 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford,
North Carolina 27330 on the first business day following the satisfaction or
waiver of all of the conditions required to be satisfied at or prior to the
Closing, as set forth in Article V, or at such other time, place or date as the
parties hereto shall agree upon in writing (the "Closing Date").

     1.5 Fees and Expenses.  The Company shall on the first business day after
         -----------------                                                    
the Closing Date, pay to FS & Co. Incorporated a transaction fee of Two Million
Dollars ($2,000,000), by wire transfer in same day funds.


                                    ARTICLE

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                               OF THE PURCHASERS

    Each Purchaser, severally as to itself only and not as to any other
Purchaser, represents and warrants to the Company, to the extent applicable, as
follows:

     2.1 Organization.  Purchaser is a limited partnership duly organized,
         ------------                                                     
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     2.2 Authority.  Purchaser has full partnership power and authority to
         ---------                                                        
execute and deliver this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Stockholders'
Agreement (the "Stockholders' Agreement") the form of which agreement is
attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Amended and Restated Registration Rights
Agreement, the form of which agreement is attached as Exhibit B hereto (the
"Registration Rights Agreement"), and the Contribution to Capital Agreement, the
form of which agreement is attached as Exhibit C hereto (the "Contribution
Agreement", and, together with the Stockholders' Agreement and the Registation
Rights Agreement, the "Ancillary Agreements"), and to consummate the
transactions contemplated on its part hereby and thereby.  The execution,
delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and each of the
Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby have been duly authorized

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
by all necessary action on the part of Purchaser.  No other action on the part
of Purchaser or its partners is necessary to authorize the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by Purchaser or the
performance by Purchaser of its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  Each of
this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements has been duly executed and
delivered by Purchaser and constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of
Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general equitable
principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).  Each other agreement to be executed by
Purchaser in connection with this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date will
be duly executed and delivered by Purchaser and (assuming due execution and
delivery by the other party or parties thereto) will constitute a legal, valid
and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject
to general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except to the extent that
indemnification with respect to securities laws violations may be held void as
against public policy.

     2.3 No Violation.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
         ------------                                                       
Ancillary Agreements by Purchaser, the performance by Purchaser of his or its
obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by him or it of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not  violate any provision of
law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination
or award applicable to Purchaser,  require the consent, waiver, approval,
license or authorization of or any filing by Purchaser with any person or
governmental authority (other than such consents, waivers, approvals, licenses
and authorizations and filings as shall have been or will be timely made or
obtained by or on behalf of Purchaser) or  violate, result (with or without
notice or the passage of time, or both) in a breach of or give rise to the right
to accelerate, terminate or cancel any obligation under or constitute (with or
without notice or the passage of time, or both) a default under, any of the
terms or provisions of any charter or bylaw, partnership agreement, indenture,
mortgage, agreement, contract, order, judgment, ordinance, regulation or decree
to which Purchaser is subject or by which Purchaser is bound and which would
have an adverse effect on the ability of Purchaser to perform his or its
obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

     2.4 Brokers.  Purchaser has not paid or become obligated to pay any fee or
         -------                                                               
commission to any broker, finder, investment banker or other intermediary in
connection with this Agreement, it being acknowledged and agreed that no
Purchaser shall be liable to FS & Co. Incorporated or any affiliate thereof with
respect to the fee payable by the Company pursuant to Section 1.5.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     2.5 Securities Act Representation.  Purchaser was not formed or organized
         -----------------------------                                        
for the purpose of purchasing shares of Common Stock and is an "accredited
investor" as defined in Rule 501 promulgated as part of Regulation D under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  Purchaser is not
purchasing shares of Common Stock with a view to a distribution or resale of any
of such shares in violation of any applicable securities laws.  In making his or
its decision to invest in shares of Common Stock, such Purchaser has relied upon
independent investigations made by such Purchaser and, to the extent believed by
him or it to be appropriate, has relied on investigations made by such
Purchaser's representatives, including such Purchaser's own legal, accounting,
investment, financial, tax and other professional advisors and such Purchaser
has been afforded an opportunity to examine all documents and to ask questions
of, and to receive answers from, the Company and its representatives concerning
the current financial and operational condition of the Company, the Company's
prospects, the terms of each of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and such Purchaser's investment
in such shares of Common Stock.


                                  ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                 OF THE COMPANY

    The Company represents and warrants, except as disclosed on the schedules
(the "Disclosure Schedules") attached hereto, each of which disclosures shall
reference the applicable Section hereof to which it applies, to each Purchaser
as follows:

     3.1 Corporate Organization.  The Company is a corporation duly organized,
         ----------------------                                               
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
with all requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its
properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is
qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed could
reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material and
adverse effect upon the financial condition or results of operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole (a "Material Adverse
Effect").

     3.2 Capital Stock. (a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock
         -------------
of the Company consists in its entirety of (i) Three Hundred Thousand (300,000)
shares of Common Stock, of which (A) One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Twenty-Nine
(114,029) are issued and outstanding and are held of record by the persons and
in the amounts set forth on Schedule B hereto, (B) Forty-Six Thousand (46,000)
are reserved for issuance upon exercise of two (2) Common Stock Purchase
Warrants (the "Warrants") and are held of record by the persons and in the
amounts set forth on Schedule B hereto and (C) One Hundred Thirty-Nine

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-One (139,971) are authorized but unissued and none
of which are held by the Company as treasury shares, and (ii) One Hundred Fifty
Thousand (150,000) shares of Preferred Stock, of which (A) Fifty Thousand
(50,000) shares have been designated as the Series A Preferred Stock of the
Company (the "Series A Stock"), of which Twenty-Five Thousand Nine Hundred
Ninety-Eight and Six Hundred Twelve Thousandths (25,998.612) shares of Series A
Stock are issued and outstanding and none of which are held by the Company as
treasury shares and (B) Twenty-Five Thousand (25,000) shares have been
designated as the Series B Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Series B
Stock"), of which Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred (17,500) shares of Series B
Stock are issued and outstanding and none of which are held by the Company as
treasury shares.

      (b) Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, there will be (i) One Hundred Eight-Six
Thousand Twenty-Nine (186,029) shares of Common Stock outstanding and Forty-Six
Thousand Shares (46,000) of Common Stock reserved for issurance on exercise of
the Warrants, (ii) no shares of Series A Stock outstanding, (iii) Seventeen
Thousand Five Hundred (17,500) shares of Series B Stock outstanding and (iv)
except for the Warrants, no outstanding options, warrants or other similar
securities.

     (c)  All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable
and free of preemptive rights with respect thereto and were issued in compliance
with all applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations.  Except
with respect to the Stockholders' Agreement, there are no voting trusts or other
agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the voting of the
capital stock of the Company to which the Company is a party or, to the best of
the Company's knowledge, to which any other person is a party.  Except as
contemplated hereby or as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, there are no
preemptive rights, registration rights, subscriptions, options, warrants,
rights, convertible securities or other agreements or commitments of any
character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other securities
of the Company (collectively, "Preemptive Rights") and there are no outstanding
contractual obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire or sell, issue or otherwise transfer any shares of capital stock.

     3.3 Newly Issued Shares.
         ------------------- 

     (a)  The shares of Common Stock sold and issued by the Company to the
Purchasers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement have been duly authorized
and, when issued as contemplated hereby at the Closing, will be validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and no person has Preemptive Rights with respect
to such shares.  At the Closing, the Purchasers will acquire good and marketable
title to the shares of Common Stock, free and clear of any and all security
interests, liens, claims, pledges, encumbrances or other rights of

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
any kind (collectively, "Encumbrances"), except as may exist under the
Stockholders' Agreement, as amended by the Amendment.

     (b)  The shares of Common Stock sold and issued by the Company to the
Purchasers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will be issued in compliance
with all applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations.

     3.4 Authority.  The Company has full corporate power and authority to
         ---------                                                        
execute and deliver this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to carry out its
obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated on its part hereby and thereby.  The execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated on its part hereby and thereby
have been duly authorized by the Board, and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of the Company or its stockholders are necessary to authorize the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by the
Company or to consummate the transactions contemplated on its part hereby or
thereby.  Each of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements has been
duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject
to general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except to the extent that
indemnification with respect to securities laws violations may be held void as
against public policy.

     3.5 No Violation.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
         ------------                                                  
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements by the Company and the consummation by it
of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (a) violate any
provision of law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (b)
require the consent, waiver, approval or authorization of or any filing by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries with any person or governmental authority,
(c) violate, result (with or without notice or the passage of time, or both) in
a breach of, or give rise to the right to terminate, accelerate or cancel any
obligation under, or require the payment of any fee, or constitute (with or
without notice or the passage of time, or both) a default under, any of the
terms or provisions of the charter documents of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or any indenture, mortgage, lien, order, judgment, ordinance,
regulation, decree or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any
of its subsidiaries is subject or bound which could reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or interfere
in any way with the Company's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, (d) result in the
creation of any Encumbrance upon any property of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or result in a loss or adverse modification
of any license, permit,
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
certificate, franchise or contract granted to or otherwise held by the Company
or any of its subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

     3.6 Litigation.  Except as disclosed in the SEC Filings, as defined below,
         ----------                                                            
there are no actions, proceedings, complaints, grievances, investigations or
unfair labor practice complaints or grievances or investigations pending or, to
the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened, against the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, assets or property before any court or governmental or
regulatory authority or body or arbitrator, which could reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.  There are
no such actions, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the best knowledge
of the Company, threatened against the Company or, to the best knowledge of the
Company, pending or threatened against any other party challenging the validity
or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Except as
disclosed in the SEC Filings, none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
assets or property is subject to any order, judgment, injunction or decree,
which could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect.

     3.7 Financial Statements and SEC Reports.  The Company has delivered to the
         ------------------------------------                                   
Purchasers true and complete copies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 26, 1996 (the "1996 10-K"), as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on December 26, 1996, and all
filings made with the SEC since September 26, 1996, including, without
limitation, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
December 26, 1996, as filed with the SEC on February 10, 1997, the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 27, 1997, as filed
with the SEC on May 12, 1997, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 26, 1997, as filed with the SEC on July 31, 1997, and as
amended by a Form 10-Q/A, as filed with the SEC on August 8, 1997, the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 5, 1997, as filed with the SEC on
September 5, 1997, and any financial statements or schedules included or
incorporated by reference therein (collectively, the "SEC Filings").  As of
their respective dates, the SEC Filings did not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.  The consolidated financial statements of
the Company and its subsidiaries included in the SEC Filings were prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a
consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto and
except that the quarterly financial statements do not contain all of the
footnote disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements) and
present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and
cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates and for the
periods indicated.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     3.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Since June 26, 1997 the Company
         ------------------------------------                                  
and its subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in the ordinary
course and there has not been any

     3.9 Brokers; Certain Expenses.  Except as set forth in Section 1.5, the
         -------------------------                                          
Company has not paid or become obligated to pay any fee or commission to any
broker, finder, investment banker or other intermediary in connection with any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     3.10 Senior Notes Offering Memorandum.  The Company has delivered to the
          --------------------------------                                   
Purchasers a true and complete copy of the Offering Memorandum dated September
29, 1997, relating to $190,000,000 of Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
proposed to be issued by the Company (the "Offering Memorandum").  The Offering
Memorandum does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.

     3.11 Small Business Matters.
          ---------------------- 

     (a)  The Company, together with its "affiliates" (as that term is defined
in Title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, (S) 121.103), is a "small business
concern" within the meaning of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as
amended ("SBIA"), and the regulations thereunder, including Title 13, Code of
Federal Regulations (S) 121.301(c).  The information set forth in the Small
Business Administration Forms 480, 652 and Parts A and B of Form 1031 regarding
the Company and its affiliates that have been executed and delivered to Chase is
accurate and complete.

     (b)  The proceeds from the sale of Common Stock will be used by the Company
for the purposes described in the Offering Memorandum.  No portion of such
proceeds will be used (i) to provide capital to a corporation licensed under the
SBIA, (ii) to acquire farm land, (iii) to fund production of a single item or
defined limited number of items, generally over a defined production period,
where such production will constitute the majority of the activities of the
Company and its subsidiaries (examples include motion pictures and electric
generating plants), or (iv) for any purpose contrary to the public interest
(including, but not limited to, activities which are in violation of law) or
inconsistent with free competitive enterprise, in each case, within the meaning
of 13 C.F.R. (S) 107.720.

     (c)  Neither the Company's nor any of its subsidiaries' primary business
activity involves, directly or indirectly, providing funds to others, the
purchase or discounting of debt obligations, factoring or long-term leasing of
equipment with no provision for maintenance or repair, and neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries is classified under Major Group 65 (Real Estate) of
the SIC Manual.  The assets of the business of the

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Company and its subsidiaries (the "Business") will not be reduced or consumed,
generally without replacement, as the life of the Business progresses, and the
nature of the Business does not require that a stream of cash payments be made
to the Business's financing sources, on a basis associated with the continuing
sale of assets (examples of such businesses would include real estate
development projects and oil and gas wells).  See 13 C.F.R. (S) 107.720.

     (d)  The proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock to Chase at the Closing
will not be used substantially for a foreign operation, and at Closing or within
one year thereafter, no more than 49 percent of the employees or tangible assets
of the Company and its subsidiaries will be located outside the United States
(unless the Company can show, to the SBA's satisfaction, that the proceeds from
the sale of Common Stock to Chase at the Closing will be used for a specific
domestic purpose).  This subsection (d) does not prohibit such proceeds from
being used to acquire foreign materials and equipment or foreign property rights
for use or sale in the United States.
 
 
                                  ARTICLE IV

                            COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

     4.1 Efforts to Consummate.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
         ---------------------                                               
herein provided, each of the Purchasers and the Company agrees to use his or its
commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and
to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the
Ancillary Agreements including (a) to lift or rescind any injunction or
restraining order or other order adversely affecting the ability of the parties
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) to fulfill all
conditions on his or its part to be fulfilled under this Agreement. In case at
any time after the Closing Date any further action is reasonably necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary
Agreements, the proper partners, officers or directors of each party to this
Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements shall take all such reasonably
necessary action. No party hereto will take any action for the purpose of
delaying, impairing or impeding the receipt of any required consent,
authorization, order or approval or the making of any required filing

     4.2 Consents.  The Company and each of the Purchasers will use his or its
         --------                                                             
reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary waivers, consents and approvals
of all third parties and governmental authorities necessary to the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     4.3 Delivery of Financial Statements and Other Documents.  So long as the
         ----------------------------------------------------                 
Purchasers and/or their respective successors and assigns hold any shares of
Common Stock, the Company shall deliver the following financial statements and
other documents to such parties:

     (a)  The Company shall deliver to the Purchasers, as soon as practicable,
but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of
the Company, a statement of operations for such fiscal year, a balance sheet of
the Company as of the end of such year, and a statement of cash flows for such
year, such year-end financial reports to be in reasonable detail and prepared in
accordance with GAAP.

     (b)  The Company shall deliver to the Purchasers, as soon as practicable,
but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first
three (3) quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, an unaudited statement of
operations, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows of the Company for such
fiscal quarters as of the end of such fiscal quarters.

     (c)  The Company shall deliver to the Purchasers, as soon as practicable,
but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, an
unaudited statement of operations, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows of
the Company for such month and for the fiscal year-to-date.

     (d)  The Company shall deliver to the Purchasers prior to the close of each
fiscal year, an operating budget for the next fiscal year forecasting the
Company's revenues, expenses and cash position, prepared on a monthly basis,
including balance sheets and sources and applications of funds statements for
such months.

     (e)  The Company shall deliver to the Purchasers, as soon as practicable,
but in any event within ten (10) days of receipt by the Company, copies of any
management letters of the Company's accountants.

     (f)  The Company shall promptly deliver to the Purchasers:   notice of any
defaults under any material contracts or agreements;  notice of any material
litigation; and  copies of all filings with the SEC.

     (g)  The Company shall deliver to the Purchasers, as soon as practicable,
all other information reasonably requested by the Purchasers, where such
information is readily available and may be reduced to written form.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     5.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligations.  The respective obligations of
         --------------------------------------                                
each party to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
subject to the conditions that no United States or state governmental authority
or other agency or commission or United States or state court of competent
jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any
statute, rule, regulation, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
preliminary, or permanent) which is in effect and has the effect of prohibiting
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     5.2 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company.  The obligation of the
         --------------------------------------------                        
Company to effect the transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall be
subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following
additional conditions:


     (a)  The Purchasers shall have performed in all material respects their
obligations under this Agreement required to be performed by them on or prior to
the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof.

     (b)  The transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement
shall have been consummated.

     (c)  The Purchasers and BP shall have executed and delivered the
Stockholders' Agreement.

     (d)  The Purchasers and BP shall have executed and delivered the
Registration Rights Agreement.

     (e)  The representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the
Closing Date as if made at and as of such date, except to the extent that any
such representation or warranty is made as of a specified date in which case
such representation and warranty shall have been true and correct as of such
date.

     5.3 Conditions to the Obligations of the Purchasers.  The obligations of
         -----------------------------------------------                     
each Purchaser to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following
additional conditions:

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     (a)  Each of the Company and the other Purchasers shall have performed in
all material respects its obligations under this Agreement required to be
performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof.

     (b)  The representations and warranties of the Company and each other
Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects at and as of the Closing Date as if made at and as of such date, except
to the extent that any such representation or warranty is made as of a specified
date in which case such representation or warranty shall have been true and
correct as of such date.

     (c) Each of the Company and the other Purchasers shall have executed and
delivered each of the Ancillary Agreements.

     (d)  Each of the Purchasers shall have received such other duly and validly
executed documents and instruments in connection with the Closing as are
reasonably requested by him or it.

     (e)  All necessary waivers, consents and approvals to or of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement of any third parties or governmental
entities shall have been obtained and delivered to the Purchasers.

     (f)  All of the conditions to the closing of the Li'l Champs Acquisition
(as defined in the Offering Memorandum) shall have been satisfied or waived.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     6.1 Notices.  All notices and other communications given or made pursuant
         -------                                                              
hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made if in
writing and delivered personally, sent by commercial carrier or registered or
certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or transmitted by
facsimile to the parties at the following addresses and numbers:

              (a)  If to FSEP III or FSEP International, to:

                   c/o Freeman Spogli & co.
                   11100 Santa Monica Boulevard
                   Suite 1900
                   Los Angeles, California  90025
                   Attention:  Mr. William M. Wardlow
                   Facsimile No.:  (310) 444-1870

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
              (b)  If to the Company, to:
 
                   The Pantry, Inc.
                   1801 Douglas Drive
                   Sanford, North Carolina  27330
                   Attention:  William Flyg
                   Facsimile No.:  (919) 774-3329

              (c)  If to Chase, to:

                   Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P.
                   380 Madison Avenue, 12/th/ Floor
                   New York, NY  10017
                   Attention:  Christopher Behrens
                   Facsimile No.:  (212) 622-3101

              (d)  If to Sodini, to:

                   Peter J. Sodini
                   The Pantry, Inc.
                   1801 Douglas Drive
                   Sanford, North Carolina 27330
                   Facsimile No.:  (919) 774-3329

or at such other addresses as shall be furnished by the parties by like notice,
and such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given or made as
of the date actually received.

     6.2 Headings; Agreement.  The headings contained in this Agreement are
         -------------------                                               
inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.
The term "Agreement" for purposes of representations and warranties hereunder
shall be deemed to include any Exhibits hereto to be executed and delivered by a
party.

     6.3 Publicity.  So long as this Agreement is in effect, the parties hereto
         ---------                                                             
shall not, and shall cause their affiliates not to, issue or cause the
publication of any press release or other announcement with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements without
the consent of the other parties, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.

     6.4 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (including any Disclosure Schedules
         ----------------                                                     
and Exhibits hereto) constitutes the entire agreement among the parties and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     6.5 Conveyance Taxes.  The Company agrees to assume liability for and to
         ----------------                                                    
hold the Purchasers harmless against any sales, use, transfer, stamp, stock
transfer, real property transfer or gains, and value added taxes, any transfer,
registration, recording or other fees, and any similar taxes incurred as a
result of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     6.6 Assignment.  This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be
         ----------                                                           
binding upon and inure to the benefits of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.  Except as otherwise provided in
the Ancillary Agreements or any Exhibits hereto, and except for an assignment of
rights, interests or obligations by Purchasers after the Closing, neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations shall be assigned by
any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other
parties.

     6.7 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
         ------------                                                
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
each of which shall be deemed an original.

     6.8 Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto.  This
         ---------                                                             
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of each of the parties hereto, provided that after the Closing this Agreement
may be amended without each party's written agreement, but no such amendment
shall be enforceable against any party which has not signed such amendment.

     6.9 Governing Law.  The validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall
         -------------                                                          
be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without reference to the
conflict of laws principles thereof.

     6.10 Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is not intended to confer
          -------------------------                                           
upon any other person any rights or remedies hereunder.

     6.11 Limitation of Liability.  In no event shall any partner or
          -----------------------                                   
representative of any Purchaser or of any partnership which is a partner of any
Purchaser or any partner of any such partnership, or any direct or indirect
stockholder, officer, director, partner or any other such person, be personally
liable for any obligation of any Purchaser under this Agreement.  In no event
shall recourse with respect to the obligations under this Agreement of any
Purchaser be had to the assets or business of any person other than such
Purchaser.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Purchasers and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be signed by a duly authorized officer, partner or other person,
all as of the date first written above.



COMPANY:                            THE PANTRY, INC.,
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Name: William T. Flyg
                                              ---------------------------------
                                        Its:  Senior Vice President - Finance
                                              and Chief Financial Officer
                                              ---------------------------------

FSEP III:                           FS EQUITY PARTNERS III, L.P.,
                                    a Delaware limited partnership

                                    By:  FS Capital Partners, L.P.
                                         Its:  General Partner

                                         By:  FS Holdings, Inc.
                                              Its: General Partner


                                              By: /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                 Name: William M. Wardlaw
                                                       ------------------------
                                                 Its:  Vice President
                                                       ------------------------


FSEP INTERNATIONAL:                 FS EQUITY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, L.P.,
                                    a Delaware limited partnership

                                    By:  FS&Co. International, L.P.
                                         Its:  General Partner

                                         By:  FS International Holdings Limited
                                              Its: General Partner

                                               By: /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                                   ----------------------------
                                               Name:  William M. Wardlaw
                                                      -------------------------
                                                  Its: Vice President
                                                       ------------------------

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                                    CHASE:   CB CAPITAL INVESTORS, L.P.,
                                             a Delaware limited partnership

                                             By:  CB Capital Investors, Inc.
                                             Its: General Partner

                                             By: /s/ DONALD HOFMANN
                                                 ----------------------------
                                                Name: Donald HOFMANN
                                                     ------------------------
                                                Its: General Partner
                                                     ------------------------



SODINI:                             PETER J. SODINI


                                     /s/ PETER J. SODINI
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    Peter J. Sodini

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE A

                             SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS
                             ----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                    NUMBER OF SHARES OF
NAME OF                COMMON STOCK              CONSIDERATION
PURCHASER               PURCHASED                    PAID
- ---------                ------                   -----------    
<S>                      <C>                      <C>                   
 
FSEP III                 57,110                   $25,699,500
 
FSEP                      2,311                     1,039,950
International
 
Chase                    11,690                     5,260,500
 
Sodini                      889                       400,500
                         ------                   -----------
TOTAL:                   72,000                   $32,400,000
                         ======                   ===========
</TABLE>

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE B

               OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND EQUIVALENTS



Holder  Securities Held
- ------  ---------------

FSEP III                              84,331 shares of Common Stock
                                      Warrant to purchase 44,221 shares of
Common Stock

FSEP International                    3,382 shares of Common Stock
                                      Warrant to purchase 1,779 shares of Common
Stock

Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P          21,053 shares of Common Stock

Baseball Partners                     5,263 shares of Common Stock

                                       18

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.8

                       CONTRIBUTION TO CAPITAL AGREEMENT
                       ---------------------------------


          This CONTRIBUTION TO CAPITAL AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of October 23, 1997 by and among The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), FS Equity Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("FSEP III"), FS Equity Partners International, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("FS International"), Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership, as predecessor-in-interest to Chase Manhattan
Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Chase"), and Baseball Partners, a
New York general partnership ("BP").  FSEP III, FS International, Chase and BP
are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Holders" and individually as the
"Holder."

                                R E C I T A L S
                                - - - - - - - -

          A.   In connection with their investment in the Company on November
30, 1995, and on August 19, 1996, the Holders received a combination of (i)
shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), and (ii shares of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, $.01 par
value per share (the "Series A Preferred").

          B.   The Company and the Holders wish to modify the Company's capital
structure by eliminating the Series A Preferred and by treating such capital
structure as if the Company had never issued shares of Series A Preferred (the
"Restructuring").

          C.   In connection with the Restructuring, the Holders, being the
holders of all of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred, have agreed
to contribute to the capital of the Company each outstanding share of Series A
Preferred held thereby (the "Series A Contribution") and, in connection
therewith, to waive all rights and interests in and to any and all outstanding
dividends related thereto.


                               A G R E E M E N T
                               - - - - - - - - -

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above-stated premises and such
other consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

          1.   Contribution of Series A Preferred.  In connection with the
               ----------------------------------                         
Restructuring and immediately prior to the closing of the transactions
contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of an even date
herewith, by and among the Company, FSEP III, FS International, Chase and Peter
J. Sodini, each Holder shall make the Series A Contribution.  Immediately
following the Series A Contribution, the Company shall take all steps and
necessary and appropriate to complete the Restructuring, including without
limitation, the cancellation of all shares of Series A Preferred contributed by
the Holders and the elimination of the Series A Preferred from the Company's
capital structure.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
          2.   Waiver of All Dividends.  Pursuant to the Restructuring, the
               -----------------------                                     
Holders hereby (a) acknowledge and agree that the Company has not declared and
will not pay any dividend with respect to the Series A Preferred and (b) waive
any and all rights and interests (i) in and to any and all dividends that may be
cumulatively due and payable with respect to the Series A Preferred and (ii)
that may otherwise arise under to Section 2 of the Certificate of Designation of
Preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock of the Company, as amended.

          3.   Acknowledgement Regarding Warrants.  The parties hereto
               ----------------------------------                     
acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding the completion of the Restructuring,
no adjustment shall be made to the terms or conditions of the (a) the Common
Stock Purchase Warrant dated December 30, 1996, relating to Forty-Four Thousand
Two Hundred Twenty-One (44,221) shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in
favor of FSEP III or (b) the Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated December 30,
1996 relating to One Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy-Nine (1,779) shares of
Common Stock issued by the Company in favor of FSEP International, including
without limitation, any adjustment of the exercise price of $380.00 per share or
the number of shares issuable pursuant to the terms of either such warrant.

          4.   Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
               -------------                                                    
in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to
principles of conflicts of laws.

          5.   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
               ------------                                                
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same Agreement and
each of which shall be deemed an original.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first set forth above.


                         THE PANTRY, INC.,
                         a Delaware corporation


                         By:  /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                             --------------------------------
                              Name: William T. Flyg
                                    -------------------------
                              Title: Senior Vice President - Finance and
                                     ------------------------
                                     Chief Financial Officer


 
                         FS EQUITY PARTNERS III, L.P.,
                         a Delaware limited partnership

                         By:  FS Capital Partners, L.P.
                              Its:  General Partner

                              By:   FS Holdings, Inc.
                                    Its: General Partner


                                    By:  /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                         ----------------------------

                                         Name:  William M. Wardlaw
                                               ----------------------
                                         Title: Vice President
                                                ---------------------


                         FS EQUITY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, L.P.,
                         a Delaware limited partnership

                         By:  FS&Co. International, L.P.
                              Its:  General Partner

                              By:   FS International Holdings Limited
                                    Its: General Partner


                                    By:  /s/ WILLIAM M. WARDLAW
                                        -----------------------------

                                         Name: William M. Wardlaw     
                                               ----------------------
                                         Title: Vice President         
                                                ---------------------

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                   [Signatures continued on following page]

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                   [Signatures continued from previous page]



                         CHASE MANHATTAN CAPITAL, L.P.
                         a Delaware limited partnership

                         By:  Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation
                              Its:  General Partner

                         By:   /s/ DONALD HOFMAN
                              ------------------------------------

                              Name:  Donald Hofman
                                     -----------------------------
                              Title: General Partner
                                     -----------------------------



                         BASEBALL PARTNERS,
                         a New York general partnership


                         By:   /s/ CHRISTOPHER BEHRENS
                              ------------------------------------

                              Name:  Christopher Behrens
                                     -----------------------------
                              Title: Principal
                                     -----------------------------
 

                                       5

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Exhibit 10.9


                             STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------


          THIS STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "Pledge Agreement") is made as of
October 23, 1997 by and between Peter J. Sodini, as pledgor ("Pledgor"), and The
Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Pledgee").


                                R E C I T A L S:
                                - - - - - - - - 


          A.     Pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement of even date
herewith (the "Purchase Agreement") by and among Pledgee, Pledgor and certain
other parties thereto, Pledgor has agreed to purchase 889 shares (the "Shares")
of the Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of Pledgee.

          B. Pursuant to the terms of that certain Secured Promissory Note (the
"Note") of even date herewith delivered by Pledgor to Pledgee in partial payment
for the Shares, Pledgor has agreed to make payments of principal and interest to
Pledgee as provided in the Note.

          C. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the Note,
Pledgor is required to execute this Pledge Agreement to secure payment in full
of all obligations under the Note, whether for principal, interest, fees,
expenses or otherwise and to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of
this Pledge Agreement.

          D. In order to induce Pledgee to make the loan evidenced by the Note
and in order to induce Pledgee to sell the Shares pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, Pledgor agrees to have the Shares subject to this Pledge Agreement.


                               A G R E E M E N T:
                               - - - - - - - - - 


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

          1. Grant of Security Interest. Pledgor hereby grants to Pledgee a
             --------------------------
security interest in the Shares, pledges and hypothecates the Shares to Pledgee,
and deposits the certificates evidencing the Shares (the "Certificates") with
Pledgee as collateral security for the payment by Pledgor of all obligations
existing under the Note, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses or
otherwise, and the satisfaction of all obligations of Pledgor under this Pledge
Agreement. The Certificates, together with one or more stock assignments duly
executed in blank with signatures appropriately guaranteed or witnessed, are
being delivered herewith to Pledgee, to be retained by Pledgee as the
pledgeholder for the Shares. 
<PAGE>
 

          2. Representations and Warranties of Pledgor. Pledgor represents and
             -----------------------------------------
warrants to Pledgee that the Shares are free and clear of all claims, mortgages,
pledges, liens and other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, except (a) the
liens and restrictions set forth herein and in the Note and (b) any restrictions
upon sale and distribution imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), applicable state securities laws, and that certain Amended and
Restated Stockholders' Agreement of even date herewith by and among Pledgee,
Pledgor and certain other parties thereto (the "Stockholders' Agreement").

          3.     Voting of Shares.  So long as there shall exist no Event of
                 ----------------
Default (as hereinafter defined), Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise, as
Pledgor deems proper but in a manner not inconsistent with the terms hereof,
Pledgor's rights to voting power with respect to the Shares. Pledgee, and not
Pledgor, shall be entitled to vote the Shares at any time that there exists an
Event of Default.

          4.     Dividends and Other Distributions. So long as there shall
                 ---------------------------------
exist no Event of Default and except as provided in Section 5 of this Pledge
Agreement, Pledgor shall be entitled to receive any dividend or other
distribution with respect to the Shares. If there exists an Event of Default,
such dividend or distribution shall be delivered to Pledgee to be held as
additional collateral security under this Pledge Agreement.

          5.     Stock Dividends.  In the event of any dividend or distribution
                 ---------------
in shares of capital stock or other securities of Pledgee or any successor or
assign of Pledgee which is issued in respect of, in exchange for or in
substitution of, the Shares by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
reverse split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, merger,
consolidation or otherwise, the shares or other securities to be distributed to
Pledgor shall be held by Pledgee as additional collateral security under this
Pledge Agreement and shall be encompassed within the term "Shares" for purposes
of this Pledge Agreement.

          6.     Pledgee's Duties.  So long as Pledgee exercises reasonable 
                 ----------------
care with respect to the Shares in its possession, Pledgee shall have no
liability for any loss or damage to such Shares, and in no event shall Pledgee
have liability for any diminution in value of the Shares occasioned by economic
or market conditions or events. Pledgee shall be deemed to have exercised
reasonable care within the meaning of the preceding sentence if the Shares in
its possession are accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Pledgee
accords its own property, it being understood that Pledgee shall not have any
responsibility under this Pledge Agreement for (a) ascertaining or taking action
with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other
matters relating to the Shares, whether or not Pledgee has or is deemed to have
knowledge of such matters, or (b) taking any necessary steps to preserve rights
against any person or entity with respect to the Shares.


          7.     Release from Pledge; Transfers to Permitted Transferees.  In 
                 -------------------------------------------------------
the event of a purchase of any or all of the Shares pursuant to Section 2 of the
Stockholders' Agreement, such Shares shall be released from this Pledge
Agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          No Shares may be Transferred (as defined in the Stockholders'
Agreement) unless Pledgor has made payment to Pledgee of all unpaid obligations
existing under the Note, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses or
otherwise and all unsatisfied obligations of Pledgor under this Pledge
Agreement.  Upon receipt by Pledgee of the payment required by this paragraph,
the Shares shall be released from this Pledge Agreement.

          8.     Sale of Collateral.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of
                 ------------------
Default ,Pledgee shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of California (the "UCC")
and also may, without notice, except as specified below, at its option, sell all
or any part of the Shares, for cash, notes or other property upon credit for
future delivery or upon such other terms as Pledgee may deem commercially
reasonable. Upon such sale, Pledgee, unless prohibited by a provision of any
applicable statute, may purchase all or any part of the Shares being sold, free
from and discharged of all trusts, claims, rights of redemption and equities of
Pledgor. If the proceeds of any sale of the Shares shall be insufficient to pay
all amounts due under the Note and satisfy the obligations of Pledgor under the
Purchase Agreement and this Pledge Agreement, including collection costs and
expenses of such sale, Pledgor shall remain obligated and liable for any
deficiency with respect thereto. If, at any time when Pledgee shall determine to
exercise its rights to sell all or any part of the Shares pursuant to this
Section 8, such Shares, or the part thereof to be sold, shall not be effectively
registered under the Act as then in effect or any similar statute then in force,
subject to the provisions of Section 9 hereof, Pledgee, in its sole and absolute
discretion, is hereby expressly authorized to sell such Shares, or any part
thereof, by private sale in such manner and under such circumstances as Pledgee
may deem necessary or advisable in order that such sale may be effectuated
legally without such registration. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may approach and
negotiate with a restricted number of potential purchasers to effectuate such
sale or restrict such sale to a purchaser or purchasers who shall represent and
agree that such purchaser or purchasers are purchasing for its or their own
account, for investment only, and not with a view to the distribution or sale of
such Shares or any part thereof. Any sale conducted in the manner described in
the foregoing sentence shall be deemed to be a sale conducted in a commercially
reasonable manner within the meaning of the UCC, and Pledgor hereby consents and
agrees that Pledgee shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all
or any part of the Shares at a price which is not unreasonably low,
notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might be
realized if the sale were public. Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any
sale of the Shares regardless of notice of sale having been given. Pledgee may
adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time
and place fixed therefor, and any such sale may, without further notice, be made
at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.

          9.     Redemption of Collateral.  Notwithstanding any other provision
                 ------------------------   
of this Pledge Agreement, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Pledgee
shall give Pledgor written notice of the time and place of any public sale or of
the time on or after which any private sale or other Transfer is to be made at
least five days before the date fixed for any public sale or before the day on
or after which any private sale or other Transfer is to be made. Pledgor agrees
that, to the

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
extent notice of sale shall be required by law, such five days' notice shall
constitute reasonable notification. This notice shall also specify the aggregate
outstanding monetary obligations of the Pledgor to Pledgee at the date of such
notice (the "Total Obligation"). At any time during such five-day period,
Pledgor shall have the right to redeem the Shares by the payment by certified or
bank cashier's check of an amount equal to the Total Obligation.

          10.     Events of Default.  At the option of Pledgee, the principal
                  -----------------
balance of the Note and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and all other
obligations of Pledgor to Pledgee thereunder, under the Purchase Agreement and
hereunder, shall become and be immediately due and payable, without notice of
default, presentment or demand for payment, protest or notice of nonpayment or
dishonor, or other notices or demands of any kind (all of which are hereby
expressly waived by Pledgor), upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth
below (individually, an "Event of Default"):

                  (a)      Pledgor shall fail to make complete payment of any
installment of accrued interest under the Note within five days after payment of
such installment of accrued interest is due;

                  (b)      Pledgor shall fail to make complete payment of
principal when due under the Note;

                  (c)      Pledgor shall fail to make the prepayment of
principal and accrued interest on the Note as required by the fourth paragraph
of the Note; or
                 
                  (d) Pledgor shall commit a breach of or default under this
Pledge Agreement.

          11.     Termination.  This Pledge Agreement shall terminate only upon
                  -----------
payment to Pledgee of all unpaid obligations existing under the Note, whether
for principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise and all unsatisfied
obligations of Pledgor under the Purchase Agreement and this Pledge Agreement.
Upon termination of this Pledge Agreement, Pledgor shall be entitled to the
return of the Certificates then held by Pledgee and any other collateral
security then held by Pledgee pursuant to Section 4 or 5 of this Pledge
Agreement.

          12.     Cumulation of Remedies; Waiver of Rights.  The remedies 
                  ---------------------------------------- 
provided herein in favor of Pledgee shall not be deemed exclusive but shall be
cumulative and shall be in addition to all of the remedies in favor of Pledgee
existing at law or in equity. Nothing in this Pledge Agreement shall require
Pledgee to proceed against or exhaust its remedies against the Shares before
proceeding against Pledgor or executing against any other security or collateral
securing performance of Pledgor's obligations to Pledgee under the Note, the
Purchase Agreement or this Pledge Agreement. No delay on the part of Pledgee in
exercising any of its options, powers or rights, or the partial or single
exercise thereof, shall constitute a waiver thereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          13.     Execution of Endorsements, Assignments, Etc.  Upon the 
                  -------------------------------------------
occurrence of an Event of Default, Pledgee shall have the right for and in the
name, place and stead of Pledgor to execute endorsements, assignments or other
instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to all or any of the Shares
and any other shares of the capital stock of Pledgee or other property which is
held by Pledgee as collateral security pursuant to this Pledge Agreement.

          14.     Miscellaneous.
                  ------------- 

                  (a)     Further Assurances.  Each party hereto agrees to 
                          ------------------
perform any further acts and execute and deliver any documents which may be
reasonably necessary to carry out the intent of this Pledge Agreement.

                  (b)     Notice.  All notices, requests and other
                          ------
communications hereunder shall be in writing and, if given by telegram, telecopy
or telex, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered when
sent, if given by personal delivery, shall be deemed to have been validly
served, given or delivered upon actual delivery and, if mailed, shall be deemed
to have been validly served, given or delivered three business days after
deposit in the United States mail, as registered or certified mail, with proper
postage prepaid and addressed to the party or parties to be notified, at the
following addresses (or such other address(es) as a party may designate for
itself by like notice):

                  If to Pledgee:

                          The Pantry, Inc.
                          1801 Douglas Drive
                          Sanford, NC 27330
                          Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

                  If to Pledgor:

                          Peter J. Sodini
                          1112 Silver Oak Court
                          Raleigh, NC 27614

                  (c)     Amendments. This Pledge Agreement may be amended only
                          ----------
by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                  (d)     Governing Law.  This Pledge Agreement shall be 
                          -------------
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

                  (e)     Disputes.  In the event of any dispute between the
                          --------  
parties arising out of this Pledge Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to recover from the nonprevailing party the reasonable expenses of the
prevailing party including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses.

                  (f)     Entire Agreement.  This Pledge Agreement and the 
                          ----------------
instruments and agreements referred to herein constitute the entire agreement
and understanding among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
supersede any and all prior agreements, whether written or oral, relating
hereto.

                  (g)     Successors and Assigns.  Pledgee shall have the right
                          ----------------------
to assign with absolute discretion any or all of its rights and/or obligations
and/or delegate any or all of its duties under this Pledge Agreement to any of
its affiliates, successors and/or assigns, including, without limitation to any
of its banks or lending institutions as collateral security, and this Pledge
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, such respective
affiliates, successors and/or assigns of Pledgee in the same manner and to the
same extent as if such affiliates, successors and/or assigns were original
parties hereto. Unless specifically provided herein to the contrary, Pledgor may
not assign any or all of its rights and/or obligations and/or delegate any or
all of its duties under this Pledge Agreement without the prior written consent
of Pledgee. Upon an assignment of any or all of Pledgor's rights and/or
obligations and/or a delegation of any or all of its duties under this Pledge
Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Pledge Agreement, this Pledge
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, Pledgor's
respective affiliates, successors and/or assigns in the same manner and to the
same extent as if such affiliates, successors and/or assigns were original
parties hereto.

                  (h)     Headings.  Introductory headings at the beginning of
                          --------
each section andsubsection of this Pledge Agreement are solely for the
convenience of the parties and shall not be deemed to be a limitation upon or
description of the contents of any such section and subsection of this Pledge
Agreement.
          
                  (i)     Counterparts.  This Pledge Agreement may be executed 
                          ------------
in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of
which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same Pledge Agreement.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Pledge
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                 PLEDGEE:

                                 THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation


                                 By: /s/ William T. Flyg
                                    _______________________
                                   Name:  William T. Flyg
                                   Title: Senior Vice President-Finance and
                                          Chief Financial Officer


                                 PLEDGOR:

                                 /s/ Peter J. Sodini 
                                 ___________________________
                                 Peter J. Sodini



<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 10.10

 
                            SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE
                            -----------------------

$215,050                                                        October 23, 1997


          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Peter J. Sodini ("Borrower")
hereby promises to pay to the order of The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Payee"), the principal sum of Two Hundred Fifteen Thousand Fifty dollars
($215,050) together with interest on the unpaid balance of such principal amount
from the date hereof at the rate of interest designated by Bankers Trust Company
as the prime rate as it may change from time to time (the "Prime Rate").  Any
change in the interest rate to be paid on this Promissory Note resulting from a
change in the Prime Rate shall be effective on the date of such change.  Accrued
interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears commencing on the last day of the
first December subsequent to the date hereof and continuing on the last day of
each succeeding March, June, September and December thereafter until paid in
full. The principal balance of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, this
Promissory Note shall be payable in full by Borrower to Payee on that date which
is five years from the date hereof.

          Payments of principal and interest on this Promissory Note shall be
made in legal tender of the United States of America and shall be made at the
principal executive offices of Payee at 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North
Carolina 27330, or at such other place as Payee shall have designated in writing
to Borrower.  If the date set for any payment of principal or interest on this
Promissory Note is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then such payment shall
be due on the next succeeding business day.

          As of the date hereof, Borrower has purchased certain  shares (the
"Shares") of the capital stock of Payee pursuant to the terms of that certain
Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") dated as of even date hereof
by and among Payee, Borrower and certain other parties thereto.  Payment of this
Promissory Note shall be secured by the Shares as provided in that certain Stock
Pledge Agreement of even date herewith by and between Payee and Borrower (the
"Pledge Agreement").

          The principal balance of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, this
Promissory Note may be prepaid at any time, in whole or in part, without premium
or penalty.  In addition, in the event any of the Shares are sold, transferred,
assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of by Borrower to anyone, Borrower shall
pay the principal balance of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, this
Promissory Note or cause the purchaser(s), to the extent of any principal
balance of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, this Promissory Note, to make
payment for such Shares directly to Payee and such proceeds shall be applied by
Payee to the prepayment of the principal balance of, and accrued and unpaid
interest on, this Promissory Note.  Any such prepayment shall be first applied
to the payment of any accrued and unpaid interest and then to the unpaid balance
of the principal amount.

          In the event Borrower shall (i) fail to make complete payment of any
installment of 
<PAGE>
 
accrued interest under this Promissory Note within five days after payment of
such installment of accrued interest is due; (ii) fail to make complete payment
of principal when due under this Promissory Note; (iii) fail to make the
prepayment of principal and accrued interest on this Promissory Note as required
by the fourth paragraph hereof; or (iv) commit a breach of or default under the
Pledge Agreement, Payee may accelerate this Promissory Note and declare the
entire unpaid principal amount of this Promissory Note and all accrued and
unpaid interest hereon to be immediately due and payable and, thereupon, the
unpaid principal amount and all such accrued and unpaid interest shall become
and be immediately due and payable, without notice of default, presentment or
demand for payment, protest or notice of nonpayment or dishonor, or other
notices or demands of any kind (all of which are hereby expressly waived by
Borrower). The failure of Payee to accelerate this Promissory Note shall not
constitute a waiver of any of Payee's rights under this Promissory Note as long
as Borrower's default under this Promissory Note or breach of or default under
the Pledge Agreement continues.

          The provisions of this Promissory Note shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to
the conflicts of law rules thereof.  In the event that Payee is required to take
any action to collect or otherwise enforce payment of this Promissory Note,
Borrower agrees to pay such reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and other
expenses as Payee may incur as a result thereof, whether or not suit is
commenced.

          All notices, requests, demands or other communications under this
Promissory Note shall be delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section
6.1(d) of the Purchase Agreement to the address(es) set forth therein.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Promissory Note has been duly executed and
delivered by Borrower on the date first above written.

                                         BORROWER:

                                         /s/ Peter J. Sodini
                                         _______________________________________
                                         Peter J. Sodini

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.11



                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             --------------------
                                        
     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the third of June,
1996 by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Corporation"), and Dennis Crook (the "Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to employ Employee as Senior Vice
President -- Administration of the Corporation on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, and Employee is desirous of accepting said employment.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the employment of Employee, the mutual
terms and conditions set forth below, and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree
as follows:

     1.  Employment.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
         ----------                                                             
Corporation agrees to employ the Employee in a full time capacity to serve in
the Position.  Employee will carry out such duties and have such
responsibilities as would normally be carried out by the Position in the
Corporation, subject to the control of and in accordance with the directives and
policies of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.  The employment of
Employee shall be on a full-time basis, but the Employee may be an investor or
otherwise have an interest in other businesses, partnerships and entities so
long as the other activities of the Employee do not interfere with the
performance of his duties hereunder and so long as such other businesses,
partnerships and entities do not cause the Employee to violate the non-
competition restrictions of the Agreement, and so long as Employee discloses all
such activities to the Board of Directors of the Employer.

     2.  Term.  The Initial Term of this Agreement shall be from April 1, 1996
         ----                                                                
until March 31, 1998.

     3.   Compensation.  The Corporation shall provide Employee with an annual
          ------------                                                        
salary equal to $150,000 payable in equal monthly installments, or such
other schedule established by the Corporation.  The annual salary may, at the
option of the Board of Directors, be subject to annual increases upon review by
the Board of Directors.  Any such reviews will be made after completion of the
Corporation's fiscal year, with any increases to be retroactive to the first day
of the fiscal year.

     4.  Bonus Program and Other Benefits.  Employee shall be eligible to
         --------------------------------                                
participate in a manner commensurate with other senior management employees of
the Corporation in all benefits or other programs available, to the extent such
exist or are sponsored by the Corporation, providing that Employee shall be
entitled to three weeks paid vacation per year.  Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, Employee shall be entitled to participate in any bonus
programs instituted by the Corporation, and any bonuses shall be in addition to
the compensation provided for in section 2 hereof.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     5.  Employment Termination Prior To Change In Control.
         --------------------------------------------------

     5.1  Termination By The Corporation.  Prior to a Change in Control (as
          ------------------------------                                   
defined in Section 6.1 hereof), the Corporation may terminate Employee's
employment upon the occurrence of any of the following:

         (a)  At the election of the Corporation for just cause, immediately
upon written notice by the Corporation to Employee.  For the purpose of this
Section 5.1(a), just cause for termination shall be deemed to exist in the event
of:  (A) the willful and continued failure by Employee to substantially perform
his duties with the Corporation after instruction by the Corporation to do so,
(B) conduct by the Employee which is demonstrably and materially injurious to
the Corporation, monetarily or otherwise, or (C) the conviction of Employee of,
or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendere by Employee to, any
crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

         (b)  Thirty days after the death or disability of Employee.  As used in
this Section 5, the term "disability" shall mean the inability of Employee, due
to a physical or mental disability, for a period of 180 days, during any
consecutive 12-month period to perform the services contemplated under this
Agreement.  A determination of disability shall be made by a physician
satisfactory to both Employee and the Corporation.
 
         (c)  At the election of the Corporation at any time, subject to the
provisions of Section 5.3 (b).

     5.2  Termination By The Employee.    The Employee may terminate his
          ----------------------------                                  
employment upon 30 days' notice to the Corporation.

     5.3  Effect of Termination Prior To Change In Control.
          ------------------------------------------------ 

     (a) In the event Employee's employment is terminated for just cause
pursuant to Section 5.1 (a)  or should the Employee terminate his employment
pursuant to Section 5.2, the Corporation shall pay to Employee the compensation
and benefits otherwise payable to him under Section 2 through the last day of
his actual employment by the Corporation.

     (b) Should Employee's employment be terminated by the Corporation pursuant
to Section 5.1 (c), the Employee shall be entitled to salary continuance for the
longer of the balance of the Term of this Agreement or one year from the date of
the termination of his employment at his then-applicable salary level until such
time as Employee engages in other employment, after which Employee shall receive
the difference, if any, between his salary level with the Corporation and his
new salary.  This provision shall survive the Initial Term of this Agreement and
shall become void only upon a change of control as set forth in paragraph 6 of
this Agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     (c.) If Employee's employment is terminated by death or because of
disability pursuant to Section 5.1(b), the Corporation shall pay to the estate
of the Employee or to Employee, as the case may be, the compensation and
benefits which would otherwise be payable to Employee up to the end of the month
in which the termination of his employment because of death or disability
occurs.

     6.  Employment and Termination Subsequent To A Change of Control.
         ------------------------------------------------------------ 

     6.1  Definition of Change of Control.  For purposes of this Agreement, a
          -------------------------------                                    
"Change in Control" shall mean a change in the Board of Directors of the
Corporation such that representatives of Freeman, Spogli & Co., incorporated and
[ Chase ] or like financial institution do not have voting control, regardless
of whether such change occurs during the Initial Term of this Agreement.

     6.2  Termination Following Change In Control.  Unless Employee's employment
          ---------------------------------------                               
is terminated:

     (A) because of Employee's death or disability (as defined in Section 6.2
(i)),

     (B) by the Corporation for cause as defined in Section 6.2 (ii),

     (C) by Employee other than for Good Reason as defined in Section 6.2 (iii),

upon termination of Employee's employment subsequent to a Change of Control,
Employee shall be entitled to salary continuance together with regular benefits
for a period of two years from the date or the termination of his employment at
his then-applicable salary and benefits level, until such time as Employee
engages in other employment, after which Employee shall receive the difference,
if any, between his salary level with the Corporation and his new salary.

     (i)  Disability.   If, as a result of Employee's incapacity due to physical
          ----------                                                            
or mental illness, he shall have been absent from the full-time performance of
his duties with the Corporation for six (6) consecutive months, and within
thirty (30) days after written notice of termination is given he shall not have
returned to the full-time performance of his duties, Employee's employment may
be terminated for "Disability".

     (ii)  Cause.   Termination by the Corporation of Employee's employment for
           -----                                                               
"Cause" shall mean termination upon the conviction of Employee of, or the entry
of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendere by Employee to, any crime involving
moral turpitude or any felony.

     (iii)  Good Reason.    Employee shall be entitled to terminate his
            -----------                                                
employment for Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean (1) during the twelve (12) month period following a Change in Control,
actions by the Corporation which prevent Employee from being able to discharge
his duties effectively, or (2) without Employee's express written consent, the
occurrence after a Change in Control of any of the following circumstances:

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
         (A)  the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent (except in
the nature of a promotion) with the position in the Corporation that he held
immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial adverse alteration
in the nature or status of his position or responsibilities or the conditions of
his employment from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

         (B)  a reduction by the Corporation in Employee's annual base salary as
in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time;

         (C)  the Corporation's requiring Employee to be based outside of the
State of North Carolina;

         (D) the failure by the Corporation to pay to Employee any portion of
his current compensation or compensation under any deferred compensation program
of the Corporation within seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;

         (E) the failure by the Corporation to continue in effect any material
compensation or benefit plan in which Employee participates immediately prior to
the Change in Control unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing
substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan, or the
failure by the Corporation to continue the Employee's participation therein (or
in such substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less
favorable, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of his
participation relative to other participants, than existed at the time of the
Change in Control;

         (F)  the failure by the Corporation to continue to provide Employee
with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by him under any of the
Corporation's plans in which he was participating at the time of the Change in
Control, the taking of any action by the Corporation which would directly or
indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive Employee of any
material fringe benefit enjoyed by him at the time of the Change in Control, or
the failure by the Corporation to provide Employee with a minimum of three weeks
paid vacation per year;

         (G)  the failure of the Corporation to obtain a satisfactory agreement
from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as
contemplated in Section 11 hereto.

     Employee's right to terminate his employment pursuant to this Subsection
shall not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.
Employee's continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of
rights with respect to, any circumstances constituting Good Reason hereunder.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     7.  Covenants.  
         ----------

         a. Non-competition Covenant.  During Employee's employment and 
            ------------------------
     extending through the period in which Employee is receiving severance
     benefits, Employee shall not, either individually or on behalf of another,
     directly or indirectly, as employer, employee, owner, stockholder,
     independent contractor, agent, or otherwise enter into or in any manner
     participate in the convenience store business in North Carolina, South
     Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky or Indiana or within any other state in which
     the Corporation or its affiliates operate ten (10) or more convenience
     stores upon the date or termination of employment.

         b. No Interference with Employees.  Employee agrees that during 
            ------------------------------
     Employee's employment and extending through the period in which Employee is
     receiving severance benefits, Employee will not directly or indirectly,
     request or induce any other employee or the Corporation to: (i) terminate
     employment with the Corporation, or (ii) accept employment with another
     business entity, or (iii) become engaged in the convenience store business
     in competition with the Corporation.
 
         c. Trade Secrets; Confidential Information.
            ---------------------------------------
 
            i.  General. Employee recognizes and acknowledges that Employee will
                -------
            have access to certain highly sensitive, special, unique information
            of the Corporation that is confidential or proprietary. Employee
            hereby covenants and agrees not to use or disclose any Confidential
            Information (as hereinafter defined) or trade secrets except to
            authorized representatives of the Corporation or except as required
            by any governmental or judicial authority; provided, however, that
            the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to items that, through no
            fault of Employee's, have entered the public domain.
     
            ii.  Confidential Information.  For purposes of this Agreement, 
                 ------------------------
            "Confidential Information" means any data or information with
            respect to the business conducted by the Corporation on the date of
            this Agreement, other than trade secrets, that is material to the
            Corporation and not generally known by the public. To the extent
            consistent with the foregoing definition, Confidential Information
            includes without limitation: (A) reports, pricing, sales manuals and
            training manuals, selling and pricing procedures, and financing
            methods of the Corporation, together with any techniques utilized by
            the Corporation in designing, developing, manufacturing, testing or
            marketing its products or in performing services for clients,
            customers and accounts of the Corporation; and (B) the business
            plans and financial statements, reports and projections of the
            Corporation.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          iii.  Ownership Return.  Employee acknowledges that all trade secrets 
                -----------------
          and Confidential Information are and shall remain the sole, exclusive
          and valuable property of the Corporation and that Employee has and
          shall acquire no right, title or interest herein. Any and all printed,
          typed, written or other material which Employee may have or obtain
          with respect to trade secrets or Confidential Information (including
          without limitation all copyrights therein) shall be and remain 
          the exclusive property of the Corporation, and any and all material
          (including any copies) shall, upon request of the Corporation, be
          promptly delivered by Employee to the Corporation.


     d.    Validity of Covenants.  Employee agrees that the restrictive
           ---------------------                                       
covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonably necessary to protect the
legitimate business and other interests of the Corporation, are reasonable with
respect to time and territory, and do not interfere with the interests of the
public.

     e.  Specific Performance.  Employee agrees that a breach or violation of
         --------------------                                                
any of the covenants under this Agreement will result in immediate and
irreparable harm to the Corporation in an amount which will be impossible to
ascertain at the time of the breach or violation and that the award of monetary
damages will not be adequate relief to the Corporation.  Therefore, the failure
on the part of Employee to perform all of the covenants established by this
Agreement shall give rise to a right of the Corporation to obtain enforcement of
this Agreement in a court of equity by a decree of specific performance or other
injunctive relief.  This remedy, however, shall be cumulative and in addition to
any other remedy the Corporation may have.

     8.  Notices.  Any and all notices, designations, consents, offers,
         -------                                                       
acceptances, or any other communications provided for herein shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed given three (3) days after the date postmarked if
sent by first class, United States mail or by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested; or on the date actually received if sent by express
mail or other similar overnight delivery or if hand delivered, which shall be
addressed to the Corporation at its principal office and to the Employee at his
last address as shown on the records of the Corporation.

     9.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the
         -------------                                                         
laws of the State of North Carolina.

     10.  Invalid Provision.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
          -----------------                                            
particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions
hereof, any this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid
or unenforceable provisions were omitted.

     11.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and insure to
          --------------                                                     
the benefit of the Corporation and Employee and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

     12.  Entire Agreement.
          ---------------- 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
         a.    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties
with respect to the respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and
all other agreements, either oral or in writing, among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

         b.  This Agreement may not be changed orally, but may be amended,
revoked, changed or modified at any time by a written agreement executed by the
Employee and the Corporation.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed on the day and year
set forth above.


                         THE PANTRY, INC.
                         Peter J. Sodini
 
                         By: /s/ PETER J. SODINI
                            _________________________________

                         Title: President and CFO
                               _______________________________
 

                         /s/ DENNIS CROOK
                         ____________________________________ (SEAL)
                         Dennis Crook

                                       7

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12
 
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 1st day of
October, 1997 by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Corporation"), and Peter J. Sodini (the "Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to employ Employee as President and CEO of
the Corporation on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and Employee
is desirous of accepting said employment.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the employment of Employee, the mutual
terms and conditions set forth below, and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree
as follows:

     1.   Employment and Term.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
          -------------------                                              
Agreement, the Corporation agrees to employ the Employee in a full time capacity
to serve as President and CEO for a term commencing on October 1, 1997 and
ending on September 30, 2000. Employee will carry out faithfully and to the best
of his abilities such duties and have such responsibilities as would normally be
carried out by the President and CEO of the Corporation, subject to the control
of and in accordance with the directives and policies of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation.  The employment of Employee shall be on a full time basis,
but the Employee may be a passive investor or otherwise have a passive interest
in other businesses, partnerships and entities so long as such other activities
of the Employee do not interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder
and so long as such other businesses, partnerships and entities do not cause the
Employee to violate the non-competition restrictions of this Agreement.

     2.   Compensation.  The Corporation shall provide Employee with an annual
          ------------                                                        
salary equal to $475,000 payable in equal monthly installments, or such other
schedule established by the Corporation.  The annual salary may, at the option
of the Board of Directors, be subject to annual increases upon review by the
Board of Directors.  Any such reviews will be made after completion of the
Corporation's fiscal year, with any increases to be retroactive to the first day
of the fiscal year.

     3.   Bonus Program and Other Benefits.  Employee shall be eligible to
          --------------------------------                                
participate in a manner commensurate with other senior management employees of
the Corporation in all benefits or other programs available, to the extent such
exist or are sponsored by the Corporation.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, Employee shall participate in an incentive bonus program which
shall provide for a payout of a minimum of 25% upon the achievement of goals
determined by the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
 
     4.   Car Allowance.  During the initial term of this Agreement, the
          -------------                                                 
Corporation shall provide Employee with a company car at the commencement of the
term of employment under this Agreement.

     5.   Employment Termination Prior to Change In Control.
          ------------------------------------------------- 

          5.1  Termination By The Corporation.  Prior to a Change in Control (as
               ------------------------------                                   
defined in Section 6.1 hereof), the Corporation may terminate Employee's
employment upon the occurrence of any of the following:

               (a) At the election of the Corporation for just cause,
immediately upon written notice by the Corporation to Employee. For the purpose
of this Section 5.1(a), just cause for termination shall be deemed to exist in
the event of: (A) the willful and continued failure by Employee to substantially
perform his duties with the Corporation after written instruction by the
Corporation to do so, (B) the engaging by Employee in conduct which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to the Corporation, (C) the conviction of
Employee of, or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendere by Employee
to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony, (D) material breach by
Employee of any of the terms of this Agreement or (E) gross negligence or
willful misconduct in the performance of his duties.

               (b) Upon death or upon determination of disability of Employee.
As used in this Section 5, the term "disability" or "disabled" shall mean the
failure of Employee, due to a physical or mental disability, for a period of 180
days, during any consecutive 12-month period to substantially perform the
services contemplated under this Agreement.

               (c) At the election of the Corporation at any time, subject to
the provisions of Section 5.3(b).

          5.2  Termination By The Employee.  The Employee may terminate his
               ---------------------------                                 
employment upon 30 days' notice to the Corporation.

          5.3  Effect of Termination Prior To Change In Control.
               ------------------------------------------------ 

               (a) In the event Employee's employment is terminated pursuant to
Sections 5.1(a) or (b) or should the Employee terminate his employment pursuant
to Section 5.2, the Corporation shall pay to Employee the compensation and
benefits otherwise payable to him under Section 2 through the last day of his
actual employment by the Corporation (for termination for just cause or upon
death) or his effective date of termination (for termination upon disability).

               (b) Should Employee's employment be terminated by the Corporation
pursuant to Section 5.1(c), the Employee shall be entitled to salary continuance

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
through the term of this Agreement, at his then-applicable salary level until
such time as Employee engages in other employment, after which Employee shall
receive the difference, if any, between his salary with the Corporation and his
new salary.  If possible under the provisions of such plan, the Corporation
shall continue Employee's medical insurance coverage through the term of this
Agreement, upon a termination under Section 5.1(c) until he engages in other
employment.  In the event Employee is ineligible under such plan, the
Corporation shall arrange to provide Employee with substantially similar
benefits until he engages in other employment.

               (c) If Employee's employment is terminated by death or because of
disability pursuant to Section 5.1(b), the Corporation shall pay to the estate
of the Employee or to Employee, as the case may be, 12 months' compensation
(less any amounts paid such individual under any disability plan).

     6.   Employment and Termination Subsequent To A Change of Control.
          ------------------------------------------------------------ 

          6.1  Definition of Change of Control.  For purposes of this Agreement,
               -------------------------------                                  
a "Change in Control" shall mean a change in control of the Corporation of a
nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of
Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), whether or not the Corporation is in fact
required to comply therewith; provided, that, without limitation, such a change
in control shall be deemed to have occurred if:

               (a) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Corporation, trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation
or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of
the Corporation or the existing holders of capital stock of the Corporation as
of the date hereof, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 
13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Corporation representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
Corporation's then outstanding securities; or

               (b) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the
Corporation with any other corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation
which would result in the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving
entity) at least 50% of the combined voting securities of the Corporation or
such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation
or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of
the Corporation (or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as hereinabove
defined and subject to the exceptions contained in such definition) acquires
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding
securities.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
               (c) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of
complete liquidation of the Corporation or an agreement for the sale or
disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation's
assets.

          6.2  Termination Following Change In Control.  Unless Employee's
               ---------------------------------------                    
employment is terminated:

               (a) because of Employee's death or disability (as defined in
Section 6.2(i)),

               (b) by the Corporation for Cause as defined in Section 6.2(ii),

               (c) by Employee other than for Good Reason as defined in Section
6.2(iii),

upon termination of Employee's employment subsequent to a Change of Control,
Employee shall be entitled to salary continuance together with regular benefits
for eighteen months from the date of the termination of his employment at his
then-applicable salary and benefits level, which entitlement shall not be
reduced even if Employee shall obtain other employment, provided that no
payments shall be made under this Section 6.2 to the extent such payments would
constitute "excess parachute payments" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code") or to the extent the deductibility of such payments is
limited under the Code.

                    (i) Disability. If Employee is "disabled" as defined in
                        ---------- 
Section 5.1(b), and within thirty (30) days after written notice of termination
is given he shall not have returned to the full-time performance of his duties,
Employee's employment may be terminated.

                   (ii) Cause.  Termination by the Corporation of Employee's
                        -----  
employment for "Cause" shall mean termination in the event of:  (A) the willful
and continued failure by Employee to substantially perform his duties with the
Corporation after written instruction by the Corporation to do so, (B) the
engaging by Employee in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious
to the Corporation, or (C) the conviction of Employee of, or the entry of a
pleading of guilty or nolo contendere by Employee to, any crime involving moral
turpitude or any felony.

                  (iii) Good Reason.  Employee shall be entitled to terminate
                        -----------                                          
his employment for Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean (1) during the twelve (12) month period following a Change in
Control, a good faith determination by Employee that, as a result of the Change
in Control, he is not able to discharge his duties effectively, (2) at such time
as a good faith determination is made by the Employee that he cannot carry out
his duties consistent with his ethical responsibilities, or (3) 
 
                                       4

<PAGE>
 
without Employee's express written consent, the occurrence after a Change in
Control of any of the following circumstances:

          (A)  the assignment to Employee of any duties inconsistent (except in
the nature of a promotion) with the position in the Corporation that he held
immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial adverse alteration
in the nature or status of his position or responsibilities or the conditions of
his employment from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

          (B)  a reduction by the Corporation in Employee's annual base salary
as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to
time;

          (C)  the Corporation's requiring Employee to be based more than
twenty-five (25) miles from the Corporation's offices at which he was
principally employed immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control;

          (D)  the failure by the Corporation to pay to Employee any portion of
his current compensation or compensation under any deferred compensation program
of the Corporation within seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;

          (E)  the failure by the Corporation to continue in effect any material
compensation or benefit plan in which Employee participates immediately prior to
the Change in Control unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing
substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan, or the
failure by the Corporation to continue the Employee's participation therein (or
in such substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less
favorable, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of his
participation relative to other participants, than existed at the time of the
Change in Control;

          (F)  the failure by the Corporation to continue to provide Employee
with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by him under any of the
Corporation's plans in which he was participating at the time of the Change in
Control, the taking of any action by the Corporation which would directly or
indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive Employee of any
material fringe benefit enjoyed by him at the time of the Change in Control, or
the failure by the Corporation to provide Employee with the number of paid
vacation days to which he is entitled on the basis of his years of service with
the Corporation in accordance with the Corporation's normal vacation policy in
effect at the time of the change in control; or

          (G)  the failure of the Corporation to obtain a satisfactory agreement
from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as
contemplated in Section 12 hereto.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     Employee's right to terminate his employment pursuant to this subsection
shall not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.
Employee's continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of
rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder.

     7.   Moving Expenses.  In the event of any termination of Employee's
          ---------------                                                
employment, other than by the Corporation for "just cause" as defined in Section
5.1(a), Employer shall be entitled to a lump payment of funds sufficient to
transport all of Employee's household effects and two automobiles to California.

     8.   Covenants.
          --------- 

                 (a) Non-competition Covenant. During Employee's employment and
                     ------------------------ 
extending through the period ending on the later of (A) 18 months after
termination or (B) the date in which Employee is no longer receiving severance
benefits, Employee shall not, either individually or on behalf of another,
directly or indirectly, as employer, employee, owner, stockholder, investor,
consultant, independent contractor, agent, or otherwise enter into or in any
manner participate in the convenience store business in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky or Indiana or within any other
state in which the Corporation or its affiliates operate ten (10) or more
convenience stores upon the date of termination of employment.

                 (b) No Interference with Employees. Employee agrees that during
                     ------------------------------                  
Employee's employment and extending through the period ending on the later of
(A) 18 months after termination or (B) the date in which Employee is no longer
receiving severance benefits, Employee will not directly or indirectly, request
or induce any other employee of the Corporation or its affiliates or any person
who was employed by the Corporation or its affiliates in the six months prior to
the request or inducement to: (i) terminate employment with the Corporation, or
(ii) accept employment with another business entity, or (iii) become engaged in
the convenience store business in competition with the Corporation.

                 (c) Trade Secrets; Confidential Information.
                     --------------------------------------- 

                     (i) General. Employee recognizes and acknowledges that
                         -------
Employee will have access to certain highly sensitive, special, unique
information of the Corporation that is confidential or proprietary. Employee
hereby covenants and agrees during the term of this Agreement and at all times
thereafter not to use or disclose any Confidential Information (as hereinafter
defined) or trade secrets except for the benefit of the Corporation and to
authorized representatives of the Corporation or except as required by any
governmental or judicial authority; provided, however, that the foregoing
restrictions shall not apply to items that, through no fault of Employee's, have
entered the public domain.
 
                                       6

<PAGE>
 
                    (ii) Confidential Information.  For purposes of this
                         ------------------------                       
Agreement, "Confidential Information" means any data or information with respect
to the business conducted by the Corporation, that is material to the
Corporation and not generally known by the public.  To the extent consistent
with the foregoing definition, Confidential Information includes without
limitation:  (A) reports, pricing, sales manuals and training manuals, selling
and pricing procedures, and financing methods of the Corporation, together with
any techniques utilized by the Corporation in designing, developing,
manufacturing, testing or marketing its products or in performing services for
clients, customers and accounts of the Corporation; and (B) the business plans
and financial statements, reports and projections of the Corporation.

                   (iii) Ownership Return.  Employee acknowledges that all trade
                         ----------------                                       
secrets and Confidential Information are and shall remain the sole, exclusive
and valuable property of the Corporation and that Employee has and shall acquire
no right, title or interest therein.  Any and all printed, typed, written or
other material which Employee may have or obtain with respect to trade secrets
or Confidential Information (including without limitation all copyrights
therein) shall be and remain the exclusive property of the Corporation, and any
and all material (including any copies) shall, upon request of the Corporation,
be promptly delivered by Employee to the Corporation.

              (d) Validity of Covenants.  Employee agrees that the restrictive
                  ---------------------                                       
covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonably necessary to protect the
legitimate business and other interests of the Corporation, and reasonable with
respect to time and territory, and do not interfere with the interests of the
public.

               (e) Specific Performance. Employee agrees that a breach or
                   --------------------
violation of any of the covenants under this Agreement will result in immediate
and irreparable harm to the Corporation in an amount which will be impossible to
ascertain at the time of the breach or violation and that the award of monetary
damages will not be adequate relief to the Corporation. Therefore, the failure
on the part of Employee to perform all of the covenants established by this
Agreement shall give rise to a right of the Corporation to obtain enforcement of
this Agreement in a court of equity by a decree of specific performance or other
injunctive relief. This remedy, however, shall be cumulative and in addition to
any other remedy the Corporation may have.

     9.   Notices.  Any and all notices, designations, consents, offers,
          -------                                                       
acceptances, or any other communications provided for herein shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed given three (3) days after the date postmarked if
sent by first class, United States mail or by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested; or on the date actually received if sent by express
mail or other similar overnight delivery or if hand delivered, which shall be
addressed to the Corporation at its principal office and to the Employee at his
last address as shown on the records of the Corporation.
  
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     10.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the
          -------------                                                         
laws of the State of North Carolina.

     11.  Invalid Provision.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
          -----------------                                            
particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions
hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid
or unenforceable provision were omitted.

     12.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
          --------------                                                        
benefit of the Corporation and Employee and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, provided
that Employee may not assign his rights or delegate his obligations hereunder.

     13.  Entire Agreement.
          ---------------- 

          (a) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all other
agreements, either oral or in writing, among the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof.

          (b) This Agreement may not be changed orally, but may be amended,
revoked, changed or modified at any time by a written agreement executed by the
Employee and the Corporation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed on the day and
year set forth above.

                                    THE PANTRY, INC.



                                    By:  /s/William T. Flyg
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                    Title:  Senior Vice President, Finance,
                                            Chief Financial Officer and
                                            Secretary


                                    /s/ Peter J. Sodini
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                    Peter J. Sodini

                                      8  


<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 10.13

                                  $75,000,000
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997


                                     AMONG


                               THE PANTRY, INC.,
                                  AS BORROWER,

                           THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN,
                                  AS LENDERS,

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                                      AND

                      CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                              AS SYNDICATION AGENT

                                  ARRANGED BY:

                        CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.
                                      AND
                       FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
 
<PAGE>
 
 
                                THE PANTRY, INC.

                                  $75,000,000
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                             PAGE
<C>             <S>                                                                                                            <C>
SECTION 1.      
DEFINITIONS...................................................................................................................  2
          1.1   Certain Defined Terms.........................................................................................  2
          1.2   Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of Calculations Under Agreement............................ 32
          1.3   Other Definitional Provisions and Rules of Construction....................................................... 32

SECTION 2.      AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS.................................................................... 32
          2.1   Commitments; Making of Loans; the Register; Notes............................................................. 32
          2.2   Interest on the Loans......................................................................................... 40
          2.3   Fees.......................................................................................................... 45
          2.4   Repayments, Prepayments and Reductions in Acquisition Term Loan Commitments and Revolving Loan Commitments;
                General Provisions Regarding Payments; Application of Proceeds of Collateral and Payments Under Subsidiary
                Guaranty...................................................................................................... 45
          2.5   Use of Proceeds............................................................................................... 53
          2.6   Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans............................................................ 54
          2.7   Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy...................................................................... 56
          2.8   Obligation of Lenders and Issuing Lenders to Mitigate......................................................... 61

 SECTION 3.      LETTERS OF CREDIT............................................................................................ 62
          3.1   Issuance of Letters of Credit and Lenders' Purchase of Participations Therein................................. 62
          3.2   Letter of Credit Fees......................................................................................... 65
          3.3   Drawings and Reimbursement of Amounts Paid Under Letters of Credit............................................ 66
          3.4   Obligations Absolute.......................................................................................... 69
          3.5   Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lenders' Duties............................................................ 70
          3.6   Increased Costs and Taxes Relating to Letters of Credit....................................................... 71

SECTION 4.      CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT..................................................................... 72
          4.1   Conditions to Initial Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans.................................................... 72
          4.2   Conditions to All Loans....................................................................................... 82
          4.3   Conditions to Letters of Credit............................................................................... 83
</TABLE> 

                                      (i)


<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                                                              ----
<C>             <S>                                                                                                           <C> 
SECTION 5.      COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................................  84
          5.1   Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing, Business and Subsidiaries.................................  84
          5.2   Authorization of Borrowing, etc...............................................................................  85
          5.3   Financial Condition...........................................................................................  87
          5.4   No Material Adverse Change; No Restricted Junior Payments.....................................................  87
          5.5   Title to Properties; Liens; Real Property.....................................................................  87
          5.6   Litigation; Adverse Facts.....................................................................................  88
          5.7   Payment of Taxes..............................................................................................  89
          5.8   Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse Agreements; Material Contracts..................................  89
          5.9   Governmental Regulation.......................................................................................  89
         5.10   Securities Activities.........................................................................................  90
         5.11   Employee Benefit Plans........................................................................................  90
         5.12   Certain Fees..................................................................................................  91
         5.13   Environmental Protection......................................................................................  91
         5.14   Employee Matters..............................................................................................  92
         5.15   Solvency......................................................................................................  92
         5.16   Matters Relating to Collateral................................................................................  92
         5.17   Related Agreements............................................................................................  93
         5.18   Disclosure....................................................................................................  94
         5.19   Permits.......................................................................................................  94

SECTION 6.      COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................................  95
          6.1   Financial Statements and Other Reports........................................................................  95
          6.2   Corporate Existence, etc...................................................................................... 101
          6.3   Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation................................................................ 101
          6.4   Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Application of Net Asset Sale Proceeds.................................. 102
          6.5   Inspection Rights; Lender Meeting............................................................................. 105
          6.6   Compliance with Laws, etc..................................................................................... 105
          6.7   Environmental Review and Investigation, Disclosure, Etc.; Company's Actions Regarding Hazardous Materials
                Activities, Environmental Claims and Violations of Environmental Laws......................................... 105
          6.8   Execution of Subsidiary Guaranty and Personal Property Collateral Documents by Certain Subsidiaries and Future
                Subsidiaries.................................................................................................. 108
          6.9   Matters Relating to Additional Real Property Collateral....................................................... 109

SECTION 7.      COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS.................................................................................. 111
          7.1   Indebtedness.................................................................................................. 112
          7.2   Liens and Related Matters..................................................................................... 113
          7.3   Investments; Joint Ventures................................................................................... 115
          7.4   Contingent Obligations........................................................................................ 116
</TABLE> 

                                     (ii)


<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                             PAGE
                                                                                                                             ----
<C>             <S>                                                                                                            <C> 
          7.5   Restricted Junior Payments; Other Restricted Payments......................................................... 117
          7.6   Financial Covenants........................................................................................... 118
          7.7   Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales and Acquisitions.............................................. 121
          7.8   Consolidated Capital Expenditures............................................................................. 123
          7.9   Sales and Lease-Backs......................................................................................... 124
         7.10   Sale or Discount of Receivables............................................................................... 125
         7.11   Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates................................................................. 125
         7.12   Disposal of Subsidiary Stock.................................................................................. 125
         7.13   Conduct of Business........................................................................................... 126
         7.14   Amendments or Waivers of Certain Related Agreements; Amendments of Documents Relating to Subordinated
                Indebtedness or the Senior Notes; Designation of "Designated Senior Indebtedness"............................. 126
         7.15   Fiscal Year................................................................................................... 127

SECTION 8.      EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................................................................. 127
          8.1   Failure to Make Payments When Due............................................................................. 127
          8.2   Default in Other Agreements................................................................................... 128
          8.3   Breach of Certain Covenants................................................................................... 128
          8.4   Breach of Warranty............................................................................................ 128
          8.5   Other Defaults Under Loan Documents........................................................................... 128
          8.6   Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.......................................................... 129
          8.7   Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc............................................................ 129
          8.8   Judgments and Attachments..................................................................................... 129
          8.9   Dissolution................................................................................................... 130
         8.10   Employee Benefit Plans........................................................................................ 130
         8.11   Change in Control............................................................................................. 130
         8.12   Invalidity of Subsidiary Guaranty; Failure of Security; Repudiation of Obligations............................ 130
         8.13   Failure to Consummate Lil' Champ Acquisition and Other Transactions........................................... 131

SECTION 9.      AGENTS........................................................................................................ 132
          9.1   Appointment................................................................................................... 132
          9.2   Powers and Duties; General Immunity........................................................................... 134
          9.3   Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For Appraisal of Creditworthiness........................... 135
          9.4   Right to Indemnity............................................................................................ 136
          9.5   Successor Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender.......................................................... 136
          9.6   Collateral Documents and Guaranties........................................................................... 137

SECTION 10.     MISCELLANEOUS................................................................................................. 138
         10.1   Assignments and Participations in Loans and Letters of Credit................................................. 138
         10.2   Expenses...................................................................................................... 141
</TABLE> 

                                     (iii)


<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                                                              ---- 
<C>             <S>                                                                                                            <C>  

         10.3   Indemnity..................................................................................................... 142
         10.4   Set-Off; Security Interest in Deposit Accounts................................................................ 143
         10.5   Ratable Sharing............................................................................................... 144
         10.6   Amendments and Waivers........................................................................................ 144
         10.7   Independence of Covenants..................................................................................... 145
         10.8   Notices....................................................................................................... 146
         10.9   Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements........................................................ 146
        10.10   Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative......................................................... 146
        10.11   Marshalling; Payments Set Aside............................................................................... 147
        10.12   Severability.................................................................................................. 147
        10.13   Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders' Rights.................................................... 147
        10.14   Headings...................................................................................................... 147
        10.15   Applicable Law................................................................................................ 148
        10.16   Successors and Assigns........................................................................................ 148
        10.17   Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process................................................................ 148
        10.18   Waiver of Jury Trial.......................................................................................... 149
        10.19   Confidentiality............................................................................................... 149
        10.20   Counterparts; Effectiveness................................................................................... 150


                Signature pages............................................................................................... S-1
</TABLE>

                                     (iv)

 
<PAGE>
 
 
                                    EXHIBITS


I        FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
II       FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
III      FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
IV       FORM OF ACQUISITION TERM NOTE
V        FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE
VI       FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE
VII      FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
VIII     FORM OF OPINION OF RIORDAN & MCKINZIE
IX       FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
X        FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
XI       FORM OF AUDITOR'S LETTER
XII      FORM OF MORTGAGE
XIII     FORM OF FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE
XIV      FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
XV       FORM OF COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XVI      FORM OF COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XVII     FORM OF COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
XVIII    FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XIX      FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XX       FORM OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXI      FORM OF SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                      (v)

 
<PAGE>
 
 
 
                                   SCHEDULES


2.1   LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
4.1C  CORPORATE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE; OWNERSHIP; MANAGEMENT
4.1I  CLOSING DATE MORTGAGED PROPERTIES
5.1   SUBSIDIARIES OF COMPANY
5.5   REAL PROPERTY
5.11  CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
5.13  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
5.17  AFFILIATE AGREEMENTS; AMENDMENTS TO RELATED AGREEMENTS
7.1   CERTAIN EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
7.2   CERTAIN EXISTING LIENS
7.3   CERTAIN EXISTING INVESTMENTS
7.4   CERTAIN EXISTING CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS

                                     (vi)

 
<PAGE>
 
                                THE PANTRY, INC.

                                  $75,000,000
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         This CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of October 23, 1997 and entered into
by and among THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation ("COMPANY"), THE FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each individually referred to
herein as a "LENDER" and collectively as "LENDERS"), FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
("FIRST UNION"), as administrative agent for Lenders (in such capacity, the
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), and CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE ("CIBC"), as
syndication agent for Lenders (in such capacity, "SYNDICATION AGENT").


                                R E C I T A L S
                                - - - - - - - -

         WHEREAS, PHH (this and other capitalized terms used in these recitals
without definition being used as defined in subsection 1.1) has entered into the
Lil' Champ Stock Purchase Agreement;

         WHEREAS, PHH has assigned all of its rights and obligations under the
Lil' Champ Stock Purchase Agreement to Company and Company has assumed all of
the rights and obligations of PHH under the Lil' Champ Stock Purchase Agreement,
in each case pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, and upon the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Lil' Champ Stock Purchase
Agreement and the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, Company shall have
acquired all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Lil' Champ (the "LIL'
CHAMP ACQUISITION");

         WHEREAS, on or before the Closing Date, Freeman Spogli and CMC,
together with certain members of Company's management, will purchase additional
capital stock of Company for a cash consideration of not less than $32,400,000,
which cash proceeds shall be used for purposes of effecting the Lil' Champ
Acquisition (the "EQUITY INVESTMENT");

         WHEREAS, on or before the Closing Date, Company will issue and sell not
less than $190,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated
Notes;

         WHEREAS, not less than $4,000,000 of cash of Company and its
Subsidiaries will be used, together with the cash proceeds from the Senior
Subordinated Notes and the Equity Investment, (i) to finance the purchase price
payable in connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition, (ii) to refinance
Indebtedness of Company and Lil' Champ outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreements in an aggregate maximum 

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
principal amount not exceeding $25,000,000 (including without limitation
Existing Letters of Credit with an aggregate stated amount of approximately
$9,100,000), (iii) to finance the repurchase of $51,000,000 in principal amount
of Senior Notes and to pay accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (iv) to finance
the payment of up to $7,000,000 in tender offer premiums and consent fees
related to the repurchase of Senior Notes and the solicitation of consents from
the holders of the Senior Notes to certain amendments to the Senior Note
Indenture, and (v) to pay Transaction Costs in an aggregate amount of
approximately $15,000,000;

         WHEREAS, Lenders have agreed to extend certain credit facilities to
Company, which facilities will be available, upon the consummation of the Lil'
Champ Acquisition, for acquisitions by Company permitted hereunder and to
provide for the working capital requirements and general corporate purposes of
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

         WHEREAS, Company desires to secure all of the Obligations hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents by granting to Administrative Agent, on behalf of
Lenders, a first priority Lien on substantially all of its personal and owned
real property, including a pledge of all of the capital stock of each of its
Restricted Subsidiaries and PHH; and

         WHEREAS, all of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Company have agreed to
guarantee the Obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and to
secure their guaranties by granting to Administrative Agent, on behalf of
Lenders, a first priority Lien on substantially all of their respective personal
and owned real property, including a pledge of all of the capital stock of each
of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries:

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants herein contained, Company, Lenders, Administrative
Agent and Syndication Agent agree as follows:


SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS

1.1.   CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.
       ---------------------- 

         The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following
meanings:

         "ACQUISITION TERM LOAN COMMITMENT" means the commitment of a Lender to
make an Acquisition Term Loan to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i), and
"ACQUISITION TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS" means such commitments of all Lenders in the
aggregate.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
         "ACQUISITION TERM LOAN COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" means October 31,
1999.

         "ACQUISITION TERM LOAN EXPOSURE" means, with respect to any Lender as
of any date of determination (i) prior to the termination of the Acquisition
Term Loan Commitments, the sum of (a) that Lender's Acquisition Term Loan
Commitment plus (b) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
           ----                                                      
Acquisition Term Loans of that Lender and (ii) after the termination of the
Acquisition Term Loan Commitments, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
the Acquisition Term Loans of that Lender.

         "ACQUISITION TERM LOANS" means the Loans made by Lenders to Company
pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i).

         "ACQUISITION TERM NOTES" means (i) the promissory notes of Company
issued pursuant to subsection 2.1E(i)(a) on the Closing Date and (ii) any
promissory notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of subsection
10.1B(i) in connection with assignments of the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments
or Acquisition Term Loans of any Lenders, in each case substantially in the form
of Exhibit IV annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
   ----------                                                                  
modified from time to time.

         "ADJUSTED EURODOLLAR RATE" means a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) determined by Administrative Agent
pursuant to the following formula:

         Adjusted Eurodollar Rate =                     LIBOR
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                        1.00-Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

         "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement and also means and includes any successor
Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to subsection 9.5A.

         "AFFECTED LENDER" means a Lender during such period of time as such
Lender's obligation to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Rate
Loans is suspended pursuant to subsection 2.6C.

         "AFFILIATE", as applied to any Person, means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that
Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common
control with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or
by contract or otherwise.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
         "AFFILIATE AGREEMENTS" means, collectively, all employment agreements,
consulting agreements, and any other agreements, documents or arrangements
between any Loan Party and any of its Affiliates, officers, directors,
shareholders or any Affiliates of any such officers, directors or shareholders.

         "AGENTS" means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the
Syndication Agent, and also means and includes any successor Administrative
Agent or Syndication Agent, as the case may be, appointed pursuant to subsection
9.5A.

         "AGREEMENT" means this Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997,
as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "APPLICABLE BASE RATE MARGIN" means, as of any date of determination,
(i) 0.75% per annum in the event that after the first anniversary of the Closing
Date the Consolidated Pro Forma Leverage Ratio is less than 4.00:1.00; and (ii)
1.00% per annum in the event that the foregoing clause (i) is not applicable,
including for the period from the Closing Date through the first anniversary of
the Closing Date until a Margin Determination Certificate is delivered pursuant
to subsection 6.1(xix) establishing that clause (i) is applicable.

         "APPLICABLE EURODOLLAR MARGIN" means, as of any date of determination,
(i) 2.25% per annum in the event that after the first anniversary of the Closing
Date the Consolidated Pro Forma Leverage Ratio is less than 4.00:1.00 and (ii)
2.50% per annum in the event that the foregoing clause (i) is not applicable,
including for the period from the Closing Date through the first anniversary of
the Closing Date until a Margin Determination Certificate is delivered pursuant
to subsection 6.1(xix) establishing that clause (i) is applicable.

         "ASSET SALE" means (A) the sale, assignment or other transfer (whether
voluntary or involuntary) for value (collectively, a "transfer") by Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than Company or any of
its wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries of (i) any of the stock of PHH or any
of Company's Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) substantially all of the assets of
any division or line of business of Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, or (iii) any other assets (whether tangible or intangible) of
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) the occurrence of any loss
or damage of any assets of Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries giving
rise to insurance proceeds, including without limitation the proceeds of any
related business interruption insurance, in each case other than (a) inventory
sold in the ordinary course of business, (b) property or assets sold in
sale/leaseback transactions permitted pursuant to subsection 7.9 and (c) any
such other assets to the extent that the aggregate value of such assets
transferred, lost or damaged (x) is equal to $50,000 or less in any single
transaction or related series of transactions or (y) is equal to $500,000 or
less in any Fiscal Year.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
         "ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT" means an Assignment Agreement in substantially
the form of Exhibit X annexed hereto.
            ---------                

         "ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT" means that certain Assignment and
Assumption Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 by and between Company, PHH
and Docks U.S.A., Inc., as such agreement may be amended from time to time to
the extent permitted under subsection 7.14A.

         "AUDITOR'S LETTER" means a letter, substantially in the form of Exhibit
                                                                         -------
XI annexed hereto, executed by Deloitte & Touche LLP and delivered to Agents
- --                                                                          
pursuant to subsection 4.1R.

         "BANKRUPTCY CODE" means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled
"Bankruptcy", as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

         "BASE RATE" means, at any time, the higher of (x) the Prime Rate or (y)
the rate which is 1/2 of 1% in excess of the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

         "BASE RATE LOANS" means Loans bearing interest at rates determined by
reference to the Base Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.

         "BUSINESS DAY" means (i) for all purposes other than as covered by
clause (ii) below, any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a
legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or North Carolina is a day
on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required
by law or other governmental action to close, and (ii) with respect to all
notices, determinations, fundings and payments in connection with the Adjusted
Eurodollar Rate or any Eurodollar Rate Loans, any day that is a Business Day
described in clause (i) above and that is also a day for trading by and between
banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank Eurodollar market.

         "CAPITAL LEASE", as applied to any Person, means any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in
conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet
of that Person.

         "CASH" means money, currency or a credit balance in a Deposit Account.

         "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means, as at any date of determination, (i)
marketable securities (a) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as
to interest and principal by the United States Government or (b) issued by any
agency of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year
after such date; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the
United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any
public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such
date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, the highest rating
obtainable from either 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("MOODY'S"); (iii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date
of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating
of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody's; (iv) certificates of
deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within one year after such date and
issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia that (a) is at least "adequately capitalized" (as defined in the
regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator) and (b) has Tier 1 capital
(as defined in such regulations) of not less than $100,000,000; and (v) shares
of any money market mutual fund that (a) has at least 95% of its assets invested
continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)
above, (b) has net assets of not less than $500,000,000, and (c) has the highest
rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody's.

         "CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS" means a certificate, in form and
substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, delivered by a Lender to
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii) pursuant to which such
Lender certifies that it is not (i) a "bank" as such term is defined in
subsection 881(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (ii) a 10 percent shareholder
of Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) or Section 881(c)(3)(B) of
the Internal Revenue Code; or (iii) a "controlled" foreign corporation related
to Company within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.

         "CIBC" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement.

         "CIBC WG" means CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp.

         "CLOSING DATE" means the date on or before November 14, 1997, on which
each of the conditions set forth in subsection 4.1 hereof shall have been
satisfied or waived in accordance with the provisions of subsection 4.1.

         "CMC" means Chase Manhattan Capital, L.P.

         "COLLATERAL" means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed
property (including capital stock) in which Liens are purported to be granted
pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

         "COLLATERAL ACCOUNT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
Collateral Account Agreement.

         "COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT" means the Collateral Account Agreement
executed and delivered by Company and Administrative Agent on the Closing Date,
substantially in the form of Exhibit XIV annexed hereto, as such Collateral
                             -----------                                   
Account 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Agreement may hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time.

         "COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS" means the Company Pledge Agreement, the Company
Security Agreement, the Company Trademark Security Agreement, the Collateral
Account Agreement, the Subsidiary Pledge Agreements, the Subsidiary Security
Agreements, the Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement, the Mortgages, and all
other instruments or documents delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in order to grant to Administrative
Agent, on behalf of Lenders, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property of
that Loan Party as security for the Obligations.

         "COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT" means any letter of credit or similar
instrument issued for the purpose of providing the primary payment mechanism in
connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary.

         "COMMITMENTS" means the commitments of Lenders to make Loans as set
forth in subsection 2.1A.

         "COMPANY" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement.

         "COMPANY CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS" means the provisions of Company's
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional
and Other Special Rights of Preferred Stock and Qualifications, Limitations and
Restrictions Thereof relating to the Company Preferred Stock, in the form
delivered to Agents and Lenders prior to their execution of this Agreement and
as such provisions may be amended from time to time thereafter to the extent
permitted under subsection 7.14A.

         "COMPANY CAPITAL STOCK" means, collectively, (i) the common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of Company and (ii) the Company Preferred Stock.

         "COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means the Company Pledge Agreement executed
and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in the form of
                                                                          
Exhibit XV annexed hereto, as such Company Pledge Agreement may thereafter be
- ----------                                                                   
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "COMPANY PREFERRED STOCK" means, collectively, (i) the Series A
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Company, and (ii) the Series B
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Company.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
         "COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Company Security Agreement
executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in the form
of Exhibit XVI annexed hereto, as such Company Security Agreement may thereafter
   -----------                                                                  
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Company Trademark
Security Agreement executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date,
substantially in the form of Exhibit XVII annexed hereto, as such Company
                             ------------                                
Trademark Security Agreement may thereafter be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit VII annexed hereto delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by
   -----------                                                                
Company pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv).

         "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM" means that certain Confidential
Information Memorandum for The Pantry, Inc. $75,000,000 Senior Credit
Facilities, dated September 1997.

         "CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means, for any period, the sum of
the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration
or accrued as a liability and including that portion of Capital Leases which is
capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries)
by Company and its Subsidiaries during that period that, in conformity with
GAAP, are included in "additions to property, plant or equipment" or comparable
items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of Company and its
Subsidiaries net of the amount of any reimbursement payments made to Company or
any of its Subsidiaries by any third parties in connection with any such
expenditures to the extent that such expenditures have actually been made by
Company or its Subsidiaries but excluding however any such expenditures made in
                                --------- -------                              
connection with any Permitted Acquisition.

         "CONSOLIDATED EBITDA" means, for any period, the sum of the amounts for
such period of (i) Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense,
(iii) provisions for taxes based on income, (iv) total depreciation expense, (v)
total amortization expense, including but not limited to goodwill, organization
costs and other intangibles, (vi) adjustments relating to the Lil' Champ
Acquisition for the four-Fiscal Quarter period ending as of the last day of the
first Fiscal Quarter in Fiscal Year 1998, the second Fiscal Quarter in Fiscal
Year 1998, the third Fiscal Quarter in Fiscal Year 1998 and the fourth Fiscal
Quarter in Fiscal Year 1998, in the aggregate amount of $4,300,000, $4,300,000,
$3,440,000 and $2,150,000, respectively, and (vii) other non-cash items reducing
Consolidated Net Income less other non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net
                        ----                                                 
Income, all of the foregoing as determined on a consolidated basis for Company
and its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
         "CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any period, total interest
expense (including that portion attributable to Capital Leases in accordance
with GAAP and capitalized interest) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Company and
its Subsidiaries, including all commissions, discounts and other fees and
charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing
and net costs under Interest Rate Agreements, but excluding, however, any
amounts referred to in subsection 2.3 payable to Agents, Affiliates of Agents
and Lenders on or before the Closing Date.

         "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, the net income (or
loss) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period
taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP; provided
                                                                        --------
that there shall be excluded (i) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than
a Subsidiary of Company) in which any other Person (other than Company or any of
its Subsidiaries) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of
cash dividends or other distributions actually paid to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries by such Person during such period, (ii) the income (or loss) of any
Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Company or is merged
into or consolidated with Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person's
assets are acquired by Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the income of
any Subsidiary of Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at
the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to that Subsidiary, (iv) any after-tax gains or losses attributable
to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets of any Pension Plan, and (v) (to the
extent not included in clauses (i) through (iv) above) any net extraordinary
gains or net non-cash extraordinary losses.

         "CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA EBITDA" means, for any consecutive four-Fiscal
Quarter period, (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such four-Fiscal Quarter period less
                                                                            ----
(b) EBITDA attributable to all businesses acquired during such four-Fiscal
Quarter period plus (c) for any business acquired during such four-Fiscal
               ----                                                      
Quarter period, EBITDA of such acquired business determined as though such
business was acquired as of the first day of such period by Company and its
Subsidiaries, which EBITDA shall be adjusted as follows with respect to any
business acquired after the Closing Date:  (1) for the four-Fiscal Quarter
period ending with the Fiscal Quarter in which the acquisition of any such
acquired business was consummated, an amount equal to 100% of the Adjustment
Amount with respect to such acquired business shall be added, (2) for the four-
Fiscal Quarter period ending one Fiscal Quarter after the four-Fiscal Quarter
period described in clause (1), an amount equal to 75% of the Adjustment Amount
with respect to such acquired business shall be added, (3) for the four-Fiscal
Quarter period ending two Fiscal Quarters after the four-Fiscal Quarter period
described in clause (1), an amount equal to 50% of the Adjustment Amount with
respect to such acquired business shall be added, and (4) for the four-Fiscal
Quarter period ending three Fiscal Quarters after the four-Fiscal Quarter period
described in clause (1), an amount equal to 25% of the Adjustment Amount with
respect to 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
such acquired business shall be added. For purposes of this definition,
"Adjustment Amount" shall mean, with respect to any acquired business, the
following as determined as of the date of such acquisition for the four-Fiscal
Quarter period immediately preceding the date of such acquisition: (i) any
historical extraordinary or non-recurring costs or expenses or other verifiable
costs or expenses that will not continue after the acquisition date (including
without limitation excess owner/management compensation) plus (ii) any
reasonable operating expenses to be eliminated that are approved by
Administrative Agent, plus (iii) any cost synergies that are reasonably expected
                      ----
to be realized that are approved by Administrative Agent; provided that the
aggregate amount of such synergies does not exceed 20% of EBITDA of such
acquired business for the four Fiscal-Quarter period immediately preceding the
date of acquisition, as such EBITDA is adjusted by the operation of the
foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), minus (iv) any incremental expenses projected by
Company in its assessment of the operations of such acquired business.

         "CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA LEVERAGE RATIO" means, as of any date of
determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Debt as of the last day of
the Fiscal Quarter of Company ending immediately prior to such date of
determination minus, to the extent that the aggregate amount of Cash and Cash
              -----                                                          
Equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries as
of such last day exceeds $10,000,000, the amount of such Cash and Cash
Equivalents in excess of $10,000,000 to (ii) Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA for
the four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period ending as of the last day of the
Fiscal Quarter of Company ending immediately prior to such date of
determination.

         "CONSOLIDATED RENTAL PAYMENTS" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of all rents paid or payable by Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis during that period under all Operating Leases to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as lessee (net of sublease
income).

         "CONSOLIDATED TOTAL DEBT" means, as at any date of determination, the
aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness of Company and its
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "CONTINGENT OBLIGATION", as applied to any Person, means any direct or
indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person (i) with respect to
any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another if the primary
purpose or intent thereof by the Person incurring the Contingent Obligation is
to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation of another that such
obligation of another will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements
relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such obligation
will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof, (ii)
with respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as
to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings, or (iii)
under Hedge Agreements.  Contingent Obligations shall include (a) the direct or
indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with
recourse by such Person of 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
the obligation of another, (b) the obligation to make take-or-pay or similar
payments if required regardless of non-performance by any other party or parties
to an agreement, and (c) any liability of such Person for the obligation of
another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (X) to purchase,
repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to
provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the
form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise) or
(Y) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or
financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under
subclauses (X) or (Y) of this sentence, the primary purpose or intent thereof is
as described in the preceding sentence. The amount of any Contingent Obligation
shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise
supported or, if less, the amount to which such Contingent Obligation is
specifically limited.

         "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION", as applied to any Person, means any provision
of any Security issued by that Person or of any material indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which
that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to
which it or any of its properties is subject.

         "CURRENCY AGREEMENT" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement, futures contract, option contract, synthetic cap or other similar
agreement or arrangement to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.

         "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like
account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like
organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of
deposit.

         "DOLLARS" and the sign "$" mean the lawful money of the United States
of America.

         "EBITDA" means for any business acquired by Company and its
Subsidiaries, "Consolidated EBITDA" as defined herein substituting references to
such acquired business for references to "Company and its Subsidiaries" as used
in such definition.

         "ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" means (A) (i) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof having unimpaired capital and
surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (ii) a savings and loan association or
savings bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof
having unimpaired capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (iii) a
commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country or a political
subdivision thereof having unimpaired capital and surplus of not less than
$500,000,000; provided that (x) such bank is acting through a branch or agency
              --------                                                        
located in the United States or (y) such bank is organized under the laws of a
country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development or a political subdivision of such country; and (iv) any other
entity that has net assets of not less than 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
$1,000,000,000 which is an "accredited investor" (as defined in Regulation D
under the Securities Act) which extends credit or buys loans as one of its
businesses including insurance companies, mutual funds and lease financing
companies; and (B) any Lender and any Affiliate of any Lender; provided that no
                                                                --------   
Affiliate of Company shall be an Eligible Assignee.

         "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" means any "employee benefit plan" as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was maintained or contributed to by Company,
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

         "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any written investigation, notice of
violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other
order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any governmental authority or
any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in connection with any actual or
alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (ii) in connection with any
Hazardous Materials or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity, or
(iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to
health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

         "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all current or future statutes,
ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, guidance documents, judgments,
Governmental Authorizations, or any other published requirements of governmental
authorities relating to (i) environmental matters, including those relating to
any Hazardous Materials Activity, (ii) the generation, use, storage,
transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials, or (iii) occupational safety
and health, industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or
animal health or welfare, in any manner applicable to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Facility, including the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 9601 et seq.), the
                                                              -- ---       
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. (S) 1801 et seq.), the
                                                           -- ---       
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 6901 et seq.), the Federal
                                                           -- ---               
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. (S) 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42
                                                -- ---                         
U.S.C. (S) 7401 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. (S) 2601
                -- ---                                                        
et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
- -- ---                                                                    
(S)136 et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. (S) 651 et
       -- ---                                                              --
seq.), the Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. (S) 2701 et seq) and the Emergency
- ---                                              ------                   
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 11001 et seq.), each as
                                                              -- ---           
amended or supplemented, any analogous present or future state or local statutes
or laws, and any regulations promulgated pursuant to any of the foregoing.

         "EQUITY INVESTMENT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
recitals of this Agreement.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
         "ERISA AFFILIATE" means, as applied to any Person, (i) any corporation
which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member;
(ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a
group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section
414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; and (iii)
any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m)
or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation
described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii)
above is a member.  Any former ERISA Affiliate of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Company or
such Subsidiary within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period
such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Company or such Subsidiary and with
respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Company or such
Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

         "ERISA EVENT" means (i) a "reportable event" within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any
Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for 30-day notice to the
PBGC has been waived by regulation); (ii) the failure to meet the minimum
funding standards of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to
any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required
installment under Section 412(m) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to
any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a
Multiemployer Plan; (iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan
pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such
plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the
withdrawal by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the
termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability pursuant to Section
4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (v) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to
terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which
constitutes grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a
trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (vi) the imposition of liability on
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of
Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) the withdrawal of Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or
partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from
any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the
receipt by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or
it is insolvent pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to
terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (viii) the
occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of
fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal
Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071
of 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (ix) the assertion of a
material claim (other than routine claims for benefits or for a qualified
domestic relations order) against any Employee Benefit Plan other than a
Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any
Employee Benefit Plan; (x) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice
of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended
to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust
forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under
Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (xi) the imposition of a Lien
pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code or
pursuant to ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

         "EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS" means Loans bearing interest at rates
determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate as provided in
subsection 2.2A.

         "EURODOLLAR RESERVE PERCENTAGE" means, for any day, the percentage
(expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher
1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Federal
Reserve Board (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including without limitation any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in
respect of Eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.

         "EVENT OF DEFAULT" means each of the events set forth in Section 8.

         "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, and any successor statute.

         "EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENTS" means (i) that certain Amended and
Restated Loan Agreement dated as of January 31, 1994 between Company and First
Union, (ii) that certain Revolving Facility dated as of November 8, 1994 between
Lil' Champ and Societe General, New York Branch, (iii) that certain Revolving
and Term Credit Agreement dated as of January 28, 1988 between Lil' Champ and
Credit Agricole Indosuez (as successor by merger to Banque Indosuez), and (iv)
that certain revolving credit facility between Lil' Champ and Credit Lyonnais,
in each case as amended prior to the Closing Date.

         "EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT" means the letters of credit identified as
such in Schedule 7.4 annexed hereto (but not any refinancings, renewals or
        ------------                                                      
extensions thereof).

         "FACILITIES"  means any and all real property (including all buildings,
fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or heretofore
owned, leased 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
predecessors or Affiliates.

         "FEDERAL FUNDS EFFECTIVE RATE" means, for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of
the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any
day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers
of recognized standing selected by Administrative Agent.

         "FINANCIAL PLAN" means Company's consolidated plan and financial
forecast for each Fiscal Year.

         "FIRST PRIORITY" means, with respect to any Lien purported to be
created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that (i) such
Lien has priority over any other Lien on such Collateral other than any
Permitted Encumbrances having priority by operation of law over the Liens
purported to be created pursuant to the Collateral Documents and (ii) such Lien
is the only Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances) to which such Collateral is
subject.

         "FIRST UNION" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction
to this Agreement.

         "FIRST UNION CMC" means First Union Capital Markets Corporation, a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of First Union Corporation.

         "FISCAL QUARTER" means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

         "FISCAL YEAR" means the fiscal year of Company and its Subsidiaries
ending on the last Thursday in September of each calendar year.

         "FLOOD HAZARD PROPERTY" means a Mortgaged Property located in an area
designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or
mud slide hazards.

         "FREEMAN SPOGLI" means Freeman Spogli & Co. Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation, and/or its affiliated investment funds.

         "FUNDING AND PAYMENT OFFICE" means (i) the office of Administrative
Agent and Swing Line Lender located at First Union National Bank, One First
Union Center TW-10, 301 S. College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0608,
Attention: Syndication Agency Services, or (ii) such other office of
Administrative Agent and Swing

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
Line Lender as may from time to time hereafter be
designated as such in a written notice delivered by Administrative Agent and
Swing Line Lender to Company and each Lender.

         "FUNDING DATE" means the date of the funding of a Loan.

         "GAAP" means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set
forth in subsection 1.2, generally accepted accounting principles set forth in
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, in each case as the same are applicable to the circumstances as of
the date of determination.

         "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION" means any permit, license, authorization,
plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any federal, state
or local governmental authority, agency or court.

         "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means (i) any chemical, material or substance at
any time defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances",
"hazardous wastes", "hazardous materials", "extremely hazardous waste", acutely
hazardous waste", "radioactive waste", "biohazardous waste", "pollutant", "toxic
pollutant", "contaminant", "restricted hazardous waste", "infectious waste",
"toxic substances",  or any other term or expression intended to define, list or
classify substances by reason of properties harmful to health, safety or the
indoor or outdoor environment (including harmful properties such as
ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, toxicity, reproductive
toxicity, "TCLP toxicity" or "EP toxicity" or words of similar import under any
applicable Environmental Laws); (ii) any oil, petroleum, petroleum fraction or
petroleum derived substance; (iii) any drilling fluids, produced waters and
other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude
oil, natural gas or geothermal resources; (iv) any flammable substances or
explosives; (v) any radioactive materials; (vi) any asbestos-containing
materials; (vii) urea formaldehyde foam insulation; (viii) electrical equipment
which contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls;
(ix) pesticides; and (x) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to
which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or which
may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the owners, occupants or
any Persons in the vicinity of any Facility or to the indoor or outdoor
environment.

         "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITY" means any past, current, proposed or
threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials,
including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence,
existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement,
generation, transportation, processing, construction, treatment, abatement,
removal, remediation, disposal, disposition or handling of any Hazardous
Materials, and any corrective action or response action with respect to any of
the foregoing.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
         "HEDGE AGREEMENT" means an Interest Rate Agreement or a Currency
Agreement designed to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates or currency
values, respectively.

         "INDEBTEDNESS", as applied to any Person, means (i) all indebtedness
for borrowed money, (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital
Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in
conformity with GAAP, (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing
extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money,
(iv) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of
property or services (excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA and
any such obligations which represent accounts payable incurred in the ordinary
course of business), which purchase price (a) is due more than six months from
the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof or (b) is evidenced
by a note or similar written instrument, and (v) all indebtedness secured by any
Lien on any property or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether
the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is
nonrecourse to the credit of that Person.  Obligations under Interest Rate
Agreements and Currency Agreements constitute (X) in the case of Hedge
Agreements, Contingent Obligations, and (Y) in all other cases, Investments, and
in neither case constitute Indebtedness.

         "INDEMNITEE" means each of the Agents, the Lenders, CIBC WG, First
Union CMC and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and
affiliates which are indemnified by Company pursuant to subsection 10.3.

         "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means all patents, trademarks, tradenames,
copyrights, technology, know-how and processes used in or necessary for the
conduct of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted
that are material to the condition (financial or otherwise), business or
operations of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means (i) with respect to any Base Rate Loan,
each January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 of each year, commencing on
the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and (ii) with respect to
any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to
such Loan; provided that in the case of each Interest Period of six months
           --------                                                       
"Interest Payment Date" shall also include the date that is three months after
the commencement of such Interest Period.

         "INTEREST PERIOD" means the interest period for each Eurodollar Rate
Loan selected by Company, which interest period shall consist of a one, two,
three or six month period.

         "INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT" means any interest rate swap agreement,
interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar
agreement or arrangement to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
         "INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION DATE" means, with respect to any Interest
Period, the second Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

         "INTERNAL REVENUE CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor
statute.

         "INVENTORY" means, with respect to any Person as of any date of
determination, all goods, merchandise and other personal property which are then
held by such Person for sale or lease, including raw materials and work in
process.

         "INVESTMENT" means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other
acquisition by Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of, or of a
beneficial interest in, any Securities of any other Person, (ii) any direct or
indirect redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, by any
Restricted Subsidiary of Company from any Person other than Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, of any equity Securities of such Person, (iii) any
direct or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees for moving,
entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in
the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution by Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to any other Person (other than a wholly-owned
Restricted Subsidiary of Company), including all indebtedness and accounts
receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise
from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business, or (iv)
Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements not constituting Hedge
Agreements. The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such
Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for
           ----                                                               
increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with
respect to such Investment.

         "IP COLLATERAL" means, collectively, the Collateral under the Company
Trademark Security Agreement and the Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements.

         "ISSUING LENDER" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the
Lender which agrees or is otherwise obligated to issue such Letter of Credit,
determined as provided in subsection 3.1B(ii).

         "JOINT VENTURE" means a joint venture, partnership or other similar
arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form; provided
                                                                    --------
that in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to
be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.

         "LENDER" and "LENDERS" means the persons identified as "Lenders" and
listed on the signature pages of this Agreement, together with their successors
and permitted assigns pursuant to subsection 10.1, and the term "Lenders" shall
include Swing Line Lender unless the context otherwise requires; provided that
                                                                 --------     
the term "Lenders", when 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
used in the context of a particular Commitment, shall mean Lenders having that
Commitment.

         "LETTER OF CREDIT" or "LETTERS OF CREDIT" means Commercial Letters of
Credit and Standby Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by Issuing Lenders
for the account of Company pursuant to subsection 3.1 and the Existing Letters
of Credit.

         "LETTER OF CREDIT USAGE" means, as at any date of determination, the
sum of (i) the maximum aggregate amount which is or at any time thereafter may
become available for drawing under all Letters of Credit then outstanding plus
                                                                          ----
(ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by
Issuing Lenders and not theretofore reimbursed by Company.

         "LIBOR" means the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to
the Interest Period selected which appears on the Telerate Page 3750 at
approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time), two (2) Business Days prior to the
commencement of the applicable Interest Period.  If, for any reason, such rate
is not available, then "LIBOR" shall mean the rate per annum at which, as
determined by Administrative Agent, Dollars in the amount of $5,000,000 are
being offered to leading banks at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time), two
(2) Business Days prior to the commencement of the applicable Interest Period
for settlement in immediately available funds by leading banks in the London
interbank market for a period equal to the Interest Period selected.

         "LIEN" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest,
charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give
any security interest) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement
having the practical effect of any of the foregoing.

         "LIL' CHAMP" means Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc., a Florida corporation.

         "LIL' CHAMP ACQUISITION" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
recitals of this Agreement.

         "LIL' CHAMP STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement by and among Docks U.S.A., Inc. and PHH dated as of August 26, 1997,
in the form delivered to Agents and Lenders prior to their execution of this
Agreement and as such agreement may be amended from time to time thereafter to
the extent permitted under subsection 7.14A.

         "LOAN" or "LOANS" means one or more of the Acquisition Term Loans,
Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans or any combination thereof.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
         "LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit
(and any applications for, or reimbursement agreements or other documents or
certificates executed by Company in favor of an Issuing Lender relating to, the
Letters of Credit), the Subsidiary Guaranty and the Collateral Documents.

         "LOAN PARTY" means each of Company and any of Company's Subsidiaries
from time to time executing a Loan Document, and "LOAN PARTIES" means all such
Persons, collectively.

         "MARGIN DETERMINATION CERTIFICATE" means an Officers' Certificate of
Company delivered with the financial statements required pursuant to subsection
6.1(ii) or 6.1(iii) setting forth in reasonable detail the Consolidated Pro
Forma Leverage Ratio which is applicable as of the date on which such Officers'
Certificate is delivered.

         "MARGIN STOCK" has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation U of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to
time.

         "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means (i) a material adverse effect upon the
business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the
material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform, or of
Administrative Agent or Lenders to enforce, the Obligations.

         "MATERIAL CONTRACT" means any contract or other arrangement to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (other than the Loan Documents)
for which breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew could have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         "MORTGAGE" means a security instrument (whether designated as a deed of
trust or a mortgage or by any similar title) executed and delivered by any Loan
Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit XII annexed hereto or in such other
                                    -----------                                
form as may be approved by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, in each
case with such changes thereto as may be recommended by Administrative Agent's
local counsel based on local laws or customary local mortgage or deed of trust
practices, as such security instrument may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

         "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan which is a
"multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

         "NET ASSET SALE PROCEEDS" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, Cash
payments (including any Cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or
by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so
received, and including any Cash received under any insurance policy or as a
result of the taking of any assets pursuant to the power of eminent domain,
condemnation or otherwise) received from 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
such Asset Sale, net of any direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset
Sale, including (i) taxes reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two
years of the date of such Asset Sale as a result of such Asset Sale, (ii)
payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and
interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by a Lien on
the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the
terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, and (iii) reasonable reserves
established in good faith by Company to satisfy any indemnification obligations
undertaken in connection with such Asset Sale.

         "NOTES" means one or more of the Acquisition Term Notes, Revolving
Notes or Swing Line Note or any combination thereof.

         "NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice substantially in the form of
                                                                          
Exhibit I annexed hereto delivered by Company to Administrative Agent pursuant
- ---------                                                                     
to subsection 2.1B with respect to a proposed borrowing.

         "NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION" means a notice substantially in the
form of Exhibit II annexed hereto delivered by Company to Administrative Agent
        ----------                                                            
pursuant to subsection 2.2D with respect to a proposed conversion or
continuation of the applicable basis for determining the interest rate with
respect to the Loans specified therein.

         "NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT" means a notice substantially
in the form of Exhibit III annexed hereto delivered by Company to Administrative
               -----------                                                      
Agent pursuant to subsection 3.1B(i) with respect to the proposed issuance of a
Letter of Credit.

         "OBLIGATIONS" means all obligations of every nature of each Loan Party
from time to time owed to Agents, Lenders or any of them under the Loan
Documents, whether for principal, interest, reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.

         "OFFER AND CONSENT SOLICITATION" means, collectively, (i) the offer by
Company to the holders of outstanding Senior Notes to repurchase for cash
$51,000,000 in aggregate  principal amount of such notes and (ii) the
solicitation by Company from the holders of outstanding Senior Notes of consents
to certain amendments and waivers to the Senior Note Indenture, in each case as
described in the Offer and Consent Solicitation Materials, for an aggregate
payment which does not exceed the principal amount of Senior Notes so
repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and up to $7,000,000 in
tender offer premiums and consent fees.

         "OFFER AND CONSENT SOLICITATION MATERIALS" means, collectively, (i) the
Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated as of September 18,
1997, (ii) the Consent and Letter of Transmittal, together with the Substitute
Form W-9, (iii) the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, and (iv) such other
documents, transmittal letters and related materials provided to the holders of
outstanding Senior Notes in connection with 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
the Offer and Consent Solicitation and delivered to Agents and Lenders prior to
their execution of this Agreement, as each such document, letter or material may
be amended from time to time thereafter to the extent permitted under subsection
7.14A.

         "OFFERING MEMORANDUM" means that certain Offering Memorandum relating
to the Senior Subordinated Notes dated October 17, 1997.

         "OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, as applied to any corporation, a
certificate executed on behalf of such corporation by its chairman of the board
(if an officer) or its president or one of its vice presidents and by its chief
financial officer or its treasurer; provided that every Officers' Certificate
                                    --------                                 
with respect to the compliance with a condition precedent to the making of any
Loans hereunder shall include  (i) a statement that the officer or officers
making or giving such Officers' Certificate have read such condition and any
definitions or other provisions contained in this Agreement relating thereto,
(ii) a statement that, in the opinion of the signers, they have made or have
caused to be made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable
them to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition has been
complied with, and (iii) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of the
signers, such condition has been complied with.

         "OPERATING LEASE" means, as applied to any Person, any lease (including
leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) that is not a Capital Lease other than any
such lease under which that Person is the lessor.

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.

         "PENSION PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a
Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code
or Section 302 of ERISA.

         "PERMITTED ACQUISITION" means an acquisition of assets or a business
effected in accordance with the provisions of subsection 7.7(vi).

         "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means the following types of Liens (excluding
any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal
Revenue Code or by ERISA, any such Lien relating to or imposed in connection
with any Environmental Claim, and any such Lien expressly prohibited by any
applicable terms of any of the Collateral Documents):

         (i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims the
    payment of which is not, at the time, required by subsection 6.3;

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
         (ii)    statutory Liens of landlords, statutory Liens of banks and
    rights of set-off, statutory Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
    repairmen, workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law, in each
    case incurred in the ordinary course of business (a) for amounts not yet
    overdue or (b) for amounts that are overdue and that (in the case of any
    such amounts overdue for a period in excess of 30 days) are being contested
    in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as (1) such reserves or
    other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall
    have been made for any such contested amounts, and (2) in the case of a Lien
    with respect to any portion of the Collateral, such contest proceedings
    conclusively operate to stay the sale of any portion of the Collateral on
    account of such Lien;

         (iii)   Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
    business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance
    and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders,
    statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government
    contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other
    similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed
    money), so long as no foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have been
    commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof;

         (iv)    any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event of
    Default under subsection 8.8;

         (v)     leases or subleases granted to third parties in accordance with
    any applicable terms of the Collateral Documents and not interfering in any
    material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of Company or any
    of its Subsidiaries or resulting in a material diminution in the value of
    any Collateral as security for the Obligations;

         (vi)    easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, and
    other minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not
    and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of
    the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or result in a material
    diminution in the value of any Collateral as security for the Obligations;

         (vii)   any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any
    lease permitted by subsection 7.9, (b) restriction or encumbrance that the
    interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to, or (c)
    subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to
    any restriction or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b), so
    long as the holder of such restriction or encumbrance agrees to recognize
    the rights of such lessee or sublessee under such lease;

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
         (viii)  Liens arising from filing UCC financing statements relating
    solely to leases permitted by this Agreement;

         (ix)    Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
    matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
    importation of goods;

         (x)     any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any
    governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real
    property;

         (xi)    Liens securing obligations (other than obligations representing
    Indebtedness for borrowed money) under operating, reciprocal easement or
    similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business of
    Company and its Subsidiaries; and

         (xii)   licenses of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property
    rights granted by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course
    of business and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary
    conduct of the business of Company or such Subsidiary.

         "PERSON" means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited
partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited
liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations,
companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other
organizations, whether or not legal entities, and governments (whether federal,
state or local, domestic or foreign, and including political subdivisions
thereof) and agencies or other administrative or regulatory bodies thereof.

         "PHH" means PH Holding Corporation, a North Carolina corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Company.

         "PLEDGED COLLATERAL" means, collectively, the "Pledged Collateral" as
defined in the Company Pledge Agreement and the Subsidiary Pledge Agreements.

         "POTENTIAL EVENT OF DEFAULT" means a condition or event that, after
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

         "PRIME RATE" means the rate that First Union announces from time to
time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time. The Prime Rate
is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate
actually charged to any customer.  First Union or any other Lender may make
commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the
Prime Rate.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
         "PRO RATA SHARE" means (i) with respect to all payments, computations
and other matters relating to the Acquisition Term Loan Commitment or the
Acquisition Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the
                                                                --------        
Acquisition Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Acquisition
                                              --                              
Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, (ii) with respect to all payments,
computations and other matters relating to the Revolving Loan Commitment or the
Revolving Loans of any Lender or any Letters of Credit issued or participations
therein purchased by any Lender or any participations in any Swing Line Loans
purchased by any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Revolving
                                                    --------                  
Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all
                             --                                                 
Lenders, and (iii) for all other purposes with respect to each Lender, the
percentage obtained by dividing (x) the sum of the Acquisition Term Loan
                       --------                                         
Exposure of that Lender plus the Revolving Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y)
                        ----                                            --    
the sum of the aggregate Acquisition Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the
                                                                       ----    
aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders, in any such case as the
applicable percentage may be adjusted by assignments permitted pursuant to
subsection 10.1.  The initial Pro Rata Share of each Lender for purposes of each
of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence is set forth opposite
the name of that Lender in Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto.
                           ------------                

         "PTO" means the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any
successor or substitute office in which filings are necessary or, in the opinion
of Administrative Agent, desirable in order to create or perfect Liens on any IP
Collateral.

         "REAL PROPERTY ASSET" means, at any time of determination, any interest
then owned by any Loan Party in any real property.

         "REFUNDED SWING LINE LOANS" means Swing Line Loans which are refunded
through the proceeds of Revolving Loans made by the Lenders.

         "REGISTER" means the register established pursuant to subsection 2.1D
for the recordation of each Lender's Commitments and Loans.

         "REGULATION D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

         "REIMBURSEMENT DATE" means the date on which Company is required to
reimburse the Issuing Lender for a drawing on a Letter of Credit.

         "RELATED AGREEMENTS" means, collectively, the Lil' Champ Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Offer and Consent
Solicitation Materials, the Offering Memorandum, the Company Certificate of
Designation, the Stockholders Agreement, the Related Financing Documents and the
Affiliate Agreements.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
         "RELATED FINANCING DOCUMENTS" means, collectively, the Senior Notes,
the Senior Note Indenture, the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture and all other agreements or instruments delivered
pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing including any purchase
agreement or registration rights agreement.

         "RELEASE" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,
pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping,
leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into the indoor or outdoor
environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or
other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Materials), including the
movement of any Hazardous Materials through the air, soil, surface water or
groundwater.

         "REQUISITE LENDERS" means Lenders having or holding more than 50% of
the sum of the aggregate Acquisition Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the
                                                                       ----    
aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

         "RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENT" means (i) any dividend or other
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of stock
of Company now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in
shares of that class of stock to the holders of that class, (ii) any redemption,
retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for
value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of stock of Company now or
hereafter outstanding, (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the
surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire
shares of any class of stock of Company now or hereafter outstanding, and (iv)
any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or
redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal
defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated
Indebtedness.

         "RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of Company other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

         "REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT" means the commitment of a Lender to make
Revolving Loans to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii), and "REVOLVING LOAN
COMMITMENTS" means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate.

         "REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" means October 31, 2002.

         "REVOLVING LOAN EXPOSURE" means, with respect to any Lender as of any
date of determination (i) prior to the termination of the Revolving Loan
Commitments, that Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii) after the
termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments, the sum of (a) the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender plus (b) in
                                                                   ----       
the event that Lender is an Issuing Lender, the 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
aggregate Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by
that Lender (in each case net of any participations purchased by other Lenders
in such Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed drawings thereunder) plus (c) the
                                                                   ----
aggregate amount of all participations purchased by that Lender in any
outstanding Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed drawings under any Letters of
Credit plus (d) in the case of Swing Line Lender, the aggregate outstanding
       ---- 
principal amount of all Swing Line Loans (net of any participations therein
purchased by other Lenders) plus (e) the aggregate amount of all participations
                            ----
purchased by that Lender in any outstanding Swing Line Loans.

         "REVOLVING LOANS" means the Loans made by Lenders to Company pursuant
to subsection 2.1A(ii).

         "REVOLVING NOTES" means (i) the promissory notes of Company issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1E(i)(b) on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory
notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 10.1B(i) in
connection with assignments of the Revolving Loan Commitments and Revolving
Loans of any Lenders, in each case substantially in the form of Exhibit V
                                                                ---------
annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.

         "SECURITIES" means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting
trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-
sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes,
or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible,
subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as
"securities" or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in
temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any
right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

         "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
to time, and any successor statute.

         "SENIOR NOTE INDENTURE" means the indenture dated as of November 4,
1993 between Company and IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, as trustee, pursuant
to which the Senior Notes were issued, as amended by the supplemental indenture
dated as of December 4, 1996, and as amended as described in the Offer and
Consent Solicitation Materials and as such indenture may be further amended from
time to time to the extent permitted under subsection 7.14C.

         "SENIOR NOTES" means $100,000,000 in initial aggregate principal amount
of 12% Series B Senior Notes due 2000 of Company issued pursuant to the Senior
Note Indenture, as such notes may be amended from time to time to the extent
permitted under subsection 7.14C.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
         "SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE INDENTURE" means the indenture pursuant to
which the Senior Subordinated Notes are issued, as such indenture may be amended
from time to time to the extent permitted under subsection 7.14B.

         "SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES" means the 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2007 of Company issued pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture,
as such notes may be amended from time to time to the extent permitted under
subsection 7.14B.

         "SOLVENT" means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of
determination both (A) (i) the then fair saleable value of the property of such
Person is (y) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent
liabilities) of such Person and (z) not less than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liabilities on such Person's then existing debts as
they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and
potential asset sales reasonably available to such Person; (ii) such Person's
capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business or any
contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) such Person does not intend to
incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts
beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and (B) such Person is
"solvent" within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable
laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances.  For purposes of this
definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed
as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at
such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an
actual or matured liability.

         "STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT" means any standby letter of credit or
similar instrument issued for the purpose of supporting (i) Indebtedness of
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of industrial revenue
or development bonds or financings, (ii) workers' compensation liabilities of
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) the obligations of third
party insurers of Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising by
virtue of the laws of any jurisdiction requiring third party insurers, (iv)
obligations with respect to Capital Leases or Operating Leases of Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (v) performance, payment, deposit, surety or
indemnity obligations of Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in any
case if required by law or governmental rule or regulation or in accordance with
custom and practice in the industry; provided that Standby Letters of Credit may
                                     --------                                   
not be issued for the purpose of supporting (a) trade payables or (b) any
Indebtedness constituting "antecedent debt" (as that term is used in Section 547
of the Bankruptcy Code).

         "STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT" means that certain Stockholders' Agreement
dated as of August 19, 1996 by and among Company, Freeman Spogli, CMC and the
other stockholders of Company, in the form delivered to Agents and Lenders prior
to their execution of this Agreement and as such agreement may be amended from
time to time thereafter to the extent permitted under subsection 7.14A.

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
         "SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" means (i) the Indebtedness of Company
evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Notes and (ii) any other Indebtedness of
Company subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations pursuant to
documentation containing maturities, amortization schedules, covenants,
defaults, remedies, subordination provisions and other material terms in form
and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders.

         "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other
business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether
directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions)
having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof.

         "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" means any Restricted Subsidiary of Company that
executes and delivers a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty on the Closing
Date or from time to time thereafter pursuant to subsection 6.8.

         "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY" means the Subsidiary Guaranty executed and
delivered by existing Restricted Subsidiaries of Company on the Closing Date and
to be executed and delivered by additional Restricted Subsidiaries of Company
from time to time thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8, substantially in
the form of Exhibit XVIII annexed hereto, as such Subsidiary Guaranty may
            -------------                                                
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means each Subsidiary Pledge Agreement
executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary Guarantor on the Closing Date
or executed and delivered by any additional Subsidiary Guarantor from time to
time thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8, in each case substantially in
the form of Exhibit XIX annexed hereto, as such Subsidiary Pledge Agreement may
            -----------                                                        
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and
"SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Pledge Agreements,
collectively.

         "SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT" means each Subsidiary Security
Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary Guarantor on the
Closing Date or executed and delivered by any additional Subsidiary Guarantor
from time to time thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8, in each case
substantially in the form of Exhibit XX annexed hereto, as such Subsidiary
                             ----------                                   
Security Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time, and "SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Security
Agreements, collectively.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
         "SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT" means each Subsidiary
Trademark Security Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary
Guarantor on the Closing Date or executed and delivered by any additional
Subsidiary Guarantor from time to time thereafter in accordance with subsection
6.8, in each case substantially in the form of Exhibit XXI annexed hereto, as
                                               -----------                   
such Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, and "SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY
AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements,
collectively.

         "SUPPLEMENTAL COLLATERAL AGENT" means any additional collateral agent
appointed pursuant to subsection 9.1D.

         "SWING LINE LENDER" means First Union, or any Person serving as a
successor Administrative Agent hereunder, in its capacity as Swing Line Lender
hereunder.

         "SWING LINE LOAN COMMITMENT" means the commitment of Swing Line Lender
to make Swing Line Loans to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii).

         "SWING LINE LOANS" means the Loans made by Swing Line Lender to Company
pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii).

         "SWING LINE NOTE" means (i) the promissory note of Company issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1E(ii) on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory note
issued by Company to any successor Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender
pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 9.5B, in each case substantially in
the form of Exhibit VI annexed hereto, as it may be amended, supplemented or
            ----------                                                      
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "SYNDICATION AGENT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.

         "TAX" or "TAXES" means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty,
charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and whatever called, by
whomsoever, on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed; provided that "TAX ON THE OVERALL NET INCOME" of a Person shall be
          --------                                                          
construed as a reference to a tax imposed by the jurisdiction in which that
Person is organized or in which that Person's principal office (and/or, in the
case of a Lender, its lending office) is located or in which that Person
(and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is deemed to be doing
business on all or part of the net income, profits or gains (whether worldwide,
or only insofar as such income, profits or gains are considered to arise in or
to relate to a particular jurisdiction, or otherwise) of that Person (and/or, in
the case of a Lender, its lending office).

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
         "TOTAL UTILIZATION OF REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS" means, as at any date
of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Revolving Loans plus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all
                            ----                                           
outstanding Swing Line Loans plus (iii) the Letter of Credit Usage.
                             ----                                  

         "TRANSACTION COSTS" means the fees, costs and expenses payable by
Company on or before the Closing Date in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements.

         "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent
legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

         "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES" means PHH and any Subsidiary of PHH,
whether in existence on the Closing Date or thereafter created or acquired;
                                                                           
provided, that Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries do not directly own
- --------                                                                        
any equity interest in such Subsidiary.

1.2. ACCOUNTING TERMS; UTILIZATION OF GAAP FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATIONS UNDER
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     AGREEMENT.
     --------- 

         Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all
accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
to them in conformity with GAAP.  Financial statements and other information
required to be delivered by Company to Lenders pursuant to clauses (i), (ii),
(iii) and (xiii) of subsection 6.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as
in effect at the time of such preparation (and delivered together with the
reconciliation statements provided for in subsection 6.1(v)).  Calculations in
connection with the definitions, covenants and other provisions of this
Agreement shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity with
those used to prepare the financial statements referred to in subsection 5.3.

1.3. OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
     ------------------------------------------------------- 

         A.  Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise
requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference.

         B.  References to "Sections" and "subsections" shall be to Sections
and subsections, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically
provided.

         C.  The use in any of the Loan Documents of the word "include" or
"including", when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be
construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or
matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or
matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as "without limitation" or
"but not limited to" or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto,
but rather shall be deemed to refer to all 

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such
general statement, term or matter.


SECTION 2.  AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.1 COMMITMENTS; MAKING OF LOANS; THE REGISTER; NOTES.
    ------------------------------------------------- 

    A.  Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
in reliance upon the representations and warranties of Company herein set forth,
each Lender hereby severally agrees to make the Loans described in subsections
2.1A(i) and 2.1A(ii) and Swing Line Lender hereby agrees to make the Loans
described in subsection 2.1A(iii).

        (i)  Acquisition Term Loans.  Each Lender severally agrees, subject to 
             ----------------------                                          
    the provisions set forth in subsection 7.7(vi), to lend to Company from time
    to time during the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the
    Acquisition Term Loan Commitment Termination Date an amount not exceeding
    its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the Acquisition Term Loan
    Commitments to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5A. The
    original amount of each Lender's Acquisition Term Loan Commitment is set
    forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate
                               ------------
    amount of the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments is $30,000,000; provided
                                                                    --------
    that the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments of Lenders shall be adjusted to
    give effect to any assignments of the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments
    pursuant to subsection 10.1B; and provided, further that the amount of the
                                      --------  -------
    Acquisition Term Loan Commitment of any Lender shall be reduced from time to
    time by the amount of any Acquisition Term Loan made by such Lender and
    shall be further reduced from time to time by the amount of any reductions
    thereto made pursuant to subsections 2.4B(ii) and 2.4B(iii). Each Lender's
    Acquisition Term Loan Commitment shall expire on the Acquisition Term Loan
    Commitment Termination Date and all outstanding Acquisition Term Loans on
    such date shall be repaid in accordance with subsection 2.4A; provided that
                                                                  --------
    each Lender's Acquisition Term Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and
    without further action on November 14, 1997 if the Closing Date shall not
    have occurred on or before that date. Amounts borrowed under this subsection
    2.1A(i) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

        (ii) Revolving Loans.  Each Lender severally agrees, subject to the
             ---------------                                               
    limitations set forth below with respect to the maximum amount of Revolving
    Loans permitted to be outstanding from time to time, to lend to Company from
    time to time during the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the
    Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date an aggregate amount not exceeding
    its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Loan Commitments
    to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5B. The original
    amount of each

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
     Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment is set forth opposite its name on
     Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate original amount of the
     ------------
     Revolving Loan Commitments is $45,000,000; provided that the Revolving Loan
                                                --------
     Commitments of Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any assignments
     of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B; and
     provided, further that the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitments shall
     --------  -------
     be reduced from time to time by the amount of any reductions thereto made
     pursuant to subsections 2.4B(ii) and 2.4B(iii). Each Lender's Revolving
     Loan Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
     Date and all Revolving Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with
     respect to the Revolving Loans and the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
     paid in full no later than that date; provided that each Lender's Revolving
                                           --------
     Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and without further action on
     November 14, 1997 if the Closing Date shall not have occurred on or before
     that date. Amounts borrowed under this subsection 2.1A(ii) may be repaid
     and reborrowed to but excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
     Date.

          Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
     in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments at
     any time exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect.

          (iii)  Swing Line Loans. Swing Line Lender hereby agrees, subject to
                 ----------------
     the limitations set forth below with respect to the maximum amount of Swing
     Line Loans permitted to be outstanding from time to time, to make a portion
     of the Revolving Loan Commitments available to Company from time to time
     during the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Loan
     Commitment Termination Date by making Swing Line Loans to Company in an
     aggregate amount not exceeding the amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment
     to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5B, notwithstanding
     the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with Swing Line
     Lender's outstanding Revolving Loans and Swing Line Lender's Pro Rata Share
     of the Letter of Credit Usage then in effect, may exceed Swing Line
     Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment. The original amount of the Swing Line
     Loan Commitment is $3,000,000; provided that any reduction of the Revolving
                                    --------
     Loan Commitments made pursuant to subsection 2.4B(ii) or 2.4B(iii) which
     reduces the aggregate Revolving Loan Commitments to an amount less than the
     then current amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment shall result in an
     automatic corresponding reduction of the Swing Line Loan Commitment to the
     amount of the Revolving Loan Commitments, as so reduced, without any
     further action on the part of Company, any Agent or Swing Line Lender. The
     Swing Line Loan Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Loan Commitment
     Termination Date and all Swing Line Loans and all other amounts owed
     hereunder with respect to the Swing Line Loans shall be paid in full no
     later than that date; provided that the Swing Line Loan Commitment shall
                           --------
     expire immediately and without further action on November 14, 1997 if the
     Closing

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
     Date shall not have occurred on or before that date. Amounts borrowed under
     this subsection 2.1A(iii) may be repaid and reborrowed to but excluding the
     Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date.

          Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
     in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments at
     any time exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect.

          With respect to any Swing Line Loans which have not been voluntarily
     prepaid by Company pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i), Swing Line Lender may,
     at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, deliver to Administrative
     Agent (with a copy to Company), no later than 11:00 A.M. (Charlotte, NC
     time) on the first Business Day in advance of the proposed Funding Date, a
     notice (which shall be deemed to be a Notice of Borrowing given by Company)
     requesting Lenders to make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans on such
     Funding Date in an amount equal to the amount of such Swing Line Loans (the
     "REFUNDED SWING LINE LOANS") outstanding on the date such notice is given
     which Swing Line Lender requests Lenders to prepay. Anything contained in
     this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) the proceeds of such
     Revolving Loans made by Lenders other than Swing Line Lender shall be
     immediately delivered by Administrative Agent to Swing Line Lender (and not
     to Company) and applied to repay a corresponding portion of the Refunded
     Swing Line Loans and (ii) on the day such Revolving Loans are made, Swing
     Line Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Refunded Swing Line Loans shall be
     deemed to be paid with the proceeds of a Revolving Loan made by Swing Line
     Lender, and such portion of the Swing Line Loans deemed to be so paid shall
     no longer be outstanding as Swing Line Loans and shall no longer be due
     under the Swing Line Note, of Swing Line Lender but shall instead
     constitute part of Swing Line Lender's outstanding Revolving Loans and
     shall be due under the Revolving Note, of Swing Line Lender. Company hereby
     authorizes Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender to charge Company's
     accounts with Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender (up to the amount
     available in each such account) in order to immediately pay Swing Line
     Lender the amount of the Refunded Swing Line Loans to the extent the
     proceeds of such Revolving Loans made by Lenders, including the Revolving
     Loan deemed to be made by Swing Line Lender, are not sufficient to repay in
     full the Refunded Swing Line Loans. If any portion of any such amount paid
     (or deemed to be paid) to Swing Line Lender should be recovered by or on
     behalf of Company from Swing Line Lender in bankruptcy, by assignment for
     the benefit of creditors or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered
     shall be ratably shared among all Lenders in the manner contemplated by
     subsection 10.5.

         Immediately upon the funding of each Swing Line Loan by Swing Line
     Lender, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby agrees to, have
     purchased a participation in such outstanding Swing Line Loans in an amount
     equal to its Pro

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
     Rata Share (calculated without giving effect to clauses (d) and (e) of the
     definition of Revolving Loan Exposure) of the unpaid amount of such Swing
     Line Loans together with accrued interest thereon. Upon one Business Day's
     notice from Swing Line Lender, each Lender shall deliver to Swing Line
     Lender an amount equal to its respective participation in same day funds at
     the Funding and Payment Office. In order to evidence such participation,
     each Lender agrees to enter into a separate participation agreement at the
     request of Swing Line Lender in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
     to all parties. In the event any Lender fails to make available to Swing
     Line Lender the amount of such Lender's participation as provided in this
     paragraph, Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on
     demand from such Lender together with interest thereon at the rate
     customarily used by Swing Line Lender for the correction of errors among
     banks for three Business Days and thereafter at the Base Rate. In the event
     Swing Line Lender receives a payment of any amount in which other Lenders
     have purchased participations as provided in this paragraph, Swing Line
     Lender shall promptly distribute to each such other Lender its Pro Rata
     Share of such payment.

          Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each
     Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans for the purpose of repaying any
     Refunded Swing Line Loans pursuant to the second preceding paragraph and
     each Lender's obligation to purchase a participation in any unpaid Swing
     Line Loans pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph shall be
     absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance,
     including (a) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right
     which such Lender may have against Swing Line Lender, Company or any other
     Person for any reason whatsoever; (b) the occurrence or continuation of an
     Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default; (c) any adverse change in
     the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or
     otherwise) or prospects of Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (d) any
     breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party thereto;
     or (e) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or
     not similar to any of the foregoing; provided that such obligations of each
                                          --------
     Lender are subject to the condition that (X) Swing Line Lender believed in
     good faith that all conditions under Section 4 to the making of the
     applicable Refunded Swing Line Loans or other unpaid Swing Line Loans, as
     the case may be, were satisfied at the time such Refunded Swing Line Loans
     or unpaid Swing Line Loans were made or (Y) the satisfaction of any such
     condition not satisfied had been waived in accordance with subsection 10.6.

     B. Borrowing Mechanics.  Acquisition Term Loans or Revolving Loans made on
any Funding Date (other than Revolving Loans made pursuant to a request by Swing
Line Lender pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii) for the purpose of repaying any
Refunded Swing Line Loans or Revolving Loans made pursuant to subsection 3.3B
for the purpose of reimbursing any Issuing Lender for the amount of a drawing
under a Letter of Credit issued by it) shall be in an aggregate minimum amount
of $1,000,000 and integral 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount; provided that Acquisition Term
                                                --------
Loans or Revolving Loans made on any Funding Date as Eurodollar Rate Loans with
a particular Interest Period shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of
$3,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount. Swing
Line Loans made on any Funding Date shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of
$200,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount. Whenever
Company desires that Lenders make Acquisition Term Loans or Revolving Loans it
shall deliver to Administrative Agent a Notice of Borrowing no later than 11:00
A.M. (Charlotte, NC time) at least three Business Days in advance of the
proposed Funding Date (in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan) or at least one
Business Day in advance of the proposed Funding Date (in the case of a Base Rate
Loan). Whenever Company desires that Swing Line Lender make a Swing Line Loan,
it shall deliver to Administrative Agent a Notice of Borrowing no later than
12:00 Noon (Charlotte, NC time) on the proposed Funding Date. The Notice of
Borrowing shall specify (i) the proposed Funding Date (which shall be a Business
Day), (ii) the amount and type of Loans requested, (iii) in the case of Swing
Line Loans and any Loans made on the Closing Date or the two Business Days
immediately succeeding the Closing Date, that such Loans shall be Base Rate
Loans, (iv) in the case of Acquisition Term Loans and Revolving Loans not made
on the Closing Date, whether such Loans shall be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar
Rate Loans, and (v) in the case of any Loans requested to be made as Eurodollar
Rate Loans, the initial Interest Period requested therefor. Acquisition Term
Loans and Revolving Loans may be continued as or converted into Base Rate Loans
and Eurodollar Rate Loans in the manner provided in subsection 2.2D. In lieu of
delivering the above-described Notice of Borrowing, Company may give
Administrative Agent telephonic notice by the required time of any proposed
borrowing under this subsection 2.1B; provided that such notice shall be
                                      --------
promptly confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing to
Administrative Agent on or before the applicable Funding Date.

         Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to Company in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that
Administrative Agent believes in good faith to have been given by a duly
authorized officer or other person authorized to borrow on behalf of Company or
for otherwise acting in good faith under this subsection 2.1B, and upon funding
of Loans by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any such
telephonic notice Company shall have effected Loans hereunder.

         Company shall notify Administrative Agent prior to the funding of any
Loans in the event that any of the matters to which Company is required to
certify in the applicable Notice of Borrowing is no longer true and correct as
of the applicable Funding Date, and the acceptance by Company of the proceeds of
any Loans shall constitute a re-certification by Company, as of the applicable
Funding Date, as to the matters to which Company is required to certify in the
applicable Notice of Borrowing.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
         Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Borrowing for a Eurodollar Rate Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu
thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate
Determination Date, and Company shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance
therewith.

    C.  Disbursement of Funds.  All Acquisition Term Loans and Revolving Loans
under this Agreement shall be made by Lenders simultaneously and proportionately
to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be
responsible for any default by any other Lender in that other Lender's
obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder nor shall the Commitment of any
Lender to make the particular type of Loan requested be increased or decreased
as a result of a default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligation
to make a Loan requested hereunder.  Promptly after receipt by Administrative
Agent of a Notice of Borrowing pursuant to subsection 2.1B (or telephonic notice
in lieu thereof), Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender or Swing Line
Lender, as the case may be, of the proposed borrowing.  Each Lender shall make
the amount of its Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than 1:00
P.M. (Charlotte, NC time) on the applicable Funding Date, and Swing Line Lender
shall make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to Administrative Agent
not later than 2:00 P.M.(Charlotte, NC time) on the applicable Funding Date, in
each case in same day funds in Dollars, at the Funding and Payment Office.
Except as provided in subsection 2.1A(iii) or subsection 3.3B with respect to
Revolving Loans used to repay Refunded Swing Line Loans or to reimburse any
Issuing Lender for the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by
it, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified in
subsections 4.1 (in the case of Loans made on the Closing Date) and 4.2 (in the
case of all Loans), Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Loans
available to Company on the applicable Funding Date by causing an amount of same
day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received by
Administrative Agent from Lenders or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, to
be credited to the account of Company at the Funding and Payment Office.

         Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender
prior to the Funding Date for any Loans that such Lender does not intend to make
available to Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender's Loan requested on
such Funding Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made
such amount available to Administrative Agent on such Funding Date and
Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to,
make available to Company a corresponding amount on such Funding Date.  If such
corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by
such Lender, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such
corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon,
for each day from such Funding Date until the date such amount is paid to
Administrative Agent, at the customary rate set by Administrative Agent for the
correction of errors among banks for three Business Days and thereafter at the
Base Rate.  If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon
Administrative Agent's demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify Company and Company shall 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent together with
interest thereon, for each day from such Funding Date until the date such amount
is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable under this Agreement for
Base Rate Loans. Nothing in this subsection 2.1C shall be deemed to relieve any
Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice
any rights that Company may have against any Lender as a result of any default
by such Lender hereunder.

     D.   The Register.

          (i)    Administrative Agent shall maintain, at its address referred to
     in subsection 10.8, a register for the recordation of the names and
     addresses of Lenders and the Commitments and Loans of each Lender from time
     to time (the "REGISTER"). The Register shall be available for inspection by
     Company or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
     reasonable prior notice.

          (ii)   Administrative Agent shall record in the Register the
     Acquisition Term Loan Commitment and Revolving Loan Commitment and the
     Acquisition Term Loan and Revolving Loans from time to time of each Lender,
     the Swing Line Loan Commitment and the Swing Line Loans from time to time
     of Swing Line Lender, and each repayment or prepayment in respect of the
     principal amount of the Acquisition Term Loan or Revolving Loans of each
     Lender or the Swing Line Loans of Swing Line Lender. Any such recordation
     shall be conclusive and binding on Company and each Lender, absent manifest
     error; provided that failure to make any such recordation, or any error in
            --------
     such recordation, shall not affect any Lender's Commitments or Company's
     Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans.

          (iii)  Each Lender shall record on its internal records (including the
     Notes held by such Lender) the amount of the Acquisition Term Loan and each
     Revolving Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof. Any such
     recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Company, absent manifest
     error; provided that failure to make any such recordation, or any error in
            --------
     such recordation, shall not affect any Lender's Commitments or Company's
     Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans; and provided, further that
                                                         --------  -------
     in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender's
     records, the recordations in the Register shall govern absent manifest
     error.

          (iv)   Company, Agents and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons
     listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the
     corresponding Commitments and Loans listed therein for all purposes hereof,
     and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan shall be
     effective, in each case unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting
     the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been accepted by
     Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in subsection
     10.1B(ii). Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed with

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     respect to the applicable Commitment or Loan shall be owed to the Lender
     listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request, authority or
     consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving
     such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be
     conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of
     the corresponding Commitments or Loans.

          (v)    Company hereby designates First Union to serve as Company's
     agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this
     subsection 2.1D, and Company hereby agrees that, to the extent First Union
     serves in such capacity, First Union and its officers, directors,
     employees, agents and affiliates shall constitute Indemnitees for all
     purposes under subsection 10.3.

     E. NOTES.  Company shall execute and deliver on the Closing Date (i) to
each Lender (or to Administrative Agent for that Lender) (a) an Acquisition Term
Note substantially in the form of Exhibit IV annexed hereto to evidence that
                                  ----------                                
Lender's Acquisition Term Loan, in the principal amount of that Lender's
Acquisition Term Loan Commitment and with other appropriate insertions, and (b)
a Revolving Note substantially in the form of Exhibit V annexed hereto to
                                              ---------                  
evidence that Lender's Revolving Loans, in the principal amount of that Lender's
Revolving Loan Commitment and with other appropriate insertions, and (ii) to
Swing Line Lender (or to Administrative Agent for Swing Line Lender) a Swing
Line Note substantially in the form of Exhibit VI annexed hereto to evidence
                                       ----------                           
Swing Line Lender's Swing Line Loans, in the principal amount of the Swing Line
Loan Commitment and with other appropriate insertions.

2.2  INTEREST ON THE LOANS.
     --------------------- 

     A.  Rate of Interest.  Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.6 and
2.7, each Acquisition Term Loan and each Revolving Loan shall bear interest on
the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made to maturity (whether by
acceleration or otherwise) at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate or
the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.  Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.7, each
Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from
the date made to maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate
determined by reference to the Base Rate.  The applicable basis for determining
the rate of interest with respect to any Acquisition Term Loan or any Revolving
Loan shall be selected by Company initially at the time a Notice of Borrowing is
given with respect to such Loan pursuant to subsection 2.1B, and the basis for
determining the interest rate with respect to any Acquisition Term Loan or any
Revolving Loan may be changed from time to time pursuant to subsection 2.2D. If
on any day an Acquisition Term Loan or a Revolving Loan is outstanding with
respect to which notice has not been delivered to Administrative Agent in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement specifying the applicable basis for
determining the rate of interest, then for that day that Loan shall bear
interest determined by reference to the Base Rate.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
          Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the Acquisition
Term Loans and the Revolving Loans shall bear interest through maturity as
follows:

          (i)    if a Base Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Base Rate plus the
                                                                       ----    
     Applicable Base Rate Margin; or

          (ii)   if a Eurodollar Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Adjusted
     Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Eurodollar Margin.
                     ----                                  

          Upon delivery of the Margin Determination Certificate by Company to
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 6.1(xix), the Applicable Base Rate
Margin and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin shall automatically be adjusted in
accordance with such Margin Determination Certificate, such adjustment to become
effective on the next succeeding Business Day following the receipt by
Administrative Agent of such Margin Determination Certificate; provided that if
                                                               --------        
a Margin Determination Certificate is not delivered at the time required
pursuant to subsection 6.1(xix), clause (ii) of the definitions of "Applicable
Base Rate Margin" and "Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin", as the case may be,
shall be applicable from such time until delivery of a succeeding Margin
Determination Certificate; provided further that if a Margin Determination
                           -------- -------                               
Certificate erroneously indicates an applicable margin more favorable to Company
than should be afforded by the actual calculation of the Consolidated Pro Forma
Leverage Ratio, Company shall promptly pay additional interest and letter of
credit fees to correct for such error.

          Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the Swing Line
Loans shall bear interest to maturity at the sum of the Base Rate plus the
                                                                  ----    
Applicable Base Rate Margin.

     B.   Interest Periods.  In connection with each Eurodollar Rate Loan,
Company may, pursuant to the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as the case may be, select an interest period (each an
"INTEREST PERIOD") to be applicable to such Loan, which Interest Period shall
be, at Company's option, either a one, two, three or six month period; provided
                                                                       --------
that:

          (i)    the initial Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Loan shall
     commence on the Funding Date in respect of such Loan, in the case of a Loan
     initially made as a Eurodollar Rate Loan, or on the date specified in the
     applicable Notice of Conversion/Continuation, in the case of a Loan
     converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan;

          (ii)   in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods
     applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Loan continued as such pursuant to a Notice
     of Conversion/Continuation, each successive Interest Period shall commence
     on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
          (iii)  if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is
     no a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding
     Business Day; provided that, if any Interest Period would otherwise expire
                   --------
     on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which
     no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall
     expire on the next preceding Business Day;

          (iv)   any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a
     calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
     day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall,
     subject to clause (v) of this subsection 2.2B, end on the last Business Day
     of a calendar month;

          (v)    no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the
     Acquisition Term Loans shall extend beyond October 31, 2002 and no Interest
     Period with respect to any portion of the Revolving Loans shall extend
     beyond the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date;

          (vi)   no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the
     Acquisition Term Loans shall extend beyond a date on which Company is
     required to make a scheduled payment of principal of the Acquisition Term
     Loans unless the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of Acquisition
     Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus (b) the aggregate principal amount
                                         ----
     of Acquisition Term Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans with Interest
     Periods expiring on or before such date equals or exceeds the principal
     amount required to be paid on the Acquisition Term Loans on such date;

          (vii)  there shall be no more than five Interest Periods outstanding
     at any time with respect to Revolving Loans and there shall be no more than
     five Interest Periods outstanding at any time with respect to Acquisition
     Term Loans; and

          (viii) in the event Company fails to specify an Interest Period for
     any Eurodollar Rate Loan in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
     Conversion/Continuation, Company shall be deemed to have selected an
     Interest Period of one month.

     C.   INTEREST PAYMENTS.  Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2E,
interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on and to each Interest
Payment Date applicable to that Loan, upon any prepayment of that Loan (to the
extent accrued on the amount being prepaid) and at maturity (including final
maturity); provided that in the event any Swing Line Loans or any Revolving
           --------                                                        
Loans that are Base Rate Loans are prepaid pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i),
interest accrued on such Swing Line Loans or Revolving Loans through the date of
such prepayment shall be payable on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date
applicable to Base Rate Loans (or, if earlier, at final maturity).

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
       D.  CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION.  Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.6, Company shall have the option (i) to convert at any time all or any part of
its outstanding Acquisition Term Loans or Revolving Loans equal to $1,000,000
and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount from Loans bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to one basis to Loans bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to an alternative basis; provided
                                                                    --------
that Loans converted to Eurodollar Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount
of $3,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount; or
(ii) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to a Eurodollar Rate
Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $3,000,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount as a Eurodollar Rate
Loan; provided, however, that a Eurodollar Rate Loan may only be converted into
      --------- -------                                                        
a Base Rate Loan on the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable
thereto.

         Company shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation to
Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 A.M. (Charlotte, NC time) at least one
Business Day in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a
conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three Business Days in advance of
the proposed conversion/continuation date (in the case of a conversion to, or a
continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan).  A Notice of Conversion/Continuation
shall specify (i) the proposed conversion/continuation date (which shall be a
Business Day), (ii) the amount and type of the Loan to be converted/continued,
(iii) the nature of the proposed conversion/continuation, (iv) in the case of a
conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the requested
Interest Period, and (v) in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a
Eurodollar Rate Loan, that no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing.  In lieu of delivering the above-described Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, Company may give Administrative Agent telephonic notice
by the required time of any proposed conversion/continuation under this
subsection 2.2D; provided that such notice shall be promptly confirmed in
                 --------                                                
writing by delivery of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation to Administrative
Agent on or before the proposed conversion/continuation date.  Upon receipt of
written or telephonic notice of any proposed conversion/continuation under this
subsection 2.2D, Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit such notice by
telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender.

         Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to Company in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that
Administrative Agent believes in good faith to have been given by a duly
authorized officer or other person authorized to act on behalf of Company or for
otherwise acting in good faith under this subsection 2.2D, and upon conversion
or continuation of the applicable basis for determining the interest rate with
respect to any Loans in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any such
telephonic notice Company shall have effected a conversion or continuation, as
the case may be, hereunder.

         Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Conversion/Continuation for conversion to, or continuation of, a
Eurodollar Rate Loan

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
(or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the 
related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Company shall be bound to effect 
a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

       E.  Default Rate.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any
Event of Default, the outstanding principal amount of all Loans and, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments thereon not paid when
due and any fees and other amounts then due and payable hereunder, shall
thereafter bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding
under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable upon
demand at a rate that is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate
otherwise payable under this Agreement with respect to the applicable Loans (or,
in the case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2.00% per
annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable under this Agreement for
Base Rate Loans); provided that, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, upon the
                  --------                                                     
expiration of the Interest Period in effect at the time any such increase in
interest rate is effective such Eurodollar Rate Loans shall thereupon become
Base Rate Loans and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate
which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable under
this Agreement for Base Rate Loans.  Payment or acceptance of the increased
rates of interest provided for in this subsection 2.2E is not a permitted
alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of
Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of any Agent or
any Lender.

       F.  COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.  Interest on the Loans shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed
in the period during which it accrues.  In computing interest on any Loan, the
date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period
applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted
from a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Eurodollar Rate Loan
to such Base Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of
payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to
such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such Eurodollar Rate
Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided that if a Loan is repaid
                                             --------                         
on the same day on which it is made, one day's interest shall be paid on that
Loan.

2.3    FEES.
       ----
    
       A. REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT FEES.  Company agrees to pay to
Administrative Agent, for distribution to each Lender in proportion to that
Lender's Pro Rata Share, commitment fees for the period from and including the
Closing Date to and excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date in
an amount equal to (x) the daily excess of the Revolving Loan Commitments over
the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans
plus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swing Line Loans plus
- ----                                                                     ----
(iii) the Letter of Credit Usage multiplied by (y) 0.50% per annum, such
                                 -------------                          
commitment fees to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
and the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable quarterly in arrears on
January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 of each year, commencing on the 
first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Revolving Loan 
Commitment Termination Date.

       B.  ACQUISITION TERM LOAN COMMITMENT FEES.  Company agrees to pay to
Administrative Agent, for distribution to each Lender in proportion to that
Lender's Pro Rata Share, commitment fees for the period from and including the
Closing Date to and excluding the Acquisition Term Loan Commitment Termination
Date in an amount equal to (x) the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments multiplied
                                                                     ----------
by (y) 0.50% per annum, such commitment fees to be calculated on the basis of a
- --                                                                             
360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable quarterly
in arrears on January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 of each year,
commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the
Acquisition Term Loan Commitment Termination Date.

       C.  OTHER FEES.  Company agrees to pay to Agents, CIBC WG and/or First
Union CMC, as the case may be, such other fees in the amounts and at the times
agreed upon between Company, Agents, CIBC WG and/or First Union CMC, as the case
may be.

2.4    REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS AND REDUCTIONS IN ACQUISITION TERM LOAN 
       ---------------------------------------------------------------  
       COMMITMENTS AND REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS; GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING 
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PAYMENTS; APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL AND PAYMENTS UNDER 
       ------------------------------------------------------------------
       SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY.
       -------------------

       A.  SCHEDULED PAYMENTS OF ACQUISITION TERM LOANS.

           Company shall make principal payments on the Acquisition Term Loans 
       in installments on each January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31,
       commencing on January 31, 2000, in an amount equal to 8.33%, or 8.37% 
       with respect to the installment payable on October 31, 2002, of the 
       aggregate amount of the Acquisition Term Loans outstanding on the 
       Acquisition Term Loan Commitment Termination Date; provided that the 
                                                          --------
       scheduled installments of principal of the Acquisition Term Loans shall
       be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of
       the Acquisition Term Loans in accordance with subsection 2.4B(iv); and 
       provided, further that the  Acquisition Term Loans and all other amounts
       --------  -------    
       owed hereunder with respect to the Acquisition Term Loans shall be paid 
       in full no later than October 31, 2002, and the final installment 
       payable by Company in respect of the Acquisition Term Loans on such date 
       shall be in an amount, if such amount is different from that specified 
       above, sufficient to repay all amounts owing by Company under this 
       Agreement with respect to the Acquisition Term Loans.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
       B. PREPAYMENTS AND REDUCTIONS IN COMMITMENTS.

          (i)    Voluntary Prepayments.  Company may, upon written or 
                 ---------------------
       telephonic notice to Administrative Agent on or prior to 12:00 Noon
       (Charlotte, NC time) on the date of prepayment, which notice, if
       telephonic, shall be promptly confirmed in writing, at any time and from
       time to time prepay any Swing Line Loan on any Business Day in whole or
       in part in an aggregate minimum amount of $200,000 and integral multiples
       of $100,000 in excess of that amount. Company may, upon not less than one
       Business Day's prior written or telephonic notice, in the case of Base
       Rate Loans, and three Business Days' prior written or telephonic notice,
       in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case given to
       Administrative Agent by 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, NC time) on the date
       required and, if given by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing to
       Administrative Agent (which original written or telephonic notice
       Administrative Agent will promptly transmit by telefacsimile or telephone
       to each Lender), at any time and from time to time prepay any Acquisition
       Term Loans or Revolving Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in
       an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
       $500,000 in excess of that amount; provided, however, that a Eurodollar
                                          --------  -------
       Rate may only be prepaid on a date prior to the date of the expiration of
       the Interest Period applicable thereto upon payment of all amounts due
       with respect to such prepayment under subsection 2.6D. Notice of
       prepayment having been given as aforesaid, the principal amount of the
       Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the
       prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be
       applied as specified in subsection 2.4B(iv).

          (ii)   Voluntary Reductions of Commitments.  Company may, upon not 
                 -----------------------------------
       less than three Business Days' prior written or telephonic notice
       confirmed in writing to Administrative Agent (which original written or
       telephonic notice Administrative Agent will promptly transmit by
       telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender), at any time and from time to
       time terminate in whole or permanently reduce in part, without premium or
       penalty, (a) the Revolving Loan Commitments in an amount up
        to the amount by which the Revolving Loan Commitments exceed the Total
       Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments at the time of such proposed
       termination or reduction or (b) the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments;
       provided that any such partial reduction of the Revolving Loan 
       -------- 
       Commitments or the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments shall be in an
       aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000
       in excess of that amount. Company's notice to Administrative Agent shall
       designate the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination or
       reduction and the amount of any partial reduction, and such termination
       or reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitments or the Acquisition Term
       Loan Commitments shall be effective on the date specified in Company's
       notice and shall reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment or the Acquisition
       Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, of each Lender proportionately to
       its Pro Rata Share.

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
          (iii)  Mandatory Prepayments and Mandatory Reductions of Commitments.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
The Loans shall be prepaid and/or the Commitments shall be permanently reduced
in the amounts and under the circumstances set forth below, all such prepayments
and/or reductions to be applied as set forth below or as more specifically
provided in subsection 2.4B(iv):

                 (a)    Prepayments and Reductions From Net Asset Sale Proceeds.
                        -------------------------------------------------------
      No later than the first Business Day following the date of receipt by
      Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds in
      respect of any Asset Sale and subject to subsection 6.4C in the case of
      insurance proceeds which constitute Net Asset Sale Proceeds, Company shall
      prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the
      Acquisition Term Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced in an
      aggregate amount equal to such Net Asset Sale Proceeds; provided, however,
                                                              --------  -------
      that, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing, Net Asset Sale Proceeds received by Company and its Restricted
      Subsidiaries from and after the date hereof need not be applied to the
      mandatory prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this subsection 2.4B(iii)(a)
      to the extent that such Net Asset Sale Proceeds are reinvested in assets
      or properties currently utilized or anticipated to be utilized in any line
      of business engaged in by Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the
      Closing Date, or any similar or related business, within 270 days of
      receipt thereof and so long as the aggregate amount of such Net Asset Sale
      Proceeds so held for reinvestment and excluded from the mandatory
      prepayment provisions of this subsection 2.4B(iii)(a) does not exceed
      $10,000,000 at any time; provided, further, that Company shall, within ten
                               --------  -------
      Business Days of the receipt by Company or any of its Restricted
      Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds to be excluded from such
      mandatory prepayment provisions pursuant to the immediately preceding
      proviso, deliver to Administrative Agent an Officers' Certificate setting
      forth the amount of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds, the amount of other Net
      Asset Sale Proceeds excluded from such mandatory prepayment provisions
      pursuant to the immediately preceding proviso, and the amount of any
      mandatory prepayment to be made pursuant to this subsection 2.4B(iii)(a)
      and setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations from which such
      amounts were derived, which Officers' Certificate may be amended at any
      time and from time to time by Company during the 270-day period following
      receipt of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds. In the event that any portion of
      any Net Asset Sale Proceeds received by Company or any of its Restricted
      Subsidiaries which are so excluded from the mandatory prepayment of the
      Loans are not expended for the purposes permitted pursuant to this
      subsection 2.4B(iii)(a) within the 270-day period, Company shall,
      immediately upon the expiration of the applicable 270-day period, make a
      mandatory prepayment of the Loans as

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
      specified in the first sentence of this subsection 2.4B(iii)(a) in an
      amount equal to such unexpended portion.

                 (b)    Prepayments and Reductions Due to Issuance of Equity 
                        ----------------------------------------------------
      Securities. On the date of receipt by Company of the Cash proceeds (any
      ----------
      such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other
      reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable
      legal fees and expenses, being "NET SECURITIES PROCEEDS") from the
      issuance of any equity Securities of Company after the Closing Date (other
      than issuances of equity to management employees pursuant to agreements or
      stock option plans permitted under subsection 7.11), Company shall prepay
      the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the Acquisition
      Term Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced in an aggregate amount
      equal to such Net Securities Proceeds.

                 (c)    Prepayments and Reductions Due to Issuance of Debt 
                        --------------------------------------------------
      Securities. On the date of receipt by Company of the Net Securities
      ----------
      Proceeds from the issuance of any debt Securities of Company after the
      Closing Date (other than as permitted pursuant to subsection 7.1 as such
      subsection is in effect on the Closing Date), Company shall prepay the
      Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term
      Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal
      to such Net Securities Proceeds.

                 (d)    Prepayments Due to Failure to Refinance Senior Notes.
                        ----------------------------------------------------
      In the event that by April 30, 2000 Company fails to retire from funds
      other than the proceeds of Revolving Loans (except to the extent permitted
      by subsection 7.5B) or to refinance all of the then outstanding principal
      amount of Senior Notes pursuant to subsection 7.1(vi), then on April 30,
      2000 Company shall prepay all of the outstanding Loans and deliver to the
      Administrative Agent an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any
      time be drawn under all Letters of Credit then outstanding (whether or not
      any beneficiary under any such Letter of Credit shall have presented, or
      shall be entitled at such time to present, the drafts or other documents
      or certificates required to draw under such Letter of Credit) to be held
      by Administrative Agent as cash collateral pursuant to the terms of the
      Collateral Account Agreement, and the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
      permanently reduced to zero.

                 (e)    Calculations of Net Proceeds Amounts; Additional 
                        ------------------------------------------------
      Prepayments and Reductions Based on Subsequent Calculations. Concurrently 
      -----------------------------------------------------------  
      with any prepayment of the Loans and/or reduction of the Revolving Loan
      Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments pursuant to
      subsections 2.4B(iii)(a)-(d), Company shall deliver 

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
      to Administrative Agent an Officers' Certificate demonstrating the
      calculation of the amount (the "NET PROCEEDS AMOUNT") of the applicable
      Net Asset Sale Proceeds or the applicable Net Securities Proceeds that
      gave rise to such prepayment and/or reduction. In the event that Company
      shall subsequently determine that the actual Net Proceeds Amount was
      greater than the amount set forth in such Officers' Certificate, Company
      shall promptly make an additional prepayment of the Loans (and/or, if
      applicable, the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term
      Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced) in an amount equal to the
      amount of such excess, and Company shall concurrently therewith deliver to
      Administrative Agent an Officers' Certificate demonstrating the derivation
      of the additional Net Proceeds Amount resulting in such excess.

                 (f)    Prepayments Due to Reductions or Restrictions of 
                        ------------------------------------------------
      Revolving Loan Commitments. Company shall from time to time prepay first
      --------------------------                                         -----
      the Swing Line Loans and second the Revolving Loans to the extent
                               ------
      necessary so that the Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments
      shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments then in
      effect.

(iv) Application of Prepayments.
     -------------------------- 

                 (a)    Application of Voluntary Prepayments by Type of Loans 
                        -----------------------------------------------------
      and Order of Maturity. Any voluntary prepayments pursuant to subsection
      ---------------------
      2.4B(i) shall be applied as specified by Company in the applicable notice
      of prepayment; provided that in the event Company fails to specify the
                     --------
      Loans to which any such prepayment shall be applied, such prepayment shall
      be applied first to repay outstanding Swing Line Loans to the full extent
                 -----
      thereof, second to repay outstanding Revolving Loans to the full extent
               ------
      thereof, and third to repay outstanding Acquisition Term Loans to the full
                   -----
      extent thereof. Any voluntary prepayments of the Acquisition Term Loans
      pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i) shall be applied first to reduce the
      scheduled installments of principal of the Acquisition Term Loans due in
      the next succeeding twelve months in forward order of maturity and
      thereafter on a pro rata basis to reduce the remaining scheduled
      installments of principal of the Acquisition Term Loans set forth in
      subsection 2.4A.

                 (b)    Application of Mandatory Prepayments by Type of Loans.
                        ----------------------------------------------------- 
      Any amount (the "APPLIED AMOUNT") required to be applied as a mandatory
      prepayment of the Loans and/or a reduction of the Revolving Loan
      Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments pursuant to
      subsections 2.4B(iii)(a)-(d) shall be applied first, to prepay the
                                                    -----
      Acquisition Term Loans to the full extent thereof, second, to the extent
                                                         ------
      of any remaining portion of the Applied Amount, to prepay the Swing Line
      Loans to the full extent thereof but without any reduction to the
      Revolving 

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
      Loan Commitments, third, to the extent of any remaining portion
                        -----
      of the Applied Amount, to prepay the Revolving Loans to the full extent
      thereof but without any reduction to the Revolving Loan Commitments, and
      fourth, to the extent of any remaining portion of the Applied Amount, to
      permanently reduce the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments to the full
      extent thereof; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent
                      --------
      of any remaining portion of the Applied Amount after the reduction of all
      Acquisition Term Loan Commitments, the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
      permanently reduced by the amount of such remaining portion of the Applied
      Amount.

                 (c)    Application of Mandatory Prepayments of Acquisition 
                        ---------------------------------------------------
      Term Loans by Order of Maturity.  Any mandatory prepayments of the 
      -------------------------------   
      Acquisition Term Loans pursuant to subsection 2.4B(iii) shall be applied
      on a pro rata basis to reduce the scheduled installments of principal of
      the Acquisition Term Loans set forth in subsection 2.4A.

                 (d)    Application of Prepayments to Base Rate Loans and 
                        -------------------------------------------------
      Eurodollar Rate Loans. Considering Acquisition Term Loans and Revolving
      Loans being prepaid separately, any prepayment thereof shall be applied
      first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to
      Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount
      of any payments required to be made by Company pursuant to subsection
      2.6D.

    C.   General Provisions Regarding Payments.

    (i)    Manner and Time of Payment.  All payments by Company of principal,
           --------------------------                                        
interest, fees and other Obligations hereunder and under the Notes shall be made
in Dollars in same day funds, without defense, setoff or counterclaim, free of
any restriction or condition, and delivered to Administrative Agent not later
than 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, NC time) on the date due at the Funding and Payment
Office for the account of Lenders; funds received by Administrative Agent after
that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by Company on the
next succeeding Business Day.  Company hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to
charge its accounts with Administrative Agent in order to cause timely payment
to be made to Administrative Agent of all principal, interest, fees and expenses
due hereunder (subject to sufficient funds being available in its accounts for
that purpose).

    (ii)    Application of Payments to Principal and Interest.  Except as 
            ------------------------------------------------- 
provided in subsection 2.2C, all payments in respect of the principal amount of
any Loan shall include payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being
repaid or prepaid, and all such payments shall be applied to the payment of
interest before application to principal.

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
    (iii)   Apportionment of Payments.  Aggregate principal and interest 
            ------------------------- 
payments in respect of Acquisition Term Loans and Revolving Loans shall be
apportioned among all outstanding Loans to which such payments relate, in each
case proportionately to Lenders' respective Pro Rata Shares. Administrative
Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender, at its primary address set forth
below its name on the appropriate signature page hereof or at such other address
as such Lender may request, its Pro Rata Share of all such payments received by
Administrative Agent and the commitment fees of such Lender when received by
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this subsection 2.4C(iii), if, pursuant to the provisions of
subsection 2.6C, any Notice of Conversion/Continuation is withdrawn as to any
Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu of its
Pro Rata Share of any Eurodollar Rate Loans, Administrative Agent shall give
effect thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

    (iv)    Payments on Business Days.  Whenever any payment to be made 
            -------------------------      
hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such
payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of
time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest hereunder
or of the commitment fees hereunder, as the case may be.

    (v)     Notation of Payment.  Each Lender agrees that before disposing of 
            -------------------                                            
any Note held by it, or any part thereof (other than by granting participations
therein), that Lender will make a notation thereon of all Loans evidenced by
that Note and all principal payments previously made thereon and of the date to
which interest thereon has been paid; provided that the failure to make (or any
                                      --------                                 
error in the making of) a notation of any Loan made under such Note shall not
limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Company hereunder or under such
Note with respect to any Loan or any payments of principal or interest on such
Note.

    D.   Application of Proceeds of Collateral and Payments Under Subsidiary
Guaranty.

    (i)    Application of Proceeds of Collateral.  Except as provided in
           -------------------------------------                        
subsection 2.4B(iii)(a) with respect to prepayments from Net Asset Sale
Proceeds, all proceeds received by Administrative Agent in respect of any sale
of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral
under any Collateral Document may, in the discretion of Administrative Agent, be
held by Administrative Agent as Collateral for, and/or (then or at any time
thereafter) applied in full or in part by Administrative Agent against, the
applicable Secured Obligations (as defined in such Collateral Document) in the
following order of priority:

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
                 (a)    To the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale,
      collection or other realization, including reasonable compensation to
      Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and all other expenses,
      liabilities and advances made or incurred by Administrative Agent in
      connection therewith, and all amounts for which Administrative Agent is
      entitled to indemnification under such Collateral Document and all
      advances made by Administrative Agent thereunder for the account of the
      applicable Loan Party, and to the payment of all costs and expenses paid
      or incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with the exercise of any
      right or remedy under such Collateral Document, all in accordance with the
      terms of this Agreement and such Collateral Document;

                 (b)    thereafter, to the extent of any excess such proceeds,
      to the payment of all other such Secured Obligations for the ratable
      benefit of the holders thereof; and

                 (c)    thereafter, to the extent of any excess such proceeds,
      to the payment to or upon the order of such Loan Party or to whosoever may
      be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent
      jurisdiction may direct.

    (ii)    Application of Payments Under Subsidiary Guaranty.  All payments
            -------------------------------------------------               
received by Administrative Agent under the Subsidiary Guaranty shall be applied
promptly from time to time by Administrative Agent in the following order of
priority:

                 (a)    To the payment of the costs and expenses of any
      collection or other realization under the Subsidiary Guaranty, including
      reasonable compensation to Administrative Agent and its agents and
      counsel, and all expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by
      Administrative Agent in connection therewith, all in accordance with the
      terms of this Agreement and the Subsidiary Guaranty;

                 (b)    thereafter, to the extent of any excess such payments,
      to the payment of all other Guarantied Obligations (as defined in the
      Subsidiary Guaranty for the ratable benefit of the holders thereof; and

                 (c)    thereafter, to the extent of any excess such payments,
      to the payment to the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor or to whosoever may
      be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent
      jurisdiction may direct.

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
2.5 USE OF PROCEEDS.
    ---------------

    A.    Acquisition Term Loans. Subject to subsection 7.7(vi), the proceeds of
the Acquisition Term Loans may be used by Company to finance Permitted
Acquisitions.

    B.    Revolving Loans; Swing Line Loans.  Up to $10,000,000 of the Revolving
Loan Commitments shall be used by Company on the Closing Date in connection with
the Existing Letters of Credit becoming Letters of Credit hereunder.  The
proceeds of any Revolving Loans and any Swing Line Loans shall be applied by
Company for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include
the making of intercompany loans to any of Company's wholly-owned Restricted
Subsidiaries, in accordance with subsection 7.1(iv), for their own working
capital and general corporate purposes.

    C.    Margin Regulations.  No portion of the proceeds of any borrowing under
this Agreement shall be used by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any manner
that might cause the borrowing or the application of such proceeds to violate
Regulation G, Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board or
to violate the Exchange Act, in each case as in effect on the date or dates of
such borrowing and such use of proceeds.

2.6 SPECIAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS.
    -------------------------------------------------- 

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the following provisions shall govern with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans as
to the matters covered:

    A.    Determination of Applicable Interest Rate.  As soon as practicable
after 10:00 A.M. (Charlotte, NC time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date,
Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest
error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that
shall apply to the Eurodollar Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then
being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give
notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and
each Lender.

    B.    Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate.  In the event that
Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final
and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate
Determination Date with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, that by reason of
circumstances affecting the interbank Eurodollar market adequate and fair means
do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such Loans on the
basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, Administrative
Agent shall on such date give notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed
in writing) to Company and each Lender of such determination, whereupon (i) no
Loans may be made as, or converted to, Eurodollar Rate Loans until such time as
Administrative Agent notifies Company and Lenders that the 

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist and (ii) any Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by Company with respect to
the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be
rescinded by Company.

    C.    Illegality or Impracticability of Eurodollar Rate Loans.  In the event
that on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be
final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be made only
after consultation with Company and Administrative Agent) that the making,
maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful
as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty,
governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any
such treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the
force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful)
or (ii) has become impracticable, or would cause such Lender material hardship,
as a result of contingencies occurring after the date of this Agreement which
materially and adversely affect the interbank Eurodollar market or the position
of such Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be
an "AFFECTED LENDER" and it shall on that day give notice (by telefacsimile or
by telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and Administrative Agent of such
determination (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each
other Lender).  Thereafter (a) the obligation of the Affected Lender to make
Loans as, or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until
such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected Lender, (b) to the extent such
determination by the Affected Lender relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan then
being requested by Company pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, the Affected Lender shall make such Loan as (or convert
such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (c) the Affected Lender's
obligation to maintain its outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be terminated
at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Periods then in effect
with respect to such outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans or when required by law,
and (d) such outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans shall automatically convert into
Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described above relates
to a Eurodollar Rate Loan then being requested by Company pursuant to a Notice
of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, Company shall have the
option, subject to the provisions of subsection 2.6D, to rescind such Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation as to all Lenders by giving
notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Administrative
Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice
of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender).  Except as
provided in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this subsection 2.6C
shall affect the obligation of any Lender other than an Affected Lender to make
or maintain Loans as, or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Rate Loans in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
    D.    Compensation For Breakage or Non-Commencement of Interest Periods.
Company shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by that Lender (which
request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all
reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid by that
Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurodollar Rate
Loans and any loss, expense or liability sustained by that Lender in connection
with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds) which that Lender may
sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by that Lender) a borrowing
of any Eurodollar Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a
Notice of Borrowing or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or
continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified
therefor in a Notice of Conversion/Continuation or a telephonic request for
conversion or continuation, (ii) if any prepayment (including any prepayment
pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i)) or other principal payment or any conversion of
any of its Eurodollar Rate Loans occurs on a date prior to the last day of an
Interest Period applicable to that Loan, (iii) if any prepayment of any of its
Eurodollar Rate Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of
prepayment given by Company, or (iv) as a consequence of any other default by
Company in the repayment of its Eurodollar Rate Loans when required by the terms
of this Agreement.

    E.    Booking of Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Any Lender may make, carry or
transfer Eurodollar Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch
offices or the office of an Affiliate of that Lender.

    F.    Assumptions Concerning Funding of Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Calculation
of all amounts payable to a Lender under this subsection 2.6 and under
subsection 2.7A shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded each of
its relevant Eurodollar Rate Loans through the purchase of a Eurodollar deposit
bearing interest at the rate obtained pursuant to clause (i) of the definition
of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such Eurodollar
Rate Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and
through the transfer of such Eurodollar deposit from an offshore office of that
Lender to a domestic office of that Lender in the United States of America;
provided, however, that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Rate Loans
- --------  -------                                                             
in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only
for the purposes of calculating amounts payable under this subsection 2.6 and
under subsection 2.7A.

    G.    Eurodollar Rate Loans After Default.  After the occurrence of and
during the continuation of a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default,
(i) Company may not elect to have a Loan be made or maintained as, or converted
to, a Eurodollar Rate Loan after the expiration of any Interest Period then in
effect for that Loan and (ii) subject to the provisions of subsection 2.6D, any
Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by Company with
respect to a requested borrowing or conversion/continuation that has not yet
occurred shall be deemed to be rescinded by Company.

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
2.7   INCREASED COSTS; TAXES; CAPITAL ADEQUACY.
      ---------------------------------------- 

    A.    Compensation for Increased Costs and Taxes.  Subject to the provisions
of subsection 2.7B (which shall be controlling with respect to the matters
covered thereby), in the event that any Lender shall determine (which
determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding
upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation
or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation, administration or
application thereof (including the introduction of any new law, treaty or
governmental rule, regulation or order), or any determination of a court or
governmental authority, in each case that becomes effective after the date
hereof, or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request or directive
issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental
or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law):

    (i)     subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to any
additional Tax (other than any Tax on the overall net income of such Lender)
with respect to this Agreement or any of its obligations hereunder or any
payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending office) of principal,
interest, fees or any other amount payable hereunder;

    (ii)    imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any
marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special deposit,
compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets held by,
or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans
by, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any
office of such Lender (other than any such reserve or other requirements with
respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans that are reflected in the definition of
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or

    (iii)   imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax
matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or its
obligations hereunder or the interbank Eurodollar market;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
agreeing to make, making or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount
received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with
respect thereto; then, in any such case, Company shall promptly pay to such
Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such
additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a
different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its
sole discretion shall determine) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender
for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable
hereunder.  Such Lender shall deliver to Company (with a copy to Administrative
Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for
calculating the additional amounts 

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
owed to such Lender under this subsection 2.7A, which statement shall be
conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

    B.    Withholding of Taxes.

    (i)     Payments to Be Free and Clear.  All sums payable by Company or any
            -----------------------------                                     
other Loan Party under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall (except
to the extent required by law) be paid free and clear of, and without any
deduction or withholding on account of, any Tax (other than a Tax on the overall
net income of any Lender) imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or
within the United States of America or any political subdivision in or of the
United States of America or any other jurisdiction from or to which a payment is
made by or on behalf of Company or any other Loan Party or by any federation or
organization of which the United States of America or any such jurisdiction is a
member at the time of payment.

    (ii)    Grossing-up of Payments.  If Company or any other Person is 
            -----------------------  
required by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any such Tax
from any sum paid or payable by Company or any other Loan Party to any Agent or
any Lender under any of the Loan Documents:

                 (a)    Company shall notify Administrative Agent of any such
      requirement or any change in any such requirement as soon as Company
      becomes aware of it;

                 (b)    Company shall pay any such Tax before the date on which
      penalties attach thereto, such payment to be made (if the liability to pay
      is imposed on Company) for its own account or (if that liability is
      imposed on such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be) on behalf of and
      in the name of such Agent or such Lender;

                 (c)    the sum payable by Company in respect of which the
      relevant deduction, withholding or payment is required shall be increased
      to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that
      deduction, withholding or payment, such Agent or such Lender, as the case
      may be, receives on the due date a net sum equal to what it would have
      received had no such deduction, withholding or payment been required or
      made; and

                 (d)    within 30 days after paying any sum from which it is
      required by law to make any deduction or withholding, and within 30 days
      after the due date of payment of any Tax which it is required by clause
      (b) above to pay, Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent evidence
      satisfactory to the other affected parties of such deduction, withholding
      or payment and of the remittance thereof to the relevant taxing or other
      authority;

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
      provided that no such additional amount shall be required to be paid to 
      --------                                                
      any Lender under clause (c) above except to the extent that any change
      after the date hereof (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature
      pages hereof) or after the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to
      which such Lender became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender) in
      any such requirement for a deduction, withholding or payment as is
      mentioned therein shall result in an increase in the rate of such
      deduction, withholding or payment from that in effect at the date of this
      Agreement or at the date of such Assignment Agreement, as the case may be,
      in respect of payments to such Lender. Upon the reasonable request of
      Company, and at Company's expense, each Lender shall cooperate with
      Company in seeking to obtain refunds of Taxes paid by Company. If a Lender
      shall receive a refund (or a refund in the form of a credit) from a taxing
      authority (as a result of any error in the imposition of Tax by such
      taxing authority) of any Taxes paid by Company pursuant to this subsection
      2.7B(ii), such Lender, so long as no Event of Default shall then exist,
      shall promptly pay to Company the amount so received.

    (iii)    Evidence of Exemption from U.S. Withholding Tax.
             ----------------------------------------------- 

                 (a)    Each Lender that is organized under the laws of any
      jurisdiction other than the United States or any state or other political
      subdivision thereof (for purposes of this subsection 2.7B(iii), a "NON-US
      LENDER") shall deliver to Administrative Agent for transmission to
      Company, on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each Lender
      listed on the signature pages hereof) or on or prior to the date of the
      Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it becomes a Lender (in the case of
      each other Lender), and at such other times as may be necessary in the
      determination of Company or Administrative Agent (each in the reasonable
      exercise of its discretion), (1) two original copies of Internal Revenue
      Service Form 1001 or 4224 (or any successor forms), properly completed and
      duly executed by such Lender, together with any other certificate or
      statement of exemption required under the Internal Revenue Code or the
      regulations issued thereunder to establish that such Lender is not subject
      to deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax with
      respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees or
      other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents or (2) if such
      Lender is not a "bank" or other Person described in Section 881(c)(3) of
      the Internal Revenue Code and cannot deliver either Internal Revenue
      Service Form 1001 or 4224 pursuant to clause (1) above, a Certificate re
      Non-Bank Status together with two original copies of Internal Revenue
      Service Form W-8 (or any successor form), properly completed and duly
      executed by such Lender, together with any other certificate or statement
      of exemption required under the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations
      issued thereunder to establish that such Lender is not subject to
      deduction or withholding of United States federal 

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
      income tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of interest payable
      under any of the Loan Documents.

                 (b)    Each Lender required to deliver any forms, certificates
      or other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax
      withholding matters pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) hereby agrees,
      from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of such forms,
      certificates or other evidence, whenever a lapse in time or change in
      circumstances renders such forms, certificates or other evidence obsolete
      or inaccurate in any material respect, that such Lender shall promptly (1)
      deliver to Administrative Agent for transmission to Company two new
      original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224, or a
      Certificate re Non-Bank Status and two original copies of Internal Revenue
      Service Form W-8, as the case may be, properly completed and duly executed
      by such Lender, together with any other certificate or statement of
      exemption required in order to confirm or establish that such Lender is
      not subject to deduction or withholding of United States federal income
      tax with respect to payments to such Lender under the Loan Documents or
      (2) notify Administrative Agent and Company of its inability to deliver
      any such forms, certificates or other evidence.

                 (c)    Company shall not be required to pay any additional
      amount to any Non-US Lender under clause (c) of subsection 2.7B(ii) if
      such Lender shall have failed to satisfy the requirements of clause (a) or
      (b)(1) of this subsection 2.7B(iii); provided that if such Lender shall
                                           --------
      have satisfied the requirements of subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) on the Closing
      Date (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof) or
      on the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it became a
      Lender (in the case of each other Lender), nothing in this subsection
      2.7B(iii)(c) shall relieve Company of its obligation to pay any additional
      amounts pursuant to clause (c) of subsection 2.7B(ii) in the event that,
      as a result of any change in any applicable law, treaty or governmental
      rule, regulation or order, or any change in the interpretation,
      administration or application thereof, such Lender is no longer properly
      entitled to deliver forms, certificates or other evidence at a subsequent
      date establishing the fact that such Lender is not subject to withholding
      as described in subsection 2.7B(iii)(a).

     (C)  Capital Adequacy Adjustment. If any Lender shall have determined that
the adoption, effectiveness, phase-in or applicability after the date hereof of
any law, rule or regulation (or any provision thereof) regarding capital
adequacy, or any change therein or in the interpretation or administration
thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender
(or its applicable lending office) with any guideline, request or directive
regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such
governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the
effect

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation
controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference to, such Lender's
Loans or Commitments or Letters of Credit or participations therein or other
obligations hereunder with respect to the Loans or the Letters of Credit to a
level below that which such Lender or such controlling corporation could have
achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, phase-in, applicability, change
or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of such Lender or such
controlling corporation with regard to capital adequacy), then from time to
time, within five Business Days after receipt by Company from such Lender of the
statement referred to in the next sentence, Company shall pay to such Lender
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such
controlling corporation on an after-tax basis for such reduction. Such Lender
shall deliver to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written
statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of the calculation of
such additional amounts, which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon
all parties hereto absent manifest error.

2.8  OBLIGATION OF LENDERS AND ISSUING LENDERS TO MITIGATE.
     ------------------------------------------------------ 

         Each Lender and Issuing Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable
after the officer of such Lender or Issuing Lender responsible for administering
the Loans or Letters of Credit of such Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may
be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition
that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle
such Lender or Issuing Lender to receive payments under subsection 2.7 or
subsection 3.6, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal
policies of such Lender or Issuing Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory
restrictions, use reasonable efforts (i) to make, issue, fund or maintain the
Commitments of such Lender or the affected Loans or Letters of Credit of such
Lender or Issuing Lender through another lending or letter of credit office of
such Lender or Issuing Lender, or (ii) take such other measures as such Lender
or Issuing Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances
which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or
the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such
Lender or Issuing Lender pursuant to subsection 2.7 or subsection 3.6 would be
materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender or Issuing Lender in its
reasonable discretion, the making, issuing, funding or maintaining of such
Commitments or Loans or Letters of Credit through such other lending or letter
of credit office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be,
would not otherwise materially adversely affect such Commitments or Loans or
Letters of Credit or the interests of such Lender or Issuing Lender; provided
                                                                     --------
that such Lender or Issuing Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other
lending or letter of credit office pursuant to this subsection 2.8 unless
Company agrees to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender or
Issuing Lender as a result of utilizing such other lending or letter of credit
office as described in clause (i) above.  A certificate as to the amount of any
such expenses payable by Company pursuant to this subsection 2.8 (setting forth
in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such
Lender or Issuing Lender to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) shall
be conclusive absent manifest error.

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.  LETTERS OF CREDIT

3.1  ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT AND LENDERS' PURCHASE OF PARTICIPATIONS 
     --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
     THEREIN.
     -------

     A.   LETTERS OF CREDIT. In addition to Company requesting that Lenders make
Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii) and that Swing Line Lender make
Swing Line Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii), Company may request, in
accordance with the provisions of this subsection 3.1, from time to time during
the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date, that one or more Lenders issue Letters of Credit for the
account of Company for the purposes specified in the definitions of Commercial
Letters of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and
warranties of Company herein set forth, any one or more Lenders may, but (except
as provided in subsection 3.1B(ii)) shall not be obligated to, issue such
Letters of Credit in accordance with the provisions of this subsection 3.1;
provided that Company shall not request that any Lender issue (and no Lender
- --------                                                                    
shall issue):

          (i)    any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance,
     the Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments would exceed the
     Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect;

          (ii)   any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance,
     the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $20,000,000;

          (iii)  any Standby Letter of Credit having an expiration date later
     than the earlier of (a) the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and
     (b) the date which is one year from the date of issuance of such Standby
     Letter of Credit; provided that the immediately preceding clause (b) shall
                       --------
     not prevent any Issuing Lender from agreeing that a Standby Letter of
     Credit will automatically be extended for one or more successive periods
     not to exceed one year each unless upon the giving of 30 days' prior notice
     thereof to Company and the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, such
     Issuing Lender elects not to extend for any such additional period; and
     provided, further that such Issuing Lender shall elect not to extend such
     --------  -------
     Standby Letter of Credit if it has knowledge that an Event of Default has
     occurred and is continuing (and has not been waived in accordance with
     subsection 10.6) at the time such Issuing Lender must elect whether or not
     to allow such extension; or

          (iv)   any Commercial Letter of Credit having an expiration date (a)
     later than the earlier of (X) the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
     Date and (Y) the date which is 180 days from the date of issuance of such
     Commercial Letter of Credit or (b) that is otherwise unacceptable to the
     applicable Issuing Lender in its reasonable discretion.

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
     B.   MECHANICS OF ISSUANCE.

          (i)    Notice of Issuance. Whenever Company desires the issuance of a
                 ------------------
     Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to Administrative Agent a Notice of
     Issuance of Letter of Credit substantially in the form of Exhibit III
                                                               -----------
     annexed hereto no later than 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, NC time) at least three
     Business Days (in the case of Standby Letters of Credit) or five Business
     Days (in the case of Commercial Letters of Credit), or in each case such
     shorter period as may be agreed to by the Issuing Lender in any particular
     instance, in advance of the proposed date of issuance. The Notice of
     Issuance of Letter of Credit shall specify (a) the proposed date of
     issuance (which shall be a Business Day), (b) whether the Letter of Credit
     is to be a Standby Letter of Credit or a Commercial Letter of Credit, (c)
     the face amount of the Letter of Credit, (d) the expiration date of the
     Letter of Credit, (e) the name and address of the beneficiary, and (f)
     either the verbatim text of the proposed Letter of Credit or the proposed
     terms and conditions thereof, including a precise description of any
     documents to be presented by the beneficiary which, if presented by the
     beneficiary prior to the expiration date of the Letter of Credit, would
     require the Issuing Lender to make payment under the Letter of Credit;
     provided that the Issuing Lender, in its reasonable discretion, may require
     --------
     changes in the text of the proposed Letter of Credit or any such documents;
     and provided, further that no Letter of Credit shall require payment
         --------  -------
     against a conforming draft to be made thereunder on the same business day
     (under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the office of the Issuing
     Lender to which such draft is required to be presented is located) that
     such draft is presented if such presentation is made after 10:00 A.M. (in
     the time zone of such office of the Issuing Lender) on such business day.

                 Company shall notify the applicable Issuing Lender (and
     Administrative Agent, if Administrative Agent is not such Issuing Lender)
     prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit in the event that any of the
     matters to which Company is required to certify in the applicable Notice of
     Issuance of Letter of Credit is no longer true and correct as of the
     proposed date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, and upon the issuance
     of any Letter of Credit Company shall be deemed to have re-certified, as of
     the date of such issuance, as to the matters to which Company is required
     to certify in the applicable Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit.

          (ii)   Determination of Issuing Lender. Upon receipt by Administrative
                 -------------------------------
     Agent of a Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit pursuant to subsection
     3.1B(i) requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, in the event
     Administrative Agent elects to issue such Letter of Credit, Administrative
     Agent shall promptly so notify Company, and Administrative Agent shall be
     the Issuing Lender with respect thereto. In the event that Administrative
     Agent, in its sole discretion, elects not to issue such Letter of Credit,
     Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify Company, whereupon Company
     may request any other Lender to issue such Letter 

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
     of Credit by delivering to such Lender a copy of the applicable Notice of
     Issuance of Letter of Credit. Any Lender so requested to issue such Letter
     of Credit shall promptly notify Company and Administrative Agent whether or
     not, in its sole discretion, it has elected to issue such Letter of Credit,
     and any such Lender which so elects to issue such Letter of Credit shall be
     the Issuing Lender with respect thereto. In the event that all other
     Lenders shall have declined to issue such Letter of Credit, notwithstanding
     the prior election of Administrative Agent not to issue such Letter of
     Credit, Administrative Agent shall be obligated to issue such Letter of
     Credit and shall be the Issuing Lender with respect thereto,
     notwithstanding the fact that the Letter of Credit Usage with respect to
     such Letter of Credit and with respect to all other Letters of Credit
     issued by Administrative Agent, when aggregated with Administrative Agent's
     outstanding Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, may exceed Administrative
     Agent's Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect.

          (iii) Issuance of Letter of Credit.  Upon satisfaction or waiver (in
                ----------------------------                                  
     accordance with subsection 10.6) of the conditions set forth in subsection
     4.3, the Issuing Lender shall issue the requested Letter of Credit in
     accordance with the Issuing Lender's standard operating procedures.

          (iv)  Notification to Lenders.  Upon the issuance of any Letter of
                -----------------------
     Credit the applicable Issuing Lender shall promptly notify Administrative
     Agent and each other Lender of such issuance, which notice shall be
     accompanied by a copy of such Letter of Credit. Promptly after receipt of
     such notice (or, if Administrative Agent is the Issuing Lender, together
     with such notice), Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the
     amount of such Lender's respective participation in such Letter of Credit,
     determined in accordance with subsection 3.1C.

          (v)   Reports to Lenders. Within 15 days after the end of each
                ------------------
     calendar quarter ending after the Closing Date, so long as any Letter of
     Credit shall have been outstanding during such calendar quarter, each
     Issuing Lender shall deliver to each other Lender a report setting forth
     for such calendar quarter the daily aggregate amount available to be drawn
     under the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender that were
     outstanding during such calendar quarter.

     C.   Lenders' Purchase of Participations in Letters of Credit.  Immediately
upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and
hereby agrees to, have irrevocably purchased from the Issuing Lender a
participation in such Letter of Credit and any drawings honored thereunder in an
amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the maximum amount which is or
at any time may become available to be drawn thereunder.  Upon satisfaction of
the conditions set forth in subsection 4.1, the Existing Letters of Credit
shall, effective as of the Closing Date, become Letters of Credit under this
Agreement to the same extent as if initially issued hereunder and each Revolving
Loan Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably purchased from the Issuing

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
Lender(s) of such Existing Letters of Credit a participation in such Letters of
Credit and drawings thereunder in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender's Pro
Rata Share of the maximum amount which is or at any time may become available to
be drawn thereunder.  All such Existing Letters of Credit which become Letters
of Credit under this Agreement shall be fully secured by the Collateral
commencing on the Closing Date to the same extent as if initially issued
hereunder on such date.

3.2  LETTER OF CREDIT FEES.
     ---------------------

         Company agrees to pay the following amounts with respect to Letters of
Credit issued hereunder:

         (i)   with respect to each Standby Letter of Credit, (a) a fronting
     fee, payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account,
     equal to the greater of (X) $500 and (Y) 0.25% per annum of the daily
     amount available to be drawn under such Standby Letter of Credit and (b) a
     letter of credit fee, payable to the Administrative Agent for the account
     of Lenders, equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin multiplied by the
                                                           ---------- --
     daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, each such
     fronting fee or letter of credit fee to be payable in arrears on and to
     (but excluding) each January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 of each
     year and computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of
     days elapsed;

         (ii)  with respect to each Commercial Letter of Credit, (a) a fronting
     fee, payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account,
     equal to the greater of (X) $100 and (Y) 0.25% per annum of the daily
     amount available to be drawn under such Commercial Letter of Credit and (b)
     a letter of credit fee, payable to the Administrative Agent for the account
     of Lenders, equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin minus 1.00% per annum
                                                           -----
     multiplied by the daily amount available to be drawn under such Commercial
     ---------- --
     Letter, each such fronting fee or letter of credit fee to be payable in
     arrears on and to (but excluding) each January 31, April 30, July 31 and
     October 31 of each year and computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the
     actual number of days elapsed; and

         (iii) with respect to the issuance, amendment or transfer of each
     Letter of Credit and each payment of a drawing made thereunder (without
     duplication of the fees payable under clauses (i) and (ii) above),
     documentary and processing charges payable directly to the applicable
     Issuing Lender for its own account in accordance with such Issuing Lender's
     standard schedule for such charges in effect at the time of such issuance,
     amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may be.

For purposes of calculating any fees payable under clauses (i) and (ii) of this
subsection 3.2, the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of
Credit shall be determined as of the close of business on any date of
determination.  Promptly upon receipt by 

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
Administrative Agent of any amount described in clauses (i)(b) or (ii)(b) of
this subsection 3.2, Administrative Agent shall distribute to each Lender its
Pro Rata Share of such amount. With respect to Existing Letters of Credit, the
fees described in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall accrue from and including the
Closing Date.

3.3  DRAWINGS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.
     ------------------------------------------------------------------ 

     A.  RESPONSIBILITY OF ISSUING LENDER WITH RESPECT TO DRAWINGS.  In
determining whether to honor any drawing under any Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to examine the
documents delivered under such Letter of Credit with reasonable care so as to
ascertain whether they appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms
and conditions of such Letter of Credit.

     B.  REIMBURSEMENT BY COMPANY OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.  In
the event an Issuing Lender has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter of
Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall immediately notify Company and
Administrative Agent, and Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender on or
before the Business Day immediately following the date on which such drawing is
honored (the "REIMBURSEMENT DATE") in an amount in Dollars and in same day funds
equal to the amount of such honored drawing; provided that, anything contained
                                             --------                         
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) unless Company shall have
notified Administrative Agent and such Issuing Lender prior to 11:00 A.M.
(Charlotte, NC time) on the date such drawing is honored that Company intends to
reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of such honored drawing with funds
other than the proceeds of Revolving Loans, Company shall be deemed to have
given a timely Notice of Borrowing to Administrative Agent requesting Lenders to
make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans on the Reimbursement Date in an
amount in Dollars equal to the amount of such honored drawing and (ii) subject
to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in subsection 4.2B,
Lenders shall, on the Reimbursement Date, make Revolving Loans that are Base
Rate Loans in the amount of such honored drawing, the proceeds of which shall be
applied directly by Administrative Agent to reimburse such Issuing Lender for
the amount of such honored drawing; and provided, further that if for any reason
                                        --------  -------                       
proceeds of Revolving Loans are not received by such Issuing Lender on the
Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount of such honored drawing,
Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender, on demand, in an amount in same day
funds equal to the excess of the amount of such honored drawing over the
aggregate amount of such Revolving Loans, if any, which are so received.
Nothing in this subsection 3.3B shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its
obligation to make Revolving Loans on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, and Company shall retain any and all rights it may have against any
Lender resulting from the failure of such Lender to make such Revolving Loans
under this subsection 3.3B.

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
     C.  PAYMENT BY LENDERS OF UNREIMBURSED AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF
CREDIT.

         (i)   Payment by Lenders.  In the event that Company shall fail for any
               ------------------                                               
     reason to reimburse any Issuing Lender as provided in subsection 3.3B in an
     amount equal to the amount of any drawing honored by such Issuing Lender
     under a Letter of Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall promptly
     notify each other Lender of the unreimbursed amount of such honored drawing
     and of such other Lender's respective participation therein based on such
     Lender's Pro Rata Share. Each Lender shall make available to such Issuing
     Lender an amount equal to its respective participation, in Dollars and in
     same day funds, at the office of such Issuing Lender specified in such
     notice, not later than 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, NC time) on the first
     business day (under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such office of
     such Issuing Lender is located) after the date notified by such Issuing
     Lender. In the event that any Lender fails to make available to such
     Issuing Lender on such business day the amount of such Lender's
     participation in such Letter of Credit as provided in this subsection 3.3C,
     such Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from
     such Lender together with interest thereon at the rate customarily used by
     such Issuing Lender for the correction of errors among banks for three
     Business Days and thereafter at the Base Rate. Nothing in this subsection
     3.3C shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender to recover from
     any Issuing Lender any amounts made available by such Lender to such
     Issuing Lender pursuant to this subsection 3.3C in the event that it is
     determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that
     the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit by such Issuing Lender in
     respect of which payment was made by such Lender constituted gross
     negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender.

         (ii)  Distribution to Lenders of Reimbursements Received From Company. 
               --------------------------------------------------------------- 
     In the event any Issuing Lender shall have been reimbursed by other Lenders
     pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any portion of any drawing
     honored by such Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit issued by it, such
     Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other Lender which has paid all
     amounts payable by it under subsection 3.3C(i) with respect to such honored
     drawing such other Lender's Pro Rata Share of all payments subsequently
     received by such Issuing Lender from Company in reimbursement of such
     honored drawing when such payments are received. Any such distribution
     shall be made to a Lender at its primary address set forth below its name
     on the appropriate signature page hereof or at such other address as such
     Lender may request.

     D.  INTEREST ON AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         (i)   Payment of Interest by Company. Company agrees to pay to each
               ------------------------------
     Issuing Lender, with respect to drawings honored under any Letters of
     Credit issued

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
     by it, interest on the amount paid by such Issuing Lender in respect of
     each such honored drawing from the date such drawing is honored to but
     excluding the date such amount is reimbursed by Company (including any such
     reimbursement out of the proceeds of Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection
     3.3B) at a rate equal to (a) for the period from the date such drawing is
     honored to but excluding the Reimbursement Date, the rate then in effect
     under this Agreement with respect to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate
     Loans and (b) thereafter, a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the
     rate of interest otherwise payable under this Agreement with respect to
     Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans. Interest payable pursuant to this
     subsection 3.3D(i) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the
     actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues and
     shall be payable on demand or, if no demand is made, on the date on which
     the related drawing under a Letter of Credit is reimbursed in full.

         (ii)  Distribution of Interest Payments by Issuing Lender.  Promptly
               ---------------------------------------------------
     upon receipt by any Issuing Lender of any payment of interest pursuant to
     subsection 3.3D(i) with respect to a drawing honored under a Letter of
     Credit issued by it, (a) such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other
     Lender, out of the interest received by such Issuing Lender in respect of
     the period from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the date
     on which such Issuing Lender is reimbursed for the amount of such drawing
     (including any such reimbursement out of the proceeds of Revolving Loans
     pursuant to subsection 3.3B), the amount that such other Lender would have
     been entitled to receive in respect of the letter of credit fee that would
     have been payable in respect of such Letter of Credit for such period
     pursuant to subsection 3.2 if no drawing had been honored under such Letter
     of Credit, and (b) in the event such Issuing Lender shall have been
     reimbursed by other Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any
     portion of such honored drawing, such Issuing Lender shall distribute to
     each other Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under subsection
     3.3C(i) with respect to such honored drawing such other Lender's Pro Rata
     Share of any interest received by such Issuing Lender in respect of that
     portion of such honored drawing so reimbursed by other Lenders for the
     period from the date on which such Issuing Lender was so reimbursed by
     other Lenders to but excluding the date on which such portion of such
     honored drawing is reimbursed by Company. Any such distribution shall be
     made to a Lender at its primary address set forth below its name on the
     appropriate signature page hereof or at such other address as such Lender
     may request.

3.4  OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.
     --------------------

         The obligation of Company to reimburse each Issuing Lender for drawings
honored under the Letters of Credit issued by it and to repay any Revolving
Loans made by Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3B and the obligations of Lenders
under subsection 3.3C(i) shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be
paid strictly in accordance with 

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances including any of the
following circumstances:

         (i)    any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;

         (ii)   the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right
     which Company or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary or
     any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such
     transferee may be acting), any Issuing Lender or other Lender or any other
     Person or, in the case of a Lender, against Company, whether in connection
     with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated
     transaction (including any underlying transaction between Company or one of
     its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was
     procured);

         (iii)  any draft or other document presented under any Letter of Credit
     proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or
     any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

         (iv)   payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under any Letter of
     Credit against presentation of a draft or other document which does not
     substantially comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

         (v)    any adverse change in the business, operations, properties,
     assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Company or any
     of its Subsidiaries;

         (vi)   any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any
     party thereto;

         (vii)  any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not
     similar to any of the foregoing; or

         (viii) the fact that an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
     Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

provided, in each case, that payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under the
- --------                                                                       
applicable Letter of Credit shall not have constituted gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender under the circumstances in question
(as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

3.5  INDEMNIFICATION; NATURE OF ISSUING LENDERS' DUTIES.
     --------------------------------------------------

     A.  INDEMNIFICATION.  In addition to amounts payable as provided in
subsection 3.6, Company hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save
harmless each Issuing 

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
Lender from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages,
losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel) which such
Issuing Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect,
of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing Lender, other than
as a result of (a) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing
Lender as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or
(b) subject to the following clause (ii), the wrongful dishonor by such Issuing
Lender of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of Credit issued by
it or (ii) the failure of such Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under any such
Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or
wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or
governmental authority (all such acts or omissions herein called "GOVERNMENTAL
ACTS").

     B.  NATURE OF ISSUING LENDERS' DUTIES.  As between Company and any Issuing
Lender, Company assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the
Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender by, the respective beneficiaries
of such Letters of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the
foregoing, such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for:  (i) the form,
validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document
submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of
any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all
respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to
be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of
any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with any conditions required in order
to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or
delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph,
telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in
interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or
otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such
Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the
beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under
such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the
control of such Issuing Lender, including any Governmental Acts, and none of the
above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of such Issuing
Lender's rights or powers hereunder.

         In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific
provisions set forth in the first paragraph of this subsection 3.5B, any action
taken or omitted by any Issuing Lender under or in connection with the Letters
of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder,
if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Issuing Lender under any
resulting liability to Company.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection
3.5, Company shall retain any and all rights it may have against any Issuing
Lender for any 

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
liability arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
such Issuing Lender, as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction.

3.6  INCREASED COSTS AND TAXES RELATING TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.
     ------------------------------------------------------- 

         Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.7B (which shall be
controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any
Issuing Lender or Lender shall determine (which determination shall, absent
manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto)
that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any change
therein or in the interpretation, administration or application thereof
(including the introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule,
regulation or order), or any determination of a court or governmental authority,
in each case that becomes effective after the date hereof, or compliance by any
Issuing Lender or Lender with any guideline, request or directive issued or made
after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-
governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law):

         (i)   subjects such Issuing Lender or Lender (or its applicable lending
     or letter of credit office) to any additional Tax (other than any Tax on
     the overall net income of such Issuing Lender or Lender) with respect to
     the issuing or maintaining of any Letters of Credit or the purchasing or
     maintaining of any participations therein or any other obligations under
     this Section 3, whether directly or by such being imposed on or suffered by
     any particular Issuing Lender;

         (ii)  imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any
     marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special
     deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement in respect
     of any Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Lender or participations
     therein purchased by any Lender; or

         (iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax
     matter) on or affecting such Issuing Lender or Lender (or its applicable
     lending or letter of credit office) regarding this Section 3 or any Letter
     of Credit or any participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Issuing
Lender or Lender of agreeing to issue, issuing or maintaining any Letter of
Credit or agreeing to purchase, purchasing or maintaining any participation
therein or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Issuing Lender or
Lender (or its applicable lending or letter of credit office) with respect
thereto; then, in any case, Company shall promptly pay to such Issuing Lender or
Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such
additional amount or amounts as may be necessary to compensate such Issuing
Lender or Lender for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or
receivable hereunder.  Such Issuing Lender or Lender shall deliver to Company a
written 

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the
additional amounts owed to such Issuing Lender or Lender under this subsection
3.6, which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto
absent manifest error.


SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

         The obligations of Lenders to make Loans and the issuance of Letters of
Credit hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions.

4.1  CONDITIONS TO INITIAL REVOLVING LOANS AND SWING LINE LOANS.
     ---------------------------------------------------------- 

         The obligations of Lenders to make any Revolving Loans and Swing Line
Loans to be made on the Closing Date are, in addition to the conditions
precedent specified in subsection 4.2, subject to prior or concurrent
satisfaction of the following conditions and the Existing Letters of Credit
shall become Letters of Credit under this Agreement upon the prior or concurrent
satisfaction of the following conditions:

     A.  LOAN PARTY DOCUMENTS.  On or before the Closing Date, Company shall,
and shall cause each other Loan Party to, deliver to Lenders (or to
Administrative Agent for Lenders with sufficient originally executed copies,
where appropriate, for each Lender and its counsel) the following with respect
to Company or such Loan Party, as the case may be, each, unless otherwise noted,
dated the Closing Date:

         (i)   Certified copies of the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation
     of such Person, together with a good standing certificate from the
     Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of incorporation and each other
     state in which such Person is qualified as a foreign corporation to do
     business and, to the extent generally available, a certificate or other
     evidence of good standing as to payment of any applicable franchise or
     similar taxes from the appropriate taxing authority of each of such
     jurisdictions, each dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date;

         (ii)  Copies of the Bylaws of such Person, certified as of the Closing
     Date by such Person's corporate secretary or an assistant secretary;

         (iii) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of such Person approving
     and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
     Documents and Related Agreements to which it is a party, certified as of
     the Closing Date by the corporate secretary or an assistant secretary of
     such Person as being in full force and effect without modification or
     amendment;

         (iv)  Signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such
     Person executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

                                       70
<PAGE>
 
         (v)   Executed originals of the Loan Documents to which such Person is
     a party; and

         (vi)  Such other documents as any Agent may reasonably request.

     B.  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT.  Since September 26, 1996, no Material
Adverse Effect (in the sole opinion of Agents) shall have occurred.

     C.  CORPORATE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE, OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, ETC.

         (i)   Corporate Structure.  The corporate organizational structure of
               -------------------
     Company and its Subsidiaries, both before and after giving effect to the
     Lil' Champ Acquisition, shall be as set forth on Schedule 4.1C annexed
                                                      -------------
     hereto.

         (ii)  Capital Structure and Ownership.  The capital structure and
               -------------------------------
     ownership of Company, both before and after giving effect to the Lil' Champ
     Acquisition, shall be as set forth on Schedule 4.1C annexed hereto.
                                           -------------                

         (iii) Management; Employment Contracts; Management Incentive Plans. The
               ------------------------------------------------------------
     management structure of Company after giving effect to the Lil' Champ
     Acquisition shall be as set forth on Schedule 4.1C annexed hereto, and
                                          -------------
     Agents shall have received copies of, and shall be satisfied with the form
     and substance of, any and all employment contracts with senior management
     of Company and any and all management incentive plans of Company and its
     Subsidiaries.

     D.  PROCEEDS OF DEBT AND EQUITY CAPITALIZATION OF COMPANY AND ITS 
         SUBSIDIARIES.

         (i)   Debt and Equity Capitalization of Company. On or before the
               -----------------------------------------
     Closing Date, (a) Freeman Spogli, CMC and certain members of Company's
     management, shall have purchased additional Capital Stock of Company for a
     cash consideration of not less than $32,400,000 upon terms and conditions
     satisfactory to Agents, and (b) Company shall have issued and sold not less
     than $190,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated
     Notes having an interest rate not in excess of 14%.

         (ii)  Use of Proceeds by Company. Company shall have provided evidence
               --------------------------
     satisfactory to Agents that the proceeds of the debt and equity
     capitalization of Company described in the immediately preceding clause
     (i), together with cash of Company and its Subsidiaries of not less than
     $4,000,000, have been irrevocably committed, prior to the application of
     the proceeds of any Revolving Loans made on the Closing Date, to the
     payment of a portion of the following: (a) to finance the purchase price
     payable in connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition, (b) to refinance
     Indebtedness of Company and Lil' Champ

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
     outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreements in an aggregate maximum
     principal amount not exceeding $25,000,000 (including without limitation
     Existing Letters of Credit with an aggregate stated amount of approximately
     $9,100,000), (c) to finance the repurchase of $51,000,000 in principal
     amount of Senior Notes and to pay accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (d)
     to finance the payment of up to $7,000,000 in tender offer premiums and
     consent fees related to the repurchase of Senior Notes and the solicitation
     of consents from the holders of the Senior Notes to certain amendments to
     the Senior Note Indenture, and (e) to pay Transaction Costs in an aggregate
     amount of approximately $15,000,000.

     E.  RELATED AGREEMENTS.

         (i)   Senior Subordinated Note Indenture. The Senior Subordinated Note
               ----------------------------------
     Indenture shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Agents and
     Requisite Lenders.

         (ii)  Approval of Related Agreements. The Offer and Consent
               ------------------------------
     Solicitation Materials and each of the other Related Agreements shall each
     be satisfactory in form and substance to Agents.

         (iii) Related Agreements in Full Force and Effect. Agents shall have
               -------------------------------------------
     received a fully executed or conformed copy of each Related Agreement and
     any documents executed in connection therewith, and each Related Agreement
     shall be in full force and effect and no provision thereof shall have been
     modified or waived in any respect determined by Agents to be material, in
     each case without the consent of Agents.

     F.  MATTERS RELATING TO EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENTS AND OFFER AND CONSENT
SOLICITATION; EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         (i)   Termination of Existing Credit Agreements and Related Liens;
               ------------------------------------------------------------
     Existing Letters of Credit. On the Closing Date, Company and its
     --------------------------
     Subsidiaries (including without limitation Lil' Champ) shall have (a)
     repaid in full all Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit
     Agreements (the aggregate principal amount of which Indebtedness shall not
     exceed $25,000,000 (including without limitation Existing Letters of Credit
     with an aggregate stated amount of approximately $9,100,000)), (b)
     terminated any commitments to lend or make other extensions of credit
     thereunder, (c) delivered to Administrative Agent all documents or
     instruments necessary to release all Liens securing Indebtedness or other
     obligations of Company and its Subsidiaries thereunder or to assign such
     Liens to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, and (d) made
     arrangements satisfactory to Agents with respect to the cancellation of any
     letters of credit (other than the Existing Letters of Credit) outstanding
     thereunder or the issuance of Letters of Credit to support the obligations
     of Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
     respect thereto. Company shall have furnished to Agents copies of all
     Existing Letters of Credit and all amendments thereto. Company shall have
     paid to the Lenders with respect to such Existing Letters of Credit all
     fees and other amounts owing with respect thereto but excluding the
     Closing Date.

         (ii)  Offer and Consent Solicitation. Pursuant to the Offer and Consent
               ------------------------------
     Solicitation, (i) $51,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Senior
     Notes shall have been tendered in exchange for an aggregate cash payment
     not exceeding the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon
     plus tender premiums and consent fees not exceeding $7,000,000, and (ii)
     Company shall have obtained all such consents and amendments with respect
     to the Senior Note Indenture as may be required to permit the consummation
     of the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the related financings (including the
     incurrence of the Obligations hereunder) and the other transactions
     contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements. The terms
     and conditions of such consents and amendments shall be as described in the
     Offer and Consent Solicitation Materials and shall otherwise be in form and
     substance satisfactory to Agents and Requisite Lenders. Company shall have
     delivered to Agents a fully executed or conformed copy of the Senior Note
     Indenture as so amended.

         (iii) Existing Indebtedness to Remain Outstanding.  Agents shall have
               -------------------------------------------                    
     received an Officers' Certificate of Company stating that, after giving
     effect to the transactions described in this subsection 4.1F, the
     Indebtedness of Loan Parties (other than Indebtedness under the Loan
     Documents, the Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes) shall
     consist of (a) approximately $190,000 in aggregate principal amount of
     outstanding Indebtedness described in Schedule 7.1 annexed hereto and (b)
                                           ------------
     Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $14,600,000 in respect of
     Capital Leases.

     G.  NECESSARY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS AND CONSENTS; EXPIRATION OF
WAITING PERIODS, ETC.  Company shall have obtained all Governmental
Authorizations and all consents of other Persons, in each case that are
necessary or advisable in connection with the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the other
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements, and
the continued operation of the business conducted by Company, Lil' Champ and
their respective Subsidiaries in substantially the same manner as conducted
prior to the consummation of the Lil' Champ Acquisition, and each of the
foregoing shall be in full force and effect, in each case other than those the
failure to obtain or maintain which, either individually or in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  All
applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or
threatened by any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise
impose adverse conditions on the Lil' Champ Acquisition or the financing
thereof.  No action, request for stay, petition for review or rehearing,
reconsideration, or appeal with respect to any of the foregoing shall be
pending, 

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
and the time for any applicable agency to take action to set aside its consent
on its own motion shall have expired.

     H.  CONSUMMATION OF LIL' CHAMP ACQUISITION.

         (i)   All conditions to the Lil' Champ Acquisition set forth in the
     Lil' Champ Stock Purchase Agreement and the Assignment and Assumption
     Agreement shall have been satisfied or the fulfillment of any such
     conditions shall have been waived with the consent of Agents;

         (ii)  The aggregate cash consideration paid to the holders of equity
     interests in Lil' Champ in respect of such equity interests in connection
     with the Lil' Champ Acquisition shall not exceed $132,700,000;

         (iii) Transaction Costs shall not exceed $15,000,000, and Agents shall
     have received evidence to its satisfaction to such effect; and

         (iv)  Agents shall have received an Officers' Certificate of Company to
     the effect set forth in clauses (i)-(iii) above and stating that Company
     will proceed to consummate the Lil' Champ Acquisition immediately upon the
     making of the initial Loans.

     I.  CLOSING DATE MORTGAGES; CLOSING DATE MORTGAGE POLICIES; ETC.
Administrative Agent shall have received from Company and each applicable
Subsidiary Guarantor:

         (i)   Closing Date Mortgages.  Fully executed and notarized Mortgages,
               ----------------------
     or all required documents relating to assignments to Administrative Agent
     of Mortgages encumbering the owned Real Property Assets of Company and its
     Restricted Subsidiaries existing as of the Closing Date (each a "CLOSING
     DATE MORTGAGE" and, collectively, the "CLOSING DATE MORTGAGES"), duly
     recorded or in proper form for recording, as the case may be, in all
     appropriate places in all applicable jurisdictions, encumbering each Real
     Property Asset listed in Schedule 4.11 annexed hereto (each a "CLOSING DATE
                              -------------
     MORTGAGED PROPERTY" and, collectively, the "CLOSING DATE MORTGAGED
     PROPERTIES");

         (ii)  Opinions of Local Counsel.  If requested by Agents, an opinion of
               -------------------------                                        
     counsel in each state in which a Closing Date Mortgaged Property is located
     with respect to the enforceability of the form(s) of Closing Date Mortgages
     to be recorded in such state and such other matters as Agents may
     reasonably request, in each case in form and substance reasonably
     satisfactory to Agents;

         (iii) Matters Relating to Flood Hazard Properties.  (a) Evidence, which
     may be in the form of a letter from an insurance broker or a municipal
     engineer, as to whether (1) any Closing Date Mortgaged Property is a Flood
     Hazard Property

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
     and (2) the community in which any such Flood Hazard Property is located is
     participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, (b) if there are any
     such Flood Hazard Properties, such Loan Party's written acknowledgement of
     receipt of written notification from Administrative Agent (1) as to the
     existence of each such Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the
     community in which each such Flood Hazard Property is located is
     participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, and (c) in the event
     any such Flood Hazard Property is located in a community that participates
     in the National Flood Insurance Program, evidence that Company has obtained
     flood insurance in respect of such Flood Hazard Property to the extent
     required under the applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the
     Federal Reserve System; and

         (iv)  Environmental Indemnity .  An environmental indemnity agreement,
               ------------------------                                        
     satisfactory in form and substance to Agents and their counsel, with
     respect to the indemnification of Agents and Lenders for any liabilities
     that may be imposed on or incurred by any of them as a result of any
     Hazardous Materials Activity.

     J.  SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL AND MIXED PROPERTY.  Agents shall have
received evidence satisfactory to it that Company and Subsidiary Guarantors
shall have taken or caused to be taken all such actions, executed and delivered
or caused to be executed and delivered all such agreements, documents and
instruments, and made or caused to be made all such filings and recordings
(other than the filing or recording of items described in clauses (iii), (iv)
and (v) below) that may be necessary or, in the opinion of Agents, desirable in
order to create in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, a
valid and (upon such filing and recording) perfected First Priority security
interest in the entire personal and mixed property Collateral.  Such actions
shall include the following:

         (i)   Schedules to Collateral Documents. Delivery to Agents of accurate
               ---------------------------------
     and complete schedules to all of the applicable Collateral Documents.

         (ii)  Stock Certificates and Instruments. Delivery to Administrative
               ----------------------------------
     Agent of (a) certificates (which certificates shall be accompanied by
     irrevocable undated stock powers, duly endorsed in blank and otherwise
     satisfactory in form and substance to Agents) representing all capital
     stock pledged pursuant to the Company Pledge Agreement and the Subsidiary
     Pledge Agreements and (b) all promissory notes or other instruments (duly
     endorsed, where appropriate, in a manner satisfactory to Agents) evidencing
     any Collateral;

         (iii) Lien Searches and UCC Termination Statements. Delivery to Agents
               --------------------------------------------
     of (a) the results of a recent search, by a Person satisfactory to Agents,
     of all effective UCC financing statement filings which may have been made
     with respect to any personal or mixed property of any Loan Party, together
     with copies of all such filings disclosed by such search, and (b) UCC
     termination statements duly

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
     executed by all applicable Persons for filing in all applicable
     jurisdictions as may be necessary to terminate any effective UCC financing
     statements disclosed in such search (other than any such financing
     statements in respect of Liens permitted to remain outstanding pursuant to
     the terms of this Agreement).

         (iv)  UCC Financing Statements and Fixture Filings. Delivery to
               --------------------------------------------
     Administrative Agent of UCC financing statements and, where appropriate,
     fixture filings, duly executed by each applicable Loan Party with respect
     to all personal and mixed property Collateral of such Loan Party, for
     filing in all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of
     Agents, desirable to perfect the security interests created in such
     Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents;

         (v)   PTO Cover Sheets, Etc. Delivery to Administrative Agent of all
               ---------------------
     cover sheets or other documents or instruments required to be filed with
     the PTO in order to create or perfect Liens in respect of any IP
     Collateral;

         (vi)  Certificates of Title, Etc. If requested by Agents, delivery to
               --------------------------
     Administrative Agent of certificates of title with respect to all motor
     vehicles and other rolling stock of Loan Parties and the taking of all
     actions necessary to cause Administrative Agent to be noted as lienholder
     thereon or otherwise necessary to perfect the First Priority Lien granted
     to Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders in such rolling stock; and

         (vii) Opinions of Local Counsel. If requested by Agents, delivery to
               -------------------------
     Agents of an opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably
     satisfactory to Agents) under the laws of each jurisdiction in which any
     Loan Party or any personal or mixed property Collateral is located with
     respect to the creation and perfection of the security interests in favor
     of Administrative Agent in such Collateral and such other matters governed
     by the laws of such jurisdiction regarding such security interests as
     Agents may reasonably request, in each case in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to Agents.

     K.  ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS.  Agents shall have received any existing reports
and other information, in form, scope and substance satisfactory to Agents,
regarding environmental matters relating to Company and its Subsidiaries and the
Facilities.

     L.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET.  On or before the
Closing Date, Lenders shall have received from Company (i) audited financial
statements of Company and its Subsidiaries for Fiscal Years 1994, 1995 and 1996,
and of Lil' Champ and its Subsidiaries for fiscal years ended on December 31,
1994, December 30, 1995 and December 28, 1996, in each case consisting of
balance sheets and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for such periods, (ii) unaudited
financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries as at June 26, 1997, and
unaudited financial statements of Lil' Champ and its Subsidiaries as at June 28,

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
1997, in each case consisting of a balance sheet and the related consolidated
and consolidating statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the 9-month period and 6-month period, respectively, ending on such date, all in
reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial officer of Company that
they fairly present the financial condition of Company and its Subsidiaries and
Lil' Champ and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to
changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments, (iii) pro forma
consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries as
at the Closing Date, prepared in accordance with GAAP and reflecting the
consummation of the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the related financings and the other
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements,
which pro forma financial statements shall be substantially consistent with any
financial statements for the same periods delivered to Agents prior to September
30, 1997, and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders, and (iv)
projected consolidated and consolidating financial statements of Company and its
Subsidiaries for the five-year period after the Closing Date consisting of
consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and the related consolidated and
consolidating statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows, which
projected financial statements shall be substantially consistent with any
projected financial results for the same period delivered to Agents prior to
September 30, 1997 and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Agents
and Lenders.

     M.  SOLVENCY ASSURANCES.  On the Closing Date, Agents and Lenders shall
have received a Financial Condition Certificate dated the Closing Date,
substantially in the form of Exhibit XIII annexed hereto and with appropriate
                             ------------                                    
attachments, demonstrating that, after giving effect to the consummation of the
Lil' Champ Acquisition, the related financings and the other transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements, Company will be
Solvent.

     N.  EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE.  Agents shall have received a list of all
insurance policies of Company and its Subsidiaries and a summary of the
coverages provided thereby and a certificate from Company's insurance broker or
other evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained
pursuant to subsection 6.4 is in full force and effect and that Administrative
Agent on behalf of Lenders has been named as additional insured and/or loss
payee thereunder to the extent required under subsection 6.4.

     O.  OPINIONS OF COUNSEL TO LOAN PARTIES.  Lenders and their respective
counsel shall have received (i) originally executed copies of one or more
favorable written opinions of Riordan & McKinzie, counsel for Loan Parties, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agents and their counsel, dated as
of the Closing Date and setting forth substantially the matters in the opinions
designated in Exhibit VIII annexed hereto and as to such other matters as Agents
              ------------                                                      
acting on behalf of Lenders may reasonably request and (ii) evidence
satisfactory to Agents that Company has requested such counsel to deliver such
opinions to Lenders.

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
     P.  OPINIONS OF AGENTS' COUNSEL.  Lenders shall have received originally
executed copies of one or more favorable written opinions of O'Melveny & Myers
LLP, counsel to Agents, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form
of Exhibit IX annexed hereto and as to such other matters as Agents acting on
   ----------                                                                
behalf of Lenders may reasonably request.

    Q.   OPINIONS OF COUNSEL DELIVERED UNDER RELATED AGREEMENTS.  Agents and
their counsel shall have received copies of each of the opinions of counsel
delivered to the parties under the Related Agreements, together with a letter
from each such counsel (to the extent not inconsistent with such counsel's
established internal policies) authorizing Lenders and Agents to rely upon such
opinion to the same extent as though it were addressed to Lenders and Agents.

    R.   AUDITOR'S LETTER.  Agents shall have received an executed Auditor's
Letter.

    S.   FEES.  Company shall have paid to Administrative Agent, for
distribution (as appropriate) to Agents, Lenders, CIBC WG and First Union CMC,
the fees payable on the Closing Date referred to in subsection 2.3.

    T.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS.  Company
shall have delivered to Agents an Officers' Certificate, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agents, to the effect that the representations and warranties in
Section 5 hereof are true, correct and complete in all material respects on and
as of the Closing Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date
(or, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an
earlier date, that such representations and warranties were true, correct and
complete in all material respects on and as of such earlier date), that Company
shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and satisfied all
conditions which this Agreement provides shall be performed or satisfied by it
on or before the Closing Date except as otherwise disclosed to and agreed to in
writing by Agents and Requisite Lenders, and, if no Loans are made on the
Closing Date, that all conditions precedent described in subsection 4.2C have
been satisfied to the same extent as if the Existing Letters of Credit becoming
Letters of Credit under this Agreement were the making of a Loan and the date of
the Existing Letters of Credit becoming Letters of Credit under this Agreement
were a Funding Date.

     U.  COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS.  All corporate and other proceedings taken
or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all
documents incidental thereto not previously found acceptable by Agents, acting
on behalf of Lenders, and their counsel shall be satisfactory in form and
substance to Agents and such counsel, and Agents and such counsel shall have
received all such counterpart originals or certified copies of such documents as
Agents may reasonably request.

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
4.2  CONDITIONS TO ALL LOANS.
     -----------------------

         The obligations of Lenders to make Loans on each Funding Date are
subject to the following further conditions precedent:

         A.    Administrative Agent shall have received before that Funding
Date, in accordance with the provisions of subsection 2.1B, an originally
executed Notice of Borrowing, in each case signed by the chief executive
officer, the chief financial officer or the treasurer of Company or by any
executive officer of Company designated by any of the above-described officers
on behalf of Company in a writing delivered to Administrative Agent.

         B.    The Existing Letters of Credit shall have become Letters of
Credit under this Agreement.

         C.    As of that Funding Date:

         (i)   The representations and warranties contained herein and in the
     other Loan Documents shall be true, correct and complete in all material
     respects on and as of that Funding Date to the same extent as though made
     on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and
     warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such
     representations and warranties shall have been true, correct and complete
     in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

         (ii)  No event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
     from the consummation of the borrowing contemplated by such Notice of
     Borrowing that would constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
     Default;

         (iii) Each Loan Party shall have performed in all material respects all
     agreements and satisfied all conditions which this Agreement provides shall
     be performed or satisfied by it on or before that Funding Date;

         (iv)  No order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or
     governmental authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Lender from
     making the Loans to be made by it on that Funding Date;

         (v)   The making of the Loans requested on such Funding Date shall not
     violate any law including Regulation G, Regulation T, Regulation U or
     Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

         (vi)  There shall not be pending or, to the knowledge of Company,
     threatened, any action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or
     arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
     property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has not been disclosed
     by Company in

                                       79
<PAGE>
 
     writing pursuant to subsection 5.6 or 6.1(x) prior to the making of the
     last preceding Loans (or, in the case of the initial Loans, prior to the
     execution of this Agreement), and there shall have occurred no development
     not so disclosed in any such action, suit, proceeding, governmental
     investigation or arbitration so disclosed, that, in either event, in the
     opinion of Administrative Agent or of Requisite Lenders, would be expected
     to have a Material Adverse Effect; and no injunction or other restraining
     order shall have been issued and no hearing to cause an injunction or other
     restraining order to be issued shall be pending or noticed with respect to
     any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enjoin or otherwise prevent the
     consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of,
     the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the making of Loans
     hereunder.

4.3  CONDITIONS TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.
     -------------------------------

         The issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder (whether or not the
applicable Issuing Lender is obligated to issue such Letter of Credit) is
subject to the following conditions precedent:

    A.   On or before the date of issuance of the initial Letter of Credit
pursuant to this Agreement, the initial Loans shall have been made.

    B.   On or before the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit,
Administrative Agent shall have received, in accordance with the provisions of
subsection 3.1B(i), an originally executed Notice of Issuance of Letter of
Credit, in each case signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial
officer or the treasurer of Company or by any executive officer of Company
designated by any of the above-described officers on behalf of Company in a
writing delivered to Administrative Agent, together with all other information
specified in subsection 3.1B(i) and such other documents or information as the
applicable Issuing Lender may reasonably require in connection with the issuance
of such Letter of Credit.

    C.   On the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, all conditions
precedent described in subsection 4.2C shall be satisfied to the same extent as
if the issuance of such Letter of Credit were the making of a Loan and the date
of issuance of such Letter of Credit were a Funding Date.


SECTION 5.  COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the
Loans, to induce Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit and to induce other
Lenders to purchase participations therein, Company represents and warrants to
each Lender, on the date of this Agreement, on each Funding Date and on the date
of issuance of each Letter of Credit, that the following statements are true,
correct and complete:

                                       80
<PAGE>
 
5.1  ORGANIZATION, POWERS, QUALIFICATION, GOOD STANDING, BUSINESS AND
     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     SUBSIDIARIES.
     ------------

     A.  ORGANIZATION AND POWERS.  Each Loan Party is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation as specified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto. Each
                                              ------------                      
Loan Party has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate
its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents and Related Agreements to which it
is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.

     B.  QUALIFICATION AND GOOD STANDING.  Each Loan Party is qualified to do
business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located
and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except in
jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has not
had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     C.  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are
engaged only in the businesses permitted to be engaged in pursuant to subsection
7.13.

     D.  SUBSIDIARIES.  All of the Subsidiaries of Company as of the Closing
Date are identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto, as said Schedule 5.1 may be
                       ------------                         ------------       
supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions of subsection
6.1(xvi).  The capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries of Company identified
in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
   ------------                                                              
and nonassessable and none of such capital stock constitutes Margin Stock.  Each
of the Subsidiaries of Company identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto is a
                                             ------------                    
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation set forth therein, has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and is
qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its
assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and
operations, in each case except where failure to be so qualified or in good
standing or a lack of such corporate power and authority has not had and will
not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto correctly sets
                                     ------------                              
forth for Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) the ownership interest of
Company and each of its Subsidiaries in each of the Subsidiaries of Company
identified therein, (ii) the jurisdiction of incorporation of Company and each
such Subsidiary, (iii) the number of issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of each such Subsidiary and the owners thereof, and (iv) as of the Closing
Date, the number of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Company
and the owners thereof.  As of the Closing Date, the fair market value of the
aggregate amount of assets of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries does not exceed
$1,500,000 and there exists no Indebtedness nor Contingent Obligations of the
Unrestricted Subsidiaries owed to Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or for which Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is or may become
liable.

                                       81
<PAGE>
 
5.2  AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING, ETC.
     -------------------------------

     A.  AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING.  The execution, delivery and performance of
the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of each Loan Party that is a party
thereto.

     B.  NO CONFLICT.  The execution, delivery and performance by Loan Parties
of the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements to which they are parties and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and such
Related Agreements do not and will not (i) violate any provision of any law or
any governmental rule or regulation applicable to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or any order, judgment or decree of any court or
other agency of government binding on Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default under any Contractual Obligation of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any
Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than any Liens created under any of the Loan Documents in favor of
Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders), or (iv) require any approval of
stockholders or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual
Obligation of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such approvals or
consents which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date and disclosed in
writing to Lenders.

     C.  GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS.  The execution, delivery and performance by Loan
Parties of the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements to which they are
parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan
Documents and such Related Agreements do not and will not require any
registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to,
with or by, any federal, state or other governmental authority or regulatory
body.

     D.  BINDING OBLIGATION.  Each of the Loan Documents and Related Agreements
has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto
and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable
against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles
relating to enforceability.

     E.  VALID ISSUANCE OF COMPANY CAPITAL STOCK, SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES AND
SENIOR NOTES.

         (i)   Company Capital Stock.  The Company Capital Stock to be sold on 
               --------------------- 
or before the Closing Date, when issued and delivered, will be duly and validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  Except as set forth in the Stockholders
Agreement, no stockholder of Company has or will have any preemptive rights to
subscribe for any 

                                       82
<PAGE>
 
additional equity Securities of Company. The issuance and sale of such Company
Capital Stock, upon such issuance and sale, will either (a) have been registered
or qualified under applicable federal and state securities laws or (b) be exempt
therefrom.

         (ii)  Senior Subordinated Notes.  Company has the corporate power and
               -------------------------   
authority to issue the Senior Subordinated Notes.  The Senior Subordinated
Notes, when issued and paid for, will be the legally valid and binding
obligations of Company, enforceable against Company in accordance with their
respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.  The
subordination provisions of the Senior Subordinated Notes will be enforceable
against the holders thereof and the Loans and all other monetary Obligations
hereunder are and will be within the definition of "Senior Indebtedness"
included in such provisions.  The Senior Subordinated Notes, when issued and
sold, will either (a) have been registered or qualified under applicable federal
and state securities laws or (b) be exempt therefrom.

         (iii) Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes are the legally valid and binding
               ------------                                                     
obligations of Company, enforceable against Company in accordance with their
respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.  The
Senior Notes are either (a) registered or qualified under applicable federal and
state securities laws or (b) exempt therefrom.

5.3  FINANCIAL CONDITION.
     -------------------

         Company has heretofore delivered to Lenders, at Lenders' request, the
following financial statements and information:  (i) the audited consolidated
balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries as at September 26, 1996 and the
related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows
of Company and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year then ended, (ii) the audited
consolidated balance sheet of Lil' Champ and its Subsidiaries as at December 28,
1996 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and
cash flows of Lil' Champ and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended and
(iii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries
as at June 26, 1997 and the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Lil' Champ
and its Subsidiaries, each as at June 28, 1997, and the related unaudited
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of
Company and its Subsidiaries and of Lil' Champ and its Subsidiaries for the 9
months then ended and the 6 months then ended, respectively.  All such
statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all
material respects, the financial position (on a consolidated basis) of the
entities described in such financial statements as at the respective dates
thereof and the results of operations and cash flows (on a consolidated basis)
of the entities described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject,
in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting
from audit and normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.  None
of Company, Lil' Champ nor any of their 

                                       83
<PAGE>
 
respective Subsidiaries has (and will not following the Closing Date have) any
Contingent Obligation, contingent liability or liability for taxes, long-term
lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment that is not reflected in the
foregoing financial statements or the notes thereto and which in any such case
is material and adverse in relation to the business, operations, properties,
assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Company, Lil' Champ
and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

5.4  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE; NO RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS.
     ---------------------------------------------------------

         Since September 26, 1996, no event or change has occurred that has
caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has directly or indirectly
declared, ordered, paid or made, or set apart any sum or property for, any
Restricted Junior Payment or agreed to do so except as permitted by subsection
7.5.

5.5  TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS; REAL PROPERTY.
     -----------------------------------------

         A.    TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS.  Upon consummation of the Lil' Champ
Acquisition, Company and its Subsidiaries will have (i) good, sufficient and
legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (ii) valid
leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal
property), or (iii) good title to (in the case of all other personal property),
all of their respective properties and assets reflected in the financial
statements referred to in subsection 5.3 or in the most recent financial
statements delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1, in each case except for assets
disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course
of business or as otherwise permitted under subsection 7.7.  Except as permitted
by this Agreement, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

         B.    REAL PROPERTY.  As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.5 annexed
                                                       ------------        
hereto contains a true, accurate and complete list of (i) all fee properties and
(ii) all leases, subleases or assignments of leases (together with all
amendments, modifications, supplements, renewals or extensions of any thereof)
affecting each Real Property Asset of any Loan Party, regardless of whether such
Loan Party is the landlord or tenant (whether directly or as an assignee or
successor in interest) under such lease, sublease or assignment.  Except as
specified in Schedule 5.5 annexed hereto, each agreement listed in clause (ii)
             ------------                                                     
of the immediately preceding sentence is in full force and effect and Company
does not have knowledge of any default that has occurred and is continuing
thereunder which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and each such agreement constitutes the
legally valid and binding obligation of each applicable Loan Party, enforceable
against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles.

                                       84
<PAGE>
 
5.6  LITIGATION; ADVERSE FACTS.
     ------------------------- 

         There are no actions, suits, proceedings, arbitrations or governmental
investigations (whether or not purportedly on behalf of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries) at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state, municipal
or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims) that
are pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of any applicable laws (including Environmental
Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) is subject to or in default with
respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or
regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.7  PAYMENT OF TAXES.
     ---------------- 

         Except to the extent permitted by subsection 6.3, all tax returns and
reports of Company and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have
been timely filed, and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be due and payable
and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon Company and its
Subsidiaries and upon their respective properties, assets, income, businesses
and franchises which are due and payable have been paid prior to delinquency.
Company knows of no proposed tax assessment against Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which is not being actively contested by Company or such Subsidiary
in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; provided that such reserves or
                                              --------                      
other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with
GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

5.8  PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS; MATERIALLY ADVERSE AGREEMENTS; MATERIAL 
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     CONTRACTS.
     ---------

         A.   Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the
performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or
conditions contained in any of its Contractual Obligations, and no condition
exists that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would
constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of
such default or defaults, if any, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         B.   Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is
otherwise subject to any agreements or instruments or any charter or other
internal 

                                       85
<PAGE>
 
restrictions which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         C.   All Material Contracts are in full force and effect and no
material defaults currently exist thereunder.

 5.9 GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION.
     ----------------------- 

         Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other
federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur
Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations
unenforceable.

5.10 SECURITIES ACTIVITIES.
     --------------------- 

         A.   Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged
principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.

         B.   Following application of the proceeds of each Loan, not more than
25% of the value of the assets (either of Company only or of Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of subsection
7.2 or 7.7 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or
instrument, between Company and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender,
relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of subsection 8.2, will be Margin
Stock.

5.11 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
     ---------------------- 

         A.   Company, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective
ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable provisions and
requirements of ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations
thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, and have performed all
their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan.  Each Employee Benefit Plan
which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
is so qualified.

         B.   No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.

         C.   Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal
Revenue Code or except as set forth in Schedule 5.11 annexed hereto, no Employee
                                       -------------                            
Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of
insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

                                       86
<PAGE>
 
         D.   As of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the
amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of
ERISA), individually or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding for
purposes of such computation any Pension Plans with respect to which assets
exceed benefit liabilities), does not exceed $1,000,000.

         E.   As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan
for which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of Company,
its Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates for a complete withdrawal
from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when
aggregated with such potential liability for a complete withdrawal from all
Multiemployer Plans, based on information available pursuant to Section 4221(e)
of ERISA, does not exceed $1,000,000.

5.12 CERTAIN FEES.
     ------------ 

         No broker's or finder's fee or commission will be payable with respect
to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and Company
hereby indemnifies Lenders against, and agrees that it will hold Lenders
harmless from, any claim, demand or liability for any such broker's or finder's
fees alleged to have been incurred in connection herewith or therewith and any
expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel)
arising in connection with any such claim, demand or liability.

5.13 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
     ------------------------ 

         Except as set forth in Schedule 5.13 annexed hereto:
                                -------------                

         (i)   neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective Facilities or operations are subject to any outstanding written
order, consent decree or settlement agreement with any Person relating to (a)
any Environmental Law, (b) any Environmental Claim, or (c) any Hazardous
Materials Activity that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (ii) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
letter or request for information under Section 104 of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 9604) or
any comparable state law;

         (iii)  there are and, to Company's knowledge, have been no conditions,
occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which could reasonably be
expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against Company or any of
its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                                       87
<PAGE>
 
         (iv)  Company maintains an environmental management system for its and
each of its Subsidiaries' operations that demonstrates a commitment to
environmental compliance and includes procedures for (a) preparing and updating
written compliance manuals covering pertinent regulatory areas, (b) tracking
changes in applicable Environmental Laws and modifying operations to comply with
new requirements thereunder, (c) training employees to comply with applicable
environmental requirements and updating such training as necessary, (d)
performing regular internal compliance audits of each Facility and ensuring
correction of any incidents of non-compliance detected by means of such audits,
and (e) reviewing the compliance status of off-site waste disposal facilities;

         (v)  compliance with all current or reasonably foreseeable future
requirements pursuant to or under Environmental Laws will not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of giving rise to a  Material
Adverse Effect.

         Notwithstanding anything in this subsection 5.13 to the contrary, no
event or condition has occurred or is occurring with respect to Company or any
of its Subsidiaries relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous
Materials, or any Hazardous Materials Activity, including any matter disclosed
on Schedule 5.13 annexed hereto, which individually or in the aggregate has had
   -------------                                                               
or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.14  EMPLOYEE MATTERS.
      ---------------- 

         There is no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened
involving Company or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.15  SOLVENCY.
      -------- 

         Each Loan Party is and, upon the incurrence of any Obligations by such
Loan Party on any date on which this representation is made, will be, Solvent.

5.16  MATTERS RELATING TO COLLATERAL.
      ------------------------------ 

         A. CREATION, PERFECTION AND PRIORITY OF LIENs. The execution and
delivery of the Collateral Documents by Loan Parties, together with (i) the
actions taken on or prior to the date hereof pursuant to subsections 4.1I, 4.1J,
6.8, 6.9 and 7.7(vi) and the filing of any UCC financing statements and PTO
filings delivered to Administrative Agent for filing (but not yet filed) and the
recording of any Closing Date Mortgages delivered to Administrative Agent for
recording (but not yet recorded), and (ii) the delivery to Administrative Agent
of any Pledged Collateral not delivered to Administrative Agent at the time of
execution and delivery of the applicable Collateral Document (all of which

                                       88
<PAGE>
 
Pledged Collateral has been so delivered) are effective to create in favor of
Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders, as security for the respective
Secured Obligations (as defined in the applicable Collateral Document in respect
of any Collateral), a valid and perfected First Priority Lien on all of the
Collateral, and all filings and other actions necessary or desirable to perfect
and maintain the perfection and First Priority status of such Liens have been
duly made or taken and remain in full force and effect, other than the filing of
any UCC financing statements and PTO filings delivered to Administrative Agent
for filing (but not yet filed) and the recording of any Closing Date Mortgages
delivered to Administrative Agent for recording (but not yet recorded) and the
periodic filing of UCC continuation statements in respect of UCC financing
statements filed by or on behalf of Administrative Agent.

         B.  Governmental Authorizations.  No authorization, approval or other
action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Loan Party
of the Liens purported to be created in favor of Administrative Agent pursuant
to any of the Collateral Documents or (ii) the exercise by Administrative Agent
of any rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically
granted or created pursuant to any of the Collateral Documents or created or
provided for by applicable law), except for filings or recordings contemplated
by subsection 5.16A and except as may be required, in connection with the
disposition of any Pledged Collateral, by laws generally affecting the offering
and sale of securities.

         C.  Absence of Third-Party Filings. Except such as may have been filed
in favor of Administrative Agent as contemplated by subsection 5.16A or except
as such may constitute Permitted Encumbrances, (i) no effective UCC financing
statement, fixture filing or other instrument similar in effect covering all or
any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording office and (ii)
no effective filing covering all or any part of the IP Collateral is on file in
the PTO.

         D. Margin Regulations. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
the Collateral Documents does not violate Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

         E. Information Regarding Collateral. All information supplied to Agents
by or on behalf of any Loan Party with respect to any of the Collateral (in each
case taken as a whole with respect to any particular Collateral) is accurate and
complete in all material respects.

5.17  RELATED AGREEMENTS.
      ------------------ 

         A.  Delivery of Related Agreements.  Company has delivered to Lenders
complete and correct copies of each Related Agreement and of all exhibits and
schedules thereto.  Schedule 5.17 annexed hereto lists all Affiliate Agreements
                    -------------                                              
as of the 

                                       89
<PAGE>
 
Closing Date. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.17 annexed hereto, none of the
                                     -------------
Related Agreements have been amended, amended and restated, supplemented,
restated or otherwise modified on or before the Closing Date since the date any
such Related Agreement was first entered into.

         B.  Seller's Warranties.  Except to the extent otherwise set forth
herein or in the schedules hereto, to Company's best knowledge, each of the
representations and warranties given by Docks U.S.A., Inc. to PHH or to Company
in the Lil' Champ Stock Purchase Agreement is true and correct in all material
respects as of the date hereof (or as of any earlier date to which such
representation and warranty specifically relates) and will be true and correct
in all material respects as of the Closing Date (or as of such earlier date, as
the case may be), in each case subject to the qualifications set forth in the
schedules to the Lil' Champ Stock Purchase Agreement.

         C.  Warranties of PHH and Company.  Subject to the qualifications set
forth therein, each of the representations and warranties given by PHH or
Company to Docks U.S.A., Inc. in the Lil' Champ Stock Purchase Agreement or the
Assignment and Assumption Agreement is true and correct in all material respects
as of the date hereof and will be true and correct in all material respects as
of the Closing Date.

         D.  Survival.  Notwithstanding anything in the Lil' Champ Stock
Purchase Agreement to the contrary, the representations and warranties of
Company set forth in subsections 5.17B and 5.17C shall, solely for purposes of
this Agreement, survive the Closing Date for the benefit of Lenders.

5.18  DISCLOSURE.
      ----------- 

         No representation or warranty of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
contained in the Confidential Information Memorandum or in any Loan Document or
Related Agreement or in any other document, certificate or written statement
furnished to Lenders by or on behalf of Company or any of its Subsidiaries for
use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known
to Company, in the case of any document not furnished by it) necessary in order
to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of
the circumstances in which the same were made.  Any projections and pro forma
financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith
estimates and assumptions believed by Company to be reasonable at the time made,
it being recognized by Lenders that such projections as to future events are not
to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods
covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results.  There
are no facts known (or which should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be
known) to Company (other than matters of a general economic nature) that,
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect and that have not been 

                                       90
<PAGE>
 
disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements
furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby.

5.19  PERMITS.
      ------- 

         Each of the Loan Parties, prior to and after giving effect to the Lil'
Champ Acquisition, the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Equity
Investment and the Offer and Consent Solicitation and the related transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Related Agreements, has such
certificates, permits, licenses, franchises, consents, approvals, authorizations
and clearances that are material to the condition (financial or otherwise),
business or operations of any Loan Party ("PERMITS") and is (and will be
immediately after the consummation of such transactions) in compliance in all
respects with all applicable laws as are necessary to own, lease or operate its
properties and to conduct its businesses in the manner as presently conducted
and to be conducted immediately after the consummation of such transactions
except where failure to be in compliance could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, and all such Permits are valid and in full
force and effect and will be valid and in full force and effect immediately upon
consummation of such transactions except for those where the failure to be valid
or in effect could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.  Each of the Loan Parties, prior to and after giving effect to such
transactions, is and will be in compliance in all respects with its obligations
under such Permits except where failure to be in compliance could not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and no event has occurred
that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or
termination of such Permits except where such revocation or termination could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.


SECTION 6.  COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Company covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Commitments
hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of the Loans
and other Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of
Credit, unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent,
Company shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all
covenants in this Section 6.

6.1  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER REPORTS.
     -------------------------------------- 

         Company will maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain,
a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound
business practices to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity
with GAAP.  Company will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:

                                       91
<PAGE>
 
          (i) Monthly Financials: as soon as available and in any event within
              ------------------
30 days after the end of each month ending after the Closing Date, the
consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such
month and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity
and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for such month and for the period
from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such month,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures
from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, to the extent prepared on a
monthly basis, all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial
officer of Company that they fairly present, in all material respects, the
financial condition of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods
indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end
adjustments;

          (ii) Quarterly Financials: as soon as available and in any event
               --------------------
within 45 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each
Fiscal Year and within 90 days after the end of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of
each Fiscal Year, (a) the consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of
Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the
related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, stockholders'
equity and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter
and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end
of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year
and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal
Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial officer of
Company that they fairly present, in all material respects, the financial
condition of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated,
subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments, and (b)
a narrative report describing the operations of Company and its Subsidiaries in
the form prepared for presentation to senior management for such Fiscal Quarter
and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end
of such Fiscal Quarter;

         (iii) Year-End Financials: as soon as available and in any event within
               -------------------
90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, (a) the consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of
such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for
such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures
from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial
statements, all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial
officer of Company that they fairly present, in all material 

                                       92
<PAGE>
 
respects, the financial condition of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the
dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the
periods indicated, (b) a narrative report describing the operations of Company
and its Subsidiaries in the form prepared for presentation to senior management
for such Fiscal Year, and (c) in the case of such consolidated financial
statements, a report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent
certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by
Company, which report shall be unqualified, shall express no doubts about the
ability of Company and its Subsidiaries to continue as a going concern, and
shall state that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a
basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such
financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection
with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards;

         (iv) Officers' and Compliance Certificates: (a) together with each
              -------------------------------------
delivery of financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to
subdivisions (i), (ii) and (iii) above, an Officers' Certificate of Company
stating that the signers have reviewed the terms of this Agreement and have
made, or caused to be made under their supervision, a review in reasonable
detail of the transactions and condition of Company and its Subsidiaries during
the accounting period covered by such financial statements and that such review
has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting period,
and that the signers do not have knowledge of the existence as at the date of
such Officers' Certificate, of any condition or event that constitutes an Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default, or, if any such condition or event
existed or exists, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and
what action Company has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect
thereto; and (b) together with each delivery of financial statements of Company
and its Subsidiaries pursuant to subdivisions (ii) and (iii) above, a Compliance
Certificate demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance during and at the end
of the applicable accounting periods with the restrictions contained in Section
7;

         (v) Reconciliation Statements: if, as a result of any change in
             -------------------------
accounting principles and policies from those used in the preparation of the
audited financial statements referred to in subsection 5.3, the consolidated
financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to
subdivisions (i), (ii), (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 will differ in
any material respect from the consolidated financial statements that would have
been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting
principles and policies been made, then (a) together with the first delivery of
financial statements pursuant to subdivision (i), (ii), (iii) or (xiii) of this
subsection 6.1 following such change, consolidated 

                                       93
<PAGE>
 
financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries for (y) the current Fiscal
Year to the effective date of such change and (z) the two full Fiscal Years
immediately preceding the Fiscal Year in which such change is made, in each case
prepared on a pro forma basis as if such change had been in effect during such
periods, and (b) together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to
subdivision (i), (ii), (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 following such
change, a written statement of the chief accounting officer or chief financial
officer of Company setting forth the differences (including any differences that
would affect any calculations relating to the financial covenants set forth in
subsection 7.6) which would have resulted if such financial statements had been
prepared without giving effect to such change;

         (vi) Accountants' Certification: together with each delivery of
              --------------------------
consolidated financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to
subdivision (iii) above, a written statement by the independent certified public
accountants giving the report thereon (a) stating that their audit examination
has included a review of the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents as they relate to accounting matters, (b) stating whether, in
connection with their audit examination, any condition or event that constitutes
an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has come to their attention
and, if such a condition or event has come to their attention, specifying the
nature and period of existence thereof; provided that such accountants shall not
                                        --------
be liable by reason of any failure to obtain knowledge of any such Event of
Default or Potential Event of Default that would not be disclosed in the course
of their audit examination, and (c) stating that based on their audit
examination nothing has come to their attention that causes them to believe
either or both that the information contained in the certificates delivered
therewith pursuant to subdivision (iv) above is not correct or that the matters
set forth in the Compliance Certificates delivered therewith pursuant to clause
(b) of subdivision (iv) above for the applicable Fiscal Year are not stated in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

         (vii) Accountants' Reports: promptly upon receipt thereof (unless
               --------------------
restricted by applicable professional standards), copies of all reports
submitted to Company by independent certified public accountants in connection
with each annual, interim or special audit of the financial statements of
Company and its Subsidiaries made by such accountants, including any comment
letter submitted by such accountants to management in connection with their
annual audit;

          (viii)  SEC Filings and Press Releases:  promptly upon their becoming
                  ------------------------------
available, copies of (a) all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy
statements sent or made available generally by Company to its security holders
or by any Subsidiary of Company to its security holders other than Company or
another Subsidiary of Company, (b) all regular and periodic reports and all
registration statements (other than on Form S-8 or a similar form) and
prospectuses, if any, filed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any
securities exchange or 

                                       94
<PAGE>
 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental or private
regulatory authority, and (c) all press releases and other statements made
available generally by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the public
concerning material developments in the business of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;

         (ix)  Events of Default, etc.:  promptly upon any officer of Company
               ----------------------                                       
obtaining knowledge (a) of any condition or event that constitutes an Event of
Default or Potential Event of Default, or becoming aware that any Lender has
given any notice (other than to Administrative Agent) or taken any other action
with respect to a claimed Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, (b)
that any Person has given any notice to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
taken any other action with respect to a claimed default or event or condition
of the type referred to in subsection 8.2, (c) of any condition or event that
would be required to be disclosed in a current report filed by Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K (Items 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of such
Form as in effect on the date hereof) if Company were required to file such
reports under the Exchange Act, or (d) of the occurrence of any event or change
that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect, an Officers' Certificate specifying the nature and period of
existence of such condition, event or change, or specifying the notice given or
action taken by any such Person and the nature of such claimed Event of Default,
Potential Event of Default, default, event or condition, and what action Company
has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;

         (x) Litigation or Other Proceedings: promptly upon any officer of
             -------------------------------
Company obtaining knowledge of (X) the institution of, or non-frivolous threat
of, any action, suit, proceeding (whether administrative, judicial or
otherwise), governmental investigation or arbitration against or affecting
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (collectively, "PROCEEDINGS") not previously disclosed in writing
by Company to Lenders or (Y) any material development in any Proceeding that, in
any case:

            (1) if adversely determined, has a reasonable possibility of giving
rise to a Material Adverse Effect; or

            (2) seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to
recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions
contemplated hereby;

written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably
available to Company to enable Lenders and their counsel to evaluate such
matters;

         (xi) ERISA Events: promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of or
              ------------
forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event that could reasonably be expected 

                                       95
<PAGE>
 
to result in a material liability, a written notice specifying the nature
thereof, what action Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto
and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service,
the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto;

         (xii) ERISA Notices: with reasonable promptness, copies of (a) each
               -------------
Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed
by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan; (b) all
notices received by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event
that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability; and (c)
copies of such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to
any Employee Benefit Plan as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request;

         (xiii) Financial Plans: as soon as practicable and in any event no
                ---------------
later than 30 days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated plan
and financial forecast for such Fiscal Year (the "FINANCIAL PLAN" for such
Fiscal Year), including (a) forecasted consolidated balance sheet and forecasted
consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries
for such Fiscal Year, together with an explanation of the assumptions on which
such forecasts are based, and (b) such other information and projections as any
Lender may reasonably request;

         (xiv) Insurance: as soon as practicable and in any event by the last
               ---------
day of each Fiscal Year, a report in form and substance satisfactory to
Administrative Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of
the date of such report by Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and all
material insurance coverage planned to be maintained by Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year;

         (xv) Board of Directors: with reasonable promptness, written notice of
              ------------------
any change in the Board of Directors of Company;

         (xvi) New Subsidiaries: promptly upon any Person becoming a Subsidiary
               ----------------
of Company, a written notice setting forth with respect to such Person (a) the
date on which such Person became a Subsidiary of Company and (b) all of the data
required to be set forth in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto with respect to all
                            ------------
Subsidiaries of Company (it being understood that such written notice shall be
deemed to supplement Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto for all purposes of this
                     ------------
Agreement);

                                       96
<PAGE>
 
         (xvii)  Material Contracts: promptly, and in any event within ten
                 ------------------
Business Days after any Material Contract of Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries is terminated or amended in a manner that is materially adverse to
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, a written statement
describing such event with copies of such material amendments, and an
explanation of any actions being taken with respect thereto;

         (xviii) UCC Search Report: as promptly as practicable after the date of
                 -----------------
delivery to Administrative Agent of any UCC financing statement executed by any
Loan Party pursuant to subsection 4.1J(iv), 6.8A or 7.7(vi), copies of completed
UCC searches evidencing the proper filing, recording and indexing of all such
UCC financing statement and listing all other effective financing statements
that name such Loan Party as debtor, together with copies of all such other
financing statements not previously delivered to Administrative Agent by or on
behalf of Company or such Loan Party;

         (xix) Margin Determination Certificate: concurrently with the delivery
               --------------------------------
of the financial statements required under subsections 6.1(ii) and 6.1(iii),
Company shall deliver a Margin Determination Certificate; and

         (xx) Other Information: with reasonable promptness, such other
              -----------------
information and data with respect to Company or any of its Subsidiaries as from
time to time may be reasonably requested by any Lender through Administrative
Agent.

6.2  CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC.
     ------------------------

         Except as permitted under subsection 7.7, Company will, and will cause
each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full
force and effect its corporate existence and all rights and franchises material
to its business; provided, however that neither Company nor any of its
                 --------  -------                                    
Restricted Subsidiaries shall be required to preserve any such right or
franchise if the Board of Directors of Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the
conduct of the business of Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect
to Company, such Restricted Subsidiary or Lenders.

6.3  PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS; TAX CONSOLIDATION.
     ---------------------------------------------- 

         A.  Company will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to, pay all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or
any of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses
or franchises before any penalty accrues thereon, and all claims (including
claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums that have become
due and payable and that by law have or may become

                                       97
<PAGE>
 
a Lien upon any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any penalty
or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided that no such charge or
                                                --------
claim need be paid if it is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (1) such
reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in
conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor and (2) in the case of a
charge or claim which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral,
such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay the sale of any portion of
the Collateral to satisfy such charge or claim.

         B.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, 
file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax return with any 
Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

6.4  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES; INSURANCE; APPLICATION OF NET ASSET SALE 
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
     PROCEEDS.
     --------

         A.  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.  Company will, and will cause each of 
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in good 
repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all 
material properties used or useful in the business of Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (including all Intellectual Property) and from time to time will 
make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements 
thereof.

         B.  INSURANCE.  Company will maintain or cause to be maintained, with
financially sound and reputable insurers, such public liability insurance, third
party property damage insurance, business interruption insurance and casualty
insurance with respect to liabilities, losses or damage in respect of the
assets, properties and businesses of Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as
may customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by
corporations of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each
case in such amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles,
covering such risks and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be
customary for corporations similarly situated in the industry.  Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, Company will maintain or cause to be maintained
(i) flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located
in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, in
each case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and (ii) replacement value casualty
insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such
insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such
risks as are at all times satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its
commercially reasonable judgment. Each such policy of insurance shall (a) name
Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders as an additional insured
thereunder as its interests may appear and (b) in the case of each business
interruption and casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or
endorsement, satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent, that
names Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders as the loss payee
thereunder 

                                       98
<PAGE>
 
for any covered loss in excess of $1,000,000 and provides for at least 30 days
prior written notice to Administrative Agent of any modification or cancellation
of such policy.

          C.  Application of Certain Net Asset Sale Proceeds.

          (i) Business Interruption Insurance. Upon receipt by Company or any of
              -------------------------------
its Restricted Subsidiaries of any business interruption insurance proceeds
constituting Net Asset Sale Proceeds, (a) so long as no Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may
retain such Net Asset Sale Proceeds, and (b) if an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, Company shall apply an amount equal to such Net
Asset Sale Proceeds to prepay the Loans (and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments
and/or the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments shall be reduced) as provided in
subsection 2.4B(iii)(a);

         (ii) Casualty Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. Upon receipt by Company
              ----------------------------------------
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any insurance proceeds other than from
business interruption insurance, (a) so long as no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, Company shall, or shall cause one or more of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, promptly and diligently apply such Net Asset Sale
Proceeds to pay or reimburse the costs of repairing, restoring or replacing the
assets in respect of which such Net Asset Sale Proceeds were received or, to the
extent not so applied or in the process of being so applied, to prepay the Loans
(and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term Loan
Commitments shall be reduced) as provided in subsection 2.4B(iii)(a); provided
                                                                      --------
that if the aggregate amount of Net Asset Sale Proceeds received by Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any covered loss exceeds
$10,000,000, Company shall deliver such Net Asset Sale Proceeds to
Administrative Agent to be held and disbursed by Administrative Agent in
accordance with clause (b)(2) of subsection 6.4(C)(iii), and (b) if an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Company shall apply an amount
equal to such Net Asset Sale Proceeds to prepay the Loans (and/or the Revolving
Loan Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments shall be reduced)
as provided in subsection 2.4B(iii)(a). In the event that after receipt of any
such insurance proceeds an Event of Default occurs, then so long as such Event
of Default is continuing, Company shall cease using such Net Asset Sale Proceeds
to pay or reimburse the costs of repairing, restoring or replacing any such
assets and, in the event that such Event of Default is not cured or waived
within 15 days after the occurrence thereof, Company shall apply an amount equal
to such unexpended Net Asset Sale Proceeds to prepay the Loans (and/or the
Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term Loan Commitments shall be
reduced) as provided in subsection 2.4B(iii)(a).

                                       99
<PAGE>
 
        (iii) Net Asset Sale Proceeds Received by Administrative Agent. Upon
              --------------------------------------------------------
receipt by Administrative Agent of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds as loss payee,
(a) if and to the extent Company would have been required to apply such Net
Asset Sale Proceeds (if it had received them directly) to prepay the Loans
and/or reduce the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or reduce the Acquisition Term
Loan Commitments, Administrative Agent shall, and Company hereby authorizes
Administrative Agent to, apply such Net Asset Sale Proceeds to prepay the Loans
(and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the Acquisition Term Loan
Commitments shall be reduced) as provided in subsection 2.4B(iii)(a), and (b) to
the extent the foregoing clause (a) does not apply and (1) the aggregate amount
of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds received (and reasonably expected to be
received) by Administrative Agent in respect of any covered loss does not exceed
$10,000,000, Administrative Agent shall deliver such Net Asset Sale Proceeds to
Company, and Company shall, or shall cause one or more of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, promptly apply such Net Asset Sale Proceeds to the costs of
repairing, restoring, or replacing the assets in respect of which such Net Asset
Sale Proceeds were received, and (2) if the aggregate amount of Net Asset Sale
Proceeds received (and reasonably expected to be received) by Administrative
Agent in respect of any covered loss exceeds $10,000,000, Administrative Agent
shall hold such Net Asset Sale Proceeds pursuant to the terms of the Collateral
Account Agreement and, so long as Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
proceeds diligently to repair, restore or replace the assets of Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary in respect of which such Net Asset Sale Proceeds were
received, Administrative Agent shall from time to time disburse to Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary from the Collateral Account, to the extent of any
such Net Asset Sale Proceeds remaining therein in respect of the applicable
covered loss, amounts necessary to pay the cost of such repair, restoration or
replacement after the receipt by Administrative Agent of invoices or other
documentation reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent relating to the
amount of costs so incurred and the work performed (including, if required by
Administrative Agent, lien releases and architects' certificates). In the event
that after receipt of any such insurance proceeds an Event of Default occurs,
then so long as such Event of Default is continuing, Administrative Agent shall
cease using such Net Asset Sale Proceeds to pay or reimburse Company for the
costs of repairing, restoring or replacing any such assets and, in the event
that such Event of Default is not cured or waived within 15 days after the
occurrence thereof, Administrative Agent shall, and Company hereby authorizes
Administrative Agent to, apply an amount equal to such unexpended Net Asset Sale
Proceeds to prepay the Loans (and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or the
Acquisition Term Loan Commitments shall be reduced) as provided in subsection
2.4B(iii)(a).

6.5  INSPECTION RIGHTS; LENDER MEETING.
     --------------------------------- 

         A.  INSPECTION RIGHTS.  Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized representatives designated by
any Lender 

                                      100
<PAGE>
 
to visit and inspect any of the properties of Company or of any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, to inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their
financial and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances
and accounts with its and their officers and independent public accountants
(provided that Company may, if it so chooses, be present at or participate in
any such discussion), all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested.

         B.  LENDER MEETING.  Company will, upon the request of Administrative
Agent or Requisite Lenders, participate in a meeting of Administrative Agent and
Lenders once during each Fiscal Year to be held at Company's corporate offices
(or at such other location as may be agreed to by Company and Administrative
Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by Company and Administrative Agent.

6.6  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC.
     -------------------------

         Company shall comply, and shall cause each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to comply, with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules,
regulations and orders of any governmental authority (including all
Environmental Laws), noncompliance with which could reasonably be expected to
cause, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

6.7  ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND INVESTIGATION, DISCLOSURE, ETC.; COMPANY'S ACTIONS
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND 
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.
     --------------------------------      

          A. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND INVESTIGATION. Company agrees that
Administrative Agent may, from time to time and in its reasonable discretion,
(i) retain, at Company's expense, an independent professional consultant to
review any environmental audits, investigations, analyses and reports relating
to Hazardous Materials prepared by or for Company and (ii) in the event (a)
Administrative Agent reasonably believes that Company has breached any
representation, warranty or covenant contained in subsection 5.6, 5.13, 6.6 or
6.7 or that there has been a material violation of Environmental Laws at any
Facility or by Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at any other
location or (b) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, subject to
the terms of any applicable lease, conduct its own investigation of any
Facility; provided that, in the case of any Facility no longer owned, leased,
          --------
operated or used by Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, Company shall
only be obligated to use its best efforts to obtain permission for
Administrative Agent's professional consultant to conduct an investigation of
such Facility. For purposes of conducting such a review and/or investigation,
subject to the terms of any applicable lease, Company hereby grants to
Administrative Agent and its agents, employees, consultants and contractors the
right to enter into or onto any Facilities currently owned, leased, operated or
used by Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and to perform such tests
on such property (including taking samples of soil, groundwater

                                      101
<PAGE>
 
and suspected asbestos-containing materials) as are reasonably necessary in 
connection therewith. Any such investigation of any Facility shall be conducted,
unless otherwise agreed to by Company and Administrative Agent, during normal
business hours and, to the extent reasonably practicable, shall be conducted so
as not to interfere with the ongoing operations at such Facility or to cause any
damage or loss to any property at such Facility. Company and Administrative
Agent hereby acknowledge and agree that any report of any investigation
conducted at the request of Administrative Agent pursuant to this subsection
6.7A will be obtained and shall be used by Administrative Agent and Lenders for
the purposes of Lenders' internal credit decisions, to monitor and police the
Loans and to protect Lenders' security interests, if any, created by the Loan
Documents. Administrative Agent agrees to deliver a copy of any such report to
Company with the understanding that Company acknowledges and agrees that (x) it
will indemnify and hold harmless Administrative Agent and each Lender from any
costs, losses or liabilities relating to Company's use of or reliance on such
report, (y) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender makes any representation
or warranty with respect to such report, and (z) by delivering such report to
Company, neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender is requiring or
recommending the implementation of any suggestions or recommendations contained
in such report.

         B.  Environmental Disclosure.  Company will deliver to Administrative
Agent and Lenders:

        (i)  Environmental Audits and Reports.  As soon as practicable following
             --------------------------------                                   
receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits, investigations, analyses
and reports of any kind or character, whether prepared by personnel of Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or by independent consultants, governmental
authorities or any other Persons, with respect to significant environmental
matters at any Facility which, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or with respect to
any Environmental Claims which, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

        (ii) Notice of Certain Releases, Remedial Actions, Etc. Promptly upon
             -------------------------------------------------
the occurrence thereof, written notice describing in reasonable detail (a) any
Release required to be reported to any federal, state or local governmental or
regulatory agency under any applicable Environmental Laws the existence of which
has a reasonable possibility of resulting in one or more Environmental Claims
having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) any
remedial action taken by Company or any other Person in response to (1) any
Hazardous Materials Activities the existence of which has a reasonable
possibility of resulting in one or more Environmental Claims having,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (2) any
Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable
possibility of resulting in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      102
<PAGE>
 
         (iii) Written Communications Regarding Environmental Claims, Releases,
               ----------------------------------------------------------------
Etc. As soon as practicable following the sending or receipt thereof by Company
- ---
or any of its Subsidiaries, a copy of any and all written communications with
respect to (a) any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate,
have a reasonable possibility of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect, (b)
any Release required to be reported to any federal, state or local governmental
or regulatory agency the existence of which has a reasonable possibility of
resulting in one or more Environmental Claims having, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) any request for information from
any governmental agency that suggests such agency is investigating whether
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may be potentially responsible for
any Hazardous Materials Activity that, individually or in the aggregate, have a
reasonable possibility of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

         (iv)  Notice of Certain Proposed Actions Having Environmental Impact.
               --------------------------------------------------------------
Prompt written notice describing in reasonable detail (a) any proposed
acquisition of stock, assets, or property by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
that could reasonably be expected to (1) expose Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to, or result in, Environmental Claims that could reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or
(2) affect the ability of Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
maintain in full force and effect all material Governmental Authorizations
required under any Environmental Laws for their respective operations and (b)
any proposed action to be taken by Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to modify current operations in a manner that could reasonably be expected to
subject Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any material additional
obligations or requirements under any Environmental Laws.

         (v) Other Information. With reasonable promptness, such other documents
             -----------------
and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested by
Administrative Agent in relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this
subsection 6.7.

         C.  COMPANY'S ACTIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES,
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

         (i) Remedial Actions Relating to Hazardous Materials Activities.
             -----------------------------------------------------------
Company shall, to the extent required by law, promptly undertake, and shall
cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries promptly to undertake, any and all
investigations, studies, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal,
remediation or other response actions necessary to remove, remediate, clean up
or abate any Hazardous Materials Activity on, under or about any Facility that
is in violation of any Environmental Laws. In the event Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries undertakes any such action with respect to any Hazardous
Materials, Company or 

                                      103
<PAGE>
 
such Restricted Subsidiary shall conduct and complete such action in compliance
with all applicable Environmental Laws and in accordance with the policies,
orders and directives of all federal, state and local governmental authorities
except when, and only to the extent that, Company's or such Restricted
Subsidiary's liability with respect to such Hazardous Materials Activity is
being contested in good faith by Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

          (ii)  Actions with Respect to Environmental Claims and Violations of
                --------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Laws.  Company shall promptly take, and shall cause each of its
- ------------------                                                           
Subsidiaries promptly to take, any and all actions necessary to (i) cure any
material violation of applicable Environmental Laws by Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries except when, and only to the extent that, Company's or such
Restricted Subsidiary's liability with respect to such Hazardous Materials
Activity is being contested in good faith by Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary and (ii) make an appropriate response to any Environmental Claim
against Company or any of its Subsidiaries and discharge any obligations it may
have to any Person thereunder where failure to do so could reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

6.8  EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AND PERSONAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     BY CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES AND FUTURE SUBSIDIARIES.
     -----------------------------------------------

         A.  EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AND PERSONAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL
DOCUMENTS.  In the event that any Person becomes a Subsidiary of Company after
the date hereof, Company will promptly notify Administrative Agent of that fact
and cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent if so
requested by Administrative Agent, within 30 days after such Person becomes a
Subsidiary, or if no earlier request is made by Administrative Agent, within six
months after such Person becomes a Subsidiary, a counterpart of the Subsidiary
Guaranty and a Subsidiary Pledge Agreement, a Subsidiary Security Agreement and
a Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement and to take all such further actions
and execute all such further documents and instruments (including actions,
documents and instruments comparable to those described in subsection 4.1J) as
may be necessary or, in the opinion of Administrative Agent, desirable to create
in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, a valid and
perfected First Priority Lien on all of the personal and mixed property assets
of such Subsidiary described in the applicable forms of Collateral Documents.

         B.  SUBSIDIARY CHARTER DOCUMENTS, LEGAL OPINIONS, ETC.  Company shall
deliver to Administrative Agent, together with such Loan Documents, (i)
certified copies of such Subsidiary's Certificate or Articles of Incorporation,
together with a good standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation and each other state in which such Person is
qualified as a foreign corporation to do business and, to the extent generally
available, a certificate or other evidence of good standing as to payment of any
applicable franchise or similar taxes from the appropriate taxing authority 

                                      104
<PAGE>
 
of each of such jurisdictions, each to be dated a recent date prior to their
delivery to Administrative Agent, (ii) a copy of such Subsidiary's Bylaws,
certified by its corporate secretary or an assistant secretary as of a recent
date prior to their delivery to Administrative Agent, (iii) a certificate
executed by the secretary or an assistant secretary of such Subsidiary as to (a)
the fact that the attached resolutions of the Board of Directors of such
Subsidiary approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of
such Loan Documents are in full force and effect and have not been modified or
amended and (b) the incumbency and signatures of the officers of such Subsidiary
executing such Loan Documents, and (iv) a favorable opinion of counsel to such
Subsidiary, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and its
counsel, as to (a) the due organization and good standing of such Subsidiary,
(b) the due authorization, execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of such
Loan Documents, (c) the enforceability of such Loan Documents against such
Subsidiary, (d) such other matters (including matters relating to the creation
and perfection of Liens in any Collateral pursuant to such Loan Documents) as
Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all of the foregoing to be
satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and its counsel.

6.9  MATTERS RELATING TO ADDITIONAL REAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL.
     ------------------------------------------------------- 

    From and after the Closing Date, in the event that (i) Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor acquires any fee interest in real property or (ii) at the
time any Person becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Person owns or holds any
fee interest in real property, in either case excluding (a) any such Real
Property Asset the encumbrancing of which requires the consent of any applicable
then-existing senior lienholder, where Company and its Subsidiaries are unable
to obtain such senior lienholder's consent or (b) so long as no Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, any such Real Property Asset that Company
or such Subsidiary Guarantor intends to sell and lease back (and does sell and
lease back) in accordance with subsection 7.9 within 270 days of the date of
acquisition of such Real Property Asset or the date such Person becomes a
Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be (any such non-excluded Real Property
Asset described in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) being an "ADDITIONAL
MORTGAGED PROPERTY"), Company will promptly notify Administrative Agent of that
fact and Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall deliver to Administrative
Agent, if requested by Administrative Agent, within 30 days after such Person
acquires such Additional Mortgaged Property or becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor
or, in the case of any such Real Property Asset which was excluded from being an
Additional Mortgaged Property pursuant to clause (b) above, and which was not
sold and leased back within the applicable 270-day period, within 30 days of the
expiration of such 270-day period, or if no earlier request is made by
Administrative Agent, within six months after such Person acquires such
Additional Mortgaged Property or becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor or within six
months after the expiration of the applicable 270-day period, as the case may
be, the following:

         (i)  Additional Mortgage.  A fully executed and notarized Mortgage (an
              -------------------                                              
"ADDITIONAL MORTGAGE"), duly recorded in all appropriate places in all
applicable 

                                      105
<PAGE>
 
jurisdictions, encumbering the interest of such Loan Party in such Additional
Mortgaged Property;

         (ii)  Opinions of Counsel.  Unless otherwise approved by Administrative
               -------------------                                              
Agent, with respect to each Additional Mortgaged Property with a fair market
value of $2,500,000 or more or which Additional Mortgaged Property is located in
a jurisdiction as to which Lenders have not previously received an opinion as to
the enforceability of the form of Mortgage to be placed on such Additional
Mortgaged Property, (a) a favorable opinion of counsel to such Loan Party, in
form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and its counsel, as to
the due authorization, execution and delivery by such Loan Party of such
Additional Mortgage and such other matters as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, and (b) an opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) in the state in which such
Additional Mortgaged Property is located with respect to the enforceability of
the form of Additional Mortgage to be recorded in such states and such other
matters (including any matters governed by the laws of such state regarding
personal property security interests in respect of any Collateral) as
Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in each case in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

         (iii) Title Insurance. Unless otherwise approved by Administrative
               ---------------
Agent, with respect to each Additional Mortgaged Property with a fair market
value of $2,500,000 or more or if any Loan Party is purchasing title insurance
or is otherwise being provided with title insurance with respect to such
Additional Mortgaged Property, an ALTA mortgagee title insurance policy or an
unconditional commitment therefor (an "ADDITIONAL MORTGAGE POLICY") with respect
to such Additional Mortgaged Property, in an amount satisfactory to
Administrative Agent, insuring fee simple title to such Additional Mortgaged
Property vested in such Loan Party and assuring Administrative Agent that such
Additional Mortgage creates a valid and enforceable First Priority mortgage Lien
on such Additional Mortgaged Property, subject only to a standard survey
exception, which Additional Mortgage Policy (1) shall include an endorsement for
mechanics' liens, for future advances under this Agreement and for any other
matters reasonably requested by Administrative Agent and (2) shall provide for
affirmative insurance and such reinsurance as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, all of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

         (iv) Title Report. Unless otherwise approved by Administrative Agent, a
              ------------
title report issued by a title company with respect thereto, in form and
substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and copies of all recorded
documents listed as exceptions to title or otherwise referred to in such title
report;

         (v) Matters Relating to Flood Hazard Properties. (a) Evidence, which
             -------------------------------------------
may be in the form of a letter from an insurance broker or a municipal engineer,
as

                                      106
<PAGE>
 
to (1) whether such Additional Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property and
(2) if so, whether the community in which such Flood Hazard Property is located
is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, (b) if such Additional
Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property, such Loan Party's written
acknowledgement of receipt of written notification from Administrative Agent (1)
that such Additional Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to
whether the community in which such Flood Hazard Property is located is
participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, and (c) in the event such
Additional Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property that is located in a
community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, evidence
that Company has obtained flood insurance in respect of such Flood Hazard
Property to the extent required under the applicable regulations of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

         (vi)  Environmental Audit.  Unless otherwise approved by Administrative
               -------------------                                              
Agent, reports and other information, in form, scope and substance satisfactory
to Administrative Agent, concerning any environmental hazards or liabilities to
which Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be subject with respect to such
Additional Mortgaged Property.


SECTION 7.  COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Company covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Commitments
hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of the Loans
and other Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of
Credit, unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent,
Company shall perform, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
perform, all covenants in this Section 7.

7.1  INDEBTEDNESS.
     ------------ 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty, or
otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any
Indebtedness, except:

         (i) Company may become and remain liable with respect to the
Obligations;

         (ii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable with respect to Contingent Obligations permitted by subsection 7.4 and,
upon any matured obligations actually arising pursuant thereto, the Indebtedness
corresponding to the Contingent Obligations so extinguished;

                                      107
<PAGE>
 
         (iii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable with respect to Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases and
Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business to finance the cost of
acquisition or the cost of construction, improvement or remodeling of an asset
used in the business of Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that
                                                                 --------
(x) the principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the sum of 100% of
such cost of acquisition plus the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in
connection therewith, (y) any lien or encumbrance securing such Indebtedness is
placed on such asset not more than 270 days after its acquisition or the
completion of construction, improvement or remodeling, as the case may be, and
(z) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness in respect of such Capital Leases and
other Indebtedness does not exceed $30,000,000 at any time outstanding;

         (iv) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Indebtedness
to any of its wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries, and any wholly-owned
Restricted Subsidiary of Company may become and remain liable with respect to
Indebtedness to Company or any other wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary of
Company; provided that (a) all such intercompany Indebtedness shall be evidenced
         --------
by promissory notes, (b) all such intercompany Indebtedness owed by Company to
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be subordinated in right of payment to
the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the applicable
promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement, and (c) any payment
by any Restricted Subsidiary of Company under any guaranty of the Obligations
shall result in a pro tanto reduction of the amount of any intercompany
                  --- -----
Indebtedness owed by such Restricted Subsidiary to Company or to any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries for whose benefit such payment is made;

         (v)  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain
liable with respect to Indebtedness described in Schedule 7.1 annexed hereto;
                                                 ------------                

         (vi) Company may remain liable with respect to (x) Indebtedness
evidenced by the Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$49,000,000 and (y) Indebtedness incurred to refinance the then outstanding
aggregate principal amount of such Senior Notes; provided that such refinancing
Indebtedness (a) shall be in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the
then outstanding aggregate principal amount of such Senior Notes plus the amount
of accrued and unpaid interest thereon; (b) shall not mature earlier than twelve
months after the then-effective Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date
unless such refinancing Indebtedness is incurred under, and pursuant to the
terms and conditions of, this Agreement; and (c) shall contain such other terms
and conditions as are satisfactory to Requisite Lenders, including without
limitation securing such refinancing Indebtedness on a pari passu basis with the
Indebtedness incurred under this Agreement;

                                      108
<PAGE>
 
         (vii) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Indebtedness
evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Notes; provided that the aggregate
                                            --------
principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes does not exceed $215,000,000
or, if less, the aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes issued
on the Closing Date; and

         (viii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable with respect to other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not
to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.

7.2  LIENS AND RELATED MATTERS.
     ------------------------- 

         A.  Prohibition on Liens.  Company shall not, and shall not permit any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume
or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any
kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts
receivable) of Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether now owned
or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the
filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other
similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income or
profits under the Uniform Commercial Code of any State or under any similar
recording or notice statute, except:

         (i)  Permitted Encumbrances;

         (ii)  Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents;

         (iii) Liens granted in connection with any refinancing of the Senior
Notes pursuant to subsection 7.1(vi); provided, however, that (x) Company shall
                                      --------  -------
obtain the prior written consent of Requisite Lenders and such Liens are granted
on terms and conditions satisfactory to Requisite Lenders, and (y) to the extent
that such Liens are on property other than the Collateral, Company shall make or
cause to be made effective provision whereby the Obligations will be secured by
such Liens equally and ratably with such refinancing Indebtedness as long as
such refinancing Indebtedness shall be so secured;

         (iv)  Liens described in Schedule 7.2 annexed hereto;
                                  ------------                
  
         (v) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsection
7.1(iii); and

         (vi) Other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

                                      109
<PAGE>
 
         B.  EQUITABLE LIEN IN FAVOR OF LENDERS.  If Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its
properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Liens
excepted by the provisions of subsection 7.2A, it shall make or cause to be made
effective provision whereby the Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally
and ratably with any and all other Indebtedness secured thereby as long as any
such Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided that, notwithstanding the
                                       --------                          
foregoing, this covenant shall not be construed as a consent by Requisite
Lenders to the creation or assumption of any such Lien not permitted by the
provisions of subsection 7.2A.

         C. NO FURTHER NEGATIVE PLEDGES. Except with respect to specific
property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold
pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to an Asset Sale, neither Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall enter into any agreement (other
than the Senior Note Indenture, the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture or any
other agreement prohibiting only the creation of Liens securing Subordinated
Indebtedness) prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its
properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

         D.  NO RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMPANY OR OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES.  Except as provided herein, Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind
on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make
any other distributions on any of such Restricted Subsidiary's capital stock
owned by Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of Company, (ii) repay or
prepay any Indebtedness owed by such Restricted Subsidiary to Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary of Company, (iii) make loans or advances to Company
or any other Restricted Subsidiary of Company, or (iv) transfer any of its
property or assets to Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of Company.

7.3  INVESTMENTS; JOINT VENTURES.
     --------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment in any
Person, including any Joint Venture, except:

         (i)  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make and own
Investments in Cash Equivalents;

         (ii)  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may continue to own the
Investments owned by them as of the Closing Date, and may make additional
Investments, in any Restricted Subsidiaries of Company;

                                      110
<PAGE>
 
         (iii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make intercompany
loans to the extent permitted under subsection 7.1(iv);

         (iv) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make Consolidated
Capital Expenditures permitted by subsection 7.8;

         (v) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make and own
Investments in connection with Permitted Acquisitions made in accordance with
subsection 7.7(vi); provided that such Investments shall at all times be
                    --------
Restricted Subsidiaries of Company;

         (vi) Company may continue to own the Investments owned by Company in
the Unrestricted Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date and Company may make
additional Investments in the Unrestricted Subsidiaries after the Closing Date
in an aggregate amount not exceeding $4,500,000;

         (vii)  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may continue to own the
Investments owned by them and described in Schedule 7.3 annexed hereto;
                                           ------------                

         (viii)  Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may make loans to
their employees for the purpose of purchasing Capital Stock of Company; provided
                                                                        --------
that the aggregate amount of such loans shall not exceed $1,000,000 at any time
outstanding; and

         (ix)  Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make and own other
Investments (excluding Interest Agreements or Currency Agreements not
constituting Hedge Agreements) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time
$1,000,000.

7.4  CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS.
     ---------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or become or remain liable with
respect to any Contingent Obligation, except:

         (i) Restricted Subsidiaries of Company may become and remain liable
with respect to Contingent Obligations in respect of the Subsidiary Guaranty;

         (ii)  Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit; provided that no Loan Party shall
                                             --------                         
have granted any Lien securing obligations (including any reimbursement
obligations) relating to any Existing Letters of Credit (other than pursuant to
the Loan Documents);

                                      111
<PAGE>
 
         (iii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable with respect to Contingent Obligations in respect of customary
indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations incurred in connection
with Asset Sales or other sales of assets;

         (iv) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable with respect to Contingent Obligations under guarantees in the ordinary
course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and
licensees of Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not
to exceed at any time $1,000,000;

          (v) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain
liable with respect to Contingent Obligations described in Schedule 7.4 annexed
                                                           ------------        
hereto;

         (vi) Subsidiary Guarantors may become and remain liable with respect to
Contingent Obligations arising under guaranties of the Senior Notes and the
Senior Subordinated Notes as set forth in and to the extent required under the
Senior Note Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture as in effect on
the Closing Date;

         (vii)  Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
Obligations under guarantees in respect of Capital Leases and Operating Leases
entered into by Company's Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business or under guarantees in respect of obligations of Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) incurred in the
ordinary course of business; and

         (viii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable with respect to other Contingent Obligations; provided that the maximum
                                                     --------                 
aggregate liability, contingent or otherwise, of Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of all such Contingent Obligations shall at no time
exceed $1,000,000.

7.5  RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS; OTHER RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.
     ----------------------------------------------------- 

          A. RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS. Company shall not, and shall not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare, order,
pay, make or set apart any sum for any Restricted Junior Payment; provided that
                                                                  --------     
Company may make regularly scheduled payments of interest (including any
additional interest payable in the event the Company is not in compliance with
its agreements to register the Senior Subordinated Notes under the Securities
Act or effect an exchange offer pursuant to such registration) in respect of the
Senior Subordinated Notes in accordance with the terms of, and only to the
extent required by, and subject to the subordination provisions contained 

                                      112
<PAGE>
 
in, the Senior Subordinated Indenture, as such indenture may be amended from
time to time to the extent permitted under subsection 7.14B.

          B. OTHER RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. Company shall not, and shall not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare, order,
pay, make or set apart any sum for any payment on or with respect to the Senior
Notes; provided that (i) on the Closing Date, Company may purchase an aggregate
       --------                                                                
principal amount of $51,000,000 of Senior Notes, pay accrued and unpaid interest
thereon and pay tender offer premiums and consent fees related thereto, all as
provided pursuant to the Offer and Consent Solicitation, (ii) Company may make
regularly scheduled payments of interest in respect of the Senior Notes or
refinancing Indebtedness with respect to such Senior Notes incurred pursuant to
subsection 7.1(vi) in accordance with the terms of, and only to the extent
required by, the Senior Notes Indenture or the agreement governing such
refinancing Indebtedness as such indenture or agreement may be amended from time
to time to the extent permitted under subsection 7.14C and (iii) so long as no
Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, Company may redeem an aggregate amount of up to $5,000,000 of
principal amount of the Senior Notes after the Closing Date if after giving
effect to any such redemption and to any Indebtedness incurred to effect such
redemption, there shall be at least $5,000,000 of availability under the
Revolving Loan Commitments.

                                      113
<PAGE>
 
7.6  FINANCIAL COVENANTS.
     ------------------- 

         A.  Minimum Coverage Ratio.  Company shall not permit the ratio of (i)
Consolidated EBITDA plus Consolidated Rental Payments to (ii) Consolidated
                    ----                                                  
Interest Expense plus Consolidated Rental Payments, in each case for any
                 ----                                                   
consecutive four-Fiscal Quarter period ending during any of the periods set
forth below, to be less than the correlative ratio indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Minimum 
                 Period                             Coverage Ratio
- ---------------------------------------             --------------
<S>                                                     <C>
Last day of fourth Fiscal Quarter,                      1.30:1.00
 Fiscal Year 1998, through next to last
 day of fourth Fiscal Quarter, Fiscal
 Year 1999

Last day of fourth Fiscal Quarter,                      1.50:1.00
 Fiscal Year 1999, through next to last
 day of fourth Fiscal Quarter, Fiscal
 Year 2000

Last day of fourth Fiscal Quarter,                      1.60:1.00
 Fiscal Year 2000, through next to last
 day of fourth Fiscal Quarter, Fiscal
 Year 2001

Last day of fourth Fiscal Quarter,                      1.70:1.00
 Fiscal Year 2001, through next to last
 day of fourth Fiscal Quarter, Fiscal
 Year 2002

Last day of fourth Fiscal Quarter,                      1.80:1.00
 Fiscal Year 2002, through next to last
 day of fourth Fiscal Quarter, Fiscal
 Year 2003
</TABLE>

                                      114
<PAGE>
 
         B.  Maximum Consolidated Pro Forma Leverage Ratio.  Company shall not
permit the Consolidated Pro Forma Leverage Ratio at any time during any of the
periods set forth below to exceed the correlative ratio indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                 Maximum 
                             Consolidated Pro 
                             Forma Leverage 
          Period                  Ratio
- ----------------------------    ---------
<S>                             <C>
Closing Date through next to    5.00:1.00
 last day of third Fiscal
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999

Last day of third Fiscal        4.75:1.00
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 1999

Last day of fourth Fiscal       4.50:1.00
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999
 through next to last day of
 second Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2000

Last day of second Fiscal       4.25:1.00
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2000
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2000

Last day of fourth Fiscal       4.00:1.00
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2000
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2001

Last day of fourth Fiscal       3.75:1.00
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2001
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2002

Last day of fourth Fiscal       3.50:1.00
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2002
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2003
</TABLE> 
 

                                      115
<PAGE>
 
C. MiNIMUM CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA EBITDA.  Company shall not permit 
Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA for any consecutive four-Fiscal Quarter period 
ending during any of the periods set forth below to be less than the 
correlative amount indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    Minimum
                                                Consolidated Pro
            Period                                Forma EBITDA
- ----------------------------                      ------------
<S>                                                <C> 
Closing through next to last                       $48,000,000
 day of first Fiscal
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999
Last day of first Fiscal                           $49,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999
 through next to last day of
 second Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 1999
Last day of second Fiscal                          $50,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999
 through next to last day of
 third Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 1999
Last day of third Fiscal                           $52,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 1999
Last day of fourth Fiscal                          $54,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 1999
 through next to last day of
 first Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2000
Last day of first Fiscal                           $55,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2000
 through next to last day of
 second Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2000
Last day of second Fiscal                          $57,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2000
 through next to last day of
 third Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2000
Last day of third Fiscal                           $59,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2000
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2000
Last day of fourth Fiscal                          $61,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2000
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2001
Last day of fourth Fiscal                          $65,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2001
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2002
Last day of fourth Fiscal                          $70,000,000
 Quarter, Fiscal Year 2002
 through next to last day of
 fourth Fiscal Quarter,
 Fiscal Year 2003
</TABLE>

                                      116
<PAGE>
 
7.7  RESTRICTION ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES; ASSET SALES AND ACQUISITIONS.
     ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, alter the corporate, capital or legal structure of Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or enter into any transaction of merger or
consolidation, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any
liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or
sublessor), transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, all or any part of its business, property or assets, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or otherwise all or
substantially all the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or other
evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of
business of any Person, except:

          (i) so long as no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, (a) any Restricted
Subsidiary of Company may be merged with or into Company or any wholly-owned
Subsidiary Guarantor, or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any
part of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased,
transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, to Company or any wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantor and (b) in
connection with any Permitted Acquisition, Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor
may merge into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person
to merge into or consolidate with it; provided that, in the case of such a
                                      --------                            
merger, Company or such wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the
continuing or surviving corporation;

         (ii)  subject to subsection 7.7 (vi), Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may make Consolidated Capital Expenditures permitted under
subsection 7.8;

         (iii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may dispose of obsolete,
worn out or surplus property in the ordinary course of business;

         (iv) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may sell or otherwise
dispose of assets in transactions that do not constitute Asset Sales; provided
                                                                      -------- 
the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least
equal to the fair market value thereof;

          (v) subject to subsection 7.12, Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may make Asset Sales of assets having a fair market value not in
excess of $10,000,000; provided that (x) the consideration received for such
                       -------- 
assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof;
(y) the sole consideration received shall be cash; and (z) the proceeds of such
Asset Sales shall be applied as required by subsection 2.4B(iii)(a); and

                                      117
<PAGE>
 
        (vi) Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Company may make non-
hostile acquisitions of assets and businesses (including non-hostile
acquisitions of the capital stock or other equity interests of another Person);
provided that:
- --------      

             (a)  immediately prior to and after giving effect to any such
acquisition, Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with
the provisions of subsection 7.13 hereof;

             (b) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Company, or such
business, property or other assets are acquired by Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of Company;

             (c) prior to the consummation of such acquisition, Company shall
deliver to Administrative Agent an Officers' Certificate (1) certifying that no
Potential Event of Default or Event of Default under this Agreement shall then
exist or shall occur as a result of such acquisition, (2) demonstrating that
after giving effect to such acquisition and to all Indebtedness to be incurred
or assumed or repaid in connection with or as consideration for such
acquisition, that Company is in pro forma compliance with the financial
                                --- -----
covenants referred to in subsection 7.6 for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarter
period ending immediately prior to the date of the proposed acquisition, (3)
delivering a copy, prepared in conformity with GAAP, of (i) financial statements
of the Person or business so acquired for the immediately preceding four
consecutive Fiscal Quarter period corresponding to the calculation period for
the financial covenants in the immediately preceding clause, and (4) delivering
a copy of all environmental reports obtained in connection with such
acquisition, and (ii) if the aggregate consideration paid by Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such proposed acquisition and any
other related series of acquisitions(including without limitation earn outs or
deferred compensation or non-competition arrangements and the amount of
Indebtedness or other liability assumed by Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) exceeds $20,000,000, then (v) audited financial statements of the
Person or business so acquired for the fiscal year ended within such period and
for the fiscal year immediately preceding such fiscal year, (w) unaudited
interim financial statements (consisting of a balance sheet and statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows) of the Person or business so
acquired for the fiscal periods most recently ended prior to the proposed
acquisition, (x) a pro forma balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries as of
                   --- -----        
the date of the proposed acquisition after giving effect thereto, (y) projected
financial statements (including balance sheets and statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows) of Company and its Subsidiaries for the
five-year period after the date of the proposed acquisition after giving effect
thereto, 

                                      118
<PAGE>
 
          and (z) such other information as Administrative Agent may reasonably
          request;

                (d) Company shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries
          to, comply with the requirements of subsections 6.8 and 6.9 with
          respect to such acquisitions;

                (e) the aggregate consideration paid by Company and its
          Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such proposed acquisition
          and any other related series of acquisitions (including without
          limitation earn outs or deferred compensation or non-competition
          arrangements and the amount of Indebtedness or other liability
          assumed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) shall not exceed
          $50,000,000; and

          (vii) Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make transfers of
any of their properties or assets to another Person in transactions in which 80%
of the consideration received by the transferor consists of properties or assets
(other than Cash) that will be used in the business of the transferor; provided
                                                                       --------
that (i) the aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of Company) of the property or assets being transferred by
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is not greater than the aggregate fair
market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Company),
of the property or assets received by Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in
such exchange and (ii) the aggregate fair market value (as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of Company) of all property or assets
transferred by Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with
such exchanges in any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $20,000,000.

7.8 CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.
    ---------------------------------

         Company shall not, and shall not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
make or incur Consolidated Capital Expenditures, in any Fiscal Year indicated
below, in an aggregate amount in excess of the corresponding amount (the
"MAXIMUM CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AMOUNT") set forth below opposite
such Fiscal Year; provided that the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures
                  --------                                                   
Amount for any Fiscal Year shall be increased by an amount equal to the excess,
if any, of the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount for the previous
Fiscal Year (prior to any adjustment in accordance with this proviso) over the
actual amount of Consolidated Capital Expenditures for such previous Fiscal
Year; provided, further that in no event shall the amount of such increase
      --------  -------                                                   
exceed the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount for such previous
Fiscal Year (prior to any adjustment in accordance with this proviso):

                                      119
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                MAXIMUM 
                                                             CONSOLIDATED 
                                                                CAPITAL 
           PERIOD                                            EXPENDITURES
- ------------------------                                     ------------
<S>                                                          <C>
Fiscal Year 1998                                             $31,000,000
Fiscal Year 1999                                             $28,000,000
Fiscal Year 2000 and each                                    $27,000,000
  Fiscal Year thereafter
 
</TABLE>

7.9  SALES AND LEASE-BACKS.
     --------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as
a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease, whether an Operating
Lease or a Capital Lease, of any property (whether real, personal or mixed),
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, (i) which Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries has sold or transferred or is to sell or transfer to any
other Person (other than Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or (ii)
which Company or any of its Subsidiaries intends to use for substantially the
same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or
transferred by Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person
(other than Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) in connection with
such lease; provided that Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become and
            --------                                                            
remain liable as lessee, guarantor or other surety with respect to any such
lease to the extent that (i) such lease, if a Capital Lease, is permitted
pursuant to subsection 7.1(iii), (ii) the consideration received is at least
equal to the fair market value of the property sold as determined in good faith
by Company's Board of Directors, (iii) to the extent such sale and lease-back
transaction relates to properties or assets acquired by Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries after the Closing Date, such sale and lease-back
transaction occurs within 270 days of the acquisition or completion of
construction, improvement or remodeling, as the case may be, of such property or
asset by Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (iv) the aggregate
consideration received for all such sold properties or assets does not exceed
$30,000,000 in the aggregate, (v) the aggregate consideration received in any
Fiscal Year for all such sold properties or assets does not exceed $10,000,000
and (vi) the aggregate consideration received for all such sold properties or
assets which are properties or assets owned by Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date does not exceed $10,000,000 in the
aggregate.

7.10  SALE OR DISCOUNT OF RECEIVABLES.
      -------------------------------

                                      120
<PAGE>
 
         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, sell with recourse, or discount or
otherwise sell for less than the face value thereof, any of its notes or
accounts receivable.

7.11  TRANSACTIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES.
      ---------------------------------------------

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any
transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or
the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of
equity Securities of Company or with any Affiliate of Company or of any such
holder (collectively "RELATED PERSONS") on terms that are less favorable to
Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that might
be obtained at the time in an arm's length transaction from Persons who are not
Related Persons; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i)
                 --------                                                      
any transaction between Company and any of its wholly-owned Restricted
Subsidiaries or between any of its wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii)
reasonable and customary fees paid to members of the Boards of Directors of
Company, or (iii) Affiliate Agreements relating to any services (including,
without limitation, consulting, management, broker or investment banking
services) to be provided by any of Freeman Spogli, CMC or any of their
respective Affiliates to any Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date or as
amended from time to time to the extent permitted under subsection 7.14.

7.12  DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY STOCK.
      ----------------------------

         Except for any sale of 100% of the capital stock or other equity
Securities of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in compliance with the
provisions of subsection 7.7(v), Company shall not:

         (i) directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber
or dispose of any shares of capital stock or other equity Securities of any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, except to qualify directors if required by
applicable law; or

         (ii)  permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly
to sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of
capital stock or other equity Securities of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(including such Restricted Subsidiary), except to Company, another Restricted
Subsidiary of Company, or to qualify directors if required by applicable law.

7.13  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
      -------------------

         From and after the Closing Date, Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than
the businesses engaged in by Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the
Closing Date and similar or related businesses.

                                      121
<PAGE>
 
7.14 AMENDMENTS OR WAIVERS OF CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS; AMENDMENTS OF 
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS OR THE SENIOR NOTES; 
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
     DESIGNATION OF "DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS".
     ----------------------------------------------- 

         A.  AMENDMENTS OR WAIVERS OF CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS.  Neither
Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries will agree to any material
amendment to, or waive any of its material rights under, any Related Agreement
(other than any Related Agreement evidencing or governing the Senior Notes or
refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Senior Notes incurred under subsection
7.1(vi) or any Subordinated Indebtedness) after the Closing Date without in each
case obtaining the prior written consent of Requisite Lenders to such amendment
or waiver.

         B.  AMENDMENTS OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS.
Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend or
otherwise change the terms of any Subordinated Indebtedness, or make any payment
consistent with an amendment thereof or change thereto, if the effect of such
amendment or change is to increase the interest rate on such Subordinated
Indebtedness, change (to earlier dates) any dates upon which payments of
principal or interest are due thereon, change any event of default or condition
to an event of default with respect thereto (other than to eliminate any such
event of default or increase any grace period related thereto), change the
redemption, prepayment or defeasance provisions thereof, change the
subordination provisions thereof (or of any guaranty thereof), or change any
collateral therefor (other than to release such collateral), or if the effect of
such amendment or change, together with all other amendments or changes made, is
to increase materially the obligations of the obligor thereunder or to confer
any additional rights on the holders of such Subordinated Indebtedness (or a
trustee or other representative on their behalf) which would be adverse to
Company or Lenders.

         C.  AMENDMENTS OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SENIOR NOTES.  Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, amend or
otherwise change the terms of the Senior Notes or refinancing Indebtedness with
respect to such Senior Notes incurred under subsection 7.1(vi) or make any
payment consistent with an amendment thereof or change thereto, if the effect of
such amendment or change is to increase the interest rate on such Senior Notes
or such refinancing Indebtedness (other than as provided for in the Senior Note
Indenture as in effect on the Closing Date or other than as provided for in the
agreement governing such refinancing Indebtedness as in effect on the date of
incurrence thereof), change (to earlier dates) any dates upon which payments of
principal or interest are due thereon, change any event of default or condition
to an event of default with respect thereto (other than to eliminate any such
event of default or increase any grace period related thereto), change the
redemption, prepayment or defeasance provisions thereof, or change any
collateral therefor (other than to release such collateral), or if the effect of
such amendment or change, together with all other amendments or changes made, is
to increase materially the obligations of the obligor thereunder or to confer
any additional rights on the holders of such Senior Notes or such 

                                      122
<PAGE>
 
refinancing Indebtedness (or a trustee or other representative on their behalf)
which would be adverse to Company or Lenders.

         D.  DESIGNATION OF "DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS".  Company shall
not designate any Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Indebtedness" (as defined
in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture) for purposes of the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture without the prior written consent of Requisite
Lenders.

7.15  FISCAL YEAR.
      ----------- 

         No Loan Party shall change its Fiscal Year-end from the last Thursday
in September; provided that Loan Parties may change their Fiscal Year-end once
              --------                                                        
after giving Administrative Agent not less than 30 days' prior written notice of
such change.


SECTION 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         If any of the following conditions or events ("EVENTS OF DEFAULT")
shall occur:

8.1  FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHEN DUE.
     --------------------------------- 

         Failure by Company to pay any installment of principal of any Loan when
due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by notice of voluntary
prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise; failure by Company to pay when
due any amount payable to an Issuing Lender in reimbursement of any drawing
under a Letter of Credit (it being understood that the payment of such amount
with the proceeds of Revolving Loans in accordance with subsection 3.3B hereof
shall not be a failure by Company to pay when due such amount); or failure by
Company to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount due under
this Agreement within five days after the date due; or

8.2  DEFAULT IN OTHER AGREEMENTS.
     --------------------------- 

         (i) Failure of Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay
when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect
of one or more items of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in
subsection 8.1) or Contingent Obligations with an aggregate principal amount of
$5,000,000 or more, in each case beyond the end of any grace period provided
therefor; or (ii) breach or default by Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries with respect to any other material term of (a) one or more items of
Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations in the aggregate principal amounts
referred to in clause (i) above or (b) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture
or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Indebtedness or Contingent
Obligation(s), if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit
the holder or holders of that Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) (or a
trustee on behalf of such holder or holders) 

                                      123
<PAGE>
 
to cause, that Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) to become or be declared
due and payable prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any
underlying obligation, as the case may be (upon the giving or receiving of
notice, lapse of time, both, or otherwise); or

8.3  BREACH OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.
     --------------------------- 

         Failure of Company to perform or comply with any term or condition
contained in subsection 2.5 or 6.2 or Section 7 of this Agreement; or

8.4  BREACH OF WARRANTY.
     ------------------ 

         Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made by
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Loan Document or in any
statement or certificate at any time given by Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or
therewith shall be false in any material respect on the date as of which made;
or

8.5  OTHER DEFAULTS UNDER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
     ----------------------------------- 

         Any Loan Party shall default in the performance of or compliance with
any term contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, other
than any such term referred to in any other subsection of this Section 8, and
such default shall not have been remedied or waived within 30 days after the
earlier of (i) an officer of Company or such Loan Party becoming aware of such
default or (ii) receipt by Company and such Loan Party of notice from any
Administrative Agent or any Lender of such default; or

8.6  INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.
     -----------------------------------------------------

         (i) A court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or
order for relief in respect of Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in
an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, which decree
or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any
applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced
against Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code
or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or
hereafter in effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the
premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee,
custodian or other officer having similar powers over Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property,
shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary
appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property; or
a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process 

                                      124
<PAGE>
 
shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this
clause (ii) shall continue for 60 days unless dismissed, bonded or discharged;
or

8.7  VOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.
     ---------------------------------------------------

         (i) Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall have an order
for relief entered with respect to it or commence a voluntary case under the
Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for
relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a
voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or
taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a
substantial part of its property; or Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii)
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail
generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such
debts become due; or the Board of Directors of Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise
authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to in clause (i)
above or this clause (ii); or

8.8  JUDGMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS.
     ------------------------- 

         Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process
involving in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $5,000,000 (not
adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance
company has acknowledged coverage) shall be entered or filed against Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and shall
remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 60 days (or
in any event later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale
thereunder); or

8.9  DISSOLUTION.
     ----------- 

         Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries decreeing the dissolution or split up of Company
or that Restricted Subsidiary and such order shall remain undischarged or
unstayed for a period in excess of 30 days; or

8.10  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
      ---------------------- 

         There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the
aggregate results in or might reasonably be expected to result in liability of
Company, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates in excess of $1,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; or there
shall exist an amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section
4001(a)(18) of ERISA), individually or in the 

                                      125
<PAGE>
 
aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding for purposes of such computation any
Pension Plans with respect to which assets exceed benefit liabilities), which
exceeds $1,000,000; or

8.11  CHANGE IN CONTROL.
      ----------------- 

         (i) Freeman Spogli shall cease to beneficially own and control at least
a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Company
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote for the
election of members of the Board of Directors of Company, (ii) Freeman Spogli
shall cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the members of the Board
of Directors of Company, (iii) Company shall cease to beneficially own and
control 100% of capital stock of Lil' Champ or Company shall cease to have the
ability to elect all of the Board of Directors of Lil' Champ, or (iv) a "Change
of Control" as defined in the Subordinated Note Indenture, the Senior Note
Indenture or the agreement governing refinancing Indebtedness with respect to
the Senior Notes incurred pursuant to subsection 7.1(vi) shall occur; or

8.12  INVALIDITY OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY; FAILURE OF SECURITY; REPUDIATION OF
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      OBLIGATIONS.
      ----------- 

         At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the
Subsidiary Guaranty for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all
Obligations, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in
accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void, (ii) any
Collateral Document shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than by
reason of a release of Collateral thereunder in accordance with the terms hereof
or thereof, the satisfaction in full of the Obligations or any other termination
of such Collateral Document in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof) or
shall be declared null and void, or Administrative Agent shall not have or shall
cease to have a valid and perfected First Priority Lien in any Collateral
purported to be covered thereby, in each case for any reason other than the
failure of Administrative Agent or any Lender to take any action within its
control, or (iii) any Loan Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of
any Loan Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further
liability, including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Loan
Document to which it is a party; or

8.13  FAILURE TO CONSUMMATE LIL' CHAMP ACQUISITION AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS.
      ------------------------------------------------------------------- 

         Any of the Lil' Champ Acquisition, the Offer and Consent Solicitation,
the Equity Contribution and the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes shall
not be consummated in accordance with this Agreement and the applicable Related
Agreements concurrently with the making of the initial Loans, or the Lil' Champ
Acquisition, the Offer and Consent Solicitation, the Equity Contribution or the
issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes shall be unwound, reversed or
otherwise rescinded in whole or in part for any reason:

                                      126
<PAGE>
 
THEN (i) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in subsection 8.6
or 8.7, each of (a) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the
Loans, (b) an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any time be drawn
under all Letters of Credit then outstanding (whether or not any beneficiary
under any such Letter of Credit shall have presented, or shall be entitled at
such time to present, the drafts or other documents or certificates required to
draw under such Letter of Credit), and (c) all other Obligations shall
automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by Company, and the obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, the
obligation of Issuing Lender to issue any Letter of Credit and the right of any
Lender to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall thereupon terminate, and
(ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any other Event of
Default, Administrative Agent shall, upon the written request or with the
written consent of Requisite Lenders, by written notice to Company, declare all
or any portion of the amounts described in clauses (a) through (c) above to be,
and the same shall forthwith become, immediately due and payable, and the
obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, the obligation of Administrative
Agent to issue any Letter of Credit and the right of any Lender to issue any
Letter of Credit hereunder shall thereupon terminate; provided that the
                                                      --------         
foregoing shall not affect in any way the obligations of Lenders under
subsection 3.3C(i) or the obligations of Lenders to purchase participations in
any unpaid Swing Line Loans as provided in subsection 2.1A(iii).

         Any amounts described in clause (b) above, when received by
Administrative Agent, shall be held by Administrative Agent pursuant to the
terms of the Collateral Account Agreement and shall be applied as therein
provided.

         Notwithstanding anything contained in the second preceding paragraph,
if at any time within 60 days after an acceleration of the Loans pursuant to
clause (ii) of such paragraph Company shall pay all arrears of interest and all
payments on account of principal which shall have become due otherwise than as a
result of such acceleration (with interest on principal and, to the extent
permitted by law, on overdue interest, at the rates specified in this Agreement)
and all Events of Default and Potential Events of Default (other than non-
payment of the principal of and accrued interest on the Loans, in each case
which is due and payable solely by virtue of acceleration) shall be remedied or
waived pursuant to subsection 10.6, then Requisite Lenders, by written notice to
Company, may at their option rescind and annul such acceleration and its
consequences; but such action shall not affect any subsequent Event of Default
or Potential Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.  The
provisions of this paragraph are intended merely to bind Lenders to a decision
which may be made at the election of Requisite Lenders and are not intended,
directly or indirectly, to benefit Company, and such provisions shall not at any
time be construed so as to grant Company the right to require Lenders to rescind
or annul any acceleration hereunder or to preclude any Agent or Lenders from
exercising any of the rights or remedies available to them under any of the Loan
Documents, even if the conditions set forth in this paragraph are met.

                                      127
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.  AGENTS

9.1  APPOINTMENT.
     ----------- 

         A.  APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS.  First Union is hereby appointed as
Administrative Agent and CIBC is hereby appointed as Syndication Agent, each so
appointed hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby
authorizes such Agent to act as its agent in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Each Agent agrees to act upon the
express conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as
applicable.  The provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the benefit of each
Agent and each Lender and Company shall have no rights as a third party
beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof.  In performing its functions and
duties under this Agreement, each Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders
and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation
towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

         B. Appointment of Supplemental Collateral Agents. It is the purpose of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that there shall be no violation of
any law of any jurisdiction denying or restricting the right of banking
corporations or associations to transact business as agent or trustee in such
jurisdiction. It is recognized that in case of litigation under this Agreement
or any of the other Loan Documents, and in particular in case of the enforcement
of any of the Loan Documents, or in case Administrative Agent deems that by
reason of any present or future law of any jurisdiction it may not exercise any
of the rights, powers or remedies granted herein or in any of the other Loan
Documents or take any other action which may be desirable or necessary in
connection therewith, it may be necessary that Administrative Agent appoint an
additional individual or institution as a separate trustee, co-trustee,
collateral agent or collateral co-agent (any such additional individual or
institution being referred to herein individually as a "SUPPLEMENTAL COLLATERAL
AGENT" and collectively as "SUPPLEMENTAL COLLATERAL AGENTS").

         In the event that Administrative Agent appoints a Supplemental
Collateral Agent with respect to any Collateral, (i) each and every right,
power, privilege or duty expressed or intended by this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents to be exercised by or vested in or conveyed to
Administrative Agent with respect to such Collateral shall be exercisable by and
vest in such Supplemental Collateral Agent to the extent, and only to the
extent, necessary to enable such Supplemental Collateral Agent to exercise such
rights, powers and privileges with respect to such Collateral and to perform
such duties with respect to such Collateral, and every covenant and obligation
contained in the Loan Documents and necessary to the exercise or performance
thereof by such Supplemental Collateral Agent shall run to and be enforceable by
either Administrative Agent or such Supplemental Collateral Agent, and (ii) the
provisions of this Section 9 and of subsections 10.2 and 10.3 that refer to
Administrative Agent shall inure to the benefit of 

                                      128
<PAGE>
 
such Supplemental Collateral Agent and all references therein to Administrative
Agent shall be deemed to be references to Administrative Agent and/or such
Supplemental Collateral Agent, as the context may require.

         Should any instrument in writing from Company or any other Loan Party
be required by any Supplemental Collateral Agent so appointed by Administrative
Agent for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to him or it such
rights, powers, privileges and duties, Company shall, or shall cause such Loan
Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly
upon request by Administrative Agent.  In case any Supplemental Collateral
Agent, or a successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or
be removed, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Supplemental
Collateral Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised
by Administrative Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental Collateral
Agent.

9.2  POWERS AND DUTIES; GENERAL IMMUNITY.
     ----------------------------------- 

         A.  POWERS; DUTIES SPECIFIED.  Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each
Agent to take such action on such Lender's behalf and to exercise such powers,
rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are
specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof,
together with such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental
thereto.  Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are
expressly specified in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Each Agent
may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform such duties by or
through its agents or employees.  No Agent shall have, by reason of this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in
respect of any Lender; and nothing in this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to
impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

         B.  NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN MATTERS.  No Agent shall be
responsible to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness,
validity, enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals or
statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or
in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or
any other documents furnished or delivered by such Agent to Lenders or by or on
behalf of Company to such Agent or any Lender in connection with the Loan
Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial
condition or business affairs of Company or any other Person liable for the
payment of any Obligations, nor shall such Agent be required to ascertain or
inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions,
provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Loan Documents or as
to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of the Letters of Credit or
as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or 

                                      129
<PAGE>
 
Potential Event of Default. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, no Agent shall have any liability arising from confirmations of
the amount of outstanding Loans or the Letter of Credit Usage or the component
amounts thereof.

         C. EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS. None of the Agents nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders
for any action taken or omitted by any such Agent under or in connection with
any of the Loan Documents except to the extent caused by such Agent's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from
any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in
connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or from the
exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder or
thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in
respect thereof from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required
to give such instructions under subsection 10.6) and, upon receipt of such
instructions from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be),
such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from
acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with
such instructions. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i)
each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying,
upon any communication, instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons, and
shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and
judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for Company and its Subsidiaries),
accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no
Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result
of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting under this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions
of Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such
instructions under subsection 10.6).

         D.  AGENTS ENTITLED TO ACT AS LENDERS. The agency hereby created shall
in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties
or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder.
With respect to its participation in the Loans and the Letters of Credit, each
Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and
may exercise the same as though it were not performing the duties and functions
delegated to it hereunder, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" or any similar
term shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include such Agent
in its individual capacity. Each Agent and their respective Affiliates may
accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking,
trust, financial advisory or other business with Company or any of its
Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may
accept fees and other consideration from Company for services in connection with
this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.

                                      130
<PAGE>
 
9.3  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPRAISAL OF
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     CREDITWORTHINESS.
     ---------------- 

         Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own
independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
its Subsidiaries in connection with the making of the Loans and the issuance of
Letters of Credit hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its
own appraisal of the creditworthiness of Company and its Subsidiaries.  No Agent
shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing
basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders
or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect
thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at
any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with
respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to
Lenders.

9.4  RIGHT TO INDEMNITY.
     ------------------ 

         Each Lender, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, severally agrees to
indemnify each Agent, to the extent that such Agent shall not have been
reimbursed by Company, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
(including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such
Agent in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its duties
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or otherwise in its capacity as
Syndication Agent or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in any way
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;
provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities,
- --------                                                                    
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements resulting from any Agent's gross negligence or willful
misconduct.  If any indemnity furnished to any Agent for any purpose shall, in
the opinion of such Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, such Agent may
call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts
indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished.

9.5  SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND SWING LINE LENDER.
     ---------------------------------------------------- 

         A.  SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  Administrative Agent may resign
at any time by giving 30 days' prior written notice thereof to the other Agents,
Lenders and Company.  Upon any such notice of resignation of Administrative
Agent, Requisite Lenders shall have the right, upon the consent of Company
(which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), to appoint a successor
Administrative Agent; provided that in the event that Company withholds such
                      --------                                              
consent with respect to any successor Administrative Agent, such successor
Administrative Agent may nevertheless be appointed as successor Administrative
Agent by the Requisite Lenders if Company shall not have identified a successor
Administrative Agent approved by the Requisite Lenders (which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld) within 60 days.  Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as 

                                      131
<PAGE>
 
Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, that
successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative
Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties
and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring Administrative Agent's
resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
while it was Administrative Agent, under this Agreement.

         B.  SUCCESSOR SWING LINE LENDER.  Any resignation of Administrative
Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5A shall also constitute the resignation of First
Union or its successor as Swing Line Lender, and any successor Administrative
Agent appointed pursuant to subsection 9.5A shall, upon its acceptance of such
appointment, become the successor Swing Line Lender for all purposes hereunder.
In such event (i) Company shall prepay any outstanding Swing Line Loans made by
the retiring or removed Administrative Agent in its capacity as Swing Line
Lender, (ii) upon such prepayment, the retiring Administrative Agent and Swing
Line Lender shall surrender the Swing Line Note held by it to Company for
cancellation, and (iii) Company shall issue a new Swing Line Note to the
successor Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender substantially in the form
of Exhibit VI annexed hereto, in the principal amount of the Swing Line Loan
   ----------                                                               
Commitment then in effect and with other appropriate insertions.

9.6  COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS AND GUARANTIES.
     ----------------------------------- 

         Each Lender hereby further authorizes Administrative Agent, on behalf
of and for the benefit of Lenders, to enter into each Collateral Document as
secured party and to be the agent for and representative of Lenders under the
Subsidiary Guaranty, and each Lender agrees to be bound by the terms of each
Collateral Document and the Subsidiary Guaranty; provided that Administrative
                                                 --------                    
Agent shall not (i) enter into or consent to any material amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision contained in any Collateral
Document or the Subsidiary Guaranty or (ii) release any Collateral (except as
otherwise expressly permitted or required pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or the applicable Collateral Document), in each case without the prior
consent of Requisite Lenders (or, if required pursuant to subsection 10.6, all
Lenders); provided further, however, that, without further written consent or
          -------- -------  -------                                          
authorization from Lenders, Administrative Agent may execute any documents or
instruments necessary to (a) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral
that is the subject of a sale or other disposition of assets permitted by this
Agreement or to which Requisite Lenders have otherwise consented or (b) release
any Subsidiary Guarantor from the Subsidiary Guaranty if all of the capital
stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor is sold to any Person (other than an
Affiliate of Company) pursuant to a sale or other disposition permitted
hereunder or to which Requisite Lenders have otherwise consented.  Anything
contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, Company,
Agents and each Lender hereby agree that (X) no Lender shall have any right
individually to realize upon any of 

                                      132
<PAGE>
 
the Collateral under any Collateral Document or to enforce the Subsidiary
Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies
under the Collateral Documents and the Subsidiary Guaranty may be exercised
solely by Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders in accordance with the
terms thereof, and (Y) in the event of a foreclosure by Administrative Agent on
any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale, any Agent or any
Lender may be the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale
and Administrative Agent, as agent for and representative of Lenders (but not
any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless
Requisite Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the
purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for
all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and
apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for
any collateral payable by Administrative Agent at such sale.


SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS

10.1  ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS IN LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.
      ------------------------------------------------------------- 

         A. GENERAL. Subject to subsection 10.1B, each Lender shall have the
right at any time to (i) sell, assign or transfer to any Eligible Assignee, or
(ii) sell participations to any Person in, all or any part of its Commitments or
any Loan or Loans made by it or its Letters of Credit or participations therein
or any other interest herein or in any other Obligations owed to it; provided
                                                                     --------
that no such sale, assignment, transfer or participation shall, without the
consent of Company, require Company to file a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or apply to qualify such sale, assignment,
transfer or participation under the securities laws of any state; provided,
                                                                  --------
further that no such sale, assignment or transfer described in clause (i) above
- -------
shall be effective unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting such sale,
assignment or transfer shall have been accepted by Administrative Agent and
recorded in the Register as provided in subsection 10.1B(ii); provided, further
                                                              --------  -------
that no such sale, assignment, transfer or participation of any Letter of Credit
or any participation therein may be made separately from a sale, assignment,
transfer or participation of a corresponding interest in the Revolving Loan
Commitment and the Revolving Loans of the Lender effecting such sale,
assignment, transfer or participation; and provided, further that, anything
                                           --------  -------
contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Swing Line Loan Commitment
and the Swing Line Loans of Swing Line Lender may not be sold, assigned or
transferred as described in clause (i) above to any Person other than a
successor Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender to the extent contemplated
by subsection 9.5. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection 10.1, no
Lender shall, as between Company and such Lender, be relieved of any of its
obligations hereunder as a result of any sale, assignment or transfer of, or any
granting of participations in, all or any part of its Commitments or the Loans,
the Letters of Credit or participations therein, or the other Obligations owed
to such Lender.

                                      133
<PAGE>
 
         B.  Assignments.

         (i) Amounts and Terms of Assignments. Each Commitment, Loan, Letter of
             --------------------------------
Credit or participation therein, or other Obligation may (a) be assigned in any
amount to another Lender, or to an Affiliate of the assigning Lender or another
Lender, with the giving of notice to Company and Administrative Agent or (b) be
assigned in an aggregate amount of not less than $5,000,000 (or such lesser
amount as shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Commitments, Loans,
Letters of Credit and participations therein, and other Obligations of the
assigning Lender) to any other Eligible Assignee with the consent of Company and
Administrative Agent (which consent of Company and such Agents shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed).  To the extent of any such assignment in
accordance with either clause (a) or (b) above, the assigning Lender shall be
relieved of its obligations with respect to its Commitments, Loans, Letters of
Credit or participations therein, or other Obligations or the portion thereof so
assigned.  The parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to
Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an
Assignment Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500
and such forms, certificates or other evidence, if any, with respect to United
States federal income tax withholding matters as the assignee under such
Assignment Agreement may be required to deliver to Administrative Agent pursuant
to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a); provided, however, that Administrative Agent may
                            --------  -------                               
waive such $3,500 recordation fee in connection with assignments between any
Lender and any of their Affiliates or between any Lenders party to this
Agreement as of the Closing Date.  Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and
recordation, from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment
Agreement, (y) 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 Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender
hereunder and (z) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that
rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such
Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights (other than any rights which survive
the termination of this Agreement under subsection 10.9B) and be released from
its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment
Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party
hereto; provided that, anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the
        --------                                                             
contrary notwithstanding, if such Lender is the Issuing Lender with respect to
any outstanding Letters of Credit such Lender shall continue to have all rights
and obligations of an Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit
until the cancellation or expiration of such Letters of Credit and the
reimbursement of any amounts drawn thereunder).  The Commitments hereunder shall
be modified to reflect the Commitment of such assignee and any remaining
Commitment of such assigning Lender and, if any such assignment occurs after the
issuance of the Notes hereunder, the assigning Lender shall, upon the
effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter as 

                                      134
<PAGE>
 
practicable, surrender its applicable Notes to Administrative Agent for
cancellation, and thereupon new Notes shall be issued to the assignee and, if
applicable, to the assigning Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit IV or
                                                                  ----------
Exhibit V annexed hereto, as the case may be, with appropriate insertions, to
- ---------
reflect the new Commitments and/or outstanding Acquisition Term Loans, as the
case may be, of the assignee and, if applicable, the assigning Lender.

        (ii)  Acceptance by Administrative Agent; Recordation in Register.  
              -----------------------------------------------------------   
Upon its receipt of an Assignment Agreement executed by an assigning Lender and
an assignee representing that it is an Eligible Assignee, together with the
processing and recordation fee referred to in subsection 10.1B(i) and any forms,
certificates or other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax
withholding matters that such assignee may be required to deliver to
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a), Administrative Agent
shall, if Administrative Agent and Company have consented to the assignment
evidenced thereby (in each case to the extent such consent is required pursuant
to subsection 10.1B(i)), (a) accept such Assignment Agreement by executing a
counterpart thereof as provided therein (which acceptance shall evidence any
required consent of Administrative Agent to such assignment), (b) record the
information contained therein in the Register, and (c) give prompt notice
thereof to Company. Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy of each
Assignment Agreement delivered to and accepted by it as provided in this
subsection 10.1B(ii).

         C.  PARTICIPATIONS.  The holder of any participation, other than an
Affiliate of the Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to
require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except action
directly affecting (i) the extension of the scheduled final maturity date of any
Loan allocated to such participation or (ii) a reduction of the principal amount
of or the rate of interest payable on any Loan allocated to such participation,
and all amounts payable by Company hereunder (including amounts payable to such
Lender pursuant to subsections 2.6D, 2.7 and 3.6) shall be determined as if such
Lender had not sold such participation.  Company and each Lender hereby
acknowledge and agree that, solely for purposes of subsections 10.4 and 10.5,
(a) any participation will give rise to a direct obligation of Company to the
participant and (b) the participant shall be considered to be a "Lender".

         D. ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS. In addition to the assignments
and participations permitted under the foregoing provisions of this subsection
10.1, any Lender may assign and pledge all or any portion of its Loans, the
other Obligations owed to such Lender, and its Notes to any Federal Reserve
Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by such Federal
Reserve Bank; provided that (i) no Lender shall, as between Company and such
              --------
Lender, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any such
assignment and pledge and (ii) in no event shall such Federal Reserve 

                                      135
<PAGE>
 
Bank be considered to be a "Lender" or be entitled to require the assigning
Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder.

         E.  INFORMATION.  Each Lender may furnish any information concerning
Company and its Subsidiaries in the possession of that Lender from time to time
to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
participants), subject to subsection 10.19.

         F.  REPRESENTATIONS OF LENDERS.  Each Lender listed on the signature
pages hereof hereby represents and warrants (i) that it is an Eligible Assignee
described in clause (A) of the definition thereof; (ii) that it has experience
and expertise in the making of loans such as the Loans; and (iii) that it will
make its Loans for its own account in the ordinary course of its business and
without a view to distribution of such Loans within the meaning of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws (it being
understood that, subject to the provisions of this subsection 10.1, the
disposition of such Loans or any interests therein shall at all times remain
within its exclusive control). Each Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant
to an Assignment Agreement shall be deemed to agree that the representations and
warranties of such Lender contained in Section 2(c) of such Assignment Agreement
are incorporated herein by this reference.

10.2  EXPENSES.
      -------- 

         Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
consummated, Company agrees to pay promptly (i) all the actual and reasonable
costs and expenses of preparation of the Loan Documents and any consents,
amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (ii) all the costs of
furnishing all opinions by counsel for Company (including any opinions requested
by Lenders as to any legal matters arising hereunder) and of Company's
performance of and compliance with all agreements and conditions on its part to
be performed or complied with under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
including with respect to confirming compliance with environmental, insurance
and solvency requirements; (iii) the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements
of counsel to Agents, CIBC WG and First Union CMC (including allocated costs of
internal counsel) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and
administration of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or
other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by
Company; (iv) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses of creating and
perfecting Liens in favor of Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders pursuant
to any Collateral Document, including filing and recording fees, expenses and
taxes, stamp or documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance premiums, and
reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to Agents, CIBC WG and
First Union CMC and of counsel providing any opinions that Agents, CIBC WG,
First Union CMC or Requisite Lenders may request in respect of the Collateral
Documents or the Liens created pursuant thereto; (v) all the actual costs and
reasonable expenses (including the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements
of any auditors, accountants or appraisers and any environmental or other
consultants, advisors and agents employed or retained by 

                                      136
<PAGE>
 
Agents, CIBC WG and First Union CMC or their respective counsel) of obtaining
and reviewing any environmental audits or reports provided for under subsection
4.1K or 6.9(v); (vi) the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; (vii)
all other actual and reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Agents, CIBC WG
and First Union CMC in connection with the syndication of the Commitments and
the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Loan Documents and any
consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and the
transactions contemplated thereby; and (viii) after the occurrence of an Event
of Default, all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees
(including allocated costs of internal counsel) and costs of settlement,
incurred by Agents, CIBC WG, First Union CMC and Lenders in enforcing any
Obligations of or in collecting any payments due from any Loan Party hereunder
or under the other Loan Documents by reason of such Event of Default (including
in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any
of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Subsidiary Guaranty) or in
connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements
provided under this Agreement in the nature of a "work-out" or pursuant to any
insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.

10.3  INDEMNITY.
      --------- 

         In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to subsection 10.2,
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated,
Company agrees to defend (subject to Indemnitees' selection of counsel),
indemnify, pay and hold harmless Agents, Lenders, CIBC WG and First Union CMC
and the officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates of Agents,
Lenders, CIBC WG and First Union CMC (collectively called the "INDEMNITEES"),
from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities (as hereinafter defined);
provided that Company shall not have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder
- --------                                                                       
with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified
Liabilities arise solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of that
Indemnitee as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction.

         As used herein, "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" means, collectively, any and
all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource
damages), penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims (including Environmental
Claims), costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling,
testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action
necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials
Activity), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in
connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding
commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall
be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses
incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct, indirect
or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws,
statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws,
statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or
equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred
by, or 

                                      137
<PAGE>
 
asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out
of (i) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the Related Agreements or
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including Lenders' agreement to
make the Loans hereunder or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof or
the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder or the use or intended use of any
thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Loan Documents (including any sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the
enforcement of the Subsidiary Guaranty), (ii) the statements contained in the
commitment letter delivered by any Lender to Company with respect thereto, or
(iii) any Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or
arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation,
land ownership, or practice of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

         To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold
harmless set forth in this subsection 10.3 may be unenforceable in whole or in
part because they are violative of any law or public policy, Company shall
contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under
applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities
incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

10.4  SET-OFF; SECURITY INTEREST IN DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.
      ----------------------------------------------

         In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law
and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any
Event of Default each Lender is hereby authorized by Company at any time or from
time to time, without notice to Company or to any other Person, any such notice
being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any
and all deposits (general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced by
certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust
accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by that Lender to
or for the credit or the account of Company against and on account of the
obligations and liabilities of Company to that Lender under this Agreement, the
Letters of Credit and participations therein and the other Loan Documents,
including all claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected
with this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and participations therein or any
other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not (i) that Lender shall have
made any demand hereunder or (ii) the principal of or the interest on the Loans
or any amounts in respect of the Letters of Credit or any other amounts due
hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 8 and although
said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or
unmatured.  Company hereby further grants to Administrative Agent and each
Lender a security interest in all deposits and accounts maintained with
Administrative Agent or such Lender as security for the Obligations.

                                      138
<PAGE>
 
10.5  RATABLE SHARING.
      --------------- 

         Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if any of them shall,
whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made
and applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), by realization upon
security, through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker's lien, by
counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any right under the Loan
Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash
collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a
proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, amounts payable in
respect of Letters of Credit, fees and other amounts then due and owing to that
Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (collectively, the "AGGREGATE
AMOUNTS DUE" to such Lender) which is greater than the proportion received by
any other Lender in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender,
then the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (i) notify
Administrative Agent and each other Lender of the receipt of such payment and
(ii) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall
be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously
upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate
Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate
Amounts Due shall be shared by all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate
Amounts Due to them; provided that if all or part of such proportionately
                     --------                                            
greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from
such Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of Company or otherwise, those
purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such
participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the extent
of such recovery, but without interest.  Company expressly consents to the
foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased
may exercise any and all rights of banker's lien, set-off or counterclaim with
respect to any and all monies owing by Company to that holder with respect
thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation
held by that holder.

10.6  AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.
      ----------------------

         No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or of the Notes, or consent to any departure by Company
therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of
Requisite Lenders; provided that no such amendment, modification, termination,
                   --------                                                   
waiver or consent shall, without the consent of each Lender (with Obligations
directly affected in the case of the following clause (i)): (i) extend the
scheduled final maturity of any Loan or Note, or extend the stated expiration
date of any Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
Date, or reduce the rate of interest (other than any waiver of any increase in
the interest rate applicable to any of the Loans pursuant to subsection 2.2E) or
fees thereon, or extend the time of payment of interest, principal or fees
thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof, (ii) release a material portion
of the Collateral, release all or substantially all of the Loan Parties that are
party to the Subsidiary Guaranty from the

                                      139
<PAGE>
 
Subsidiary Guaranty except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents, (iii)
amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of this subsection 10.6, (iv)
reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Requisite Lenders (it being
understood that, with the consent of the Requisite Lenders, additional
extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the
determination of the Requisite Lenders on substantially the same basis as the
Acquisition Term Loan Commitment or the Revolving Loan Commitments are
included), (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of subsection 2.4B(iii)(d)
or (vi) consent to the assignment or transfer by Company of any of its
respective rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided further that no
                                                        -------- -------      
such amendment, modification, terminatin or waiver shall (1) increase the
Commitments of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect without the
consent of such Lender (it being understood that amendments, modifications or
waivers of conditions precedent, covenants, Potential Events of Default or
Events of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Commitments shall not
constitute an increase of the Commitment of any Lender, and that an increase in
the available portion of any Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an
increase in the Commitment of such Lender), (2) no amendment, modification,
termination or waiver of any provision of subsection 2.1A(iii) or any other
provision of this Agreement relating to the Swing Line Loan Commitment or the
Swing Line Loans shall be effective without the written concurrence of Swing
Line Lender, (3) no amendment, modification, termination or waiver relating to
the obligations of Lenders relating to the purchase or participation in Letters
of Credit shall be effective without the written concurrence of each Issuing
Lender having a Letter of Credit then outstanding or which has not been
reimbursed for a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by it and of
Administrative Agent, and (4) no amendment, modification, termination or waiver
of any provision of Section 9 or of any provision of this Agreement which, by
its terms, expressly requires the approval or concurrence of any Agent shall be
effective without the written concurrence of such Agent. Administrative Agent
may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender,
execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of that Lender.
Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on Company
in any case shall entitle Company to any other or further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver
or consent effected in accordance with this subsection 10.6 shall be binding
upon each Lender at the time outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by
Company, on Company.

10.7  INDEPENDENCE OF COVENANTS.
      ------------------------- 

         All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a
particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the
fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within
the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default if such action is taken or condition
exists.

                                      140
<PAGE>
 
10.8  NOTICES.
      ------- 

         Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other
communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail
or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in
person or by courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three
Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid
and properly addressed; provided that notices to Agents shall not be effective
                        --------                                              
until received.  For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall
be as set forth under such party's name on the signature pages hereof or (i) as
to Company and Agents, such other address as shall be designated by such Person
in a written notice delivered to the other parties hereto and (ii) as to each
other party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice delivered to Administrative Agent.

10.9  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.
      ------------------------------------------------------ 

         A.  All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans
and the issuance of the Letters of Credit hereunder.

         B.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or implied by law to
the contrary, the agreements of Company set forth in subsections 2.6D, 2.7,
3.5A, 3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in
subsections 9.2C, 9.4 and 10.5 shall survive the payment of the Loans, the
cancellation or expiration of the Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any
amounts drawn thereunder, and the termination of this Agreement.

10.10  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.
       ----------------------------------------------------- 

         No failure or delay on the part of any Agent, any Lender, CIBC WG
and/or First Union CMC in the exercise of any power, right or privilege
hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall impair such power, right or
privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein,
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege
preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or
privilege.  All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies
otherwise available.

10.11  MARSHALLING; PAYMENTS SET ASIDE.
       -------------------------------

         None of Agents nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal
any assets in favor of Company or any other party or against or in payment of
any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that Company makes a payment or
payments to any Agent or 

                                      141
<PAGE>
 
Lenders (or to any Agent for the benefit of Lenders), or any Agent or Lenders
enforce any security interests or exercise their rights of setoff, and such
payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part
thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential,
set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party
under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common law or any
equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part
thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies
therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and
effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or
setoff had not occurred.

10.12  SEVERABILITY.
       ------------

         In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or the
Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

10.13  OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL; INDEPENDENT NATURE OF LENDERS' RIGHTS.
       ----------------------------------------------------------

         The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall be
responsible for the obligations or Commitments of any other Lender hereunder.
Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by
Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a
partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The
amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and
independent debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its
rights arising out of this Agreement and it shall not be necessary for any other
Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

10.14  HEADINGS.
       -------- 

         Section and subsection headings in this Agreement are included herein
for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

10.15  APPLICABLE LAW.
       --------------

         THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

                                      142
<PAGE>
 
10.16  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
       ----------------------

         This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders (it being understood that
Lenders' rights of assignment are subject to subsection 10.1).  Neither
Company's rights or obligations hereunder nor any interest therein may be
assigned or delegated by Company without the prior written consent of all
Lenders.

10.17  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.
       ---------------------------------------------- 

         ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST COMPANY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS
THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK.  BY EXECUTING AND
DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, COMPANY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

         (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
    AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

         (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

         (III)  AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY
    SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
    REQUESTED, TO COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION
    10.8;

         (IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
    SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER COMPANY IN ANY SUCH
    PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
    BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

         (V) AGREES THAT LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER
    MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST COMPANY IN THE
    COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

         (VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION 10.17 RELATING TO
    JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST
    EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER 

                                      143
<PAGE>
 
    NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR OTHERWISE.
    
10.18  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
       --------------------

         EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS
RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS
BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE
LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED.  The scope of this
waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be
filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction,
including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other
common law and statutory claims.  Each party hereto acknowledges that this
waiver is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each
has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each
will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Each
party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver
with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS
IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING
(OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SUBSECTION
10.18 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY
TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR
AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER.  In the event of litigation,
this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

10.19  CONFIDENTIALITY.
       --------------- 

         Each Lender shall hold all non-public information obtained pursuant to
the requirements of this Agreement which has been identified as confidential by
Company in accordance with such Lender's customary procedures for handling
confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and sound
banking practices, it being understood and agreed by Company that in any event a
Lender may make disclosures to Affiliates of such Lender or disclosures
reasonably required by any bona fide assignee, transferee or participant or any
proposed assignee, transferee or participant in connection with the contemplated
assignment or transfer by such Lender of any Loans or any participations therein
(so long as such proposed assignee, transferee or participant agrees to hold all
non-public information obtained from such Lender and which has been identified
as confidential by Company in accordance with such Person's customary procedures
for handling confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe
and sound 

                                      144
<PAGE>
 
banking practices) or disclosures required or requested by any governmental
agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process; provided that, 
                                                               -------
unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender
shall notify Company of any request by any governmental agency or representative
thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the
financial condition of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure
of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information; and
provided, further that in no event shall any Lender be obligated or required to
- --------  -------                                     
return any materials furnished by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

10.20  COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.
       ---------------------------

         This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements
hereto or in connection herewith may be executed in any number of counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single
counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.  This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a
counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Company and
Agents of written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization
of delivery thereof.



                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                      145
<PAGE>
 
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.


         COMPANY:

                                 THE PANTRY, INC.


                                 By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                    --------------------------------
                                 Title: Senior Vice President, Finance
                                        and Chief Financial Officer
                                       -------------------------------


                                 Notice Address:

                                       1801 Douglas Drive
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Post Office Box 1410
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Sanford, NC 27330
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Attention: Corporate Secretary
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Telephone: 919-774-6700
                                       Telecopy:  919-774-3329
                                       ------------------------------

                                      S-1

<PAGE>
 
         LENDERS:

                                 FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                                 individually and as Administrative Agent


                                 By: /s/ MARK FELKER
                                    ---------------------------------
                                 Title: Sr. V.P.
                                       ------------------------------


                                 Notice Address:
                                       
                                       Leveraged Finance Division
                                       ------------------------------
                                       First Union Center
                                       ------------------------------
                                       301 South College Street DC-5
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Charlotte, NC 28288
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Attention: Mark Felker
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Telephone: 704-374-7074
                                       Telecopy:  704-374-3300
                                       ------------------------------

                                      S-2
 
<PAGE>
 
                                 CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                                 individually and as Syndication Agent
                                 By: /s/
                                    --------------------------------
                                 Title: Authorized Signatory
                                       -----------------------------


                                 Notice Address:

                                        ____________________________
                                        ____________________________ 
                                        ____________________________
                                        ____________________________
                                                                               
                                      S-3

<PAGE>
 


                                 AMSOUTH BANK
                                 ------------------------------



                                 By: /s/ ALAN LOTT
                                    --------------------------------
                                 Title: Vice President
                                       -----------------------------


                                 Notice Address: 
                                        
                                        1900 5th Avenue North
                                        ----------------------------
                                        7th Floor
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Birmingham, AL 35203
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Attention: Alan Lott
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Telephone: 205-583-4474
                                        Telecopy:  205-583-4436
                                        ----------------------------

                                      S-4

 
 
<PAGE>
 
                                 BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
                                 -----------------------------------



                                 By: /s/ 
                                    --------------------------------
                                 Title: VP
                                       -----------------------------

                                 By: /s/ 
                                    --------------------------------
                                 Title: Assistant Vice President
                                       -----------------------------


                                 Notice Address:

                                        590 Madison Avenue
                                        ----------------------------
                                        New York, NY 10022-2540
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Attention: Renate Boston
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Telephone: 212-756-5543
                                        Telecopy:  212-756-5536
                                        ---------------------------- 
<PAGE>
 
                                 CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
                                 -----------------------------------



                                 By: /s/ MARK KONEVAL
                                    --------------------------------
                                 Title: VP
                                       -----------------------------



                                 Notice Address:

                                        1301 Avenue of the Americas
                                        ----------------------------
                                        12th Floor
                                        ----------------------------
                                        New York, NY 10019-6022
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Attention: Mark Koneval    
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Telephone: 212-261-7867
                                        Telecopy:  212-459-3176
                                        ---------------------------- 
 
<PAGE>
 

                                 ROYAL BANK OF CANADA                
                                 -----------------------------------



                                 By: /s/ STEVEN YOON 
                                    --------------------------------
                                 Title: Senior Manager
                                       -----------------------------



                                 Notice Address:

                                        Financial Square            
                                        ----------------------------
                                        32 Old Slip 
                                        ----------------------------
                                        23rd Floor                   
                                        ----------------------------
                                        New York, NY 10005-3521
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Attention: Steven Yoon     
                                        ----------------------------
                                        Telephone: 212-428-6429
                                        Telecopy:  212-428-2319
                                        ---------------------------- 
 
                                     S-8 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.14



                           COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT


         This COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
October 23, 1997 and entered into by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("GRANTOR"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent
for and representative of (in such capacity herein called "SECURED PARTY") the
financial institutions ("LENDERS") party to the Credit Agreement referred to
below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as hereinafter defined).


                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

         A.   Secured Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with Grantor pursuant to
which Lenders have made certain commitments, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to
Grantor.

         B.   Grantor may from time to time enter into one or more Interest Rate
Agreements (collectively, the "LENDER INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS") with one or
more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively, "INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS") in
accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, and it is desired that the
obligations of Grantor under the Lender Interest Rate Agreements, including the
obligation of Grantor to make payments thereunder in the event of early
termination thereof, together with all obligations of Grantor under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, be secured hereunder.

         C.   It is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit by
Lenders under the Credit Agreement that Grantor shall have granted the security
interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce
Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement
and to induce Interest Rate Exchangers to enter into the Lender Interest Rate
Agreements, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Grantor hereby agrees with Secured
Party as follows:

         SECTION 1.  GRANT OF SECURITY.  Grantor hereby grants to Secured Party
                     -----------------                                         
a security interest in, all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to the
following, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which Grantor
now has or

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located (the
"COLLATERAL"):

         (a) all equipment in all of its forms, all parts thereof and all
accessions thereto (any and all such equipment, parts and accessions being the
"EQUIPMENT");

         (b) all inventory in all of its forms (including (i) all goods held by
Grantor for sale or lease or to be furnished under contracts of service or so
leased or furnished, (ii) all raw materials, work in process, finished goods,
and materials used or consumed in the manufacture, packing, shipping,
advertising, selling, leasing, furnishing or production of such inventory or
otherwise used or consumed in Grantor's business, (iii) all goods in which
Grantor has an interest in mass or a joint or other interest or right of any
kind, (iv) all goods which are returned to or repossessed by Grantor, and (v)
all accessions thereto and products thereof (all such inventory, accessions and
products being the "INVENTORY") and all negotiable documents of title (including
warehouse receipts, dock receipts and bills of lading) issued by any Person
covering any Inventory (any such negotiable document of title being a
"NEGOTIABLE DOCUMENT OF TITLE");

         (c) all accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, documents,
instruments, general intangibles and other rights and obligations of any kind
and all rights in, to and under all security agreements, leases and other
contracts securing or otherwise relating to any such accounts, contract rights,
chattel paper, documents, instruments, general intangibles or other obligations
(any and all such accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, documents,
instruments, general intangibles and other obligations being the "ACCOUNTS", and
any and all such security agreements, leases and other contracts being the
"RELATED CONTRACTS");

         (d) the agreements listed in Part A of Schedule II annexed hereto, as
                                                -----------                   
each such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time (said agreements, as so amended, supplemented or otherwise modified,
being referred to herein individually as an "ASSIGNED AGREEMENT" and
collectively as the "ASSIGNED AGREEMENTS"), including (i) all rights of Grantor
to receive moneys due or to become due under or pursuant to the Assigned
Agreements, (ii) all rights of Grantor to receive proceeds of any insurance,
indemnity, warranty or guaranty with respect to the Assigned Agreements, (iii)
all claims of Grantor for damages arising out of any breach of or default under
the Assigned Agreements, and (iv) all rights of Grantor to terminate, amend,
supplement, modify or exercise rights or options under the Assigned Agreements,
to perform thereunder and to compel performance and otherwise exercise all
remedies thereunder;

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
         (e) all deposit accounts, including the deposit accounts listed on part
B of Schedule II  annexed hereto and all other deposit accounts maintained with
     ------------                                                              
Secured Party;

         (f) all trademarks, tradenames, tradesecrets, business names, patents,
patent applications, licenses, copyrights, registrations and franchise rights,
and all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing;

         (g) to the extent not included in any other paragraph of this Section
1, all other general intangibles (including tax refunds, rights to payment or
performance, choses in action and judgments taken on any rights or claims
included in the Collateral);

         (h) all plant fixtures, business fixtures and other fixtures and
storage and office facilities, and all accessions thereto and products thereof;

         (i) all books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, computer
programs, tapes, disks and related data processing software that at any time
evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are
otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization
thereupon; and

         (j) all proceeds, products, rents and profits of or from any and all of
the foregoing Collateral and, to the extent not otherwise included, all payments
under insurance (whether or not Secured Party is the loss payee thereof), or any
indemnity, warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or damage to or
otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral.  For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "PROCEEDS" includes whatever is receivable or received when
Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or otherwise disposed of,
whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 1 or otherwise
in this Agreement shall constitute a grant by Grantor of a security interest in
any contract, document, instrument, general intangible, lease, license or other
right of any kind to the extent such a grant of a security interest would, after
giving effect to the provisions of subsection 9-318 of the Uniform Commercial
Code for the relevant jurisdiction, constitute a breach or violation of any term
thereof.

         SECTION 2.  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.  This Agreement secures, and the
                     ------------------------                                  
Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt payment or performance in full
when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration,
acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of
the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. (S)362(a)), of all obligations and liabilities of
every nature of Grantor now or hereafter existing under or arising out of or in
connection with

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Lender Interest Rate
Agreements and all extensions or renewals thereof, whether for principal,
interest (including interest that, but for the filing of a petition in
bankruptcy with respect to Grantor, would accrue on such obligations),
reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, payments for early
termination of Lender Interest Rate Agreements, fees, expenses, indemnities or
otherwise, whether voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others,
and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later
increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or
liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is
avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party, Syndication
Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent
transfer or otherwise and all obligations of every nature of Grantor now or
hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such obligations of Grantor being
the "SECURED OBLIGATIONS").

         SECTION 3.  GRANTOR REMAINS LIABLE.  Anything contained herein to the
                     ----------------------                                   
contrary notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain liable under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to
perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Secured Party of any
of its rights hereunder shall not release Grantor from any of its duties or
obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and
(c) Secured Party shall not have any obligation or liability under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall
Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of
Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for
payment assigned hereunder.

         SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Grantor represents and
                     ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

         (a) Ownership of Collateral.  Except for the security interest created
             -----------------------                                           
by this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, Grantor owns the Collateral
free and clear of any Lien except for Permitted Encumbrances and Liens permitted
under subsections 7.2A(iv) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (with regard to the
Liens permitted under subsections 7.2A(iv) and (v) of the Credit Agreement, only
to the extent such Liens relate to the specific property subject to such Liens).

         (b) Location of Equipment and Inventory.  All of the Equipment and
             -----------------------------------                           
Inventory is, as of the date hereof, located in one of the states (and counties
thereof) specified in Schedule I annexed hereto.
                      ----------                

         (c) Negotiable Documents of Title.  No Negotiable Documents of Title
             -----------------------------                                   
are outstanding with respect to any of the

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Inventory (other than in respect of (i) Inventory with an aggregate value not in
excess of $500,000 or (ii) Inventory which, in the ordinary course of business,
is in transit either (A) from a supplier to Grantor, (B) between Grantor's
retail locations, or (C) to customers of Grantor).

         (d) Office Locations; Other Names.  The chief place of business, the
             -----------------------------                                   
chief executive office and the office where Grantor keeps its records regarding
the Accounts and all originals of all chattel paper that evidence Accounts is,
and has been for the four month period preceding the date hereof, located at the
location(s) specified in Schedule I. Grantor has not in the past five years
                         ----------                                        
done, and does not now do, business under any other name (including any trade-
name or fictitious business name), except as described in Schedule I.
                                                          ---------- 

         (e) Delivery of Certain Collateral.  All notes and other instruments
             ------------------------------                                  
(excluding checks) comprising any and all items of Collateral have been
delivered to Secured Party duly endorsed and accompanied by duly executed
instruments of transfer or assignment in blank.

         SECTION 5.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.
                     ------------------ 

         (a) Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of Grantor,
Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents,
and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured
Party may request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted
or purported to be granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Grantor will:  (i) mark
conspicuously each item of chattel paper included in the Accounts, each Related
Contract and, at the request of Secured Party, each of its records pertaining to
the Collateral, with a legend, in form and substance satisfactory to Secured
Party, indicating that such Collateral is subject to the security interest
granted hereby, (ii) at the request of Secured Party, deliver and pledge to
Secured Party hereunder all promissory notes and other instruments (including
checks) and all original counterparts of chattel paper constituting Collateral,
duly endorsed and accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or
assignment, all in form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party, (iii)
execute and file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments
thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or
desirable, or as Secured Party may request, in order to perfect and preserve the
security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby, (iv) upon the
request of Secured Party, promptly after the acquisition by Grantor of any item
of Equipment which is covered by a certificate of title under a statute of any
jurisdiction under the law of which indication of a security interest on such
certificate is required as a condition of perfection thereof, execute and file
with the registrar of motor vehicles or other

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
appropriate authority in such jurisdiction an application or other document
requesting the notation or other indication of the security interest created
hereunder on such certificate of title, (v) upon the request of Secured Party,
within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, deliver to Administrative
Agent copies of all such applications or other documents filed during such
calendar quarter and copies of all such certificates of title issued during such
calendar quarter indicating the security interest created hereunder in the items
of Equipment covered thereby, (vi) at any reasonable time, upon request by
Secured Party, exhibit the Collateral to and allow inspection of the Collateral
by Secured Party, or persons designated by Secured Party, and (vii) at Secured
Party's request, appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may affect
Grantor's title to or Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of
the Collateral.

         (b) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to file one or more
financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or
any part of the Collateral without the signature of Grantor.  Grantor agrees
that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of a
financing statement signed by Grantor shall be sufficient as a financing
statement and may be filed as a financing statement in any and all
jurisdictions.

         (c) Grantor will furnish to Secured Party from time to time statements
and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other
reports in connection with the Collateral as Secured Party may reasonably
request, all in reasonable detail.

         SECTION 6.  CERTAIN COVENANTS OF GRANTOR.  Grantor shall:
                     ----------------------------                 

         (a) not use or permit any Collateral to be used unlawfully or in
violation of any provision of this Agreement or any applicable statute,
regulation or ordinance or any policy of insurance covering the Collateral;

         (b) notify Secured Party of any change in Grantor's name, identity or
corporate structure within 15 days of such change;

         (c) give Secured Party 30 days' prior written notice of any change in
Grantor's chief place of business, chief executive office or residence or the
office where Grantor keeps its records regarding the Accounts and all originals
of all chattel paper that evidence Accounts;

         (d) if Secured Party gives value to enable Grantor to acquire rights in
or the use of any Collateral, use such value for such purposes; and

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
         (e) pay promptly when due all property and other taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims (including claims
for labor, materials and supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent
the validity thereof is being contested in good faith; provided that Grantor
                                                       --------             
shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims not
later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale under any judgement,
writ or warrant of attachment entered or filed against Grantor or any of the
Collateral as a result of the failure to make such payment.

         SECTION 7.  SPECIAL COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY.
                     ---------------------------------------------------------  
Grantor shall:

         (a) keep the Equipment and Inventory in the jurisdictions specified on
Schedule I annexed hereto or, upon 30 days' prior written notice to Secured
- ----------                                                                 
Party, at such other places in jurisdictions where all action that may be
necessary in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or
purported to be granted hereby, or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with respect to such Equipment and
Inventory shall have been taken;

         (b) cause the Equipment to be maintained and preserved in the same
condition, repair and working order as when new, ordinary wear and tear
excepted, and in accordance with Grantor's past practices.  Grantor shall
promptly furnish to Secured Party a statement respecting any material loss or
damage to any of the Equipment;

         (c) keep correct and accurate records of the Inventory, itemizing and
describing the kind, type and quantity of Inventory, Grantor's cost therefor and
(where applicable) the current list prices for the Inventory;

         (d) if any Inventory is in possession or control of any of Grantor's
agents or processors, if the aggregate book value of all such Inventory exceeds
$500,000, and in any event upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as
defined in the Credit Agreement), instruct such agent or processor to hold all
such Inventory for the account of Secured Party and subject to the instructions
of Secured Party; and

         (e) promptly upon the issuance and delivery to Grantor of any
Negotiable Document of Title (other than any one or more Negotiable Documents of
Title covering (i) Inventory with an aggregate value not in excess of $500,000
or (ii) Inventory which, in the ordinary course of business, is in transit
either (A) from a supplier to Grantor, (B) between Grantor's retail locations,
or (C) to customers of Grantor), deliver such Negotiable Document of Title to
Secured Party.

         SECTION 8.  INSURANCE.  Grantor shall, at its own expense, maintain
                     ---------                                              
insurance with respect to the Equipment and Inventory in accordance with the
terms of the Credit Agreement.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 9.  SPECIAL COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO ACCOUNTS AND RELATED
                     ------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACTS.
- --------- 

         (a) Grantor shall keep its chief place of business and chief executive
office and the office where it keeps its records concerning the Accounts and
Related Contracts, and all originals of all chattel paper that evidence
Accounts, at the location therefor specified in Section 4 or, upon 30 days'
prior written notice to Secured Party, at such other location in a jurisdiction
where all action that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured Party may
request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or
purported to be granted hereby, or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with respect to such Accounts and
Related Contracts shall have been taken.  Grantor will hold and preserve such
records and chattel paper and will permit representatives of Secured Party at
any time during normal business hours to inspect and make abstracts from such
records and chattel paper, and Grantor agrees to render to Secured Party, at
Grantor's cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be
reasonably requested with regard thereto.  Promptly upon the request of Secured
Party, Grantor shall deliver to Secured Party complete and correct copies of
each Related Contract.

         (b) Grantor shall, for not less than 5 years from the date on which
such Account arose, maintain (i) complete records of each Account, including
records of all payments received, credits granted and merchandise returned, and
(ii) all documentation relating thereto.

         (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (c), Grantor shall
continue to collect, at its own expense, all amounts due or to become due to
Grantor under the Accounts and Related Contracts.  In connection with such
collections, Grantor may take (and, at Secured Party's direction, shall take)
such action as Grantor or Secured Party may deem necessary or advisable to
enforce collection of amounts due or to become due under the Accounts; provided,
                                                                       -------- 
however, that Secured Party shall have the right at any time, upon the
- -------                                                               
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and upon written
notice to Grantor of its intention to do so, to notify the account debtors or
obligors under any Accounts of the assignment of such Accounts to Secured Party
and to direct such account debtors or obligors to make payment of all amounts
due or to become due to Grantor thereunder directly to Secured Party, to notify
each Person maintaining a lockbox or similar arrangement to which account
debtors or obligors under any Accounts have been directed to make payment to
remit all amounts representing collections on checks and other payment items
from time to time sent to or deposited in such lockbox or other arrangement
directly to Secured Party and, upon such notification and at the expense of
Grantor, to enforce collection of any such Accounts and to adjust, settle or
compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same
extent as Grantor might have done.  After receipt by Grantor of the notice from

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Secured Party referred to in the proviso to the preceding sentence, (i) all
                                 -------                                   
amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by
Grantor in respect of the Accounts and the Related Contracts shall be received
in trust for the benefit of Secured Party hereunder, shall be segregated from
other funds of Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or delivered to Secured
Party in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement) to be
held as cash Collateral and applied as provided by Section 18, and (ii) Grantor
shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any Account, or
release wholly or partly any account debtor or obligor thereof, or allow any
credit or discount thereon.

         SECTION 10.  SPECIAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSIGNED
                      -----------------------------------------------
AGREEMENTS.

         (a)  Grantor shall at its expense:

              (i) perform and observe all terms and provisions of the Assigned
    Agreements to be performed or observed by it, maintain the Assigned
    Agreements in full force and effect, enforce the Assigned Agreements in
    accordance with their terms, and take all such action to such end as may be
    from time to time requested by Secured Party; and

              (ii) furnish to Secured Party, promptly upon receipt thereof,
    copies of all notices, requests and other documents received by Grantor
    under or pursuant to the Assigned Agreements, and from time to time (A)
    furnish to Secured Party such information and reports regarding the Assigned
    Agreements as Secured Party may reasonably request and (B) upon request of
    Secured Party make such demands and requests for information and reports or
    for action as Grantor is entitled to make under the Assigned Agreements.

         (b)  Grantor shall not:

              (i) cancel or terminate any of the Assigned Agreements or consent
    to or accept any cancellation or termination thereof;

              (ii) amend or otherwise modify the Assigned Agreements or give any
    consent, waiver or approval thereunder;

              (iii)  waive any default under or breach of the Assigned
    Agreements;

              (iv) consent to or permit or accept any prepayment of amounts to
    become due under or in connection with the Assigned Agreements, except as
    expressly provided therein; or

              (v) take any other action in connection with the Assigned
    Agreements that would impair the value of the

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
    interest or rights of Grantor thereunder or that would impair the interest
    or rights of Secured Party.

         SECTION 11.  DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.  Upon the occurrence and during the
                      ----------------                                     
continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party may exercise dominion and
control over, and refuse to permit further withdrawals (whether of money,
securities, instruments or other property) from any deposit accounts maintained
with Secured Party constituting part of the Collateral.

         SECTION 12.  LICENSE OF PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, ETC.  Grantor
                      -----------------------------------------------          
hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to Secured Party, effective upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default, the nonexclusive right and license to use
all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents or technical processes owned or
used by Grantor that relate to the Collateral and any other collateral granted
by Grantor as security for the Secured Obligations, together with any goodwill
associated therewith, all to the extent necessary to enable Secured Party to
use, possess and realize on the Collateral and to enable any successor or assign
to enjoy the benefits of the Collateral.  This right and license shall inure to
the benefit of all successors, assigns and transferees of Secured Party and its
successors, assigns and transferees, whether by voluntary conveyance, operation
of law, assignment, transfer, foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or
otherwise.  Such right and license is granted free of charge, without
requirement that any monetary payment whatsoever be made to Grantor.

         SECTION 13.  TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS.  Grantor shall not:
                      -------------------------                     

         (a) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise
dispose of any of the Collateral, except as permitted by the Credit Agreement;
provided that in the event Grantor makes an Asset Sale or sale and lease-back
- --------                                                                     
transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement and the assets subject to such
Asset Sale or sale and lease-back transaction constitute Collateral, Secured
Party shall release the Collateral that is the subject of such Asset Sale to
Grantor free and clear of any Lien and security interest under this Agreement or
any other Collateral Document concurrently with the consummation of such Asset
Sale or sale and lease-back transaction; provided, further that, as a condition
                                         --------  -------                     
precedent to such release, Secured Party shall have received evidence
satisfactory to it that arrangements satisfactory to it have been made for
delivery to Secured Party of that amount of Net Asset Sale Proceeds required to
be delivered to Secured Party under the Credit Agreement; or

         (b) except for the security interest created by this Agreement, create
or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral to
secure the indebtedness or other obligations of any Person, except as otherwise
permitted under subsections 7.2A(iv) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (with
regard to the Liens permitted under sections 7.2A(iv) and (v) of

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
the Credit Agreement, only to the extent such Liens relate to the specific
property subject to such Liens).  If Grantor proposes to obtain financing
permitted under Section 7.1(iii) of the Credit Agreement with respect to any
asset acquired after the Closing Date ("PERMITTED CAPEX FINANCING"), Secured
Party will either (a) with respect to such asset, subordinate the Lien and
security interest created hereunder to the Lien securing such Permitted CapEx
Financing by a subordination agreement reasonably acceptable to Secured Party
and the provider thereof or (b) if Grantor has not been able, after reasonable
effort, to get the provider of such Permitted CapEx Financing to agree to
subordination, Secured Party will release the Lien and security interest granted
hereunder in such asset.

         SECTION 14.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Grantor hereby
                      ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Grantor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of Grantor and in the name of Grantor, Secured
Party or otherwise, from time to time in Secured Party's discretion, upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default, to take any action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party
may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement,
including:

         (a) to obtain and adjust insurance required to be maintained by Grantor
or paid to Secured Party pursuant to Section 8;

         (b) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive
and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in
respect of any of the Collateral;

         (c) to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments,
documents and chattel paper in connection with clauses (a) and (b) above;

         (d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings
that Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of
the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of Secured Party with respect
to any of the Collateral;

         (e) to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Liens permitted
under this Agreement or the Credit Agreement) levied or placed upon or
threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the
amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by Secured Party in its
sole discretion, any such payments made by Secured Party to become obligations
of Grantor to Secured Party, due and payable immediately without demand;

         (f) to sign and endorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills
of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments,
verifications and notices in

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
connection with Accounts and other documents relating to the Collateral; and

         (g) generally to sell, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with
respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely
as though Secured Party were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to
do, at Secured Party's option and Grantor's expense, at any time or from time to
time, all acts and things that Secured Party deems necessary to protect,
preserve or realize upon the Collateral and Secured Party's security interest
therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and
effectively as Grantor might do.

         SECTION 15.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Grantor fails to perform
                      -------------------------                              
any agreement contained herein within the period provided herein, upon
reasonable notice, Secured Party may itself perform, or cause performance of,
such agreement, and the expenses of Secured Party incurred in connection
therewith shall be payable by Grantor under subsection 10.2 of the Credit
Agreement.

         SECTION 16.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                      ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not
impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers.  Except for the exercise of
reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the
accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to
preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any
Collateral.  Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in
the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral
is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured Party accords
its own property.

         SECTION 17.  REMEDIES.  If any Event of Default shall have occurred and
                      --------                                                  
be continuing, Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in
addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise
available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the
"CODE") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected Collateral), and also
may (a) require Grantor to, and Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its
expense and upon request of Secured Party forthwith, assemble all or part of the
Collateral as directed by Secured Party and make it available to Secured Party
at a place to be designated by Secured Party that is reasonably convenient to
both parties, (b) enter onto the property where any Collateral is located and
take possession thereof with or without judicial process, (c) prior to the
disposition of the Collateral, store, process, repair or recondition the
Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for disposition in any manner to
the extent Secured Party deems appropriate, (d) take possession of Grantor's
premises or place

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
custodians in exclusive control thereof, remain on such premises and use the
same and any of Grantor's equipment for the purpose of completing any work in
process, taking any actions described in the preceding clause (c) and collecting
any Secured Obligation, and (e) without notice except as specified below, sell
the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private
sale, at any of Secured Party's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for
future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such
other terms as Secured Party may deem commercially reasonable.  Secured Party or
any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any or all of the
Collateral at any such public sale and, to the extent permitted by law, private
sale, and Secured Party, as agent for and representative of Lenders and Interest
Rate Exchangers (but not any Lender or Lenders or Interest Rate Exchanger or
Interest Rate Exchangers in its or their respective individual capacities unless
Requisite Obligees (as defined in Section 20(a)) shall otherwise agree in
writing), shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or
payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at
any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a
credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by Secured
Party at such sale.  Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property
sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of Grantor, and Grantor
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of
redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the
future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.
Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at
least ten days' notice to Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or
the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
notification.  Secured Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of
Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given.  Secured Party may
adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time
and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at
the time and place to which it was so adjourned.  Grantor hereby waives any
claims against Secured Party arising by reason of the fact that the price at
which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the
price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if Secured Party
accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than
one offeree.  If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral
are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Grantor shall be liable for
the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by Secured Party to
collect such deficiency.

         SECTION 18.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  Except as expressly provided
                      -----------------------                               
elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by Secured Party in respect
of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of
the Collateral shall be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 19.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                      -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and
shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of the
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Grantor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its successors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise.
Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor.  Upon any
such termination Secured Party will, at Grantor's expense, execute and deliver
to Grantor such documents as Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination.

         SECTION 20.  SECURED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
                      ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder
by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, Interest Rate
Exchangers.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this
Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that Secured Party shall exercise,
                                    --------                                   
or refrain from exercising, any remedies provided for in Section 17 in
accordance with the instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment
in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional amount (or, with
respect to any Lender Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in
accordance with its terms, the amount then due and payable (exclusive of
expenses and similar payments but including any early termination payments then
due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate
Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if applicable, such holders being referred to
herein as "REQUISITE OBLIGEES").  In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 20(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the
benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon
any of the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Interest
Rate Exchanger that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by
Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers in
accordance with the terms of this Section 20(a).

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
         (b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person that is
Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.  Written notice of resignation
by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party under this Agreement;
and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5
of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor Secured
Party under this Agreement.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor
Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement, and the retiring
or removed Secured Party under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to
such successor Secured Party all sums, securities and other items of Collateral
held hereunder, together with all records and other documents necessary or
appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor
Secured Party under this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to such
successor Secured Party such amendments to financing statements, and take such
other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the
assignment to such successor Secured Party of the security interests created
hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed Secured Party shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations under this Agreement.  After any retiring or
removed Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Secured
Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement while it was
Secured Party hereunder.

         SECTION 21.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination
                      ---------------                                          
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Grantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification, by Grantor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

         SECTION 22.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication herein
                      -------                                           
required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally
served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail or courier
service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by
courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days
after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly
addressed.  For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall be
as provided in subsection 10.8 of the Credit Agreement.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 23.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation
                      ------------                                         
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         SECTION 24.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this
                      --------                                          
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any
substantive effect.

         SECTION 25.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
                      --------------------                                    
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER,
OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY
THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  Unless otherwise
defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the
Uniform Commercial Code in the State of New York are used herein as therein
defined.

         SECTION 26.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or
                      ------------                                           
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to
the same document.


                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Secured Party have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.


                             THE PANTRY, INC., as Grantor



                             By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                 -------------------
                               Title: Senior V.P.


                             FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Secured Party



                             By: /s/ MARK FELKER
                                 ---------------
                               Title: Senior V.P.


                                      S-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                EXHIBIT 10.15


                            COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT



          This COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
October 23, 1997 and entered into by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("PLEDGOR"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent
for and representative of (in such capacity herein called "SECURED PARTY") the
financial institutions ("LENDERS") party to the Credit Agreement referred to
below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as hereinafter defined).


                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS


          A.   Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of (i) the shares of
stock (the "PLEDGED SHARES") described in Part A of Schedule I annexed hereto
                                                    ----------               
and issued by the corporations named therein and (ii) the indebtedness (the
"PLEDGED DEBT") described in Part B of said Schedule I and issued by the
                                            ----------                  
obligors named therein.

          B.   Secured Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with Pledgor pursuant to
which Lenders have made certain commitments, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to
Pledgor.

          C.   Pledgor may from time to time enter into one or more Interest
Rate Agreements (collectively, the "LENDER INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS") with one
or more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively, "INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS") in
accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, and it is desired that the
obligations of Pledgor under the Lender Interest Rate Agreements, including the
obligation of Pledgor to make payments thereunder in the event of early
termination thereof, together with all obligations of Pledgor under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, be secured hereunder.

          D.   It is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit
by Lenders under the Credit Agreement that Pledgor shall have granted the
security interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this
Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to
induce Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of credit under the Credit
Agreement and to induce Interest Rate

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
Exchangers to enter into the Lender Interest Rate Agreements, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, Pledgor hereby agrees with Secured Party as follows:

          SECTION 1.  PLEDGE OF SECURITY.  Pledgor hereby pledges and assigns to
                      ------------------                                        
Secured Party, and hereby grants to Secured Party a security interest in, all of
Pledgor's right, title and interest in and to the following (the "PLEDGED
COLLATERAL"):

          (a) the Pledged Shares and the certificates representing the Pledged
Shares and any interest of Pledgor in the entries on the books of any financial
intermediary pertaining to the Pledged Shares, and all dividends, cash,
warrants, rights, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
any or all of the Pledged Shares;

          (b) the Pledged Debt and the instruments evidencing the Pledged Debt,
and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to
time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
for any or all of the Pledged Debt;

          (c) all additional shares of, and all securities convertible into and
warrants, options and other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, stock of
any issuer of the Pledged Shares from time to time acquired by Pledgor in any
manner (which shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), the
certificates or other instruments representing such additional shares,
securities, warrants, options or other rights and any interest of Pledgor in the
entries on the books of any financial intermediary pertaining to such additional
shares, and all dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments and other
property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such additional
shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights;

          (d) all additional indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by
any obligor on the Pledged Debt and the instruments evidencing such
indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds
from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or
in exchange for any or all of such indebtedness;

          (e) all shares of, and all securities convertible into and warrants,
options and other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, stock of any Person
that, after the date of this Agreement, becomes, as a result of any occurrence,
a direct Restricted Subsidiary of Pledgor (which shares shall be deemed to be
part of the Pledged Shares), the certificates or other instruments representing
such shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights and any interest of
Pledgor in the entries on the books of any financial intermediary pertaining to

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
such shares, and all dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instru ments and other
property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares,
securities, warrants, options or other rights;

          (f) all indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by any Person
that, after the date of this Agreement, becomes, as a result of any occurrence,
a direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of Pledgor, and all interest, cash,
instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
of such indebtedness; and

          (g) to the extent not covered by clauses (a) through (f) above, all
proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Pledged Collateral.  For purposes of
this Agreement, the term "PROCEEDS" includes whatever is receivable or received
when Pledged Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or otherwise
disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes
proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty payable to Pledgor or Secured Party from
time to time with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral.

          SECTION 2.  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.  This Agreement secures, and the
                      ------------------------                                  
Pledged Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt payment or performance
in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment,
declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts
that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section
362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. (S)362(a)), of all obligations and
liabilities of every nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing under or
arising out of or in connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and the Lender Interest Rate Agreements and all extensions or renewals
thereof, whether for principal, interest (including interest that, but for the
filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Pledgor, would accrue on such
obligations), reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, payments
for early termination of Lender Interest Rate Agreements, fees, expenses,
indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect,
absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed
with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and
later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations
or liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is
avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party, Syndication
Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent
transfer or otherwise, and all obligations of every nature of Pledgor now or
hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such obligations of Pledgor being
the "SECURED OBLIGATIONS").

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 3.  DELIVERY OF PLEDGED COLLATERAL.  All certificates or
                      ------------------------------                      
instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Collateral shall be delivered
to and held by or on behalf of Secured Party pursuant hereto and shall be in
suitable form for transfer by delivery or, as applicable, shall be accompanied
by Pledgor's endorsement, where necessary, or duly executed instruments of
transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance satisfactory to
Secured Party.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement), Secured Party shall have the
right, without notice to Pledgor, to transfer to or to register in the name of
Secured Party or any of its nominees any or all of the Pledged Collateral,
subject only to the revocable rights specified in Section 7(a).  In addition,
Secured Party shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates or
instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or
instruments of smaller or larger denominations.

          SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Pledgor represents and
                      ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

          (a) Due Authorization, etc. of Pledged Collateral.  All of the Pledged
              ---------------------------------------------                     
Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable.  All of the Pledged Debt has been duly authorized, authenticated or
issued, and delivered and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
issuers thereof and is not in default.

          (b) Description of Pledged Collateral.  The Pledged Shares constitute
              ---------------------------------                                
all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of each issuer thereof, and
there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or other
agree ments outstanding with respect to, or property that is now or hereafter
convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any Pledged Shares.
The Pledged Debt constitutes all of the issued and outstanding intercompany
indebtedness evidenced by a promissory note of the respective issuers thereof
owing to Pledgor.

          (c) Ownership of Pledged Collateral.  Pledgor is the legal, record and
              -------------------------------                                   
beneficial owner of the Pledged Collateral free and clear of any Lien except for
the security interest created by this Agreement or any other Collateral Document
or Permitted Encumbrances.

          SECTION 5.  TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS; ADDITIONAL PLEDGED COLLATERAL;
                      ---------------------------------------------------------
ETC.  Pledgor shall:
- ----                

          (a) not, except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, (i)
sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or
grant any option with respect to, any of the Pledged Collateral, (ii) create or
suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral,
except for the security interest under this Agreement, or (iii) permit any
issuer of Pledged Shares to merge or consolidate unless all the

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
outstanding capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation is, upon
such merger or consolidation, pledged hereunder and no cash, securities or other
property is distributed in respect of the outstanding shares of any other
constituent corporation; provided that in the event Pledgor makes an Asset Sale
                         --------                                              
permitted by the Credit Agreement and the assets subject to such Asset Sale are
Pledged Collateral, Secured Party shall release the Pledged Collateral that is
the subject of such Asset Sale to Pledgor free and clear of any Lien and
security interest under this Agreement or any other Collateral Document
concurrently with the consummation of such Asset Sale; provided, further that,
                                                       --------  -------      
as a condition precedent to such release, Secured Party shall have received
evidence satisfactory to it that arrangements satisfactory to it have been made
for delivery to Secured Party of the Net Asset Sale Proceeds of such Asset Sale
to the extent required under the Credit Agreement;

          (b) (i) cause each issuer of Pledged Shares not to issue any stock or
other securities in addition to or in substitution for the Pledged Shares issued
by such issuer, except to Pledgor, (ii) pledge hereunder, immediately upon its
acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all additional shares of
stock or other securities of each issuer of Pledged Shares, and (iii) pledge
hereunder, immediately upon its acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof,
any and all shares of stock of any Person that, after the date of this
Agreement, becomes, as a result of any occurrence, a direct Restricted
Subsidiary of Pledgor;

          (c) (i) pledge hereunder, immediately upon their issuance, any and all
instruments or other evidences of additional indebtedness from time to time owed
to Pledgor by any obligor on the Pledged Debt, and (ii) pledge hereunder,
immediately upon their issuance, any and all instruments or other evidences of
indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by any Person that after the date
of this Agreement becomes, as a result of any occurrence, a direct or indirect
Restricted Subsidiary of Pledgor;

          (d) promptly notify Secured Party of any event of which Pledgor
becomes aware causing loss of the Pledged Collateral;

          (e) promptly deliver to Secured Party all written notices received by
it with respect to the Pledged Collateral; and

          (f) pay promptly when due all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims against, the Pledged Collateral,
except to the extent the validity thereof is being contested in good faith;
                                                                           
provided that Pledgor shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges,
- --------                                                                      
levies or claims not later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale
under any judgement, writ or warrant of

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
attachment entered or filed against Pledgor or any of the Pledged Collateral as
a result of the failure to make such payment.

          SECTION 6.  FURTHER ASSURANCES; PLEDGE AMENDMENTS.
                      ------------------------------------- 

          (a) Pledgor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of Pledgor,
Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents,
and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured
Party may request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted
or purported to be granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Pledged
Collateral.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Pledgor will:
(i) execute and file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments
thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or
desirable, or as Secured Party may request, in order to perfect and preserve the
security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby and (ii) at Secured
Party's request, appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may affect
Pledgor's title to or Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of
the Pledged Collateral.

          (b) Pledgor further agrees that it will, upon obtaining any additional
shares of stock or other securities required to be pledged hereunder as provided
in Section 5(b) or (c), promptly (and in any event within five Business Days)
deliver to Secured Party a Pledge Amendment, duly executed by Pledgor, in
substantially the form of Schedule II annexed hereto (a "PLEDGE AMENDMENT"), in
                          -----------                                          
respect of the additional Pledged Shares or Pledged Debt to be pledged pursuant
to this Agreement.  Pledgor hereby authorizes Secured Party to attach each
Pledge Amendment to this Agreement and agrees that all Pledged Shares or Pledged
Debt listed on any Pledge Amendment delivered to Secured Party shall for all
purposes hereunder be considered Pledged Collateral; provided that the failure
                                                     --------                 
of Pledgor to execute a Pledge Amendment with respect to any additional Pledged
Shares or Pledged Debt pledged pursuant to this Agreement shall not impair the
security interest of Secured Party therein or otherwise adversely affect the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder with respect thereto.

          SECTION 7.  VOTING RIGHTS; DIVIDENDS; ETC.
                      ------------------------------

          (a) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing:

          (i) Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other
     consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof
     for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the
     Credit Agreement; provided, however, that Pledgor shall not exercise or
                       --------  -------                                    
     refrain from exercising any such right if Secured Party shall have notified
     Pledgor that, in Secured Party's judgment, such action would have a
     material adverse

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     effect on the value of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof; and
                                                                           
     provided, further, that Pledgor shall give Secured Party at least five
     --------  -------                                                     
     Business Days' prior written notice of the manner in which it intends to
     exercise, or the reasons for refraining from exercising, any such right.
     It is understood, however, that neither (A) the voting by Pledgor of any
     Pledged Shares for or Pledgor's consent to the election of directors at a
     regularly scheduled annual or other meeting of stockholders or with respect
     to incidental matters at any such meeting nor (B) Pledgor's consent to or
     approval of any action otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the
     Credit Agreement shall be deemed inconsistent with the terms of this
     Agreement or the Credit Agreement within the meaning of this Section
     7(a)(i), and no notice of any such voting or consent need be given to
     Secured Party;

          (ii) Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain, and to utilize
     free and clear of the lien of this Agreement, any and all dividends and
     interest paid in respect of the Pledged Collateral; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
     any and all

               (A) dividends and interest paid or payable other than in cash in
          respect of, and instruments and other property received, receivable or
          otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged
          Collateral,

               (B) dividends and other distributions paid or payable in cash in
          respect of any Pledged Collateral in connection with a partial or
          total liquidation or dissolution or in connection with a reduction of
          capital, capital surplus or paid-in-surplus, and

               (C) cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of
          principal or in redemption of or in exchange for any Pledged
          Collateral,

     shall be, and shall forthwith be delivered to Secured Party to hold as,
     Pledged Collateral and shall, if received by Pledgor, be received in trust
     for the benefit of Secured Party, be segregated from the other property or
     funds of Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to Secured Party as Pledged
     Collateral in the same form as so received (with all necessary
     indorsements); and

          (iii)  Secured Party shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to
     be executed and delivered) to Pledgor all such proxies, dividend payment
     orders and other instruments as Pledgor may from time to time reasonably
     request for the purpose of enabling Pledgor to exercise the voting and
     other consensual rights which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to
     paragraph (i) above and to receive the dividends, principal or interest
     payments which it is

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     authorized to receive and retain pursuant to paragraph (ii) above.

          (b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default:

          (i) upon written notice from Secured Party to Pledgor, all rights of
     Pledgor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it would
     otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 7(a)(i) shall cease,
     and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in Secured Party who
     shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other
     consensual rights;

          (ii) all rights of Pledgor to receive the dividends and interest
     payments which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain
     pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) shall cease, and all such rights shall
     thereupon become vested in Secured Party who shall thereupon have the sole
     right to receive and hold as Pledged Collateral such dividends and interest
     payments; and

          (iii)  all dividends, principal and interest pay ments which are
     received by Pledgor contrary to the provi sions of paragraph (ii) of this
     Section 7(b) shall be received in trust for the benefit of Secured Party,
     shall be segregated from other funds of Pledgor and shall forthwith be paid
     over to Secured Party as Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received
     (with any necessary indorsements).

          (c) In order to permit Secured Party to exercise the voting and other
consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section
7(b)(i) and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be
entitled to receive under Section 7(a)(ii) or Section 7(b)(ii), (i) Pledgor
shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to
Secured Party all such proxies, dividend payment orders and other instruments as
Secured Party may from time to time reasonably request and (ii) without limiting
the effect of the immediately preceding clause (i), Pledgor hereby grants to
Secured Party an irrevocable proxy to vote the Pledged Shares and to exercise
all other rights, powers, privileges and remedies to which a holder of the
Pledged Shares would be entitled (including giving or withholding written
consents of shareholders, calling special meetings of shareholders and voting at
such meetings), which proxy shall be effective, automatically and without the
necessity of any action (including any transfer of any Pledged Shares on the
record books of the issuer thereof) by any other Person (including the issuer of
the Pledged Shares or any officer or agent thereof), upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default and which proxy shall only terminate upon the payment in full
of the Secured Obligations.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 8.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Pledgor hereby
                      ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor, Secured
Party or otherwise, from time to time in Secured Party's discretion to take any
action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including:

          (a) to file one or more financing or continuation statements, or
amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Pledged Collateral
without the signature of Pledgor; and

          (b) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default;

               (i) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive
     and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or
     in respect of any of the Pledged Collateral;

               (ii) to receive, endorse and collect any instruments made payable
     to Pledgor representing any divi dend, principal or interest payment or
     other distribution in respect of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof
     and to give full discharge for the same; and

               (iii)  to file any claims or take any action or institute any
     proceedings that Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable for the
     collection of any of the Pledged Collateral or otherwise to enforce the
     rights of Secured Party with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral.

          SECTION 9.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Pledgor fails to perform
                      -------------------------                              
any agreement contained herein after the period in which such performance is
required, and after reasonable notice, Secured Party may itself perform, or
cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of Secured Party incurred
in connection therewith shall be payable by Pledgor under Section 14.

          SECTION 10.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                       ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Pledged Collateral and shall
not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers.  Except for the
exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any Pledged Collateral in its
possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder,
Secured Party shall have no duty as to any Pledged Collateral, it being
understood that Secured Party shall have no responsibility for (a) ascertaining
or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities,
tenders or other matters relating to any Pledged Collateral, whether or not
Secured Party has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, (b) taking any
necessary steps (other than steps taken in accordance with the standard of care
set forth above to maintain possession of

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
the Pledged Collateral) to preserve rights against any parties with respect to
any Pledged Collateral, (c) taking any necessary steps to collect or realize
upon the Secured Obligations or any guarantee therefor, or any part thereof, or
any of the Pledged Collateral, or (d) initiating any action to protect the
Pledged Collateral against the possibility of a decline in market value.
Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody
and preservation of Pledged Collateral in its possession if such Pledged
Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured Party
accords its own property consisting of negotiable securities.

          SECTION 11.  REMEDIES.
                       -------- 

          (a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Pledged Collateral, in addition to
all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it,
all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the "CODE") (whether
or not the Code applies to the affected Pledged Collateral), and Secured Party
may also in its sole discretion, without notice except as specified below, sell
the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or
private sale, at any exchange or broker's board or at any of Secured Party's
offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such time
or times and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as Secured Party
may deem commercially reasonable, irrespective of the impact of any such sales
on the market price of the Pledged Collateral.  Secured Party or any Lender or
Interest Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any or all of the Pledged
Collateral at any such public sale and, to the extent permitted by law, private
sale, and Secured Party, as agent for and representative of Lenders and Interest
Rate Exchangers (but not any Lender or Lenders or Interest Rate Exchanger or
Interest Rate Exchangers in its or their respective individual capacities unless
Requisite Obligees (as defined in Section 16(a)) shall otherwise agree in
writing), shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or
payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Pledged Collateral
sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as
a credit on account of the purchase price for any Pledged Collateral payable by
Secured Party at such sale.  Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the
property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of Pledgor,
and Pledgor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights
of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the
future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.
Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at
least ten days' notice to Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or
the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
notification.  Secured Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of Pledged
Collateral regardless of notice of sale

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
having been given.  Secured Party may adjourn any public or private sale from
time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale
may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so
adjourned.  Pledgor hereby waives any claims against Secured Party arising by
reason of the fact that the price at which any Pledged Collateral may have been
sold at such a private sale was less than the price which might have been
obtained at a public sale, even if Secured Party accepts the first offer
received and does not offer such Pledged Collateral to more than one offeree.
If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral are
insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Pledgor shall be liable for the
deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by Secured Party to collect
such deficiency.

          (b) Pledgor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions
contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, Secured
Party may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the
Pledged Collateral conducted without prior registration or qualification of such
Pledged Collateral under the Securities Act and/or such state securities laws,
to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the
Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to
the distribution or resale thereof.  Pledgor acknowledges that any such private
sales may be at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable through
a public sale without such restrictions (including a public offering made
pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act) and,
notwithstanding such circumstances and the registration rights granted to
Secured Party by Pledgor pursuant to Section 12, Pledgor agrees that the effect
of the foregoing in respect of any such private sale shall not be deemed per se
                                                                         --- --
to cause such private sale to have not been made in a commercially reasonable
manner and that Secured Party shall have no obligation to engage in public sales
and no obligation to delay the sale of any Pledged Collateral for the period of
time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public
sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable state
securities laws, even if such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it.

          (c) If Secured Party determines to exercise its right to sell any or
all of the Pledged Collateral, upon written request, Pledgor shall and shall
cause each issuer of any Pledged Shares to be sold hereunder from time to time
to furnish to Secured Party all such information as Secured Party may request in
order to determine the number of shares and other instruments included in the
Pledged Collateral which may be sold by Secured Party in exempt transactions
under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect.

          SECTION 12.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  If Secured Party shall determine to
                       -------------------                                      
exercise its right to sell all or any of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
Section 11, Pledgor agrees that,

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
upon request of Secured Party (which request may be made by Secured Party in its
sole discretion), Pledgor will, at its own expense:

          (a) execute and deliver, and use its best efforts to cause each issuer
of the Pledged Collateral contemplated to be sold and the directors and officers
thereof to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or
cause to be done all such other acts and things, as may be necessary or, in the
opinion of Secured Party, advisable to file a registration statement covering
such Pledged Collateral under the provisions of the Securities Act and to use
its best efforts to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become
effective and to remain effective for such period as prospectuses are required
by law to be furnished, and to make all amendments and supplements thereto and
to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of Secured Party, are necessary
or advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable
thereto;

          (b) use its best efforts to qualify the Pledged Collateral under all
applicable state securities or "Blue Sky" laws and to obtain all necessary
governmental approvals for the sale of the Pledged Collateral, as requested by
Secured Party;

          (c) cause each such issuer to make available to its security holders,
as soon as practicable, an earnings statement which will satisfy the provisions
of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

          (d) use its best efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts
and things as may be necessary to make such sale of the Pledged Collateral or
any part thereof valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law; and

          (e) bear all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
of carrying out its obligations under this Section 12.

          Pledgor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained
in this Section 12 will cause irreparable injury to Secured Party, that Secured
Party has no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a
consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 12 shall be
specifically enforceable against Pledgor, and Pledgor hereby waives and agrees
not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such
covenants except for a defense that no default has occurred giving rise to the
Secured Obligations becoming due and payable prior to their stated maturities.
Nothing in this Section 12 shall in any way alter the rights of Secured Party
under Section 11.

          SECTION 13.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  All proceeds received by
                       -----------------------                           
Secured Party in respect of any sale of, collection

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Pledged Collateral shall
be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 14.  INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.  Without limiting the generality
                       ----------------------                                  
of subsections 10.2 and 10.3 of the Credit Agreement, in the event of any public
sale described in Section 12, Pledgor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
Secured Party, Syndication Agent, each Lender and each Interest Rate Exchanger
and each of their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and
against any loss, fee, cost, expense, damage, liability or claim, joint or
several, to which any such Persons may become subject or for which any of them
may be liable, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
fees, costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (or any litigation
commenced or threatened in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
preliminary prospectus, registration statement, prospectus or other such
document published or filed in connection with such public sale, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse Secured Party and such other Persons for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by Secured Party and such other Persons in connection with
any litigation, of any nature whatsoever, com menced or threatened in respect
thereof (including any and all fees, costs and expenses whatsoever reasonably
incurred by Secured Party and such other Persons and counsel for Secured Party
and such other Persons in investigating, preparing for, defending against or
providing evidence, producing documents or taking any other action in respect
of, any such commenced or threatened litigation or any claims asserted).  This
indemnity shall be in addition to any liability which Pledgor may otherwise have
and shall extend upon the same terms and conditions to each Person, if any, that
controls Secured Party or such Persons within the meaning of the Securities Act.

          SECTION 15.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                       -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Pledged Collateral
and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of all
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Pledgor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its succes sors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or other
wise.  Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or
expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted
hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Pledged Collateral shall revert to
Pledgor.  Upon any such termination Secured Party will, at Pledgor's expense,
execute and deliver to Pledgor such documents as Pledgor shall reasonably
request to evidence such termination and Pledgor shall be entitled to the
return, upon its request and at its expense, against receipt and without
recourse to Secured Party, of such of the Pledged Collateral as shall not have
been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof.

          SECTION 16.  SECURED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
                       ------------------------------------- 

          (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder
by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, Interest Rate
Exchangers.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Pledged Collateral), solely in accordance with
this Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that Secured Party shall
                                         --------                         
exercise, or refrain from exercising, any remedies provided for in Section 11 in
accordance with the instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment
in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional amount (or, with
respect to any Lender Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in
accordance with its terms, the amount then due and payable (exclusive of
expenses and similar payments but including any early termination payments then
due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate
Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if applicable, such holders being referred to
herein as "REQUISITE OBLIGEES").  In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 16(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the
benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon
any of the Pledged Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such
Interest Rate Exchanger that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised
solely by Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers
in accordance with the terms of this Section 16(a).

          (b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person that is
Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.  Written notice of resignation
by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party under this Agreement;
and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5
of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor Secured
Party under this Agreement.  Upon the acceptance of any

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
appointment as Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement
by a successor Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement, and
the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement shall promptly (i)
transfer to such successor Secured Party all sums, securities and other items of
Collateral held hereunder, together with all records and other documents
necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the
successor Secured Party under this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to
such successor Secured Party such amendments to financing statements, and take
such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the
assignment to such successor Secured Party of the security interests created
hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed Secured Party shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations under this Agreement.  After any retiring or
removed Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Secured
Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement while it was
Secured Party hereunder.

          SECTION 17.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination
                       ---------------                                          
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Pledgor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification, by Pledgor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

          SECTION 18.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication herein
                       -------                                           
required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally
served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail or courier
service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by
courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days
after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly
addressed.  For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall be
as provided in subsection 10.8 of the Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 19.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation
                       ------------                                         
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

          SECTION 20.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this
                       --------                                          
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any
substantive effect.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 21.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
                       --------------------                                    
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER,
OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR PLEDGED COLLATERAL ARE
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  Unless
otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms used in Articles 8
and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the State of New York are used herein as
therein defined.

          SECTION 22.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or
                       ------------                                           
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to
the same document.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and Secured Party have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

                              THE PANTRY, INC., as Pledgor



                              By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                  -------------------
                                Title: Senior V.P.



                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Secured Party



                              By: /s/ MARK FELKER
                                  ---------------
                                Title: Senior V.P.



                                      S-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.16



                      COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT


         This TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
October 23, 1997 and entered into by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("GRANTOR"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent
for and representative of (in such capacity herein called "SECURED PARTY") the
financial institutions ("LENDERS") party to the Credit Agreement referred to
below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as hereinafter defined).

                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

         A.   Secured Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with Grantor pursuant to
which Lenders have made certain commitments, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to
Grantor.

         B.   Grantor may from time to time enter into one or more Interest Rate
Agreements (collectively, the "LENDER INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS") with one or
more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively, "INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS") in
accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, and it is desired that the
obligations of Grantor under the Lender Interest Rate Agreements to which it is
a party, including the obligations of Grantor to make payments thereunder in the
event of early termination thereof, together with all obligations of Grantor
under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, be secured hereunder.

         C.   Grantor owns and uses in its business, and will in the future
adopt and so use, various intangible assets, including trademarks, service
marks, designs, logos, indicia, tradenames, corporate names, company names,
business names, fictitious business names, trade styles and/or other source
and/or business identifiers and applications pertaining thereto (collectively,
the "TRADEMARKS").

         D.   Secured Party desires to become a secured creditor with respect to
all of the existing and future Trademarks, all registrations that have been or
may hereafter be issued or applied for thereon in the United States and any
state thereof (the "REGISTRATIONS"), all common law and other rights in and to
the Trademarks in the United States and any state thereof (the "TRADEMARK
RIGHTS"), all goodwill of Grantor's business symbolized by the Trademarks and
associated therewith, including without limitation the documents and things
described in Section

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
1(b) (the "ASSOCIATED GOODWILL"), and all proceeds of the Trademarks, the
Registrations, the Trademark Rights and the Associated Goodwill, and Grantor
agrees to create a secured and protected interest in the Trademarks, the
Registrations, the Trademark Rights, the Associated Goodwill and all the
proceeds thereof as provided herein.

         E.   Grantor has executed and delivered a Company Security Agreement
dated as of October 23, 1997 (the "SECURITY AGREEMENT") between Grantor and
Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to which Grantor has granted
Secured Party a security interest in all of its personal property, including
without limitation, the Collateral (as defined below), which Security Agreement
is to be supplemented by this Agreement, and it is desired that all obligations
of Grantor under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Lender
Interest Rate Agreements to which it is a party, including the obligation of
Grantor to make payments thereunder in the event of early termination thereof,
be secured hereunder.

         F.   Pursuant to the Security Agreement, Grantor has granted to Secured
Party a lien on and security interest in, among other assets, the equipment and
inventory relating to the products and services sold or delivered under or in
connection with the Trademarks such that, upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party would be able to exercise its
remedies consistent with the Security Agreement, this Agreement and applicable
law to foreclose upon Grantor's business and use the Trademarks, the
Registrations and the Trademark Rights in conjunction with the continued
operation of such business, maintaining substantially the same product and
service specifications and quality as maintained by Grantor, and benefit from
the Associated Goodwill.

         G.   Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, and to permit Secured Party to operate Grantor's business without
interruption and to use the Trademarks, Registrations, Trademark Rights and
Associated Goodwill in conjunction therewith, Grantor is willing to appoint
Secured Party as Grantor's attorney-in-law and attorney-in-fact to execute
documents and take actions consistent therewith.

         H.   It is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit by
Lenders under the Credit Agreement that Grantor shall have granted the security
interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce
Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement
as well as to induce Interest Rate Exchangers to enter into the Lender Interest
Rate Agreements, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Grantor hereby agrees with Secured
Party as follows:

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 1.  GRANT OF SECURITY.  Grantor hereby grants to Secured Party
                     -----------------                                         
a security interest in all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to the
following, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which Grantor
now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located
(the "COLLATERAL"):

         (a) each of the Trademarks and rights and interests in Trademarks which
are presently, or in the future may be, owned, held (whether pursuant to a
license or otherwise) or used by Grantor, in whole or in part (including,
without limitation, the Trademarks specifically identified in Schedule A annexed
                                                              ----------        
hereto, as the same may be amended pursuant hereto from time to time), and
including all Trademark Rights with respect thereto and all federal and state
Registrations therefor heretofore or hereafter granted or applied for, the right
(but not the obligation) to register claims under any state or federal trademark
law and to apply for, renew and extend the Trademarks, Registrations and
Trademark Rights, the right (but not the obligation) to sue or bring opposition
or cancellation proceedings in the name of Grantor or in the name of Secured
Party or otherwise for past, present and future infringements of the Trademarks,
Registrations or Trademark Rights and all rights (but not obligations)
corresponding thereto in the United States, and the Associated Goodwill; it
being understood that the rights and interests included herein shall include,
without limitation, all rights and interests pursuant to licensing or other
contracts in favor of Grantor pertaining to the Trademarks, Registrations or
Trademark Rights presently or in the future owned or used by third parties but,
in the case of third parties which are not Affiliates of Grantor, only to the
extent permitted by such licensing or other contracts and, if not so permitted,
only with the consent of such third parties;

         (b) the following documents and things in Grantor's possession, or
subject to Grantor's right to possession, related to (Y) the production, sale
and delivery by Grantor, or by any Affiliate, licensee or subcontractor of
Grantor, of products or services sold or delivered by or under the authority of
Grantor in connection with the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights
(which products and services shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to
include, without limitation, products and services sold or delivered pursuant to
merchandising operations utilizing any Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark
Rights); or (Z) any retail or other merchandising operations conducted under the
name of or in connection with the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights
by Grantor or any Affiliate, licensee or subcontractor of Grantor:

              (i) all lists and ancillary documents that identify and describe
    any of Grantor's customers, or those of its Affiliates, licensees or
    subcontractors, for products sold and services delivered under or in
    connection with the Trademarks or Trademark Rights, including without
    limitation any lists and ancillary documents that contain a customer's

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
    name and address, the name and address of any of its warehouses, branches or
    other places of business, the identity of the Person or Persons having the
    principal responsibility on a customer's behalf for ordering products or
    services of the kind supplied by Grantor, or the credit, payment, discount,
    delivery or other sale terms applicable to such customer, together with
    information setting forth the total purchases, by brand, product, service,
    style, size or other criteria, and the patterns of such purchases;

              (ii) all product and service specification documents and
    production and quality control manuals used in the manufacture or delivery
    of products and services sold or delivered under or in connection with the
    Trademarks or Trademark Rights;

              (iii)  all documents which reveal the name and address of any
    source of supply, and any terms of purchase and delivery, for any and all
    materials, components and services used in the production of products and
    services sold or delivered under or in connection with the Trademarks or
    Trademark Rights; and

              (iv) all documents constituting or concerning the then current or
    proposed advertising and promotion by Grantor or its Affiliates, licensees
    or subcontractors of products and services sold or delivered under or in
    connection with the Trademarks or Trademark Rights including, without
    limitation, all documents which reveal the media used or to be used and the
    cost for all such advertising conducted within the described period or
    planned for such products and services;

         (c) all general intangibles relating to the Collateral;

         (d) all books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, computer
programs, tapes, disks and related data processing software that at any time
evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are
otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization
thereupon; and

         (e) all proceeds, products, rents and profits (including without
limitation license royalties and proceeds of infringement suits) of or from any
and all of the foregoing Collateral and, to the extent not otherwise included,
all payments under insurance (whether or not Secured Party is the loss payee
thereof), or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or
damage to or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral.  For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "PROCEEDS" includes whatever is receivable
or received when Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or
otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 2.  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.  This Agreement secures, and the
                     ------------------------                                  
Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt payment or performance in full
when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration,
acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of
the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. (S)362(a)), of all obligations and liabilities of
every nature of Grantor now or hereafter existing under or arising out of or in
connection with the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Lender
Interest Rate Agreements and all extensions or renewals thereof, whether for
principal, interest (including without limitation interest that, but for the
filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Grantor, would accrue on such
obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Grantor for such interest
in the related bankruptcy proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, payments for early termination of Lender Interest Rate
Agreements, fees, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or
involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from
time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred,
and all or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the
extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or
indirectly from Secured Party, Syndication Agent, any Lender or Interest Rate
Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise (all such
obligations and liabilities being the "UNDERLYING DEBT"), and all obligations of
every nature of Grantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such
obligations of Grantor, together with the Underlying Debt, being the "SECURED
OBLIGATIONS").

         SECTION 3.  GRANTOR REMAINS LIABLE.  Anything contained herein to the
                     ----------------------                                   
contrary notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain liable under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to
perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Secured Party of any
of its rights hereunder shall not release Grantor from any of its duties or
obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and
(c) Secured Party shall not have any obligation or liability under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall
Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of
Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for
payment assigned hereunder.

         SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Grantor represents and
                     ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

         (a) Description of Collateral.  A true and complete list of all
             -------------------------                                  
Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights owned, held (whether pursuant to
a license or otherwise) or used by

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Grantor, in whole or in part, as of the date of this Agreement and which are
material to the operation of the business of Grantor is set forth in Schedule A
                                                                     ----------
annexed hereto.

         (b) Validity and Enforceability of Collateral.  Each of the Trademarks,
             -----------------------------------------                          
Registrations and Trademark Rights that is owned by Grantor and is material to
the financial condition or business of Grantor is valid, subsisting and
enforceable.  Grantor is not aware of any pending or threatened claim by any
third party that any such Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights is
invalid or unenforceable or that the use of any of the Trademarks, Registrations
or Trademark Rights violates the rights of any third person or of any basis for
any such claim.

         (c) Ownership of Collateral.  Except for the security interest created
             -----------------------                                           
by this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, Grantor owns the Collateral
free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances).  Except such as
may have been filed in favor of Secured Party relating to this Agreement, (i) no
effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all
or any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording office and
(ii) no effective filing covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

         (d) Office Locations; Other Names.  The chief place of business, the
             -----------------------------                                   
chief executive office and the office where Grantor keeps its records regarding
the Collateral is, and has been for the four month period preceding the date
hereof, located at the location identified in Schedule B attached hereto.
                                              ----------                  
Grantor has not in the past five years done, and does not now do, business under
any other name (including any trade-name or fictitious business name), except as
set forth in Schedule B attached hereto.
             ----------                 

         (e) Governmental Authorizations.  Except as contemplated by Sections
             ---------------------------                                     
1(a) and 4(f) hereof, no authorization, approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is
required for either (i) the grant by Grantor of the security interest hereby,
(ii) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Grantor, or
(iii) the perfection of or the exercise by Secured Party of its rights and
remedies hereunder in the United States (except as may have been taken by or at
the direction of Grantor).

         (f) Perfection.  This Agreement, together with the filing of financing
             ----------                                                        
statements describing the Collateral with the Secretary of State of the State of
North Carolina, and the recording of this Agreement with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office, which have been made or will be made promptly
following the Closing Date, creates a valid, perfected and, except for Permitted
Encumbrances, First Priority security interest in the Collateral, securing the
payment of the Secured

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Obligations; provided that additional actions may be required with respect to
             --------                                                        
the perfection of proceeds of the Collateral.

         (g) Other Information.  All information heretofore, herein or hereafter
             -----------------                                                  
supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of Grantor with respect to the
Collateral is accurate and complete in all material respects.

         SECTION 5.  FURTHER ASSURANCES; NEW TRADEMARKS, REGISTRATIONS AND
                     -----------------------------------------------------
TRADEMARK RIGHTS.
- ---------------- 

         (a) Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of Grantor,
Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents,
and take all further action, that may be necessary in order to perfect and
protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to
enable Secured Party to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder
with respect to any Collateral.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Grantor will:  (i) at the request of Secured Party, mark
conspicuously each of its records pertaining to the Collateral with a legend, in
form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party, indicating that such
Collateral is subject to the security interest granted hereby, (ii) execute and
file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such
other instruments or notices, as may be necessary in order to perfect and
preserve the security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby,
(iii)at the reasonable request of Secured Party use its best efforts to obtain
any necessary consents of third parties to the grant and perfection of a
security interest and assignment to Secured Party with respect to any
Collateral, (iv) at any reasonable time, upon request by Secured Party, exhibit
the Collateral to and allow inspection of the Collateral by Secured Party, or
persons designated by Secured Party, and (v) at Secured Party's request, appear
in and defend any action or proceeding that may affect Grantor's title to or
Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of the Collateral.

         (b) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to file one or more
financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or
any part of the Collateral without the signature of Grantor.  Grantor agrees
that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of a
financing statement signed by Grantor shall be sufficient as a financing
statement and may be filed as a financing statement in any and all
jurisdictions.

         (c) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to modify this Agreement
without obtaining Grantor's approval of or signature to such modification by
amending Schedule A annexed hereto to include reference to any right, title or
         ----------                                                           
interest in any existing Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right or any
Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right acquired or developed by Grantor
after the execution hereof or to delete any reference to any right, title or
interest in any Trademark, Registration or

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Trademark Right in which Grantor no longer has or claims any right, title or
interest.

         (d) Grantor will furnish to Secured Party from time to time statements
and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other
reports in connection with the Collateral as Secured Party may reasonably
request, all in reasonable detail.

         (e) If Grantor shall obtain rights to any new Trademarks, Registrations
or Trademark Rights, the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply
thereto.  Grantor shall promptly notify Secured Party in writing of any rights
to any new Trademarks or Trademark Rights acquired by Grantor after the date
hereof and of any Registrations issued or applications for Registration made
after the date hereof. Concurrently with the filing of an application for
Registration for any Trademark, Grantor shall execute, deliver and record in all
places where this Agreement is recorded an appropriate Trademark Collateral
Security Agreement, substantially in the form hereof, with appropriate
insertions, or an amendment to this Agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to Secured Party, pursuant to which Grantor shall grant a security
interest to the extent of its interest in such Registration as provided herein
to Secured Party unless so doing would, in the reasonable judgment of Grantor,
after due inquiry, result in the grant of a Registration in the name of Secured
Party, in which event Grantor shall give written notice to Secured Party as soon
as reasonably practicable and the filing shall instead be undertaken as soon as
practicable but in no case later than immediately following the grant of the
Registration.

         SECTION 6.  CERTAIN COVENANTS OF GRANTOR.  Grantor shall:
                     ----------------------------                 

         (a) not use or permit any Collateral to be used unlawfully or in
violation of any provision of this Agreement or any applicable statute,
regulation or ordinance or any policy of insurance covering the Collateral;

         (b) notify Secured Party of any change in Grantor's name, identity or
corporate structure within 15 days of such change;

         (c) give Secured Party 30 days' prior written notice of any change in
Grantor's chief place of business or chief executive office or the office where
Grantor keeps its records regarding the Collateral;

         (d) pay promptly when due all property and other taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims (including claims
for labor, materials and supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent
the validity thereof is being contested in good faith; provided that Grantor
                                                       --------             
shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges,

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
levies or claims not later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale
under any judgement, writ or warrant of attachment entered or filed against
Grantor or any of the Collateral as a result of the failure to make such
payment;

         (e) not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise
dispose of any of the Collateral, except as permitted herein or by the Credit
Agreement; provided that in the event Grantor makes an Asset Sale permitted by
           --------                                                           
the Credit Agreement and the assets subject to such Asset Sale constitute
Collateral, Secured Party shall release the Collateral that is the subject of
such Asset Sale to Grantor free and clear of any Lien and security interest
under this Agreement or any other Collateral Document concurrently with the
consummation of such Asset Sale; provided, further that, as a condition
                                 --------  -------                     
precedent to such release, Secured Party shall have received evidence
satisfactory to it that arrangements satisfactory to it have been made for
delivery to Secured Party of that amount of Net Asset Sale Proceeds required to
be delivered to Secured Party under the Credit Agreement;

         (f) except for the security interest created by this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, not create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect
to any of the Collateral to secure the indebtedness or other obligations of any
Person except for Permitted Encumbrances;

         (g) keep reasonable records respecting the Collateral and at all times
keep at least one complete set of its records concerning substantially all of
the Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights at its chief executive office
or principal place of business;

         (h) not permit the inclusion in any contract to which it becomes a
party of any provision that could impair in any material respect or prevent the
creation of a security interest in, or the assignment of, Grantor's rights and
interests in any property included within the definitions of any Trademarks,
Registrations, Trademark Rights and Associated Goodwill acquired under such
contracts;

         (i) take all reasonable steps necessary to protect the secrecy of all
trade secrets relating to the products and services sold or delivered under or
in connection with the Trademarks and Trademark Rights, including without
limitation entering into confidentiality agreements with employees and labeling
and restricting access to secret information and documents;

         (j) use proper statutory notice in connection with its use of each of
the Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights;

         (k) use consistent standards of high quality (which may be consistent
with Grantor's past practices) in the

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
manufacture, sale and delivery of products and services sold or delivered under
or in connection with the Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights,
including, to the extent applicable, in the operation and maintenance of its
retail stores and other merchandising operations; and

         (l) upon any officer of Grantor obtaining knowledge thereof, promptly
notify Secured Party in writing of any event that may materially and adversely
affect the value of the Collateral or any material portion thereof, the ability
of Grantor or Secured Party to dispose of the Collateral or any material portion
thereof, or the rights and remedies of Secured Party in relation thereto,
including without limitation the levy of any legal process against the
Collateral or any material portion thereof.

         SECTION 7. CERTAIN INSPECTION RIGHTS.  Grantor hereby grants to Secured
                    -------------------------                                   
Party and its employees, representatives and agents the right to visit Grantor's
and any of its Affiliate's or subcontractor's plants, facilities and other
places of business that are utilized in connection with the manufacture,
production, inspection, storage or sale of products and services sold or
delivered under any of the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights (or
which were so utilized during the prior six month period), and to inspect the
quality control and all other records relating thereto upon reasonable notice to
Grantor and as often as may be reasonably requested.

         SECTION 8.  AMOUNTS PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF THE COLLATERAL.  Except as
                     --------------------------------------------            
otherwise provided in this Section 8, Grantor shall continue to collect, at its
own expense, all amounts due or to become due to Grantor in respect of the
Collateral or any portion thereof.  In connection with such collections, Grantor
may take (and, at Secured Party's direction, shall take) such action as Grantor
or Secured Party may deem necessary or advisable to enforce collection of such
amounts; provided, however, that Secured Party shall have the right at any time,
         --------  -------                                                      
upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and upon
written notice to Grantor of its intention to do so, to notify the obligors with
respect to any such amounts of the existence of the security interest created
and to direct such obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to
Secured Party, and, upon such notification and at the expense of Grantor, to
enforce collection of any such amounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the
amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as Grantor
might have done.  After receipt by Grantor of the notice from Secured Party
referred to in the proviso to the preceding sentence, (i) all amounts and
                   -------                                               
proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by Grantor in respect
of amounts due to Grantor in respect of the Collateral or any portion thereof
shall be received in trust for the benefit of Secured Party hereunder, shall be
segregated from other funds of Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or
delivered to Secured Party in the same form as so received (with any necessary
endorsement) to be held as cash Collateral and applied as

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
provided by Section 16, and (ii) Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise
the amount or payment of any such amount or release wholly or partly any obligor
with respect thereto or allow any credit or discount thereon.

         SECTION 9. TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS AND LITIGATION.
                    ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Grantor shall have the duty diligently, through counsel reasonably
acceptable to Secured Party, to prosecute any trademark application relating to
any of the Trademarks specifically identified in Schedule A annexed hereto that
                                                 ----------                    
is pending as of the date of this Agreement, to make federal application on any
existing or future registerable but unregistered Trademarks, and to file and
prosecute opposition and cancellation proceedings, renew Registrations and do
any and all acts which are necessary or desirable to preserve and maintain all
rights in all Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights.  Any expenses
incurred in connection therewith shall be borne solely by Grantor.  Grantor
shall not abandon any Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right that is
material in value or to the conduct of Grantor's business without prior notice
to, and the express consent of, Secured Party.

         (b) Except as provided in Section 9(d), Grantor shall have the right to
commence and prosecute in its own name, as real party in interest, for its own
benefit and at its own expense, such suits, proceedings or other actions for
infringement, unfair competition, dilution or other damage as are in its
reasonable business judgment necessary to protect the Collateral. Secured Party
shall provide, at Grantor's expense, all reasonable and necessary cooperation in
connection with any such suit, proceeding or action including, without
limitation, joining as a necessary party.

         (c) Grantor shall promptly, following its becoming aware thereof,
notify Secured Party of the institution of, or of any adverse determination in,
any proceeding (whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any
federal, state, local or foreign court) described in Section 9(a) or 9(b) or
regarding Grantor's claim of ownership in or right to use any of the Trademarks,
Registrations or Trademark Rights, its right to register the same, or its right
to keep and maintain such Registration.  Grantor shall provide to Secured Party
any information with respect thereto requested by Secured Party.

         (d) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party
shall have the right (but not the obligation) to bring suit, in the name of
Grantor, Secured Party or otherwise, to enforce any Trademark, Registration,
Trademark Right, Associated Goodwill and any license thereunder, in which event
Grantor shall, at the request of Secured Party, do any and all lawful acts and
execute any and all documents required by Secured Party in aid of such
enforcement and Grantor shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
and indemnify Secured Party as provided in Section 17 in connection with the
exercise of its rights under this Section 9.  To the extent that Secured Party
shall elect not to bring suit to enforce any Trademark, Registration, Trademark
Right, Associated Goodwill or any license thereunder as provided in this Section
9(d), Grantor agrees to use all reasonable measures, whether by action, suit,
proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the infringement of any of the Trademarks,
Registrations, Trademark Rights or Associated Goodwill by others and for that
purpose agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any
Person so infringing necessary to prevent such infringement.

         SECTION 10.  NON-DISTURBANCE AGREEMENTS, ETC.  If and to the extent
                      --------------------------------                      
that Grantor is permitted to license the Collateral, Secured Party shall enter
into a non-disturbance agreement or other similar arrangement, at Grantor's
request and expense, with Grantor and any licensee of any Collateral permitted
hereunder in form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party pursuant to which
(a) Secured Party shall agree not to disturb or interfere with such licensee's
rights under its license agreement with Grantor so long as such licensee is not
in default thereunder and (b) such licensee shall acknowledge and agree that the
Collateral licensed to it is subject to the security interest created in favor
of Secured Party and the other terms of this Agreement.

         SECTION 11.  REASSIGNMENT OF COLLATERAL.  If (a) an Event of Default
                      --------------------------                             
shall have occurred and, by reason of cure, waiver, modification, amendment or
otherwise, no longer be continuing, (b) no other Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (c) an assignment to Secured Party of any rights,
title and interests in and to the Collateral shall have been previously made and
shall have become absolute and effective pursuant to Section 12(f) or Section
15(b), and (d) the Secured Obligations shall not have become immediately due and
payable, upon the written request of Grantor and the written consent of Secured
Party, Secured Party shall promptly execute and deliver to Grantor such
assignments as may be necessary to reassign to Grantor any such rights, title
and interests as may have been assigned to Secured Party as aforesaid, subject
to any disposition thereof that may have been properly made by Secured Party
pursuant hereto; provided that, after giving effect to such reassignment,
                 --------                                                
Secured Party's security interest granted pursuant to Section 1, as well as all
other rights and remedies of Secured Party granted hereunder, shall continue to
be in full force and effect; and provided, further that the rights, title and
                                 --------  -------                           
interests so reassigned shall be free and clear of all Liens other than Liens
(if any) encumbering such rights, title and interest at the time of their
assignment to Secured Party and Permitted Encumbrances.

         SECTION 12.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Grantor hereby
                      ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Grantor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Grantor and in the name of Grantor, Secured Party or otherwise, from time to
time in Secured Party's discretion, upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, to take any
action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including without
limitation:

         (a) to endorse Grantor's name on all applications, documents, papers
and instruments necessary for Secured Party in the use or maintenance of the
Collateral;

         (b) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive
and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in
respect of any of the Collateral;

         (c) to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments,
documents and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;

         (d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings
that Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of
the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of Secured Party with respect
to any of the Collateral;

         (e) to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Liens permitted
under this Agreement or the Credit Agreement) levied or placed upon or
threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the
amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by Secured Party in its
sole discretion, any such payments made by Secured Party to become obligations
of Grantor to Secured Party, due and payable immediately without demand; and

         (f) (i) to execute and deliver any of the assignments or documents
requested by Secured Party pursuant to Section 15(b), (ii) to grant or issue an
exclusive or non-exclusive license to the Collateral or any portion thereof to
any Person, and (iii) otherwise generally to sell, transfer, pledge, make any
agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully
and completely as though Secured Party were the absolute owner thereof for all
purposes, and to do, at Secured Party's option and Grantor's expense, at any
time or from time to time, all acts and things that are reasonably necessary to
protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and Secured Party's security
interest therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully
and effectively as Grantor might do.

         SECTION 13.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Grantor fails to perform
                      -------------------------                              
any agreement contained herein during the period provided herein, upon
reasonable notice, Secured Party may itself perform, or cause performance of,
such agreement, and the

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
expenses of Secured Party incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by
Grantor under Section 17.

         SECTION 14.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                      ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not
impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers.  Except for the exercise of
reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the
accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to
preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any
Collateral.  Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in
the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral
is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured Party accords
its own property.

         SECTION 15.  REMEDIES.  If any Event of Default shall have occurred and
                      --------                                                  
be continuing:

         (a) Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in
addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise
available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the
"CODE") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected Collateral), and also
may (i) require Grantor to, and Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its
expense and upon request of Secured Party forthwith, assemble all or part of the
Collateral as directed by Secured Party and make it available to Secured Party
at a place to be designated by Secured Party that is reasonably convenient to
both parties, (ii) enter onto the property where any Collateral is located and
take possession thereof with or without judicial process, (iii) prior to the
disposition of the Collateral, store the Collateral or otherwise prepare the
Collateral for disposition in any manner to the extent Secured Party deems
appropriate, (iv) take possession of Grantor's premises or place custodians in
exclusive control thereof, remain on such premises and use the same for the
purpose of taking any actions described in the preceding clause (iii) and
collecting any Secured Obligation, (v) exercise any and all rights and remedies
of Grantor under or in connection with the contracts related to the Collateral
or otherwise in respect of the Collateral, including without limitation any and
all rights of Grantor to demand or otherwise require payment of any amount
under, or performance of any provision of, such contracts, and (vi) without
notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one
or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of Secured Party's offices or
elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and
at such price or prices and upon such other terms as Secured Party may deem
commercially reasonable.  Secured Party, any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger
may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at any such public sale
and, to the extent permitted by law, private sale, and Secured Party, as agent
for

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
and representative of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers (but not any Lender
or Lenders, Interest Rate Exchanger or Interest Rate Exchangers in its or their
respective individual capacities unless Requisite Lenders and Requisite Obligees
(as defined in Section 19(a)) shall otherwise agree in writing), shall be
entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the
purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public
sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of
the purchase price for any Collateral payable by Secured Party at such sale.
Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free
from any claim or right on the part of Grantor, and Grantor hereby waives (to
the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or
appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule
of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.  Grantor agrees that, to
the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten days' notice to
Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any
private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification.  Secured
Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice
of sale having been given.  Secured Party may adjourn any public or private sale
from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such
sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was
so adjourned.  Grantor hereby waives any claims against Secured Party arising by
reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at
such a private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a
public sale, even if Secured Party accepts the first offer received and does not
offer such Collateral to more than one offeree.  If the proceeds of any sale or
other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the Secured
Obligations, Grantor shall be liable for the deficiency and the fees of any
attorneys employed by Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

         (b) Upon written demand from Secured Party, Grantor shall execute and
deliver to Secured Party an assignment or assignments of the Trademarks,
Registrations, Trademark Rights and the Associated Goodwill and such other
documents as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes
of this Agreement.

         SECTION 16.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  Except as expressly provided
                      -----------------------                               
elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by Secured Party in respect
of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of
the Collateral shall be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.

         SECTION 17.  INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.
                      ---------------------- 

         (a) Grantor agrees to indemnify Secured Party, Syndication Agent, each
Lender and each Interest Rate Exchanger from and against any and all claims,
losses and liabilities in

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
any way relating to, growing out of or resulting from this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, enforcement of
this Agreement), except to the extent such claims, losses or liabilities result
solely from Secured Party's, Syndication Agent's, such Lender's or such Interest
Rate Exchanger's gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by
a court of competent jurisdiction.

         (b) Grantor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the amount of any
and all costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody,
preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, any of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of
any of the rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Grantor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

         SECTION 18.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                      -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and
shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of the
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Grantor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its successors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise.
Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor.  Upon any
such termination Secured Party will, at Grantor's expense, execute and deliver
to Grantor such documents as Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination.

         SECTION 19.  SECURED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
                      ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder
by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, Interest Rate
Exchangers.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including,
without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in
accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that Secured
                                                         --------             
Party shall exercise, or refrain from exercising, any remedies provided for in
Section 15

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
in accordance with the instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after
payment in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional amount (or, with
respect to any Lender Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in
accordance with its terms, the amount then due and payable (exclusive of
expenses and similar payments but including any early termination payments then
due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate
Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if applicable, such holders being referred to
herein as "REQUISITE OBLIGEES").  In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 19(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the
benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon
any of the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Interest
Rate Exchanger that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by
Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers in
accordance with the terms of this Section 19(a).

         (b) Written notice of resignation by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute notice of
resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement; removal of Administrative
Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
removal as Secured Party under this Agreement; and appointment of a successor
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute appointment of a successor Secured Party under this Agreement.
Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent under subsection
9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor Administrative Agent, that successor
Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Secured Party
under this Agreement, and the retiring or removed Secured Party under this
Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Secured Party all sums,
securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder, together with all
records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the
performance of the duties of the successor Secured Party under this Agreement,
and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Secured Party such amendments to
financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or
appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Secured Party of
the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed
Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.  After any retiring or removed Administrative Agent's resignation or
removal hereunder as Secured Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure
to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this
Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.

         SECTION 20.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination
                      ---------------                                          
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Grantor therefrom,

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed
by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or modification, by
Grantor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

         SECTION 21.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication herein
                      -------                                           
required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally
served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or mail or courier service and shall be
deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon
receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days after depositing it in
the mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed.  For the purposes hereof,
the address of each party hereto shall be as provided in subsection 10.8 of the
Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 22.  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  No
                      -----------------------------------------------------     
failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in the exercise of any power,
right or privilege hereunder shall impair such power, right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege.
All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not
exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

         SECTION 23.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation
                      ------------                                         
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         SECTION 24.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this
                      --------                                          
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any
substantive effect.

         SECTION 25.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
                      --------------------                                    
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES,
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE VALIDITY OR PERFECTION OF
THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY
PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.  Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement,
terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the State of
New York are used herein as therein defined.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 26.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  ALL
                      ----------------------------------------------      
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST GRANTOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT
GRANTOR ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY
ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.  Grantor hereby
agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding in any such court may
be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to Grantor at
its address provided in Section 21, such service being hereby acknowledged by
Grantor to be sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against Grantor
in any such court and to be otherwise effective and binding service in every
respect.  Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of Secured Party to bring
proceedings against Grantor in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

         SECTION 27.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  GRANTOR AND SECURED PARTY HEREBY
                      --------------------                                   
AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  The scope of this waiver is
intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including
without limitation contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all
other common law and statutory claims.  Grantor and Secured Party each
acknowledge that this waiver is a material inducement for Grantor and Secured
Party to enter into a business relationship, that Grantor and Secured Party have
already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will
continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Grantor and
Secured Party further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver
with its legal counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS
IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING,
AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS
OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of litigation, this Agreement
may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

         SECTION 28.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or
                      ------------                                           
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to
the same document.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
                                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Secured Party have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.



                             THE PANTRY, INC.,
                             as Grantor



                             By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                 -------------------
                             Title: Senior V.P.
                                    ----------------


                             FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                             as Secured Party



                             By: /s/ MARK FELKER
                                 ---------------
                             Title: Senior V.P.
                                    ------------


                                      S-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                              EXHIBIT 10.17



                          COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT



          This COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
October 23, 1997 and entered into by and between THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("PLEDGOR"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent
for and representative of (in such capacity herein called "SECURED PARTY") the
financial institutions ("LENDERS") party to the Credit Agreement referred to
below.


                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

          A.  Secured Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with Pledgor pursuant to
which Lenders have made certain commitments, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to
Pledgor.

          B.  It is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit by
Lenders under the Credit Agreement that Pledgor shall have granted the security
interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to
induce Lenders to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit under the Credit
Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Pledgor hereby agrees with Secured
Party as follows:

          SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.  The following terms used in this
                     -------------------                                   
Agreement shall have the following meanings:

          "COLLATERAL" means (i) the Collateral Account, (ii) all amounts on
deposit from time to time in the Collateral Account, (iii) all interest, cash,
instruments, securities and other property from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
of the Collateral, and (iv) to the extent not covered by clauses (i) through
(iii) above, all proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Collateral.

          "COLLATERAL ACCOUNT" means the restricted deposit account established
and maintained by Secured Party pursuant to Section 2(a).

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
          "SECURED OBLIGATIONS" means all obligations and liabilities of every
nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing under or arising out of or in
connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all
extensions or renewals thereof, whether for principal, interest (including
interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to
Pledgor, would accrue on such obligations), reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, fees, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary
or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from
time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred,
and all or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the
extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or
indirectly from Secured Party, Syndication Agent or any Lender as a preference,
fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and all obligations of every nature of Pledgor
now or hereafter existing under this Agreement.

          SECTION 2.  ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.
                      ------------------------------------------------- 

          (a) Secured Party is hereby authorized to establish and maintain at
its office at [One First Union Center TW-10, 301 S. College Street, Charlotte,
North Carolina  28288-0608], as a blocked account in the name of Secured Party
and under the sole dominion and control of Secured Party, a restricted deposit
account designated as "The Pantry, Inc. Collateral Account".

          (b) The Collateral Account shall be operated in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.

          (c) All amounts at any time held in the Collateral Account shall be
beneficially owned by Pledgor but shall be held in the name of Secured Party
hereunder, for the benefit of Lenders, as collateral security for the Secured
Obligations upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.  Pledgor shall have
no right to withdraw, transfer or, except as expressly set forth herein,
otherwise receive any funds deposited into the Collateral Account.

          (d) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Collateral Account shall be subject to such applicable laws, and such applicable
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of any
other appropriate banking or governmental authority, as may now or hereafter be
in effect.

          SECTION 3.  DEPOSITS OF CASH COLLATERAL.
                      --------------------------- 

          (a) All deposits of funds in the Collateral Account shall be made by
wire transfer (or, if applicable, by intra-bank transfer from another account of
Pledgor) of immediately available funds, in each case addressed as follows:

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
               Account No.:
               ABA No.:
               Reference:
               Attention:

Pledgor shall, promptly after initiating a transfer of funds to the Collateral
Account, give notice to Secured Party by telefacsimile of the date, amount and
method of delivery of such deposit.

          (b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, in
accordance with Section 8 of the Credit Agreement or if Company fails to
refinance all of the then outstanding principal amount of Senior Notes pursuant
to subsection 7.1(vi) by April 30, 2002, Pledgor is required to pay to Secured
Party an amount (the "AGGREGATE AVAILABLE AMOUNT") equal to the maximum amount
that may at any time be drawn under all Letters of Credit then outstanding under
the Credit Agreement, Pledgor shall deliver funds in such an amount for deposit
in the Collateral Account in accordance with Section 3(a).  If for any reason
the aggregate amount delivered by Pledgor for deposit in the Collateral Account
as aforesaid is less than the Aggregate Available Amount, the aggregate amount
so delivered by Pledgor shall be apportioned among all outstanding Letters of
Credit for purposes of this Section 3(b) in accordance with the ratio of the
maximum amount available for drawing under each such Letter of Credit (as to
such Letter of Credit, the "MAXIMUM AVAILABLE AMOUNT") to the Aggregate
Available Amount.  Upon any drawing under any outstanding Letter of Credit in
respect of which Pledgor has deposited in the Collateral Account any amounts
described above, Secured Party shall apply such amounts to reimburse the Issuing
Lender for the amount of such drawing.  In the event of cancellation or
expiration of any Letter of Credit in respect of which Pledgor has deposited in
the Collateral Account any amounts described above, or in the event of any
reduction in the Maximum Available Amount under such Letter of Credit, Secured
Party shall apply the amount then on deposit in the Collateral Account in
respect of such Letter of Credit (less, in the case of such a reduction, the
                                  ----                                      
Maximum Avail able Amount under such Letter of Credit immediately after such
reduction) first, to the payment of any amounts payable to Secured Party
           -----                                                        
pursuant to Section 13, second, to the extent of any excess, to the cash
                        ------                                          
collateralization pursuant to the terms of this Agreement of any outstanding
Letters of Credit in respect of which Pledgor has failed to pay all or a portion
of the amounts described above (such cash collateralization to be apportioned
among all such Letters of Credit in the manner described above), third, to the
                                                                 -----        
extent of any further excess, to the payment of any other outstanding Secured
Obligations in such order as Secured Party shall elect, and fourth, to the
                                                            ------        
extent of any further excess, to the payment to whomsoever shall be lawfully
entitled to receive such funds.

          SECTION 4.  PLEDGE OF SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  Pledgor
                      ------------------------------------------          
hereby pledges and assigns to Secured Party, and hereby

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
grants to Secured Party a security interest in, all of Pledgor's right, title
and interest in and to the Collateral as collateral security for the prompt
payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required
prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the
payment of amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic
stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. (S)362(a)), of all
Secured Obligations.

          SECTION 5.  NO INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS IN THE COLLATERAL ACCOUNT;
                      ---------------------------------------------------
INTEREST ON AMOUNTS IN THE COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.
- --------------------------------------------- 

          (a) Cash held by Secured Party in the Collateral Account shall not be
invested by Secured Party but instead shall be maintained as a cash deposit in
the Collateral Account pending application thereof as elsewhere provided in this
Agreement.

          (b) To the extent permitted under Regulation Q of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, any cash held in the Collateral Account
shall bear interest at the standard rate paid by Secured Party to its customers
for deposits of like amounts and terms.

          (c) Subject to Secured Party's rights under Section 12, any interest
earned on deposits of cash in the Collateral Account in accordance with Section
5(b) shall be deposited directly in, and held in the Collateral Account.

          SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Pledgor represents and
                      ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

          (a) Ownership of Collateral.  Pledgor is (or at the time of transfer
              -----------------------                                         
thereof to Secured Party will be) the legal and beneficial owner of the
Collateral from time to time transferred by Pledgor to Secured Party, free and
clear of any Lien except for the security interest created by this Agreement or
any other Collateral Document.

          (b) Governmental Authorizations.  No authorization, approval or other
              ---------------------------                                      
action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the grant by Pledgor of the security
interest granted hereby, (ii) the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement by Pledgor, or (iii) the perfection of or the exercise by Secured
Party of its rights and remedies hereunder (except as may have been taken by or
at the direction of Pledgor).

          (c) Perfection.  The pledge and assignment of the Collateral pursuant
              ----------                                                       
to this Agreement creates a valid and perfected first priority security interest
in the Collateral, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations.

          (d) Other Information.  All information heretofore, herein or
              -----------------                                        
hereafter supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Pledgor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete in all respects.

          SECTION 7.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Pledgor agrees that from time to
                      ------------------                                   
time, at the expense of Pledgor, Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver all
further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be
necessary or desirable, or that Secured Party may request, in order to perfect
and protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or
to enable Secured Party to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies
hereunder with respect to any Collateral.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, Pledgor will:  (a) execute and file such financing or
continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or
notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as Secured Party may request, in
order to perfect and preserve the security interests granted or purported to be
granted hereby and (b) at Secured Party's request, appear in and defend any
action or proceeding that may affect Pledgor's beneficial title to or Secured
Party's security interest in all or any part of the Collateral.

          SECTION 8.  TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS.  Pledgor agrees that it will
                      -------------------------                              
not (a) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of
any of the Collateral or (b) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with
respect to any of the Collateral, except for the security interest under this
Agreement.

          SECTION 9.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Pledgor hereby
                      ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor, Secured
Party or otherwise, from time to time in Secured Party's discretion to take any
action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to file one or
more financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, relative to
all or any part of the Collateral without the signature of Pledgor.

          SECTION 10.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Pledgor fails to perform
                       -------------------------                              
any agreement contained herein, Secured Party may itself perform, or cause
performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of Secured Party incurred in
connection therewith shall be payable by Pledgor under Section 13.

          SECTION 11.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                       ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not
impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers.  Except for the exercise of
reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the
accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral, it being understood that Secured Party shall
have no responsibility for (a) taking any necessary steps (other than steps
taken in accordance with the standard of care set forth above to maintain
possession of the

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Collateral) to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any
Collateral or (b) taking any necessary steps to collect or realize upon the
Secured Obligations or any guarantee therefor, or any part thereof, or any of
the Collateral.  Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care
in the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such
Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured Party
accords its own property of like kind.

          SECTION 12. REMEDIES.  Subject to the provisions of Section 3(b),
                      --------                                             
Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all
other rights and remedies otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies
of a secured party on default under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
any relevant jurisdiction (the "CODE") (whether or not the Code applies to the
affected Collateral).

          SECTION 13.  INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.
                       ---------------------- 

          (a) Pledgor agrees to indemnify Secured Party and each Lender from and
against any and all claims, losses and liabilities in any way relating to,
growing out of or resulting from this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (including enforcement of this Agreement), except to the
extent such claims, losses or liabilities result solely from Secured Party's or
such Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction.

          (b) Pledgor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the amount of any
and all costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody,
preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, any of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of
any of the rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Pledgor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

          SECTION 14.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                       -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and
shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of the
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Pledgor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its successors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise.
Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Pledgor.  Upon any
such termination Secured Party shall, at Pledgor's expense, execute and deliver
to Pledgor such documents as Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination and Pledgor shall be entitled to the return, upon its request and at
its expense, against receipt and without recourse to Secured Party, of such of
the Collateral as shall not have been otherwise applied pursuant to the terms
hereof.

          SECTION 15.  SECURED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
                       ------------------------------------- 

          (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder
by Lenders.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this
Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

          (b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person that is
Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.  Written notice of resignation
by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party under this Agreement;
and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5
of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor Secured
Party under this Agreement.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor
Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement, and the retiring
or removed Secured Party under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to
such successor Secured Party all sums held by Secured Party hereunder (which
shall be deposited in a new Collateral Account established and maintained by
such successor Secured Party), together with all records and other documents
necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the
successor Secured Party under this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to
such successor Secured Party such amendments to financing statements, and take
such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the
assignment to such successor Secured Party of the security interests created
hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed Secured Party shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations under this Agreement.  After any retiring or
removed Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Secured
Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement while it was
Secured Party hereunder.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 16.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination
                       ---------------                                          
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Pledgor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification, by Pledgor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

          SECTION 17.  NOTICES.  Unless otherwise specifically provided herein,
                       -------                                                 
any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall
be in writing and may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or
United States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given
when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or
telex, or three Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with
postage prepaid and properly addressed.  For the purposes hereof, the address of
each party hereto shall be as provided in subsection 10.8 of the Credit
Agreement.

          SECTION 18.  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.
                       -----------------------------------------------------  
No failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in the exercise of any power,
right or privilege hereunder shall impair such power, right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege.
All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not
exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

          SECTION 19.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation
                       ------------                                         
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

          SECTION 20.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this
                       --------                                          
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any
substantive effect.

          SECTION 21.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
                       --------------------                                    
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER,
OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY
THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  Unless otherwise
defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms used in Articles

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the State of New York are used herein
as therein defined.

          SECTION 22.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  ALL
                       ----------------------------------------------      
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST PLEDGOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT
PLEDGOR ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY
ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.  Pledgor hereby
agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding in any such court may
be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to Pledgor at
its address provided in Section 17, such service being hereby acknowledged by
Pledgor to be sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against Pledgor
in any such court and to be otherwise effective and binding service in every
respect.  Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of Secured Party to bring
proceedings against Pledgor in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

          SECTION 23.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  PLEDGOR AND SECURED PARTY HEREBY
                       --------------------                                   
AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  The scope of this waiver is
intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including
contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law
and statutory claims.  Pledgor and Secured Party each acknowledge that this
waiver is a material inducement for Pledgor and Secured Party to enter into a
business relationship, that Pledgor and Secured Party have already relied on
this waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely
on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Pledgor and Secured Party
further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal
counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights
following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING
THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL
WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 23 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of
litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the
court.

          SECTION 24.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or
                       ------------                                           
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature
pages are physically attached to the same document.



                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and Secured Party have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.


                              THE PANTRY, INC.


                              By: /s/ WILLIAM T. FLYG
                                  -------------------
                                Title: Senior V.P.



                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Secured Party


                              By: /s/ MARK FELKER
                                  ---------------
                                Title: Senior V.P.


                                      S-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                               EXHIBIT 10.18


                     OBLIGATIONS SECURED HEREBY PROVIDE FOR
                          A FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATE

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
             DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                 AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (NORTH CAROLINA)

                                  BY AND FROM

                          THE PANTRY, INC., "GRANTOR"

                                       TO

                           DAVID R. CANNON, "TRUSTEE"

                               FOR THE BENEFIT OF

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                    IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT, "BENEFICIARY"

                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997
                       COLLATERAL IS OR INCLUDES FIXTURES

          THE SECURED PARTY (BENEFICIARY) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
           TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
                                DESCRIBED HEREIN


                      PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
                           AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

                             F. THOMAS MULLER, ESQ.
                             O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
                             400 SOUTH HOPE STREET
                            LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
                                FILE 154,607-004
<PAGE>
 
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
             DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                 AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (NORTH CAROLINA)

          THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (North Carolina) (this "DEED
OF TRUST") is dated as of October 23, 1997, by and from THE PANTRY, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("GRANTOR"), whose address is 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford,
North Carolina 27330, to DAVID R. CANNON, the trustee hereunder ("TRUSTEE"),
having an address c/o Nexsen Pruet Jacobs & Pollard LLP, 212 South Tryon Street,
Suite 1700, Charlotte, North Carolina 28281, for the benefit of FIRST UNION
NATIONAL BANK, as Agent ("AGENT") for the lenders party to the Credit Agreement
(defined below) (such lenders, together with their respective successors and
assigns, collectively, the "LENDERS"), having an address at 301 South College
Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 (Agent, together with its successors and
assigns, "BENEFICIARY").

                                R E C I T A L S

     A.   Beneficiary is the assignee of the beneficial interest in those
certain deeds of trust described on Exhibit B hereto (the "ORIGINAL DEEDS OF
TRUST") and of the obligations secured thereby, which encumber the properties
described on Exhibit A hereto.

     B.   Beneficiary and Grantor now desire to amend and restate the Original
Deeds of Trust to contain all of the terms and conditions contained herein and
in the Credit Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, Beneficiary and Grantor hereby amend and restate the
Original Deeds of Trust in their entirety to provide as follows:


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.  All capitalized terms used herein without
                       -----------                                            
definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among Grantor, the
Lenders, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Syndication Agent, and
Beneficiary.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

          1.1.1  "INDEBTEDNESS":  (1) All indebtedness of Grantor to Beneficiary
and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the sum of all (a) principal,
interest and other amounts evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents, and (b)
principal, interest and other amounts
<PAGE>
 
which may hereafter be loaned by Beneficiary or any of the Lenders under or in
connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether
evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument which, by its terms, is
secured hereby, and (2) all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities now
or hereafter existing of any kind of Grantor to Beneficiary or any of the
Lenders under documents which recite that they are intended to be secured by
this Deed of Trust.

          1.1.2  "TRUST PROPERTY":  All of Grantor's interest in (1) the fee
interest in the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, together with any greater estate therein
as hereafter may be acquired by Grantor (the "LAND"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Grantor, now or at any time situated, placed or
constructed upon the Land (the "IMPROVEMENTS"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now owned or hereafter
acquired by Grantor and now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in
connection with any of the Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities whether or not
situated in easements (the "FIXTURES"), (4) all right, title and interest of
Grantor in and to all goods, accounts, general intangibles, instruments,
documents, chattel paper and all other personal property of any kind or
character, including such items of personal property as defined in the UCC
(defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Grantor and now or hereafter
affixed to, placed upon, used in connection with, arising from or otherwise
related to the Land and Improvements (the "PERSONALTY"), (5) all reserves,
escrows or impounds required under the Credit Agreement and all deposit accounts
maintained by Grantor with respect to the Trust Property, (6) all leases,
licenses, concessions, occupancy agreements or other agreements (written or
oral, now or at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a possessory
interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of the Trust Property,
together with all related security and other deposits (the "LEASES"), (7) all of
the rents, revenues, income, proceeds, profits, security and other types of
deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the Leases for using,
leasing, licensing, possessing, operating from, residing in, selling or
otherwise enjoying the Trust Property (the "RENTS"), (8) all other agreements,
such as construction contracts, architects' agreements, engineers' contracts,
utility contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements, service
contracts, permits, licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way relating
to the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance, enjoyment or
ownership of the Trust Property (the "PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (9) all rights,
privileges, tenements, hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements, appendages and
appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all accessions, replacements
and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all proceeds thereof, (11) all
insurance policies, unearned premiums therefor and proceeds from such policies
covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired by Grantor, and
(12) all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to any awards,
remunerations, reimbursements, settlements or compensation heretofore made or
hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining to the Land,
Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty.  As used in this Deed of Trust, the term
"TRUST PROPERTY" shall mean all or, where the context permits or requires, any
portion of the above or any interest therein.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          1.1.3  "OBLIGATIONS":  All of the agreements, covenants, conditions,
warranties, representations and other obligations of Grantor (including, without
limitation, the obligation to repay the Indebtedness) under the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

          1.1.4  "UCC":  The Uniform Commercial Code of North Carolina or, if
the creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest herein granted
is governed by the laws of a state other than North Carolina, then, as to the
matter in question, the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in that state.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                     GRANT
                                     -----

          SECTION 2.1  GRANT.
                       ----- 

          2.1.1  To secure the full and timely payment of the Indebtedness and
the full and timely performance of the Obligations, Grantor MORTGAGES, GRANTS,
BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Trustee, with power of sale, the Trust
Property, subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
the Trust Property to Trustee, for the benefit of Beneficiary upon the terms and
trusts herein, and Grantor does hereby bind itself, its successors and assigns
to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to the Trust Property unto Trustee
against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.

          2.1.2  THIS CONVEYANCE IS MADE UPON THIS SPECIAL TRUST, that if
Grantor shall pay the Indebtedness and perform the Obligations in accordance
with the Credit Agreement, Notes, this Deed of Trust, and the other Loan
Documents, then this conveyance shall be null and void and may be canceled of
record at the request and at the cost of Grantor as provided in Section 7.7
                                                                -----------
hereof.

          2.1.3  To the extent that any of the Trust Property is not real
property that Trustee is empowered to sell at a public sale pursuant to N.C.
Gen. Stat. (S) 45-21.1 et seq., or is not real property that could be sold at a
                       -- ----                                                 
public sale pursuant to a judicial proceeding to foreclose the lien of this Deed
of Trust, such property shall automatically be deemed to be personal property in
which a security interest is granted by Grantor unto Beneficiary as provided in
                                                                               
Section 6.1 of this Deed of Trust, effective as of the date of this Deed of
- -----------                                                                
Trust.

          SECTION 2.2  FUTURE ADVANCES.  This Deed of Trust is given to secure
                       ---------------                                        
all present and future Indebtedness of Grantor to Beneficiary.  The period in
which future Indebtedness may be incurred and secured by this Deed of Trust is
the period between the date hereof and that date which is ten years from the
date hereof.  The amount of present Indebtedness secured by this Deed of Trust
is Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000), and the maximum principal amount,
including present and future Indebtedness that may be secured by this Deed of
Trust at any one time is One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000).  Any
additional amounts

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
advanced by Beneficiary or Trustee pursuant to previous provisions of this Deed
of Trust or other Loan Documents shall be deemed necessary expenditures for the
protection of the Trust Property.  Grantor need not sign any instrument or
notation evidencing or stipulating that future advances are secured by this Deed
of Trust.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                   WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

          Grantor warrants, represents and covenants to Beneficiary as follows:

          SECTION 3.1  TITLE TO TRUST PROPERTY AND LIEN OF THIS INSTRUMENT.
                       ---------------------------------------------------  
Grantor owns the Trust Property free and clear of any liens, claims or
interests, except the Permitted Encumbrances.  This Deed of Trust creates valid,
enforceable first priority liens and security interests against the Trust
Property, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances.

          SECTION 3.2  FIRST LIEN STATUS.  Grantor shall preserve and protect
                       -----------------                                     
the first lien and security interest status of this Deed of Trust and the other
Loan Documents.  If any lien or security interest other than the Permitted
Encumbrances is asserted against the Trust Property, Grantor shall promptly, and
at its expense, (a) give Beneficiary a detailed written notice of such lien or
security interest (including origin, amount and other terms), and (b) pay the
underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to cause it to be
released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements of the Credit
Agreement (including the requirement of providing a bond or other security
satisfactory to Beneficiary).

          SECTION 3.3  PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE.  Grantor shall pay the
                       -----------------------                        
Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall perform the Obligations
in full when they are required to be performed.

          SECTION 3.4  REPLACEMENT OF FIXTURES AND PERSONALTY.  Grantor shall
                       --------------------------------------                
not, without the prior written consent of Beneficiary (said consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), permit any of the Fixtures or Personalty to
be removed at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless the removed item is
removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if removed permanently, is
obsolete and is replaced by an article of equal or better suitability and value,
owned by Grantor subject to the liens and security interests of this Deed of
Trust and the other Loan Documents, and free and clear of any other lien or
security interest except such as may be permitted under the Credit Agreement or
first approved in writing by Beneficiary.

          SECTION 3.5  INSPECTION.  Grantor shall permit Beneficiary and the
                       ----------                                           
Lenders, and their respective agents, representatives and employees, upon
reasonable prior notice to Grantor, to inspect the Trust Property and all books
and records of Grantor located thereon, and to conduct such environmental and
engineering studies as provided in the Credit Agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 3.6  OTHER COVENANTS.  All of the covenants in the Credit
                       ---------------                                     
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and, together with covenants in
this Article, shall be covenants running with the land.
     -------                                           

          SECTION 3.7  CONDEMNATION AWARDS AND INSURANCE PROCEEDS.
                       ------------------------------------------ 

          3.7.1  Condemnation Awards.  Grantor assigns all awards and
                 -------------------                                 
compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or other taking, or
any purchase in lieu thereof, to Beneficiary and authorizes Beneficiary to
collect and receive such awards and compensation and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

          3.7.2  Insurance Proceeds.  Subject to the terms of the Credit
                 ------------------                                     
Agreement, Grantor assigns to Beneficiary all proceeds of any insurance policies
insuring against loss or damage to the Trust Property.  Subject to the terms of
the Credit Agreement, Grantor authorizes Beneficiary to collect and receive such
proceeds and authorizes and directs the issuer of each of such insurance
policies to make payment for all such losses directly to Beneficiary, instead of
to Grantor and Beneficiary jointly.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                            DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 4.1  REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default exists, Beneficiary
                       --------                                             
may, at Beneficiary's election, exercise any or all of the following rights,
remedies and recourses:

          4.1.1  Acceleration.  Declare the Indebtedness to be immediately due
                 ------------                                                 
and payable, without further notice, presentment, protest, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, demand or action of any nature whatsoever
(each of which hereby is expressly waived by Grantor), whereupon the same shall
become immediately due and payable.

          4.1.2  Entry on Trust Property.  Enter the Trust Property and take
                 -----------------------                                    
exclusive possession thereof and of all books, records and accounts relating
thereto or located thereon.  If Grantor remains in possession of the Trust
Property after an Event of Default and without Beneficiary's prior written
consent, Beneficiary may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess Grantor.

          4.1.3  Operation of Trust Property.  Hold, lease, develop, manage,
                 ---------------------------                                
operate or otherwise use the Trust Property upon such terms and conditions as
Beneficiary may deem reasonable under the circumstances (making such repairs,
alternations, additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Beneficiary deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and
other amounts collected by Beneficiary in connection therewith in accordance
with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                       ----------- 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          4.1.4  Foreclosure and Sale.  Institute proceedings for the complete
                 --------------------                                         
foreclosure of this Deed of Trust, either by judicial action or by power of sale
in accordance with the provisions of applicable law, in which case the Trust
Property may be sold for cash or credit in one or more parcels.  With respect to
any notices required or permitted under the UCC, Grantor agrees that five days'
prior written notice shall be deemed commercially reasonable.  At any such sale
by virtue of any judicial proceedings, power of sale, or any other legal right,
remedy or recourse, the title to and right of possession of any such property
shall pass to the purchaser thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by law,
Grantor shall be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title,
interest, claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand whatsoever, either at
law or in equity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall be a perpetual
bar both at law and in equity against Grantor, and against all other Persons
claiming or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or under
Grantor.  Beneficiary or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser at such sale.  If
Beneficiary is the highest bidder, Beneficiary may credit the portion of the
purchase price that would be distributed to Beneficiary against the Indebtedness
in lieu of paying cash.  In the event this Deed of Trust is foreclosed by
judicial action, appraisement of the Trust Property is waived.

          4.1.4.a  Beneficiary instituting proceedings for foreclosure by power
of sale shall direct Trustee to exercise the power of sale granted hereunder,
and upon such direction, Trustee is hereby authorized and empowered to expose to
sale and to sell the Trust Property or any part thereof at public sale to the
highest bidder for cash, in compliance with all applicable requirements of North
Carolina law with respect to powers of sale in deeds of trust.  Trustee shall
have the right to designate the place of sale in compliance with applicable law,
and the sale shall be held at the place designated by the notice of sale.  The
successful bidder at any sale may be required by Trustee to immediately deposit
with Trustee cash or certified check or cashier's check in an amount up to five
percent of the bid, provided notice of such deposit requirement is published as
required by law.  Trustee may reject the bid if the deposit is not immediately
made.  Trustee shall refund such deposit in case of a resale because of an upset
bid or if Trustee is unable to convey the portion of the Trust Property so sold
to the bidder because the power of sale has been terminated in accordance with
applicable law.  If the purchaser fails to comply with its bid, Trustee may
retain the deposit and apply the deposit to the expenses of the sale and any
resales and to any damages and expenses incurred by reason of such default
(including the amount that such bid exceeds the final sales price), or may
deposit the deposit with the Clerk of Superior Court.  In all other cases,
Trustee shall apply the deposit to the purchase price.

          4.1.4.b  Pursuant to Section 25-9-501(4) of the North Carolina General
Statutes, Beneficiary may direct Trustee to expose to sale and sell, together
with the real estate, any portion of the Trust Property which is personal
property.  If personal property is sold hereunder, it need not be at the place
of sale.  Trustee shall not be entitled to a commission for any completed or
uncompleted sale of real or personal property under this Section 4.1.4 upon an
Event of Default, but shall be entitled to collect all reasonable expenses and
attorneys' fees and court costs in connection with exercising its powers as
Trustee.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          4.1.5  Receiver.  Make application to a court of competent
                 --------                                           
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of strict right and
without notice to Grantor or regard to the adequacy of the Trust Property for
the repayment of the Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the Trust
Property, and Grantor irrevocably consents to such appointment.  Any such
receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of receivers in similar
cases, including the full power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the
Trust Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and shall apply
such Rents in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                                                ----------- 

          4.1.6  Other.  Exercise all other rights, remedies and recourses
                 -----                                                    
granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

          SECTION 4.2  SEPARATE SALES.  The Trust Property may be sold in one or
                       --------------                                           
more parcels and in such manner and order as Beneficiary in its reasonable
discretion may elect; the right of sale arising out of any Event of Default
shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.

          SECTION 4.3  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, CONCURRENT AND NONEXCLUSIVE.
                       ------------------------------------------------  
Beneficiary and the Lenders shall have all rights, remedies and recourses
granted in the Loan Documents and available at law or equity (including the
UCC), which rights (a) shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued
separately, successively or concurrently against Grantor or others obligated
under the Loan Documents, or against the Trust Property, or against any one or
more of them, at the sole discretion of Beneficiary or the Lenders, (c) may be
exercised as often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or failure
to exercise any of them shall not be construed as a waiver or release thereof or
of any other right, remedy or recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall
be, nonexclusive.  No action by Beneficiary or the Lenders in the enforcement of
any rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or otherwise at law
or equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.4  RELEASE OF AND RESORT TO COLLATERAL.  Beneficiary may
                       -----------------------------------                  
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity for any notice to
or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien on the Trust Property, any part
of the Trust Property without, as to the remainder, in any way impairing,
affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or security interest created in
or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their status as a first and prior lien and
security interest in and to the Trust Property.  For payment of the
Indebtedness, Beneficiary may resort to any other security in such order and
manner as Beneficiary may elect.

          SECTION 4.5  WAIVER OF REDEMPTION, NOTICE AND MARSHALLING OF ASSETS.
                       ------------------------------------------------------- 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Grantor hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to Grantor
by virtue of any present or future statute of limitations or law or judicial
decision exempting the Trust Property from attachment, levy or sale on execution
or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption
or extension of time for payment, (b) all notices of any Event of Default or of

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Beneficiary's election to exercise or the actual exercise of any right, remedy
or recourse provided for under the Loan Documents, and (c) any right to a
marshalling of assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation.

          SECTION 4.6  DISCONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS.  If Beneficiary or the
                       -----------------------------                        
Lenders or Trustee shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse
permitted under the Loan Documents and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or
abandon it for any reason, Beneficiary or the Lenders or Trustee, as the case
may be, shall have the unqualified right to do so and, in such an event,
Grantor, Beneficiary, the Lenders or Trustee, as the case may be, shall be
restored to their former positions with respect to the Indebtedness, the
Obligations, the Loan Documents, the Trust Property and otherwise, and the
rights, remedies, recourses and powers of Beneficiary, the Lenders and Trustee
shall continue as if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but
no such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of Default which may
then exist or the right of Beneficiary or the Lenders or Trustee, as the case
may be, thereafter to exercise any right, remedy or recourse under the Loan
Documents for such Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.7  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds of any sale of, and
                       ----------------------                                   
the Rents and other amounts generated by the holding, leasing, management,
operation or other use of the Trust Property, shall be applied by Beneficiary
(or the receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless otherwise
required by applicable law:

          4.7.1  to the payment of the reasonable costs and expenses of taking
possession of the Trust Property and of holding, using, leasing, repairing,
improving and selling the same, including, without limitation (1) receiver's
fees and expenses, including the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any
receiver's certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants' fees
and expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;

          4.7.2  to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the
Obligations in such manner and order of preference as Beneficiary in its sole
discretion may determine; and

          4.7.3  the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons legally
entitled thereto.

          SECTION 4.8  OCCUPANCY AFTER FORECLOSURE.  Any sale of the Trust
                       ---------------------------                        
Property or any part thereof in accordance with Section 4.1.4 will, after the
                                                -------------                
expiration of any upset period, divest all right, title and interest of Grantor
in and to the property sold.  Subject to applicable law, any purchaser at a
foreclosure sale will receive immediate possession of the property purchased.
If Grantor retains possession of such property or any part thereof subsequent to
such sale, Grantor will be considered a tenant at sufferance of the purchaser,
and will, if Grantor remains in possession after demand to remove, be subject to
eviction and removal, with or without process of law.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.9  ADDITIONAL ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS; COSTS OF
                       -----------------------------------------------
ENFORCEMENT.
- ----------- 

          4.9.1  If any Event of Default exists, Beneficiary and each of the
Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure such Event of
Default in the name and on behalf of Grantor.  All sums advanced and expenses
incurred at any time by Beneficiary or any Lender under this Section, or
                                                             -------    
otherwise under this Deed of Trust or any of the other Loan Documents or
applicable law, shall be deemed advances of principal evidenced by the Notes and
shall bear interest from the date that such sum is advanced or expense incurred,
to and including the date of reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at
which interest is then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together
with interest thereon, shall be secured by this Deed of Trust.

          4.9.2  Grantor shall pay all expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses) of or incidental to the perfection and enforcement of this
Deed of Trust and the other Loan Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or
settlement of the Indebtedness or any claim under this Deed of Trust and the
other Loan Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or asserting
the rights and claims of Beneficiary in respect thereof, by litigation or
otherwise.  Attorneys' fees and expenses payable by Grantor under this Section
                                                                       -------
4.9 or otherwise under this Deed of Trust shall be limited to those reasonable
- ---                                                                           
fees and expenses actually incurred at standard rates without reference to a
specific percentage of the outstanding balance of the Indebtedness.

          SECTION 4.10  NO BENEFICIARY IN POSSESSION.  Except as otherwise
                        ----------------------------                      
provided by law, neither the enforcement of any of the remedies under this
                                                                          
Article, the assignment of the Rents and Leases under Article 5, the security
- -------                                               ---------              
interests under Article 6, nor any other remedies afforded to Beneficiary under
                ---------                                                      
the Loan Documents, at law or in equity shall cause Beneficiary or any Lender to
be deemed or construed to be a beneficiary in possession of the Trust Property,
to obligate Beneficiary or any Lender to lease the Trust Property or attempt to
do so, or to take any action, incur any expense, or perform or discharge any
obligation, duty or liability whatsoever under any of the Leases or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
                         ------------------------------

          SECTION 5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  In furtherance of and in addition to the
                       ----------                                           
assignment made by Grantor in Section 2.1 of this Deed of Trust, Grantor hereby
                              -----------                                      
absolutely and unconditionally assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to
Beneficiary all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether
now existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title and interest
in and to all Rents.  If permitted under applicable law, this assignment is an
absolute assignment and not merely an assignment for additional security.  So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Grantor shall
have a revocable license from Beneficiary to exercise all rights extended to the
landlord under the Leases, including the right

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
to receive and collect all Rents and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the
payment and performance of the Obligations and to otherwise use the same.  The
foregoing license is granted subject to the conditional limitation that no Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings
have commenced, and without regard to waste, adequacy of security for the
Obligations or solvency of Grantor, the license herein granted shall
automatically expire and terminate, without notice by Beneficiary (any such
notice being hereby expressly waived by Grantor).

          SECTION 5.2  PERFECTION UPON RECORDATION.  Grantor acknowledges that
                       ---------------------------                            
Beneficiary has taken all actions necessary to obtain, and that upon recordation
of this Deed of Trust Beneficiary shall have, to the extent permitted under
applicable law, a valid and fully perfected first priority present assignment of
the Rents arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.  Grantor
acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this Deed of Trust
Beneficiary's interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be fully perfected,
"choate" and enforced as to Grantor and all third parties, including, without
limitation, any subsequently appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the
United States Code (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), without the necessity of commencing
a foreclosure action with respect to this Deed of Trust, making formal demand
for the Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or taking any other
affirmative action.

          SECTION 5.3  BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS.  Without limitation of the
                       ---------------------                            
absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder, Grantor and
Beneficiary agree that (a) this Deed of Trust shall constitute a "security
agreement" for purposes of Section 552(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the
security interest created by this Deed of Trust extends to property of Grantor
acquired before the commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid
as Rents and (c) such security interest shall extend to all Rents acquired by
the estate after the commencement of any case in bankruptcy.

          SECTION 5.4  NO MERGER OF ESTATES.  So long as part of the
                       --------------------                         
Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid and undischarged,
the fee and leasehold estates to the Trust Property shall not merge, but shall
remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the union of such estates either
in Grantor, Beneficiary, any tenant or any third party by purchase or otherwise.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 6
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

          SECTION 6.1  SECURITY INTEREST.  This Deed of Trust constitutes a
                       -----------------                                   
"Security Agreement" on personal property within the meaning of the UCC and
other applicable law and with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents
and Property Agreements.  To this end, Grantor grants to Beneficiary a first and
prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and Property
Agreements and all other Trust Property which is personal property to secure the
payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations, and agrees that
Beneficiary shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the
UCC with respect to such property.  Any notice of sale, disposition or other
intended action by Beneficiary with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents and Property Agreements sent to Grantor at least five days prior to any
action under the UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to Grantor.

          SECTION 6.2  FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Grantor shall execute and deliver
                       --------------------                                    
to Beneficiary, in form and substance satisfactory to Beneficiary, such
financing statements and such further assurances as Beneficiary may, from time
to time, reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve
Beneficiary's security interest hereunder and Beneficiary may cause such
statements and assurances to be recorded and filed, at such times and places as
may be required or permitted by law to so create, perfect and preserve such
security interest.  Grantor's chief executive office is in the State of North
Carolina at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this Deed of Trust.

          SECTION 6.3  FIXTURE FILING.  This Deed of Trust shall also constitute
                       --------------                                           
a "fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against all of the Trust Property
which is or is to become fixtures.  Information concerning the security interest
herein granted may be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Grantor) and Secured
Party (Beneficiary) as set forth in the first paragraph of this Deed of Trust.
For the purposes of complying with N.C. Gen. Stat. (S) 25-9-402:  (i) the types
or items of collateral are described in Section 6.1 hereof, as further described
                                        -----------                             
in Section 1.1.2 hereof; and (ii) the description of the Land to which any
   -------------                                                          
fixtures are attached is set forth in Exhibit A hereto.  The collateral is or
includes fixtures.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------
          SECTION 7.1  NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be given
                       -------                                               
under this Deed of Trust shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the
Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 7.2  COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND.  All Obligations
                       -------------------------------                  
contained in this Deed of Trust are intended by Grantor and Beneficiary to be,
and shall be construed as, covenants running with the Trust Property.  As used
herein, "Grantor" shall refer to the party named in the first paragraph of this
Deed of Trust and to any subsequent owner of all or any

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
portion of the Trust Property.  All Persons who may have or acquire an interest
in the Trust Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the
terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; however, no such
party shall be entitled to any rights thereunder without the prior written
consent of Beneficiary.

          SECTION 7.3  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints
                       ----------------                                      
Beneficiary and its successors and assigns, as its attorney-in-fact, which
agency is coupled with an interest, (a) to execute and/or record any notices of
completion, cessation of labor or any other notices that Beneficiary deems
appropriate to protect Beneficiary's interest, if Grantor shall fail to do so
within ten (10) days after written request by Beneficiary, (b) upon the issuance
of a deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Deed of Trust or the delivery of a
deed in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of assignment,
conveyance or further assurance with respect to the Leases, Rents, Personalty,
Fixtures and Property Agreements in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as
may be necessary or desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file
or record financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or preserve
Beneficiary's security interests and rights in or to any of the Trust Property,
and (d) while any Event of Default exists, to perform any obligation of Grantor
hereunder, however: (1) Beneficiary shall not under any circumstances be
obligated to perform any obligation of Grantor; (2) any sums advanced by
Beneficiary in such performance shall be added to and included in the
Indebtedness and shall bear interest at the rate or rates at which interest is
then computed on the Indebtedness; (3) Beneficiary as such attorney-in-fact
shall only be accountable for such funds as are actually received by
Beneficiary; and (4) Beneficiary shall not be liable to Grantor or any other
person or entity for any failure to take any action which it is empowered to
take under this Section.
                ------- 

          SECTION 7.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Deed of Trust shall be
                       ----------------------                              
binding upon and inure to the benefit of Beneficiary, the Lenders, and Grantor
and their respective successors and assigns.  Grantor shall not, without the
prior written consent of Beneficiary, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.5  NO WAIVER.  Any failure by Beneficiary to insist upon
                       ---------                                            
strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Loan
Documents shall not be deemed to be a waiver of same, and Beneficiary or the
Lenders shall have the right at any time to insist upon strict performance of
all of such terms, provisions and conditions.

          SECTION 7.6  CREDIT AGREEMENT.  If any conflict or inconsistency
                       ----------------                                   
exists between this Deed of Trust and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement
shall govern.

          SECTION 7.7  RELEASE OR RECONVEYANCE.  Upon payment in full of the
                       -----------------------                              
Indebtedness and performance in full of the Obligations, the conveyance of the
Trust Property to Trustee under this Deed of Trust shall be null and void, and
upon Grantor's request, Trustee and Beneficiary, at Grantor's expense, shall
release and cancel of record the liens and security

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
interests created by this Deed of Trust or reconvey the Trust Property to
Grantor.  In addition, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then
continuing or would be caused thereby, if Grantor sells or transfers for value
any portion of the Trust Property as permitted under Section 7.7 of the Credit
                                                     -----------              
Agreement, Beneficiary shall release the liens and security interests created by
this Deed of Trust on such Trust Property or reconvey such Trust Property to
Grantor, concurrently with the consummation of such sale or other transfer.
Such release or reconveyance shall be at Grantor's sole cost and expense, and
only upon not less than thirty days' prior written notice to Beneficiary.

          SECTION 7.8  WAIVER OF STAY, MORATORIUM AND SIMILAR RIGHTS.  Grantor
                       ---------------------------------------------          
agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any
time insist upon or plead or in any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling
of assets, extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and
effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the provisions of this Deed
of Trust or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any agreement between Grantor
and Beneficiary or any rights or remedies of Beneficiary or the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.9  APPLICABLE LAW.  The provisions of this Deed of Trust
                       --------------                                       
regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of the liens and security
interests herein granted shall be governed by and construed under the laws of
the state in which the Trust Property is located.  All other provisions of this
Deed of Trust and the Obligations shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New York (including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

          SECTION 7.10  HEADINGS.  The Article, Section and Subsection titles
                        --------                                             
hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter,
modify or define, or be used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections
or Subsections.

          SECTION 7.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Deed of Trust and the other Loan
                        ----------------                                        
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Beneficiary and
Grantor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  Accordingly, the
Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or
subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral
agreements between the parties.

          SECTION 7.12  SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE.  If, for any reason,
                        -----------------------                      
Beneficiary shall elect a substitute for the Trustee herein named or any
successor to said Trustee(s), Beneficiary shall have the right to appoint a
successor Trustee by duly acknowledged written instruments, and each new Trustee
immediately upon recordation of the instrument so appointing such new Trustee
shall become successor in title to the Trust Property for the uses and purposes
of this Deed of Trust, and with all the powers, duties and obligations conferred
on the Trustee in the same manner and to the same effect as though he were named
herein as the Trustee, including,

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
without limitation, the power of sale.  If more than one Trustee has been
appointed, each of such Trustees and each successor thereto shall be and hereby
is empowered to act independently.

                                   ARTICLE 8
                              LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS
                              --------------------

                                   [TO COME]
                                   ---------



         [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Beneficiary have on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above written, caused
this instrument to be duly EXECUTED UNDER SEAL AND DELIVERED by authority duly
given.


                    THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation



                    By: _______________________________________
                         Name:  William T. Flyg
                         Title: Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial
                                Officer & Secretary
ATTEST:



___________________________
___________________________

[corporate seal]


                    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, in its capacity as Agent



                    By: _______________________________________
                         Name:  Mark Felker
                         Title: Senior Vice President
ATTEST:



___________________________
___________________________

[corporate seal]


                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

     I, the undersigned, Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid,
certify that Jon D. Ralph personally came before me this day and acknowledged
that he is a Assistant Secretary of The Pantry, Inc., a corporation and that by
authority duly given and as the act of the corporation, the foregoing instrument
was signed in its name by its Senior Vice President, sealed with its corporate
seal, and attested by her/him as its Assistant Secretary.

     WITNESS my hand and official stamp or seal this _____ day of October, 1997.

                                    _______________________________________
                                         Notary Public

My Commission expires:
___________________________

[AFFIX NOTARIAL STAMP
OR SEAL]


                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

     I, the undersigned, Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid,
certify that G. Mendal Lay, Jr. personally came before me this day and
acknowledged that he is a Senior Vice President of First Union National Bank, a
corporation and that by authority duly given and as the act of the corporation,
the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by a Senior Vice President,
sealed with its corporate seal, and attested by her/him as its Senior Vice
President.

     WITNESS my hand and official stamp or seal this _____ day of October, 1997.


                                    _______________________________________
                                         Notary Public

My Commission expires:

___________________________

[AFFIX NOTARIAL STAMP
OR SEAL]


                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                                 TRUST PROPERTY



                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                            ORIGINAL DEEDS OF TRUST



                                      B-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19


                     OBLIGATIONS SECURED HEREBY PROVIDE FOR
                          A FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATE


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                 AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (SOUTH CAROLINA)



                                  BY AND FROM


                        THE PANTRY, INC., "MORTGAGOR"


                                       TO


                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                    IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT, "MORTGAGEE"


                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997
           THE SECURED PARTY (MORTGAGEE) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
           TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
                                DESCRIBED HEREIN

                      PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
                           AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

                             O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
                             400 SOUTH HOPE STREET
                            LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
                       ATTENTION:  F. THOMAS MULLER, ESQ.
                                FILE 154,607-004
<PAGE>
 
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                 AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (SOUTH CAROLINA)

          THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF
RENTS AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (South Carolina) (this "MORTGAGE") is dated
as of October 23, 1997, by and from THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation
("MORTGAGOR"), whose address is 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North Carolina
27330, to FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent ("AGENT") for the lenders party to
the Credit Agreement (defined below) (such lenders, together with their
respective successors and assigns, collectively, the "LENDERS"), having an
address at 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 (Agent,
together with its successors and assigns, "MORTGAGEE").

                                R E C I T A L S

     A.   Mortgagee is the assignee, owner and holder of those certain mortgages
described on Exhibit B hereto (the "ORIGINAL MORTGAGES") and the obligations
secured thereby, which encumber the properties described on Exhibit A hereto.

     B.   Mortgagee and Mortgagor now desire to amend and restate the Original
Mortgages to contain all of the terms and conditions contained herein and in the
Credit Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, Mortgagee and Mortgagor hereby amend and restate the
Original Mortgages in their entirety to provide as follows:


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.  All capitalized terms used herein without
                       -----------                                            
definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among Mortgagor,
the Lenders, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Syndication Agent, and
Mortgagee.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

          1.1.1  "INDEBTEDNESS":  (1) All indebtedness of Mortgagor to Mortgagee
and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the sum of all (a) principal,
interest and other amounts evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents, and (b)
principal, interest and other amounts which may hereafter be loaned by Mortgagee
or any of the Lenders under or in connection with
<PAGE>
 
the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether evidenced by a
promissory note or other instrument which, by its terms, is secured hereby, and
(2) all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities now or hereafter
existing of any kind of Mortgagor to Mortgagee or any of the Lenders under
documents which recite that they are intended to be secured by this Mortgage.

          1.1.2  "MORTGAGED PROPERTY":  All of Mortgagor's interest in (1) the
fee interest in the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, together with any greater estate therein
as hereafter may be acquired by Mortgagor (the "LAND"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, now or at any time situated, placed or
constructed upon the Land (the "IMPROVEMENTS"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now owned or hereafter
acquired by Mortgagor and now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in
connection with any of the Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities whether or not
situated in easements (the "FIXTURES"), (4) all right, title and interest of
Mortgagor in and to all goods, accounts, general intangibles, instruments,
documents, chattel paper and all other personal property of any kind or
character, including such items of personal property as defined in the UCC
(defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor and now or
hereafter affixed to, placed upon, used in connection with, arising from or
otherwise related to the Land and Improvements (the "PERSONALTY"), (5) all
reserves, escrows or impounds required under the Credit Agreement and all
deposit accounts maintained by Mortgagor with respect to the Mortgaged Property,
(6) all leases, licenses, concessions, occupancy agreements or other agreements
(written or oral, now or at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a
possessory interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of the Mortgaged
Property, together with all related security and other deposits (the "LEASES"),
(7) all of the rents, revenues, income, proceeds, profits, security and other
types of deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the Leases
for using, leasing, licensing, possessing, operating from, residing in, selling
or otherwise enjoying the Mortgaged Property (the "RENTS"), (8) all other
agreements, such as construction contracts, architects' agreements, engineers'
contracts, utility contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements,
service contracts, permits, licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way
relating to the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance, enjoyment
or ownership of the Mortgaged Property (the "PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (9) all
rights, privileges, tenements, hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements,
appendages and appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all accessions,
replacements and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all proceeds
thereof, (11) all insurance policies, unearned premiums therefor and proceeds
from such policies covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired
by Mortgagor, and (12) all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest in and to
any awards, remunerations, reimbursements, settlements or compensation
heretofore made or hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining
to the Land, Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty.  As used in this Mortgage,
the term "MORTGAGED PROPERTY" shall mean all or, where the context permit or
requires, any portion of the above or any interest therein.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          1.1.3  "OBLIGATIONS":  All of the agreements, covenants, conditions,
warranties, representations and other obligations of Mortgagor (including,
without limitation, the obligation to repay the Indebtedness) under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          1.1.4  "UCC":  The Uniform Commercial Code of South Carolina or, if
the creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest herein granted
is governed by the laws of a state other than South Carolina, then, as to the
matter in question, the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in that state.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                     GRANT
                                     -----

          SECTION 2.1  GRANT.  To secure the full and timely payment of the
                       -----                                               
Indebtedness and the full and timely performance of the Obligations, Mortgagor
MORTGAGES, GRANTS, BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Mortgagee the
Mortgaged Property, subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND
TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, and Mortgagor does hereby bind
itself, its successors and assigns to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to
the Mortgaged Property unto Mortgagee.

          SECTION 2.2  FUTURE ADVANCES.  This Mortgage is given to secure all
                       ---------------                                       
present and future Indebtedness of Mortgagor to Mortgagee.  The period in which
future Indebtedness may be incurred and secured by this Mortgage is the period
between the date hereof and that date which is ten years from the date hereof.
The amount of present Indebtedness secured by this Mortgage is Seventy-Five
Million Dollars ($75,000,000), and the maximum principal amount, including
present and future Indebtedness that may be secured by this Mortgage at any one
time is One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000).  Any additional
amounts advanced by Mortgagee pursuant to other provisions of this Mortgage or
other Loan Documents shall be deemed necessary expenditures for the protection
of the Mortgaged Property.  Mortgagor need not sign any instrument or notation
evidencing or stipulating that future advances are secured by this Mortgage.

                                   ARTICLE 3
                   WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

          Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants to Mortgagee as follows:

          SECTION 3.1  TITLE TO MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND LIEN OF THIS INSTRUMENT.
                       -------------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagor owns the Mortgaged Property free and clear of any liens, claims or
interests, except the Permitted Encumbrances.  This Mortgage creates valid,
enforceable first priority liens and security interests against the Mortgaged
Property.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 3.2  FIRST LIEN STATUS.  Mortgagor shall preserve and protect
                       -----------------                                       
the first lien and security interest status of this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents.  If any lien or security interest other than the Permitted
Encumbrances is asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagor shall
promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Mortgagee a detailed written notice of
such lien or security interest (including origin, amount and other terms), and
(b) pay the underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to cause it
to be released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements of the
Credit Agreement (including the requirement of providing a bond or other
security satisfactory to Mortgagee).

          SECTION 3.3  PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE.  Mortgagor shall pay the
                       -----------------------                          
Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall perform the Obligations
in full when they are required to be performed.

          SECTION 3.4  REPLACEMENT OF FIXTURES AND PERSONALTY.  Mortgagor shall
                       --------------------------------------                  
not, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, permit any of the Fixtures
or Personalty to be removed at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless
the removed item is removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if
removed permanently, is obsolete and is replaced by an article of equal or
better suitability and value, owned by Mortgagor subject to the liens and
security interests of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, and free and
clear of any other lien or security interest except such as may be permitted
under the Credit Agreement or first approved in writing by Mortgagee.

          SECTION 3.5  INSPECTION.  Mortgagor shall permit Mortgagee and the
                       ----------                                           
Lenders, and their respective agents, representatives and employees, upon
reasonable prior notice to Mortgagor, to inspect the Mortgaged Property and all
books and records of Mortgagor located thereon, and to conduct such
environmental and engineering studies as Mortgagee or the Lenders may require,
provided that such inspections and studies shall not materially interfere with
the use and operation of the Mortgaged Property.

          SECTION 3.6  OTHER COVENANTS.  All of the covenants in the Credit
                       ---------------                                     
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and, together with covenants in
this Article, shall be covenants running with the land.
     -------                                           

          SECTION 3.7  CONDEMNATION AWARDS AND INSURANCE PROCEEDS.
                       ------------------------------------------ 

          3.7.1  Condemnation Awards.  Mortgagor assigns all awards and
                 -------------------                                   
compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or other taking, or
any purchase in lieu thereof, to Mortgagee and authorizes Mortgagee to collect
and receive such awards and compensation and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

          3.7.2  Insurance Proceeds.  Mortgagor assigns to Mortgagee all
                 ------------------                                     
proceeds of any insurance policies insuring against loss or damage to the
Mortgaged Property.  Mortgagor

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
authorizes Mortgagee to collect and receive such proceeds and authorizes and
directs the issuer of each of such insurance policies to make payment for all
such losses directly to Mortgagee, instead of to Mortgagor and Mortgagee
jointly.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                            DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 4.1  REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default exists, Mortgagee may,
                       --------                                                
at Mortgagee's election, exercise any or all of the following rights, remedies
and recourses:

          4.1.1  Acceleration.  Declare the Indebtedness to be immediately due
                 ------------                                                 
and payable, without further notice, presentment, protest, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, demand or action of any nature whatsoever
(each of which hereby is expressly waived by Mortgagor), whereupon the same
shall become immediately due and payable.

          4.1.2  Entry on Mortgaged Property.  Enter the Mortgaged Property and
                 ---------------------------                                   
take exclusive possession thereof and of all books, records and accounts
relating thereto or located thereon.  If Mortgagor remains in possession of the
Mortgaged Property after an Event of Default and without Mortgagee's prior
written consent, Mortgagee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess
Mortgagor.

          4.1.3  Operation of Mortgaged Property.  Hold, lease, develop, manage,
                 -------------------------------                                
operate or otherwise use the Mortgaged Property upon such terms and conditions
as Mortgagee may deem reasonable under the circumstances (making such repairs,
alternations, additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Mortgagee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and other
amounts collected by Mortgagee in connection therewith in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.7.
              ----------- 

          4.1.4  Foreclosure and Sale.  Institute proceedings for the complete
                 --------------------                                         
foreclosure of this Mortgage, by judicial action, in which case the Mortgaged
Property may be sold for cash or credit in one or more parcels.  With respect to
any notices required or permitted under the UCC, Mortgagor agrees that five
days' prior written notice shall be deemed commercially reasonable.  At any such
sale by virtue of any judicial proceedings, or any other legal right, remedy or
recourse, the title to and right of possession of any such property shall pass
to the purchaser thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor
shall be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title,
interest, claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand whatsoever, either at
law or in equity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall be a perpetual
bar both at law and in equity against Mortgagor, and against all other Persons
claiming or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or under
Mortgagor.  Mortgagee or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser at such sale.  If
Mortgagee is the highest bidder, Mortgagee may credit the portion of the
purchase price that would be distributed to

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Mortgagee against the Indebtedness in lieu of paying cash.  In the event this
Mortgage is foreclosed by judicial action, appraisement of the Mortgaged
Property is waived.

          4.1.5  Receiver.  Make application to a court of competent
                 --------                                           
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of strict right and
without notice to Mortgagor or regard to the adequacy of the Mortgaged Property
for the repayment of the Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the
Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagor irrevocably consents to such appointment.  Any
such receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of receivers in similar
cases, including the full power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the
Mortgaged Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and shall
apply such Rents in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                                                      ----------- 

          4.1.6  Other.  Exercise all other rights, remedies and recourses
                 -----                                                    
granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

          SECTION 4.2  SEPARATE SALES.  The Mortgaged Property may be sold in
                       --------------                                        
one or more parcels and in such manner and order as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may elect; the right of sale arising out of any Event of Default
shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.

          SECTION 4.3  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, CONCURRENT AND NONEXCLUSIVE.
                       ------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagee and the Lenders shall have all rights, remedies and recourses granted
in the Loan Documents and available at law or equity (including the UCC), which
rights (a) shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Mortgagor or others obligated under the
Loan Documents, or against the Mortgaged Property, or against any one or more of
them, at the sole discretion of Mortgagee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised
as often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or failure to
exercise any of them shall not be construed as a waiver or release thereof or of
any other right, remedy or recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be,
nonexclusive.  No action by Mortgagee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or otherwise at law or
equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.4  RELEASE OF AND RESORT TO COLLATERAL.  Mortgagee may
                       -----------------------------------                
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity for any notice to
or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien on the Mortgaged Property, any
part of the Mortgaged Property without, as to the remainder, in any way
impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or security interest
created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their status as a first and
prior lien and security interest in and to the Mortgaged Property.  For payment
of the Indebtedness, Mortgagee may resort to any other security in such order
and manner as Mortgagee may elect.

          SECTION 4.5  WAIVER OF REDEMPTION, NOTICE AND MARSHALLING OF ASSETS.
                       ------------------------------------------------------- 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to Mortgagor by virtue of any present
or future statute of limitations or law or judicial decision exempting the
Mortgaged Property from attachment, levy or sale on execution or providing for
any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption or extension of
time for payment, (b) all notices of any Event of Default or of Mortgagee's
election to exercise or the actual exercise of any right, remedy or recourse
provided for under the Loan Documents, and (c) any right to a marshalling of
assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation.

          SECTION 4.6  DISCONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS.  If Mortgagee or the
                       -----------------------------                      
Lenders shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse permitted
under the Loan Documents and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it
for any reason, Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right to do
so and, in such an event, Mortgagor, Mortgagee, and the Lenders shall be
restored to their former positions with respect to the Indebtedness, the
Obligations, the Loan Documents, the Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the
rights, remedies, recourses and powers of Mortgagee and the Lenders shall
continue and if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but no
such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of Default which may
then exist or the right of Mortgagee or the Lenders thereafter to exercise any
right, remedy or recourse under the Loan Documents for such Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.7  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds of any sale of, and
                       ----------------------                                   
the Rents and other amounts generated by the holding, leasing, management,
operation or other use of the Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Mortgagee
(or the receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless otherwise
required by applicable law:

          4.7.1  to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking possession
of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using, leasing, repairing, improving
and selling the same, including, without limitation (1) receiver's fees and
expenses, including the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants' fees and
expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;

          4.7.2  to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the
Obligations in such manner and order of preference as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may determine; and

          4.7.3  the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons legally
entitled thereto.

          SECTION 4.8  OCCUPANCY AFTER FORECLOSURE.  Any sale of the Mortgaged
                       ---------------------------                            
Property or any part thereof in accordance with Section 4.1.4 will divest all
                                                -------------                
right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to the property sold.  Subject to
applicable law, any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased.  If Mortgagor retains possession of such
property or any part thereof subsequent to such sale, Mortgagor will be
considered a tenant at sufferance of the purchaser, and will, if Mortgagor
remains in possession

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
after demand to remove, be subject to eviction and removal, forcible or
otherwise, with or without process of law.

          SECTION 4.9  ADDITIONAL ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS; COSTS OF
                       -----------------------------------------------
ENFORCEMENT.
- ----------- 

          4.9.1  If any Event of Default exists, Mortgagee and each of the
Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure such Event of
Default in the name and on behalf of Mortgagor.  All sums advanced and expenses
incurred at any time by Mortgagee or any Lender under this Section, or otherwise
                                                           -------              
under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or applicable law, shall
bear interest from the date that such sum is advanced or expense incurred, to
and including the date of reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which
interest is then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together with
interest thereon, shall be secured by this Mortgage.

          4.9.2  Mortgagor shall pay all expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) of or incidental to the perfection and enforcement
of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or
settlement of the Indebtedness or any claim under this Mortgage and the other
Loan Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or asserting the
rights and claims of Mortgagee in respect thereof, by litigation or otherwise.

          SECTION 4.10  NO MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION. Neither the enforcement of
                        --------------------------                            
any of the remedies under this Article, the assignment of the Rents and Leases
                               -------                                        
under Article 5, the security interests under Article 6, nor any other remedies
      ---------                               ---------                        
afforded to Mortgagee under the Loan Documents, at law or in equity shall cause
Mortgagee or any Lender to be deemed or construed to be a mortgagee in
possession of the Mortgaged Property, to obligate Mortgagee or any Lender to
lease the Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action, incur
any expense, or perform or discharge any obligation, duty or liability
whatsoever under any of the Leases or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
                         ------------------------------

          SECTION 5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  In furtherance of and in addition to the
                       ----------                                           
assignment made by Mortgagor in Section 2.1 of this Mortgage, Mortgagor hereby
                                -----------                                   
absolutely and unconditionally assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to
Mortgagee all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether now
existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title and interest in
and to all Rents.  If permitted under applicable law, this assignment is an
absolute assignment and not merely an assignment for additional security.  So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Mortgagor
shall have a revocable license from Mortgagee to exercise all rights extended to
the landlord under the Leases, including the right to receive and collect all
Rents and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the payment and performance of
the Obligations and to otherwise use the same.  The foregoing license is granted

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
subject to the conditional limitation that no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings have commenced, and
without regard to waste, adequacy of security for the Obligations or solvency of
Mortgagor, the license herein granted shall automatically expire and terminate,
without notice by Mortgagee (any such notice being hereby expressly waived by
Mortgagor).

          SECTION 5.2  PERFECTION UPON RECORDATION.  Mortgagor acknowledges that
                       ---------------------------                              
Mortgagee has taken all actions necessary to obtain, and that upon recordation
of this Mortgage Mortgagee shall have, to the extent permitted under applicable
law, a valid and fully perfected first priority present assignment of the Rents
arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.  Mortgagor
acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this Mortgage Mortgagee's
interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be fully perfected, "choate" and
enforced as to Mortgagor and all third parties, including, without limitation,
any subsequently appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the United
States Code (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), without the necessity of commencing a
foreclosure action with respect to this Mortgage, making formal demand for the
Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or taking any other affirmative
action.

          SECTION 5.3  BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS.  Without limitation of the
                       ---------------------                            
absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder, Mortgagor and
Mortgagee agree that (a) this Mortgage shall constitute a "security agreement"
for purposes of Section 552(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the security interest
created by this Mortgage extends to property of Mortgagor acquired before the
commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid as Rents and (c)
such security interest shall extend to all Rents acquired by the estate after
the commencement of any case in bankruptcy.

          SECTION 5.4  NO MERGER OF ESTATES.  So long as part of the
                       --------------------                         
Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid and undischarged,
the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged Property shall not merge, but
shall remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the union of such estates
either in Mortgagor, Mortgagee, any tenant or any third party by purchase or
otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 6
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

          SECTION 6.1  SECURITY INTEREST.  This Mortgage constitutes a "Security
                       -----------------                                        
Agreement" on personal property within the meaning of the UCC and other
applicable law and with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and
Property Agreements.  To this end, Mortgagor grants to Mortgagee a first and
prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and Property
Agreements and all other Mortgaged Property which is personal property to secure
the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations, and

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
agrees that Mortgagee shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party
under the UCC with respect to such property.  Any notice of sale, disposition or
other intended action by Mortgagee with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures,
Leases, Rents and Property Agreements sent to Mortgagor at least five (5) days
prior to any action under the UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to
Mortgagor.

          SECTION 6.2  FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Mortgagor shall execute and
                       --------------------                              
deliver to Mortgagee, in form and substance satisfactory to Mortgagee, such
financing statements and such further assurances as Mortgagee may, from time to
time, reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve Mortgagee's
security interest hereunder and Mortgagee may cause such statements and
assurances to be recorded and filed, at such times and places as may be required
or permitted by law to so create, perfect and preserve such security interest.
Mortgagor's chief executive office is in the State of North Carolina at the
address set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage.

          SECTION 6.3  FIXTURE FILING.  This Mortgage shall also constitute a
                       --------------                                        
"fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against all of the Mortgaged
Property which is or is to become fixtures.  Information concerning the security
interest herein granted may be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Mortgagor)
and Secured Party (Mortgagee) as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Mortgage.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------
          SECTION 7.1  NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be given
                       -------                                               
under this Mortgage shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the
Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 7.2  COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND.  All Obligations
                       -------------------------------                  
contained in this Mortgage are intended by Mortgagor and Mortgagee to be, and
shall be construed as, covenants running with the Mortgaged Property.  As used
herein, "Mortgagor" shall refer to the party named in the first paragraph of
this Mortgage and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of the Mortgaged
Property.  All Persons who may have or acquire an interest in the Mortgaged
Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the terms of the
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; however, no such party shall be
entitled to any rights thereunder without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.3  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Mortgagor hereby irrevocably appoints
                       ----------------                                        
Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, as its attorney-in-fact, which agency
is coupled with an interest, (a) to execute and/or record any notices of
completion, cessation of labor or any other notices that Mortgagee deems
appropriate to protect Mortgagee's interest, if Mortgagor shall fail to do so
within ten (10) days after written request by Mortgagee, (b) upon the issuance
of a deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Mortgage or the delivery of a deed
in lieu of

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
foreclosure, to execute all instruments of assignment, conveyance or further
assurance with respect to the Leases, Rents, Personalty, Fixtures and Property
Agreements in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as may be necessary or
desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file or record financing
statements, continuation statements, applications for registration and like
papers necessary to create, perfect or preserve Mortgagee's security interests
and rights in or to any of the Mortgaged Property, and (d) while any Event of
Default exists, to perform any obligation of Mortgagor hereunder, however: (1)
Mortgagee shall not under any circumstances be obligated to perform any
obligation of Mortgagor; (2) any sums advanced by Mortgagee in such performance
shall be added to and included in the Indebtedness and shall bear interest at
the rate or rates at which interest is then computed on the Indebtedness; (3)
Mortgagee as such attorney-in-fact shall only be accountable for such funds as
are actually received by Mortgagee; and (4) Mortgagee shall not be liable to
Mortgagor or any other person or entity for any failure to take any action which
it is empowered to take under this Section.
                                   ------- 

          SECTION 7.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Mortgage shall be binding
                       ----------------------                                 
upon and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, the Lenders, and Mortgagor and their
respective successors and assigns.  Mortgagor shall not, without the prior
written consent of Mortgagee, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.5  NO WAIVER.  Any failure by Mortgagee to insist upon
                       ---------                                          
strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Loan
Documents shall not be deemed to be a waiver of same, and Mortgagee or the
Lenders shall have the right at any time to insist upon strict performance of
all of such terms, provisions and conditions.

          SECTION 7.6  CREDIT AGREEMENT.  If any conflict or inconsistency
                       ----------------                                   
exists between this Mortgage and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement
shall govern.

          SECTION 7.7  RELEASE OR RECONVEYANCE.  Upon payment in full of the
                       -----------------------                              
Indebtedness and performance in full of the Obligations, Mortgagee, at
Mortgagor's expense, shall release the liens and security interests created by
this Mortgage or reconvey the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagor.  In addition, as
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing or would be
caused thereby, if Mortgagor sells or transfers for value any portion of the
Mortgaged Property as permitted under Section 7.7 of the Credit Agreement,
Mortgagee shall release the liens and security interests created by this
Mortgage on such Mortgaged Property or reconvey such Mortgaged Property to
Mortgagor, concurrently with the consummation of such sale or other transfer.
Such release or reconveyance shall be at Mortgagor's sole cost and expense, and
only upon not less than thirty days' prior written notice to Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.8  WAIVER OF STAY, MORATORIUM AND SIMILAR RIGHTS.  Mortgagor
                       ---------------------------------------------            
agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any
time insist upon or plead or in any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling
of assets, extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and
effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
of the provisions of this Mortgage or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any
agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee or any rights or remedies of Mortgagee
or the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.9  APPLICABLE LAW.  The provisions of this Mortgage
                       --------------                                  
regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of the liens and security
interests herein granted shall be governed by and construed under the laws of
the state in which the Mortgaged Property is located.  All other provisions of
this Mortgage and the Obligations shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New York (including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

          SECTION 7.10  HEADINGS.  The Article, Section and Subsection titles
                        --------                                             
hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter,
modify or define, or be used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections
or Subsections.

          SECTION 7.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Mortgage and the other Loan
                        ----------------                                   
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Mortgagee and
Mortgagor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  Accordingly, the
Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or
subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral
agreements between the parties.


         [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          The laws of South Carolina provide that in any real estate foreclosure
proceeding a defendant against whom a personal judgment is taken or asked may
within thirty days after the sale of the mortgaged property apply to the court
for an order of appraisal.  The statutory appraisal value as approved by the
court would be substituted for the high bid and may decrease the amount of any
deficiency owing in connection with the transaction.  THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY
WAIVES AND RELINQUISHES THE STATUTORY APPRAISAL RIGHTS WHICH MEANS THE HIGH BID
AT THE JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE WILL BE APPLIED TO THE DEBT REGARDLESS OF ANY
APPRAISED VALUE OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor and Mortgagee have on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above written, caused
this instrument to be duly EXECUTED AND DELIVERED under seal by authority duly
given.

                              THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation



                              By: _____________________________
                                   Name:  William T. Flyg
                                   Title: Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief
                                           Financial Officer & Secretary
_________________________
Witness

_________________________
Witness

                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK



                              By: _____________________________
                                    Name:  Mark Felker
                                    Title: Senior Vice President
_________________________
Witness


_________________________
Witness

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

     STATE OF NEW YORK        )
                              ) SS.:
     COUNTY OF NEW YORK       )

          Personally appeared before me ______________________ (first witness)
and made oath that he/she saw the corporate seal of THE PANTRY, INC., affixed to
the foregoing instrument and that he/she also saw William T. Flyg, Senior Vice
President, and William T. Flyg, Secretary of said THE PANTRY, INC., sign and
attest the same, and that he/she with ____________________ (second witness)
witnessed the execution and delivery thereof as the act and deed of the said THE
PANTRY, INC.

                              __________________________________
                              FIRST WITNESS

     Sworn to before me this ____ day of October, 1997.

               __________________________________________________
               (SIGNATURE AND OFFICE OF INDIVIDUAL
               TAKING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
[SEAL]
     STATE OF NEW YORK        )
                              ) SS.:
     COUNTY OF NEW YORK       )

          Personally appeared before me ______________________ (first witness)
and made oath that he/she saw the corporate seal of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
affixed to the foregoing instrument and that he/she also saw Mark Felker, Senior
Vice President, and ______________, Secretary of said FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
sign and attest the same, and that he/she with ____________________ (second
witness) witnessed the execution and delivery thereof as the act and deed of the
said THE PANTRY, INC.

                              __________________________________
                              FIRST WITNESS

     Sworn to before me this ____ day of October, 1997.

               __________________________________________________
               (SIGNATURE AND OFFICE OF INDIVIDUAL
               TAKING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
[SEAL]

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                               MORTGAGED PROPERTY




                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                               ORIGINAL MORTGAGES


                                      B-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20


                     OBLIGATIONS SECURED HEREBY PROVIDE FOR
                          A FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATE


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
             DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                   AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (TENNESSEE)


                                  BY AND FROM

                          THE PANTRY, INC., "GRANTOR"

                                       TO

                           DAVID R. CANNON, "TRUSTEE"

                               FOR THE BENEFIT OF

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                    IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT, "BENEFICIARY"


                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997

                       COLLATERAL IS OR INCLUDES FIXTURES


          THE SECURED PARTY (BENEFICIARY) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
           TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
                                DESCRIBED HEREIN


                      PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
                           AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

                             O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
                             400 SOUTH HOPE STREET
                            LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
                       ATTENTION:  F. THOMAS MULLER, ESQ.
                                FILE 154,607-004
<PAGE>
 
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
             DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                   AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (TENNESSEE)

          THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (Tennessee) (this "DEED OF
TRUST") is dated as of October 23, 1997, by and from THE PANTRY, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("GRANTOR"), whose address is 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford,
North Carolina 27330, to CARLA PEACHER-RYAN, the trustee hereunder ("TRUSTEE"),
having an address c/o Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell, First Tennessee
Building, 165 Madison Avenue, Suite 2000, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, for the
benefit of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent ("AGENT") for the lenders party
to the Credit Agreement (defined below) (such lenders, together with their
respective successors and assigns, collectively, the "LENDERS"), having an
address at 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 (Agent,
together with its successors and assigns, "BENEFICIARY").

                                R E C I T A L S

     A.   Beneficiary is the assignee of the beneficial interest in those
certain deeds of trust described on Exhibit B hereto (the "ORIGINAL DEEDS OF
TRUST") and of the obligations secured thereby, which encumber the properties
described on Exhibit A hereto.

     B.   Beneficiary and Grantor now desire to amend and restate the Original
Deeds of Trust to contain all of the terms and conditions contained herein and
in the Credit Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, Beneficiary and Grantor hereby amend and restate the
Original Deeds of Trust in their entirety to provide as follows:


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.  All capitalized terms used herein without
                       -----------                                            
definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among Grantor, the
Lenders, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Syndication Agent, and
Beneficiary.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

          1.1.1  "INDEBTEDNESS":  (1) All indebtedness of Grantor to Beneficiary
and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the sum of all (a) principal,
interest and other amounts evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents, and (b)
principal, interest and other amounts
<PAGE>
 
which may hereafter be loaned by Beneficiary or any of the Lenders under or in
connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether
evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument which, by its terms, is
secured hereby, and (2) all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities now
or hereafter existing of any kind of Grantor to Beneficiary or any of the
Lenders under documents which recite that they are intended to be secured by
this Deed of Trust.

          1.1.2  "TRUST PROPERTY":  All of Grantor's interest in (1) the fee
interest in the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, together with any greater estate therein
as hereafter may be acquired by Grantor (the "LAND"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Grantor, now or at any time situated, placed or
constructed upon the Land (the "IMPROVEMENTS"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now owned or hereafter
acquired by Grantor and now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in
connection with any of the Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities whether or not
situated in easements (the "FIXTURES"), (4) all right, title and interest of
Grantor in and to all goods, accounts, general intangibles, instruments,
documents, chattel paper and all other personal property of any kind or
character, including such items of personal property as defined in the UCC
(defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Grantor and now or hereafter
affixed to, placed upon, used in connection with, arising from or otherwise
related to the Land and Improvements (the "PERSONALTY"), (5) all reserves,
escrows or impounds required under the Credit Agreement and all deposit accounts
maintained by Grantor with respect to the Trust Property, (6) all leases,
licenses, concessions, occupancy agreements or other agreements (written or
oral, now or at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a possessory
interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of the Trust Property,
together with all related security and other deposits (the "LEASES"), (7) all of
the rents, revenues, income, proceeds, profits, security and other types of
deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the Leases for using,
leasing, licensing, possessing, operating from, residing in, selling or
otherwise enjoying the Trust Property (the "RENTS"), (8) all other agreements,
such as construction contracts, architects' agreements, engineers' contracts,
utility contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements, service
contracts, permits, licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way relating
to the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance, enjoyment or
ownership of the Trust Property (the "PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (9) all rights,
privileges, tenements, hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements, appendages and
appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all accessions, replacements
and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all proceeds thereof, (11) all
insurance policies, unearned premiums therefor and proceeds from such policies
covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired by Grantor, and
(12) all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to any awards,
remunerations, reimbursements, settlements or compensation heretofore made or
hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining to the Land,
Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty.  As used in this Deed of Trust, the term
"TRUST PROPERTY" shall mean all or, where the context permits or requires, any
portion of the above or any interest therein.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          1.1.3  "OBLIGATIONS":  All of the agreements, covenants, conditions,
warranties, representations and other obligations of Grantor (including, without
limitation, the obligation to repay the Indebtedness) under the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

          1.1.4  "UCC":  The Uniform Commercial Code of Tennessee or, if the
creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest herein granted is
governed by the laws of a state other than Tennessee, then, as to the matter in
question, the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in that state.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                     GRANT
                                     -----

          SECTION 2.1  GRANT.
                       ----- 

          2.1.1  To secure the full and timely payment of the Indebtedness and
the full and timely performance of the Obligations, Grantor MORTGAGES, GRANTS,
BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Trustee, with power of sale, the Trust
Property, subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
the Trust Property to Trustee, for the benefit of Beneficiary upon the terms and
trusts herein, and Grantor does hereby bind itself, its successors and assigns
to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to the Trust Property unto Trustee
against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.

          2.1.2  THIS CONVEYANCE IS MADE UPON THIS SPECIAL TRUST, that if
Grantor shall pay the Indebtedness and perform the Obligations in accordance
with the Credit Agreement, Notes, this Deed of Trust, and the other Loan
Documents, then this conveyance shall be null and void and may be canceled of
record at the request and at the cost of Grantor as provided in Section 7.7
                                                                -----------
hereof.

          2.1.3  To the extent that any of the Trust Property is not real
property that Trustee is empowered to sell at a public sale pursuant to N.C.
Gen. Stat. (S) 45-21.1 et seq., or is not real property that could be sold at a
                       -- ----                                                 
public sale pursuant to a judicial proceeding to foreclose the lien of this Deed
of Trust, such property shall automatically be deemed to be personal property in
which a security interest is granted by Grantor unto Beneficiary as provided in
                                                                               
Section 6.1 of this Deed of Trust, effective as of the date of this Deed of
- -----------                                                                
Trust.

          SECTION 2.2  FUTURE ADVANCES.  This Deed of Trust is given to secure
                       ---------------                                        
all present and future Indebtedness of Grantor to Beneficiary.  The period in
which future Indebtedness may be incurred and secured by this Deed of Trust is
the period between the date hereof and that date which is ten years from the
date hereof.  The amount of present Indebtedness secured by this Deed of Trust
is Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000), and the maximum principal amount,
including present and future Indebtedness that may be secured by this Deed of
Trust at any one time is One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000).  Any
additional amounts

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
advanced by Beneficiary or Trustee pursuant to previous provisions of this Deed
of Trust or other Loan Documents shall be deemed necessary expenditures for the
protection of the Trust Property.  Grantor need not sign any instrument or
notation evidencing or stipulating that future advances are secured by this Deed
of Trust.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                   WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

          Grantor warrants, represents and covenants to Beneficiary as follows:

          SECTION 3.1  TITLE TO TRUST PROPERTY AND LIEN OF THIS INSTRUMENT.
                       ---------------------------------------------------  
Grantor owns the Trust Property free and clear of any liens, claims or
interests, except the Permitted Encumbrances.  This Deed of Trust creates valid,
enforceable first priority liens and security interests against the Trust
Property, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances.

          SECTION 3.2  FIRST LIEN STATUS.  Grantor shall preserve and protect
                       -----------------                                     
the first lien and security interest status of this Deed of Trust and the other
Loan Documents.  If any lien or security interest other than the Permitted
Encumbrances is asserted against the Trust Property, Grantor shall promptly, and
at its expense, (a) give Beneficiary a detailed written notice of such lien or
security interest (including origin, amount and other terms), and (b) pay the
underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to cause it to be
released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements of the Credit
Agreement (including the requirement of providing a bond or other security
satisfactory to Beneficiary).

          SECTION 3.3  PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE.  Grantor shall pay the
                       -----------------------                        
Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall perform the Obligations
in full when they are required to be performed.

          SECTION 3.4  REPLACEMENT OF FIXTURES AND PERSONALTY.  Grantor shall
                       --------------------------------------                
not, without the prior written consent of Beneficiary (said consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), permit any of the Fixtures or Personalty to
be removed at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless the removed item is
removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if removed permanently, is
obsolete and is replaced by an article of equal or better suitability and value,
owned by Grantor subject to the liens and security interests of this Deed of
Trust and the other Loan Documents, and free and clear of any other lien or
security interest except such as may be permitted under the Credit Agreement or
first approved in writing by Beneficiary.

          SECTION 3.5  INSPECTION.  Grantor shall permit Beneficiary and the
                       ----------                                           
Lenders, and their respective agents, representatives and employees, upon
reasonable prior notice to Grantor, to inspect the Trust Property and all books
and records of Grantor located thereon, and to conduct such environmental and
engineering studies as provided in the Credit Agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 3.6  OTHER COVENANTS.  All of the covenants in the Credit
                       ---------------                                     
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and, together with covenants in
this Article, shall be covenants running with the land.
     -------                                           

          SECTION 3.7  CONDEMNATION AWARDS AND INSURANCE PROCEEDS.
                       ------------------------------------------ 

          3.7.1  Condemnation Awards.  Grantor assigns all awards and
                 -------------------                                 
compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or other taking, or
any purchase in lieu thereof, to Beneficiary and authorizes Beneficiary to
collect and receive such awards and compensation and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

          3.7.2  Insurance Proceeds.  Subject to the terms of the Credit
                 ------------------                                     
Agreement, Grantor assigns to Beneficiary all proceeds of any insurance policies
insuring against loss or damage to the Trust Property.  Subject to the terms of
the Credit Agreement, Grantor authorizes Beneficiary to collect and receive such
proceeds and authorizes and directs the issuer of each of such insurance
policies to make payment for all such losses directly to Beneficiary, instead of
to Grantor and Beneficiary jointly.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                            DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 4.1  REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default exists, Beneficiary
                       --------                                             
may, at Beneficiary's election, exercise any or all of the following rights,
remedies and recourses:

          4.1.1  Acceleration.  Declare the Indebtedness to be immediately due
                 ------------                                                 
and payable, without further notice, presentment, protest, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, demand or action of any nature whatsoever
(each of which hereby is expressly waived by Grantor), whereupon the same shall
become immediately due and payable.

          4.1.2  Entry on Trust Property.  Enter the Trust Property and take
                 -----------------------                                    
exclusive possession thereof and of all books, records and accounts relating
thereto or located thereon.  If Grantor remains in possession of the Trust
Property after an Event of Default and without Beneficiary's prior written
consent, Beneficiary may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess Grantor.

          4.1.3  Operation of Trust Property.  Hold, lease, develop, manage,
                 ---------------------------                                
operate or otherwise use the Trust Property upon such terms and conditions as
Beneficiary may deem reasonable under the circumstances (making such repairs,
alternations, additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Beneficiary deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and
other amounts collected by Beneficiary in connection therewith in accordance
with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                       ----------- 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          4.1.4  Foreclosure and Sale.  Institute proceedings for the complete
                 --------------------                                         
foreclosure of this Deed of Trust, either by judicial action or by power of sale
in accordance with the provisions of applicable law, in which case the Trust
Property may be sold for cash or credit in one or more parcels.  With respect to
any notices required or permitted under the UCC, Grantor agrees that five days'
prior written notice shall be deemed commercially reasonable.  At any such sale
by virtue of any judicial proceedings, power of sale, or any other legal right,
remedy or recourse, the title to and right of possession of any such property
shall pass to the purchaser thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by law,
Grantor shall be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title,
interest, claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand whatsoever, either at
law or in equity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall be a perpetual
bar both at law and in equity against Grantor, and against all other Persons
claiming or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or under
Grantor.  Beneficiary or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser at such sale.  If
Beneficiary is the highest bidder, Beneficiary may credit the portion of the
purchase price that would be distributed to Beneficiary against the Indebtedness
in lieu of paying cash.  In the event this Deed of Trust is foreclosed by
judicial action, appraisement of the Trust Property is waived.

          4.1.4.a  Beneficiary instituting proceedings for foreclosure by power
of sale shall direct Trustee to exercise the power of sale granted hereunder,
and upon such direction, Trustee is hereby authorized and empowered to expose to
sale and to sell the Trust Property or any part thereof at public sale to the
highest bidder for cash, in compliance with all applicable requirements of
Tennessee law with respect to powers of sale in deeds of trust.  Trustee shall
have the right to designate the place of sale in compliance with applicable law,
and the sale shall be held at the place designated by the notice of sale.  The
successful bidder at any sale may be required by Trustee to immediately deposit
with Trustee cash or certified check or cashier's check in an amount up to five
percent of the bid, provided notice of such deposit requirement is published as
required by law.  Trustee may reject the bid if the deposit is not immediately
made.  Trustee shall refund such deposit in case of a resale because of an upset
bid or if Trustee is unable to convey the portion of the Trust Property so sold
to the bidder because the power of sale has been terminated in accordance with
applicable law.  If the purchaser fails to comply with its bid, Trustee may
retain the deposit and apply the deposit to the expenses of the sale and any
resales and to any damages and expenses incurred by reason of such default
(including the amount that such bid exceeds the final sales price), or may
deposit the deposit with the Clerk of Superior Court.  In all other cases,
Trustee shall apply the deposit to the purchase price.

          4.1.4.b  Beneficiary may direct Trustee to expose to sale and sell,
together with the real estate, any portion of the Trust Property which is
personal property.  If personal property is sold hereunder, it need not be at
the place of sale.  Trustee shall not be entitled to a commission for any
completed or uncompleted sale of real or personal property under this Section
4.1.4 upon an Event of Default, but shall be entitled to collect all reasonable
expenses and attorneys' fees and court costs in connection with exercising its
powers as Trustee.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          4.1.5  Receiver.  Make application to a court of competent
                 --------                                           
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of strict right and
without notice to Grantor or regard to the adequacy of the Trust Property for
the repayment of the Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the Trust
Property, and Grantor irrevocably consents to such appointment.  Any such
receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of receivers in similar
cases, including the full power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the
Trust Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and shall apply
such Rents in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                                                ----------- 

          4.1.6  Other.  Exercise all other rights, remedies and recourses
                 -----                                                    
granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

          SECTION 4.2  SEPARATE SALES.  The Trust Property may be sold in one or
                       --------------                                           
more parcels and in such manner and order as Beneficiary in its reasonable
discretion may elect; the right of sale arising out of any Event of Default
shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.

          SECTION 4.3  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, CONCURRENT AND NONEXCLUSIVE.
                       ------------------------------------------------  
Beneficiary and the Lenders shall have all rights, remedies and recourses
granted in the Loan Documents and available at law or equity (including the
UCC), which rights (a) shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued
separately, successively or concurrently against Grantor or others obligated
under the Loan Documents, or against the Trust Property, or against any one or
more of them, at the sole discretion of Beneficiary or the Lenders, (c) may be
exercised as often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or failure
to exercise any of them shall not be construed as a waiver or release thereof or
of any other right, remedy or recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall
be, nonexclusive.  No action by Beneficiary or the Lenders in the enforcement of
any rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or otherwise at law
or equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.4  RELEASE OF AND RESORT TO COLLATERAL.  Beneficiary may
                       -----------------------------------                  
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity for any notice to
or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien on the Trust Property, any part
of the Trust Property without, as to the remainder, in any way impairing,
affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or security interest created in
or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their status as a first and prior lien and
security interest in and to the Trust Property.  For payment of the
Indebtedness, Beneficiary may resort to any other security in such order and
manner as Beneficiary may elect.

          SECTION 4.5  WAIVER OF REDEMPTION, NOTICE AND MARSHALLING OF ASSETS.
                       ------------------------------------------------------- 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Grantor hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to Grantor
by virtue of any present or future statute of limitations or law or judicial
decision exempting the Trust Property from attachment, levy or sale on execution
or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption
or extension of time for payment, (b) all notices of any Event of Default or of

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Beneficiary's election to exercise or the actual exercise of any right, remedy
or recourse provided for under the Loan Documents, and (c) any right to a
marshalling of assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation.

          SECTION 4.6  DISCONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS.  If Beneficiary or the
                       -----------------------------                        
Lenders or Trustee shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse
permitted under the Loan Documents and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or
abandon it for any reason, Beneficiary or the Lenders or Trustee, as the case
may be, shall have the unqualified right to do so and, in such an event,
Grantor, Beneficiary, the Lenders or Trustee, as the case may be, shall be
restored to their former positions with respect to the Indebtedness, the
Obligations, the Loan Documents, the Trust Property and otherwise, and the
rights, remedies, recourses and powers of Beneficiary, the Lenders and Trustee
shall continue as if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but
no such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of Default which may
then exist or the right of Beneficiary or the Lenders or Trustee, as the case
may be, thereafter to exercise any right, remedy or recourse under the Loan
Documents for such Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.7  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds of any sale of, and
                       ----------------------                                   
the Rents and other amounts generated by the holding, leasing, management,
operation or other use of the Trust Property, shall be applied by Beneficiary
(or the receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless otherwise
required by applicable law:

          4.7.1  to the payment of the reasonable costs and expenses of taking
possession of the Trust Property and of holding, using, leasing, repairing,
improving and selling the same, including, without limitation (1) receiver's
fees and expenses, including the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any
receiver's certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants' fees
and expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;

          4.7.2  to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the
Obligations in such manner and order of preference as Beneficiary in its sole
discretion may determine; and

          4.7.3  the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons legally
entitled thereto.

          SECTION 4.8  OCCUPANCY AFTER FORECLOSURE.  Any sale of the Trust
                       ---------------------------                        
Property or any part thereof in accordance with Section 4.1.4 will, after the
                                                -------------                
expiration of any upset period, divest all right, title and interest of Grantor
in and to the property sold.  Subject to applicable law, any purchaser at a
foreclosure sale will receive immediate possession of the property purchased.
If Grantor retains possession of such property or any part thereof subsequent to
such sale, Grantor will be considered a tenant at sufferance of the purchaser,
and will, if Grantor remains in possession after demand to remove, be subject to
eviction and removal, with or without process of law.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.9  ADDITIONAL ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS; COSTS OF
                       -----------------------------------------------
ENFORCEMENT.
- ----------- 

          4.9.1  If any Event of Default exists, Beneficiary and each of the
Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure such Event of
Default in the name and on behalf of Grantor.  All sums advanced and expenses
incurred at any time by Beneficiary or any Lender under this Section, or
                                                             -------    
otherwise under this Deed of Trust or any of the other Loan Documents or
applicable law, shall be deemed advances of principal evidenced by the Notes and
shall bear interest from the date that such sum is advanced or expense incurred,
to and including the date of reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at
which interest is then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together
with interest thereon, shall be secured by this Deed of Trust.

          4.9.2  Grantor shall pay all expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses) of or incidental to the perfection and enforcement of this
Deed of Trust and the other Loan Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or
settlement of the Indebtedness or any claim under this Deed of Trust and the
other Loan Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or asserting
the rights and claims of Beneficiary in respect thereof, by litigation or
otherwise.  Attorneys' fees and expenses payable by Grantor under this Section
                                                                       -------
4.9 or otherwise under this Deed of Trust shall be limited to those reasonable
- ---                                                                           
fees and expenses actually incurred at standard rates without reference to a
specific percentage of the outstanding balance of the Indebtedness.

          SECTION 4.10  NO BENEFICIARY IN POSSESSION.  Except as otherwise
                        ----------------------------                      
provided by law, neither the enforcement of any of the remedies under this
                                                                          
Article, the assignment of the Rents and Leases under Article 5, the security
- -------                                               ---------              
interests under Article 5, nor any other remedies afforded to Beneficiary under
                ---------                                                      
the Loan Documents, at law or in equity shall cause Beneficiary or any Lender to
be deemed or construed to be a beneficiary in possession of the Trust Property,
to obligate Beneficiary or any Lender to lease the Trust Property or attempt to
do so, or to take any action, incur any expense, or perform or discharge any
obligation, duty or liability whatsoever under any of the Leases or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
                         ------------------------------

          SECTION 5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  In furtherance of and in addition to the
                       ----------                                           
assignment made by Grantor in Section 2.1 of this Deed of Trust, Grantor hereby
                              -----------                                      
absolutely and unconditionally assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to
Beneficiary all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether
now existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title and interest
in and to all Rents.  If permitted under applicable law, this assignment is an
absolute assignment and not merely an assignment for additional security.  So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Grantor shall
have a revocable license from Beneficiary to exercise all rights extended to the
landlord under the Leases, including the right

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
to receive and collect all Rents and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the
payment and performance of the Obligations and to otherwise use the same.  The
foregoing license is granted subject to the conditional limitation that no Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings
have commenced, and without regard to waste, adequacy of security for the
Obligations or solvency of Grantor, the license herein granted shall
automatically expire and terminate, without notice by Beneficiary (any such
notice being hereby expressly waived by Grantor).

          SECTION 5.2  PERFECTION UPON RECORDATION.  Grantor acknowledges that
                       ---------------------------                            
Beneficiary has taken all actions necessary to obtain, and that upon recordation
of this Deed of Trust Beneficiary shall have, to the extent permitted under
applicable law, a valid and fully perfected first priority present assignment of
the Rents arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.  Grantor
acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this Deed of Trust
Beneficiary's interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be fully perfected,
"choate" and enforced as to Grantor and all third parties, including, without
limitation, any subsequently appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the
United States Code (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), without the necessity of commencing
a foreclosure action with respect to this Deed of Trust, making formal demand
for the Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or taking any other
affirmative action.

          SECTION 5.3  BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS.  Without limitation of the
                       ---------------------                            
absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder, Grantor and
Beneficiary agree that (a) this Deed of Trust shall constitute a "security
agreement" for purposes of Section 552(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the
security interest created by this Deed of Trust extends to property of Grantor
acquired before the commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid
as Rents and (c) such security interest shall extend to all Rents acquired by
the estate after the commencement of any case in bankruptcy.

          SECTION 5.4  NO MERGER OF ESTATES.  So long as part of the
                       --------------------                         
Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid and undischarged,
the fee and leasehold estates to the Trust Property shall not merge, but shall
remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the union of such estates either
in Grantor, Beneficiary, any tenant or any third party by purchase or otherwise.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 6
                              SECURITY AGREEMENT
                              ------------------

          SECTION 6.1  SECURITY INTEREST.  This Deed of Trust constitutes a
                       -----------------                                   
"Security Agreement" on personal property within the meaning of the UCC and
other applicable law and with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents
and Property Agreements.  To this end, Grantor grants to Beneficiary a first and
prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and Property
Agreements and all other Trust Property which is personal property to secure the
payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations, and agrees that
Beneficiary shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the
UCC with respect to such property.  Any notice of sale, disposition or other
intended action by Beneficiary with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents and Property Agreements sent to Grantor at least five days prior to any
action under the UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to Grantor.

          SECTION 6.2  FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Grantor shall execute and deliver
                       --------------------                                    
to Beneficiary, in form and substance satisfactory to Beneficiary, such
financing statements and such further assurances as Beneficiary may, from time
to time, reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve
Beneficiary's security interest hereunder and Beneficiary may cause such
statements and assurances to be recorded and filed, at such times and places as
may be required or permitted by law to so create, perfect and preserve such
security interest.  Grantor's chief executive office is in the State of North
Carolina at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this Deed of Trust.

          SECTION 6.3  FIXTURE FILING.  This Deed of Trust shall also constitute
                       --------------                                           
a "fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against all of the Trust Property
which is or is to become fixtures.  Information concerning the security interest
herein granted may be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Grantor) and Secured
Party (Beneficiary) as set forth in the first paragraph of this Deed of Trust.
For the purposes of complying with N.C. Gen. Stat. (S) 25-9-402:  (i) the types
or items of collateral are described in Section 6.1 hereof, as further described
                                        -----------                             
in Section 1.1.2 hereof; and (ii) the description of the Land to which any
   -------------                                                          
fixtures are attached is set forth in Exhibit A hereto.  The collateral is or
includes fixtures.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------
          SECTION 7.1  NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be given
                       -------                                               
under this Deed of Trust shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the
Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 7.2  COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND.  All Obligations
                       -------------------------------                  
contained in this Deed of Trust are intended by Grantor and Beneficiary to be,
and shall be construed as, covenants running with the Trust Property.  As used
herein, "Grantor" shall refer to the party named in the first paragraph of this
Deed of Trust and to any subsequent owner of all or any

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
portion of the Trust Property.  All Persons who may have or acquire an interest
in the Trust Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the
terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; however, no such
party shall be entitled to any rights thereunder without the prior written
consent of Beneficiary.

          SECTION 7.3  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints
                       ----------------                                      
Beneficiary and its successors and assigns, as its attorney-in-fact, which
agency is coupled with an interest, (a) to execute and/or record any notices of
completion, cessation of labor or any other notices that Beneficiary deems
appropriate to protect Beneficiary's interest, if Grantor shall fail to do so
within ten (10) days after written request by Beneficiary, (b) upon the issuance
of a deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Deed of Trust or the delivery of a
deed in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of assignment,
conveyance or further assurance with respect to the Leases, Rents, Personalty,
Fixtures and Property Agreements in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as
may be necessary or desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file
or record financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or preserve
Beneficiary's security interests and rights in or to any of the Trust Property,
and (d) while any Event of Default exists, to perform any obligation of Grantor
hereunder, however: (1) Beneficiary shall not under any circumstances be
obligated to perform any obligation of Grantor; (2) any sums advanced by
Beneficiary in such performance shall be added to and included in the
Indebtedness and shall bear interest at the rate or rates at which interest is
then computed on the Indebtedness; (3) Beneficiary as such attorney-in-fact
shall only be accountable for such funds as are actually received by
Beneficiary; and (4) Beneficiary shall not be liable to Grantor or any other
person or entity for any failure to take any action which it is empowered to
take under this Section.
                ------- 

          SECTION 7.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Deed of Trust shall be
                       ----------------------                              
binding upon and inure to the benefit of Beneficiary, the Lenders, and Grantor
and their respective successors and assigns.  Grantor shall not, without the
prior written consent of Beneficiary, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.5  NO WAIVER.  Any failure by Beneficiary to insist upon
                       ---------                                            
strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Loan
Documents shall not be deemed to be a waiver of same, and Beneficiary or the
Lenders shall have the right at any time to insist upon strict performance of
all of such terms, provisions and conditions.

          SECTION 7.6  CREDIT AGREEMENT.  If any conflict or inconsistency
                       ----------------                                   
exists between this Deed of Trust and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement
shall govern.

          SECTION 7.7  RELEASE OR RECONVEYANCE.  Upon payment in full of the
                       -----------------------                              
Indebtedness and performance in full of the Obligations, the conveyance of the
Trust Property to Trustee under this Deed of Trust shall be null and void, and
upon Grantor's request, Trustee and Beneficiary, at Grantor's expense, shall
release and cancel of record the liens and security

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
interests created by this Deed of Trust or reconvey the Trust Property to
Grantor.  In addition, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then
continuing or would be caused thereby, if Grantor sells or transfers for value
any portion of the Trust Property as permitted under Section 7.7 of the Credit
                                                     -----------              
Agreement, Beneficiary shall release the liens and security interests created by
this Deed of Trust on such Trust Property or reconvey such Trust Property to
Grantor, concurrently with the consummation of such sale or other transfer.
Such release or reconveyance shall be at Grantor's sole cost and expense, and
only upon not less than thirty days' prior written notice to Beneficiary.

          SECTION 7.8  WAIVER OF STAY, MORATORIUM AND SIMILAR RIGHTS.  Grantor
                       ---------------------------------------------          
agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any
time insist upon or plead or in any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling
of assets, extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and
effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the provisions of this Deed
of Trust or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any agreement between Grantor
and Beneficiary or any rights or remedies of Beneficiary or the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.9  APPLICABLE LAW.  The provisions of this Deed of Trust
                       --------------                                       
regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of the liens and security
interests herein granted shall be governed by and construed under the laws of
the state in which the Trust Property is located.  All other provisions of this
Deed of Trust and the Obligations shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New York (including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

          SECTION 7.10  HEADINGS.  The Article, Section and Subsection titles
                        --------                                             
hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter,
modify or define, or be used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections
or Subsections.

          SECTION 7.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Deed of Trust and the other Loan
                        ----------------                                        
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Beneficiary and
Grantor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  Accordingly, the
Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or
subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral
agreements between the parties.

          SECTION 7.12  SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE.  If, for any reason,
                        -----------------------                      
Beneficiary shall elect a substitute for the Trustee herein named or any
successor to said Trustee(s), Beneficiary shall have the right to appoint a
successor Trustee by duly acknowledged written instruments, and each new Trustee
immediately upon recordation of the instrument so appointing such new Trustee
shall become successor in title to the Trust Property for the uses and purposes
of this Deed of Trust, and with all the powers, duties and obligations conferred
on the Trustee in the same manner and to the same effect as though he were named
herein as the Trustee, including,

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
without limitation, the power of sale.  If more than one Trustee has been
appointed, each of such Trustees and each successor thereto shall be and hereby
is empowered to act independently.


         [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Beneficiary have on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above written, caused
this instrument to be duly EXECUTED UNDER SEAL AND DELIVERED by authority duly
given.


                    THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation



                    By: _______________________________________
                         Name:  William T. Flyg
                         Title: Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial
                                Officer and Secretary



                    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, in its capacity as Agent



                    By: _______________________________________
                         Name:  Mark Felker
                         Title: Senior Vice President

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

     I, the undersigned, Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid,
certify that William T. Felker personally came before me this day and
acknowledged that he is Secretary of The Pantry, Inc., a corporation and that by
authority duly given and as the act of the corporation, the foregoing instrument
was signed in its name by its Senior Vice President, sealed with its corporate
seal, and attested by her/him as its _____________________ Secretary.

     WITNESS my hand and official stamp or seal this _____ day of October, 1997.

                                    _______________________________________
                                         Notary Public

My Commission expires:
___________________________

[AFFIX NOTARIAL STAMP
OR SEAL]


                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

     I, the undersigned, Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid,
certify that Mark Felker personally came before me this day and acknowledged
that he is _________________________ Secretary of First Union National Bank, a
corporation and that by authority duly given and as the act of the corporation,
the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by its Senior Vice President,
sealed with its corporate seal, and attested by her/him as its
_____________________ Secretary.

     WITNESS my hand and official stamp or seal this _____ day of October, 1997.


                                    _______________________________________
                                         Notary Public

My Commission expires:

___________________________

[AFFIX NOTARIAL STAMP
OR SEAL]


                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                                 TRUST PROPERTY




                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                            ORIGINAL DEEDS OF TRUST



                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
ANTINOVATION CLAUSE

Trustor's obligations under the Mortgage Notes, the Forbearance Agreement and
the other instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith, as amended
by and pursuant to the General Restructuring Agreement and the New Instruments,
shall continue to be secured by the Existing Mortgages, which are hereby amended
to conform to the terms thereof and to secure the obligations of Trustor
thereunder.  Except as amended by this Amendment, the Existing Mortgages shall
continue unmodified and in full force and effect.  The parties hereto hereby
ratify and confirm the Existing Mortgages, as amended herein.



                                      B-2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21


                     OBLIGATIONS SECURED HEREBY PROVIDE FOR
                          A FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATE


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                    AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (KENTUCKY)


                                  BY AND FROM

                        THE PANTRY, INC., ``MORTGAGOR''

                                       TO

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                    IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT, ``MORTGAGEE''

                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997

           THE SECURED PARTY (MORTGAGEE) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
           TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
                                DESCRIBED HEREIN

                      PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
                           AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

                             O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
                             400 SOUTH HOPE STREET
                            LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
                       ATTENTION:  F. THOMAS MULLER, ESQ.
                                FILE 154,607-004

                       _________________________________
<PAGE>
 
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                    AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (KENTUCKY)

          THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF
RENTS AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (Kentucky) (this "MORTGAGE") is dated as of
October 23, 1997, by and from THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation
("MORTGAGOR"), whose address is 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North Carolina
27330, to FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent ("AGENT") for the lenders party to
the Credit Agreement (defined below) (such lenders, together with their
respective successors and assigns, collectively, the "LENDERS"), having an
address at 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 (Agent,
together with its successors and assigns, "MORTGAGEE").

                                R E C I T A L S

     A.   Mortgagee is the assignee, owner and holder of those certain mortgages
described on Exhibit B hereto (the "ORIGINAL MORTGAGES") and the obligations
secured thereby, which encumber the properties described on Exhibit A hereto.
Mortgagee's address is set forth above, and is located in the County of
Mecklenburg.

     B.   Mortgagee and Mortgagor now desire to amend and restate the Original
Mortgages to contain all of the terms and conditions contained herein and in the
Credit Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, Mortgagee and Mortgagor hereby amend and restate the
Original Mortgages in their entirety to provide as follows:


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.  All capitalized terms used herein without
                       -----------                                            
definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among Mortgagor,
the Lenders, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Syndication Agent, and
Mortgagee.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

          1.1.1  "INDEBTEDNESS":  (1) All indebtedness of Mortgagor to Mortgagee
and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the sum of all (a) principal,
interest and other amounts evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents, including
the aggregate original principal amount
<PAGE>
 
of the Notes, which is $75,000,000, and (b) principal, interest and other
amounts which may hereafter be loaned by Mortgagee or any of the Lenders under
or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
whether evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument which, by its terms,
is secured hereby, and (2) all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities
now or hereafter existing of any kind of Mortgagor to Mortgagee or any of the
Lenders under documents which recite that they are intended to be secured by
this Mortgage.  The current maturity date of the Notes is October 31, 2002.

          1.1.2  "MORTGAGED PROPERTY":  All of Mortgagor's interest in (1) the
fee interest in the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, together with any greater estate therein
as hereafter may be acquired by Mortgagor (the "LAND"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, now or at any time situated, placed or
constructed upon the Land (the "IMPROVEMENTS"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now owned or hereafter
acquired by Mortgagor and now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in
connection with any of the Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities whether or not
situated in easements (the "FIXTURES"), (4) all right, title and interest of
Mortgagor in and to all goods, accounts, general intangibles, instruments,
documents, chattel paper and all other personal property of any kind or
character, including such items of personal property as defined in the UCC
(defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor and now or
hereafter affixed to, placed upon, used in connection with, arising from or
otherwise related to the Land and Improvements (the "PERSONALTY"), (5) all
reserves, escrows or impounds required under the Credit Agreement and all
deposit accounts maintained by Mortgagor with respect to the Mortgaged Property,
(6) all leases, licenses, concessions, occupancy agreements or other agreements
(written or oral, now or at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a
possessory interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of the Mortgaged
Property, together with all related security and other deposits (the "LEASES"),
(7) all of the rents, revenues, income, proceeds, profits, security and other
types of deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the Leases
for using, leasing, licensing, possessing, operating from, residing in, selling
or otherwise enjoying the Mortgaged Property (the "RENTS"), (8) all other
agreements, such as construction contracts, architects' agreements, engineers'
contracts, utility contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements,
service contracts, permits, licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way
relating to the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance, enjoyment
or ownership of the Mortgaged Property (the "PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (9) all
rights, privileges, tenements, hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements,
appendages and appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all accessions,
replacements and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all proceeds
thereof, (11) all insurance policies, unearned premiums therefor and proceeds
from such policies covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired
by Mortgagor, and (12) all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest in and to
any awards, remunerations, reimbursements, settlements or compensation
heretofore made or hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining
to the Land, Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty.  As used

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
in this Mortgage, the term "MORTGAGED PROPERTY" shall mean all or, where the
context permit or requires, any portion of the above or any interest therein.

          1.1.3  "OBLIGATIONS":  All of the agreements, covenants, conditions,
warranties, representations and other obligations of Mortgagor (including,
without limitation, the obligation to repay the Indebtedness) under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          1.1.4  "UCC":  The Uniform Commercial Code of Kentucky or, if the
creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest herein granted is
governed by the laws of a state other than Kentucky, then, as to the matter in
question, the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in that state.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                     GRANT
                                     -----

          SECTION 2.1  GRANT.  To secure the full and timely payment of the
                       -----                                               
Indebtedness and the full and timely performance of the Obligations, Mortgagor
MORTGAGES, GRANTS, BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Mortgagee the
Mortgaged Property, subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND
TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, and Mortgagor does hereby bind
itself, its successors and assigns to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to
the Mortgaged Property unto Mortgagee.

          SECTION 2.2  FUTURE ADVANCES.  This Mortgage is given to secure all
                       ---------------                                       
present and future Indebtedness of Mortgagor to Mortgagee.  The period in which
future Indebtedness may be incurred and secured by this Mortgage is the period
between the date hereof and that date which is ten years from the date hereof.
The amount of present Indebtedness secured by this Mortgage is Seventy-Five
Million Dollars ($75,000,000), and the maximum principal amount, including
present and future Indebtedness that may be secured by this Mortgage at any one
time is One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000).  Any additional
amounts advanced by Mortgagee pursuant to other provisions of this Mortgage or
other Loan Documents shall be deemed necessary expenditures for the protection
of the Mortgaged Property.  Mortgagor need not sign any instrument or notation
evidencing or stipulating that future advances are secured by this Mortgage.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                   WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

          Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants to Mortgagee as follows:

          SECTION 3.1  TITLE TO MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND LIEN OF THIS INSTRUMENT.
                       -------------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagor owns the Mortgaged Property free and clear of any liens, claims or
interests, except

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
the Permitted Encumbrances.  This Mortgage creates valid, enforceable first
priority liens and security interests against the Mortgaged Property.

          SECTION 3.2  FIRST LIEN STATUS.  Mortgagor shall preserve and protect
                       -----------------                                       
the first lien and security interest status of this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents.  If any lien or security interest other than the Permitted
Encumbrances is asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagor shall
promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Mortgagee a detailed written notice of
such lien or security interest (including origin, amount and other terms), and
(b) pay the underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to cause it
to be released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements of the
Credit Agreement (including the requirement of providing a bond or other
security satisfactory to Mortgagee).

          SECTION 3.3  PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE.  Mortgagor shall pay the
                       -----------------------                          
Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall perform the Obligations
in full when they are required to be performed.

          SECTION 3.4  REPLACEMENT OF FIXTURES AND PERSONALTY.  Mortgagor shall
                       --------------------------------------                  
not, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, permit any of the Fixtures
or Personalty to be removed at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless
the removed item is removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if
removed permanently, is obsolete and is replaced by an article of equal or
better suitability and value, owned by Mortgagor subject to the liens and
security interests of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, and free and
clear of any other lien or security interest except such as may be permitted
under the Credit Agreement or first approved in writing by Mortgagee.

          SECTION 3.5  INSPECTION.  Mortgagor shall permit Mortgagee and the
                       ----------                                           
Lenders, and their respective agents, representatives and employees, upon
reasonable prior notice to Mortgagor, to inspect the Mortgaged Property and all
books and records of Mortgagor located thereon, and to conduct such
environmental and engineering studies as Mortgagee or the Lenders may require,
provided that such inspections and studies shall not materially interfere with
the use and operation of the Mortgaged Property.

          SECTION 3.6  OTHER COVENANTS.  All of the covenants in the Credit
                       ---------------                                     
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and, together with covenants in
this Article, shall be covenants running with the land.
     -------                                           

          SECTION 3.7  CONDEMNATION AWARDS AND INSURANCE PROCEEDS.
                       ------------------------------------------ 

          3.7.1  Condemnation Awards.  Mortgagor assigns all awards and
                 -------------------                                   
compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or other taking, or
any purchase in lieu thereof, to Mortgagee and authorizes Mortgagee to collect
and receive such awards and compensation and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          3.7.2  Insurance Proceeds.  Mortgagor assigns to Mortgagee all
                 ------------------                                     
proceeds of any insurance policies insuring against loss or damage to the
Mortgaged Property.  Mortgagor authorizes Mortgagee to collect and receive such
proceeds and authorizes and directs the issuer of each of such insurance
policies to make payment for all such losses directly to Mortgagee, instead of
to Mortgagor and Mortgagee jointly.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                            DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 4.1  REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default exists, Mortgagee may,
                       --------                                                
at Mortgagee's election, exercise any or all of the following rights, remedies
and recourses:

          4.1.1  Acceleration.  Declare the Indebtedness to be immediately due
                 ------------                                                 
and payable, without further notice, presentment, protest, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, demand or action of any nature whatsoever
(each of which hereby is expressly waived by Mortgagor), whereupon the same
shall become immediately due and payable.

          4.1.2  Entry on Mortgaged Property.  Enter the Mortgaged Property and
                 ---------------------------                                   
take exclusive possession thereof and of all books, records and accounts
relating thereto or located thereon.  If Mortgagor remains in possession of the
Mortgaged Property after an Event of Default and without Mortgagee's prior
written consent, Mortgagee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess
Mortgagor.

          4.1.3  Operation of Mortgaged Property.  Hold, lease, develop, manage,
                 -------------------------------                                
operate or otherwise use the Mortgaged Property upon such terms and conditions
as Mortgagee may deem reasonable under the circumstances (making such repairs,
alternations, additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Mortgagee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and other
amounts collected by Mortgagee in connection therewith in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.7.
              ----------- 

          4.1.4  Foreclosure and Sale.  Institute proceedings for the complete
                 --------------------                                         
foreclosure of this Mortgage, either by judicial action or by power of sale, in
which case the Mortgaged Property may be sold for cash or credit in one or more
parcels.  With respect to any notices required or permitted under the UCC,
Mortgagor agrees that five days' prior written notice shall be deemed
commercially reasonable.  At any such sale by virtue of any judicial
proceedings, power of sale, or any other legal right, remedy or recourse, the
title to and right of possession of any such property shall pass to the
purchaser thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor shall
be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title, interest,
claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand whatsoever, either at law or in
equity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall be a perpetual bar both
at law and in equity against Mortgagor, and against all other Persons claiming
or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or under
Mortgagor.  Mortgagee or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
at such sale.  If Mortgagee is the highest bidder, Mortgagee may credit the
portion of the purchase price that would be distributed to Mortgagee against the
Indebtedness in lieu of paying cash.  In the event this Mortgage is foreclosed
by judicial action, appraisement of the Mortgaged Property is waived.

          4.1.5  Receiver.  Make application to a court of competent
                 --------                                           
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of strict right and
without notice to Mortgagor or regard to the adequacy of the Mortgaged Property
for the repayment of the Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the
Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagor irrevocably consents to such appointment.  Any
such receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of receivers in similar
cases, including the full power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the
Mortgaged Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and shall
apply such Rents in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                                                      ----------- 

          4.1.6  Other.  Exercise all other rights, remedies and recourses
                 -----                                                    
granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

          SECTION 4.2  SEPARATE SALES.  The Mortgaged Property may be sold in
                       --------------                                        
one or more parcels and in such manner and order as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may elect; the right of sale arising out of any Event of Default
shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.

          SECTION 4.3  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, CONCURRENT AND NONEXCLUSIVE.
                       ------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagee and the Lenders shall have all rights, remedies and recourses granted
in the Loan Documents and available at law or equity (including the UCC), which
rights (a) shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Mortgagor or others obligated under the
Loan Documents, or against the Mortgaged Property, or against any one or more of
them, at the sole discretion of Mortgagee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised
as often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or failure to
exercise any of them shall not be construed as a waiver or release thereof or of
any other right, remedy or recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be,
nonexclusive.  No action by Mortgagee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or otherwise at law or
equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.4  RELEASE OF AND RESORT TO COLLATERAL.  Mortgagee may
                       -----------------------------------                
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity for any notice to
or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien on the Mortgaged Property, any
part of the Mortgaged Property without, as to the remainder, in any way
impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or security interest
created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their status as a first and
prior lien and security interest in and to the Mortgaged Property.  For payment
of the Indebtedness, Mortgagee may resort to any other security in such order
and manner as Mortgagee may elect.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.5  WAIVER OF REDEMPTION, NOTICE AND MARSHALLING OF ASSETS.
                       ------------------------------------------------------- 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to
Mortgagor by virtue of any present or future statute of limitations or law or
judicial decision exempting the Mortgaged Property from attachment, levy or sale
on execution or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil
process, redemption or extension of time for payment, (b) all notices of any
Event of Default or of Mortgagee's election to exercise or the actual exercise
of any right, remedy or recourse provided for under the Loan Documents, and (c)
any right to a marshalling of assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation.

          SECTION 4.6  DISCONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS.  If Mortgagee or the
                       -----------------------------                      
Lenders shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse permitted
under the Loan Documents and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it
for any reason, Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right to do
so and, in such an event, Mortgagor, Mortgagee, and the Lenders shall be
restored to their former positions with respect to the Indebtedness, the
Obligations, the Loan Documents, the Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the
rights, remedies, recourses and powers of Mortgagee and the Lenders shall
continue and if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but no
such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of Default which may
then exist or the right of Mortgagee or the Lenders thereafter to exercise any
right, remedy or recourse under the Loan Documents for such Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.7  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds of any sale of, and
                       ----------------------                                   
the Rents and other amounts generated by the holding, leasing, management,
operation or other use of the Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Mortgagee
(or the receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless otherwise
required by applicable law:

          4.7.1  to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking possession
of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using, leasing, repairing, improving
and selling the same, including, without limitation (1) receiver's fees and
expenses, including the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants' fees and
expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;

          4.7.2  to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the
Obligations in such manner and order of preference as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may determine; and

          4.7.3  the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons legally
entitled thereto.

          SECTION 4.8  OCCUPANCY AFTER FORECLOSURE.  Any sale of the Mortgaged
                       ---------------------------                            
Property or any part thereof in accordance with Section 4.1.4 will divest all
                                                -------------                
right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to the property sold.  Subject to
applicable law, any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased.  If Mortgagor retains

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
possession of such property or any part thereof subsequent to such sale,
Mortgagor will be considered a tenant at sufferance of the purchaser, and will,
if Mortgagor remains in possession after demand to remove, be subject to
eviction and removal, forcible or otherwise, with or without process of law.

          SECTION 4.9  ADDITIONAL ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS; COSTS OF
                       -----------------------------------------------
ENFORCEMENT.
- ----------- 

          4.9.1  If any Event of Default exists, Mortgagee and each of the
Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure such Event of
Default in the name and on behalf of Mortgagor.  All sums advanced and expenses
incurred at any time by Mortgagee or any Lender under this Section, or otherwise
                                                           -------              
under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or applicable law, shall
bear interest from the date that such sum is advanced or expense incurred, to
and including the date of reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which
interest is then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together with
interest thereon, shall be secured by this Mortgage.

          4.9.2  Mortgagor shall pay all expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) of or incidental to the perfection and enforcement
of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or
settlement of the Indebtedness or any claim under this Mortgage and the other
Loan Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or asserting the
rights and claims of Mortgagee in respect thereof, by litigation or otherwise.

          SECTION 4.10  NO MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION. Neither the enforcement of
                        --------------------------                            
any of the remedies under this Article, the assignment of the Rents and Leases
                               -------                                        
under Article 5, the security interests under Article 6, nor any other remedies
      ---------                               ---------                        
afforded to Mortgagee under the Loan Documents, at law or in equity shall cause
Mortgagee or any Lender to be deemed or construed to be a mortgagee in
possession of the Mortgaged Property, to obligate Mortgagee or any Lender to
lease the Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action, incur
any expense, or perform or discharge any obligation, duty or liability
whatsoever under any of the Leases or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
                         ------------------------------

          SECTION 5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  In furtherance of and in addition to the
                       ----------                                           
assignment made by Mortgagor in Section 2.1 of this Mortgage, Mortgagor hereby
                                -----------                                   
absolutely and unconditionally assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to
Mortgagee all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether now
existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title and interest in
and to all Rents.  If permitted under applicable law, this assignment is an
absolute assignment and not merely an assignment for additional security.  So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Mortgagor
shall have a revocable license from Mortgagee to exercise all rights extended to
the landlord under the Leases, including the right

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
to receive and collect all Rents and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the
payment and performance of the Obligations and to otherwise use the same.  The
foregoing license is granted subject to the conditional limitation that no Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings
have commenced, and without regard to waste, adequacy of security for the
Obligations or solvency of Mortgagor, the license herein granted shall
automatically expire and terminate, without notice by Mortgagee (any such notice
being hereby expressly waived by Mortgagor).

          SECTION 5.2  PERFECTION UPON RECORDATION.  Mortgagor acknowledges that
                       ---------------------------                              
Mortgagee has taken all actions necessary to obtain, and that upon recordation
of this Mortgage Mortgagee shall have, to the extent permitted under applicable
law, a valid and fully perfected first priority present assignment of the Rents
arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.  Mortgagor
acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this Mortgage Mortgagee's
interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be fully perfected, ``choate'' and
enforced as to Mortgagor and all third parties, including, without limitation,
any subsequently appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the United
States Code (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), without the necessity of commencing a
foreclosure action with respect to this Mortgage, making formal demand for the
Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or taking any other affirmative
action.

          SECTION 5.3  BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS.  Without limitation of the
                       ---------------------                            
absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder, Mortgagor and
Mortgagee agree that (a) this Mortgage shall constitute a ``security agreement''
for purposes of Section 552(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the security interest
created by this Mortgage extends to property of Mortgagor acquired before the
commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid as Rents and (c)
such security interest shall extend to all Rents acquired by the estate after
the commencement of any case in bankruptcy.

          SECTION 5.4  NO MERGER OF ESTATES.  So long as part of the
                       --------------------                         
Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid and undischarged,
the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged Property shall not merge, but
shall remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the union of such estates
either in Mortgagor, Mortgagee, any tenant or any third party by purchase or
otherwise.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 6
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

          SECTION 6.1  SECURITY INTEREST.  This Mortgage constitutes a "Security
                       -----------------                                        
Agreement" on personal property within the meaning of the UCC and other
applicable law and with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and
Property Agreements.  To this end, Mortgagor grants to Mortgagee a first and
prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and Property
Agreements and all other Mortgaged Property which is personal property to secure
the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations, and agrees
that Mortgagee shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under
the UCC with respect to such property.  Any notice of sale, disposition or other
intended action by Mortgagee with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents and Property Agreements sent to Mortgagor at least five (5) days prior to
any action under the UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to Mortgagor.

          SECTION 6.2  FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Mortgagor shall execute and
                       --------------------                              
deliver to Mortgagee, in form and substance satisfactory to Mortgagee, such
financing statements and such further assurances as Mortgagee may, from time to
time, reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve Mortgagee's
security interest hereunder and Mortgagee may cause such statements and
assurances to be recorded and filed, at such times and places as may be required
or permitted by law to so create, perfect and preserve such security interest.
Mortgagor's chief executive office is in the State of North Carolina at the
address set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage.

          SECTION 6.3  FIXTURE FILING.  This Mortgage shall also constitute a
                       --------------                                        
"fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against all of the Mortgaged
Property which is or is to become fixtures.  Information concerning the security
interest herein granted may be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Mortgagor)
and Secured Party (Mortgagee) as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Mortgage.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------
          SECTION 7.1  NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be given
                       -------                                               
under this Mortgage shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the
Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 7.2  COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND.  All Obligations
                       -------------------------------                  
contained in this Mortgage are intended by Mortgagor and Mortgagee to be, and
shall be construed as, covenants running with the Mortgaged Property.  As used
herein, "Mortgagor" shall refer to the party named in the first paragraph of
this Mortgage and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of the Mortgaged
Property.  All Persons who may have or acquire an interest in the Mortgaged
Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the terms of the
Credit

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Agreement and the other Loan Documents; however, no such party shall be entitled
to any rights thereunder without the prior written consent of Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.3  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Mortgagor hereby irrevocably appoints
                       ----------------                                        
Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, as its attorney-in-fact, which agency
is coupled with an interest, (a) to execute and/or record any notices of
completion, cessation of labor or any other notices that Mortgagee deems
appropriate to protect Mortgagee's interest, if Mortgagor shall fail to do so
within ten (10) days after written request by Mortgagee, (b) upon the issuance
of a deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Mortgage or the delivery of a deed
in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of assignment, conveyance or
further assurance with respect to the Leases, Rents, Personalty, Fixtures and
Property Agreements in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as may be
necessary or desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file or
record financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or preserve
Mortgagee's security interests and rights in or to any of the Mortgaged
Property, and (d) while any Event of Default exists, to perform any obligation
of Mortgagor hereunder, however: (1) Mortgagee shall not under any circumstances
be obligated to perform any obligation of Mortgagor; (2) any sums advanced by
Mortgagee in such performance shall be added to and included in the Indebtedness
and shall bear interest at the rate or rates at which interest is then computed
on the Indebtedness; (3) Mortgagee as such attorney-in-fact shall only be
accountable for such funds as are actually received by Mortgagee; and (4)
Mortgagee shall not be liable to Mortgagor or any other person or entity for any
failure to take any action which it is empowered to take under this Section.
                                                                    ------- 

          SECTION 7.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Mortgage shall be binding
                       ----------------------                                 
upon and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, the Lenders, and Mortgagor and their
respective successors and assigns.  Mortgagor shall not, without the prior
written consent of Mortgagee, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.5  NO WAIVER.  Any failure by Mortgagee to insist upon
                       ---------                                          
strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Loan
Documents shall not be deemed to be a waiver of same, and Mortgagee or the
Lenders shall have the right at any time to insist upon strict performance of
all of such terms, provisions and conditions.

          SECTION 7.6  CREDIT AGREEMENT.  If any conflict or inconsistency
                       ----------------                                   
exists between this Mortgage and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement
shall govern.

          SECTION 7.7  RELEASE OR RECONVEYANCE.  Upon payment in full of the
                       -----------------------                              
Indebtedness and performance in full of the Obligations, Mortgagee, at
Mortgagor's expense, shall release the liens and security interests created by
this Mortgage or reconvey the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagor.  In addition, as
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing or would be
caused thereby, if Mortgagor sells or transfers for value any portion of the
Mortgaged Property as permitted under Section 7.7 of the Credit Agreement,
Mortgagee shall release the

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
liens and security interests created by this Mortgage on such Mortgaged Property
or reconvey such Mortgaged Property to Mortgagor, concurrently with the
consummation of such sale or other transfer.  Such release or reconveyance shall
be at Mortgagor's sole cost and expense, and only upon not less than thirty
days' prior written notice to Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.8  WAIVER OF STAY, MORATORIUM AND SIMILAR RIGHTS.  Mortgagor
                       ---------------------------------------------            
agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any
time insist upon or plead or in any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling
of assets, extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and
effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the provisions of this
Mortgage or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any agreement between Mortgagor
and Mortgagee or any rights or remedies of Mortgagee or the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.9  APPLICABLE LAW.  The provisions of this Mortgage
                       --------------                                  
regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of the liens and security
interests herein granted shall be governed by and construed under the laws of
the state in which the Mortgaged Property is located.  All other provisions of
this Mortgage and the Obligations shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New York (including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

          SECTION 7.10  HEADINGS.  The Article, Section and Subsection titles
                        --------                                             
hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter,
modify or define, or be used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections
or Subsections.

          SECTION 7.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Mortgage and the other Loan
                        ----------------                                   
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Mortgagee and
Mortgagor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  Accordingly, the
Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or
subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral
agreements between the parties.


         [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor and Mortgagee have on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above written, caused
this instrument to be duly EXECUTED AND DELIVERED by authority duly given.

                              THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation



                              By: _____________________________
                                   Name:  William T. Flyg
                                   Title: Senior Vice President, Finance,Chief
                                           Financial Officer & Secretary


                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                              By: _____________________________
                                    Name:  Mark Felker
                                    Title: Senior Vice President

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


     STATE OF NEW YORK        )
                              ) SS.:
     COUNTY OF NEW YORK       )


          The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
October, 1977, by William T. Flyg, the Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief
Financial officer and Secretary of THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation, on
behalf of the corporation.



               __________________________________________________
               (SIGNATURE AND OFFICE OF INDIVIDUAL
               TAKING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)

[SEAL]

     STATE OF NEW YORK        )
                              ) SS.:
     COUNTY OF NEW YORK       )


          The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
October, 1977, by Mark Felker, the Senior Vice President of FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK, a North Carolina corporation, on behalf of the corporation.



               __________________________________________________
               (SIGNATURE AND OFFICE OF INDIVIDUAL
               TAKING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)

[SEAL]

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                               MORTGAGED PROPERTY




                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                               ORIGINAL MORTGAGES



                                      B-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.22


                     OBLIGATIONS SECURED HEREBY PROVIDE FOR
                          A FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATE

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                    AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (INDIANA)

                                  BY AND FROM

                        THE PANTRY, INC., ``MORTGAGOR''

                                       TO

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                    IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT, ``MORTGAGEE''

                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997
           THE SECURED PARTY (MORTGAGEE) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
           TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
                                DESCRIBED HEREIN


                      PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
                           AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

                             F. THOMAS MULLER, ESQ.
                             O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
                             400 SOUTH HOPE STREET
                            LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
                                FILE 154,607-004
<PAGE>
 
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                    AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (INDIANA)

          THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF
RENTS AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (Indiana) (this "MORTGAGE") is dated as of
October 23, 1997, by and from THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation
("MORTGAGOR"), whose address is 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North Carolina
27330, to FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent ("AGENT") for the lenders party to
the Credit Agreement (defined below) (such lenders, together with their
respective successors and assigns, collectively, the "LENDERS"), having an
address at 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 (Agent,
together with its successors and assigns, "MORTGAGEE").

                                R E C I T A L S

     A.   Mortgagee is the assignee, owner and holder of those certain mortgages
described on Exhibit B hereto (the "ORIGINAL MORTGAGES") and the obligations
secured thereby, which encumber the properties described on Exhibit A hereto.

     B.   Mortgagee and Mortgagor now desire to amend and restate the Original
Mortgages to contain all of the terms and conditions contained herein and in the
Credit Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, Mortgagee and Mortgagor hereby amend and restate the
Original Mortgages in their entirety to provide as follows:


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.  All capitalized terms used herein without
                       -----------                                            
definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among Mortgagor,
the Lenders, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Syndication Agent, and
Mortgagee.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

          1.1.1  "INDEBTEDNESS":  (1) All indebtedness of Mortgagor to Mortgagee
and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the sum of all (a) principal,
interest and other amounts evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents, and (b)
principal, interest and other amounts which may hereafter be loaned by Mortgagee
or any of the Lenders under or in connection with
<PAGE>
 
the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether evidenced by a
promissory note or other instrument which, by its terms, is secured hereby, and
(2) all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities now or hereafter
existing of any kind of Mortgagor to Mortgagee or any of the Lenders under
documents which recite that they are intended to be secured by this Mortgage.

          1.1.2  "MORTGAGED PROPERTY":  All of Mortgagor's interest in (1) the
fee interest in the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, together with any greater estate therein
as hereafter may be acquired by Mortgagor (the "LAND"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, now or at any time situated, placed or
constructed upon the Land (the "IMPROVEMENTS"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now owned or hereafter
acquired by Mortgagor and now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in
connection with any of the Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities whether or not
situated in easements (the "FIXTURES"), (4) all right, title and interest of
Mortgagor in and to all goods, accounts, general intangibles, instruments,
documents, chattel paper and all other personal property of any kind or
character, including such items of personal property as defined in the UCC
(defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor and now or
hereafter affixed to, placed upon, used in connection with, arising from or
otherwise related to the Land and Improvements (the "PERSONALTY"), (5) all
reserves, escrows or impounds required under the Credit Agreement and all
deposit accounts maintained by Mortgagor with respect to the Mortgaged Property,
(6) all leases, licenses, concessions, occupancy agreements or other agreements
(written or oral, now or at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a
possessory interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of the Mortgaged
Property, together with all related security and other deposits (the "LEASES"),
(7) all of the rents, revenues, income, proceeds, profits, security and other
types of deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the Leases
for using, leasing, licensing, possessing, operating from, residing in, selling
or otherwise enjoying the Mortgaged Property (the "RENTS"), (8) all other
agreements, such as construction contracts, architects' agreements, engineers'
contracts, utility contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements,
service contracts, permits, licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way
relating to the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance, enjoyment
or ownership of the Mortgaged Property (the "PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (9) all
rights, privileges, tenements, hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements,
appendages and appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all accessions,
replacements and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all proceeds
thereof, (11) all insurance policies, unearned premiums therefor and proceeds
from such policies covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired
by Mortgagor, and (12) all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest in and to
any awards, remunerations, reimbursements, settlements or compensation
heretofore made or hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining
to the Land, Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty.  As used

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
in this Mortgage, the term "MORTGAGED PROPERTY" shall mean all or, where the
context permit or requires, any portion of the above or any interest therein.

          1.1.3  "OBLIGATIONS":  All of the agreements, covenants, conditions,
warranties, representations and other obligations of Mortgagor (including,
without limitation, the obligation to repay the Indebtedness) under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          1.1.4  "UCC":  The Uniform Commercial Code of Indiana or, if the
creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest herein granted is
governed by the laws of a state other than Indiana, then, as to the matter in
question, the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in that state.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                     GRANT
                                     -----

          SECTION 2.1  GRANT.  To secure the full and timely payment of the
                       -----                                               
Indebtedness and the full and timely performance of the Obligations, Mortgagor
MORTGAGES, GRANTS, BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Mortgagee the
Mortgaged Property, subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND
TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, and Mortgagor does hereby bind
itself, its successors and assigns to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to
the Mortgaged Property unto Mortgagee.

                                   ARTICLE 3
                   WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

          Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants to Mortgagee as follows:

          SECTION 3.1  TITLE TO MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND LIEN OF THIS INSTRUMENT.
                       -------------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagor owns the Mortgaged Property free and clear of any liens, claims or
interests, except the Permitted Encumbrances.  This Mortgage creates valid,
enforceable first priority liens and security interests against the Mortgaged
Property.

          SECTION 3.2  FIRST LIEN STATUS.  Mortgagor shall preserve and protect
                       -----------------                                       
the first lien and security interest status of this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents.  If any lien or security interest other than the Permitted
Encumbrances is asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagor shall
promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Mortgagee a detailed written notice of
such lien or security interest (including origin, amount and other terms), and
(b) pay the underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to cause it
to be released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements of the
Credit Agreement (including the requirement of providing a bond or other
security satisfactory to Mortgagee).

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 3.3  PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE.  Mortgagor shall pay the
                       -----------------------                          
Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall perform the Obligations
in full when they are required to be performed.

          SECTION 3.4  REPLACEMENT OF FIXTURES AND PERSONALTY.  Mortgagor shall
                       --------------------------------------                  
not, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, permit any of the Fixtures
or Personalty to be removed at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless
the removed item is removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if
removed permanently, is obsolete and is replaced by an article of equal or
better suitability and value, owned by Mortgagor subject to the liens and
security interests of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, and free and
clear of any other lien or security interest except such as may be permitted
under the Credit Agreement or first approved in writing by Mortgagee.

          SECTION 3.5  INSPECTION.  Mortgagor shall permit Mortgagee and the
                       ----------                                           
Lenders, and their respective agents, representatives and employees, upon
reasonable prior notice to Mortgagor, to inspect the Mortgaged Property and all
books and records of Mortgagor located thereon, and to conduct such
environmental and engineering studies as Mortgagee or the Lenders may require,
provided that such inspections and studies shall not materially interfere with
the use and operation of the Mortgaged Property.

          SECTION 3.6  OTHER COVENANTS.  All of the covenants in the Credit
                       ---------------                                     
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and, together with covenants in
this Article, shall be covenants running with the land.
     -------                                           

          SECTION 3.7  CONDEMNATION AWARDS AND INSURANCE PROCEEDS.
                       ------------------------------------------ 

          3.7.1  Condemnation Awards.  Mortgagor assigns all awards and
                 -------------------                                   
compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or other taking, or
any purchase in lieu thereof, to Mortgagee and authorizes Mortgagee to collect
and receive such awards and compensation and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

          3.7.2  Insurance Proceeds.  Mortgagor assigns to Mortgagee all
                 ------------------                                     
proceeds of any insurance policies insuring against loss or damage to the
Mortgaged Property.  Mortgagor authorizes Mortgagee to collect and receive such
proceeds and authorizes and directs the issuer of each of such insurance
policies to make payment for all such losses directly to Mortgagee, instead of
to Mortgagor and Mortgagee jointly.

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 4
                            DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 4.1  REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default exists, Mortgagee may,
                       --------                                                
at Mortgagee's election, exercise any or all of the following rights, remedies
and recourses:

          4.1.1  Acceleration.  Declare the Indebtedness to be immediately due
                 ------------                                                 
and payable, without further notice, presentment, protest, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, demand or action of any nature whatsoever
(each of which hereby is expressly waived by Mortgagor), whereupon the same
shall become immediately due and payable.

          4.1.2  Entry on Mortgaged Property.  Enter the Mortgaged Property and
                 ---------------------------                                   
take exclusive possession thereof and of all books, records and accounts
relating thereto or located thereon.  If Mortgagor remains in possession of the
Mortgaged Property after an Event of Default and without Mortgagee's prior
written consent, Mortgagee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess
Mortgagor.

          4.1.3  Operation of Mortgaged Property.  Hold, lease, develop, manage,
                 -------------------------------                                
operate or otherwise use the Mortgaged Property upon such terms and conditions
as Mortgagee may deem reasonable under the circumstances (making such repairs,
alternations, additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Mortgagee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and other
amounts collected by Mortgagee in connection therewith in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.7.
              ----------- 

          4.1.4  Foreclosure and Sale.  Institute proceedings for the complete
                 --------------------                                         
foreclosure of this Mortgage, either by judicial action or by power of sale, in
which case the Mortgaged Property may be sold for cash or credit in one or more
parcels.  With respect to any notices required or permitted under the UCC,
Mortgagor agrees that five days' prior written notice shall be deemed
commercially reasonable.  At any such sale by virtue of any judicial
proceedings, power of sale, or any other legal right, remedy or recourse, the
title to and right of possession of any such property shall pass to the
purchaser thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor shall
be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title, interest,
claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand whatsoever, either at law or in
equity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall be a perpetual bar both
at law and in equity against Mortgagor, and against all other Persons claiming
or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or under
Mortgagor.  Mortgagee or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser at such sale.  If
Mortgagee is the highest bidder, Mortgagee may credit the portion of the
purchase price that would be distributed to Mortgagee against the Indebtedness
in lieu of paying cash.  In the event this Mortgage is foreclosed by judicial
action, appraisement of the Mortgaged Property is waived.

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
          4.1.5  Receiver.  Make application to a court of competent
                 --------                                           
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of strict right and
without notice to Mortgagor or regard to the adequacy of the Mortgaged Property
for the repayment of the Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the
Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagor irrevocably consents to such appointment.  Any
such receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of receivers in similar
cases, including the full power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the
Mortgaged Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and shall
apply such Rents in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                                                      ----------- 

          4.1.6  Other.  Exercise all other rights, remedies and recourses
                 -----                                                    
granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

          SECTION 4.2  SEPARATE SALES.  The Mortgaged Property may be sold in
                       --------------                                        
one or more parcels and in such manner and order as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may elect; the right of sale arising out of any Event of Default
shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.

          SECTION 4.3  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, CONCURRENT AND NONEXCLUSIVE.
                       ------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagee and the Lenders shall have all rights, remedies and recourses granted
in the Loan Documents and available at law or equity (including the UCC), which
rights (a) shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Mortgagor or others obligated under the
Loan Documents, or against the Mortgaged Property, or against any one or more of
them, at the sole discretion of Mortgagee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised
as often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or failure to
exercise any of them shall not be construed as a waiver or release thereof or of
any other right, remedy or recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be,
nonexclusive.  No action by Mortgagee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or otherwise at law or
equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.4  RELEASE OF AND RESORT TO COLLATERAL.  Mortgagee may
                       -----------------------------------                
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity for any notice to
or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien on the Mortgaged Property, any
part of the Mortgaged Property without, as to the remainder, in any way
impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or security interest
created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their status as a first and
prior lien and security interest in and to the Mortgaged Property.  For payment
of the Indebtedness, Mortgagee may resort to any other security in such order
and manner as Mortgagee may elect.

          SECTION 4.5  WAIVER OF REDEMPTION, NOTICE AND MARSHALLING OF ASSETS.
                       ------------------------------------------------------- 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to
Mortgagor by virtue of any present or future statute of limitations or law or
judicial decision exempting the Mortgaged Property from attachment,

                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
levy or sale on execution or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from
civil process, redemption or extension of time for payment, (b) all notices of
any Event of Default or of Mortgagee's election to exercise or the actual
exercise of any right, remedy or recourse provided for under the Loan Documents,
and (c) any right to a marshalling of assets or a sale in inverse order of
alienation.

          SECTION 4.6  DISCONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS.  If Mortgagee or the
                       -----------------------------                      
Lenders shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse permitted
under the Loan Documents and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it
for any reason, Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right to do
so and, in such an event, Mortgagor, Mortgagee, and the Lenders shall be
restored to their former positions with respect to the Indebtedness, the
Obligations, the Loan Documents, the Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the
rights, remedies, recourses and powers of Mortgagee and the Lenders shall
continue and if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but no
such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of Default which may
then exist or the right of Mortgagee or the Lenders thereafter to exercise any
right, remedy or recourse under the Loan Documents for such Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.7  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds of any sale of, and
                       ----------------------                                   
the Rents and other amounts generated by the holding, leasing, management,
operation or other use of the Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Mortgagee
(or the receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless otherwise
required by applicable law:

          4.7.1  to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking possession
of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using, leasing, repairing, improving
and selling the same, including, without limitation (1) receiver's fees and
expenses, including the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants' fees and
expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;

          4.7.2  to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the
Obligations in such manner and order of preference as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may determine; and

          4.7.3  the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons legally
entitled thereto.

          SECTION 4.8  OCCUPANCY AFTER FORECLOSURE.  Any sale of the Mortgaged
                       ---------------------------                            
Property or any part thereof in accordance with Section 4.1.4 will divest all
                                                -------------                
right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to the property sold.  Subject to
applicable law, any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased.  If Mortgagor retains possession of such
property or any part thereof subsequent to such sale, Mortgagor will be
considered a tenant at sufferance of the purchaser, and will, if Mortgagor
remains in possession

                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
after demand to remove, be subject to eviction and removal, forcible or
otherwise, with or without process of law.

          SECTION 4.9  ADDITIONAL ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS; COSTS OF
                       -----------------------------------------------
ENFORCEMENT.
- ----------- 

          4.9.1  If any Event of Default exists, Mortgagee and each of the
Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure such Event of
Default in the name and on behalf of Mortgagor.  All sums advanced and expenses
incurred at any time by Mortgagee or any Lender under this Section, or otherwise
                                                           -------              
under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or applicable law, shall
bear interest from the date that such sum is advanced or expense incurred, to
and including the date of reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which
interest is then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together with
interest thereon, shall be secured by this Mortgage.

          4.9.2  Mortgagor shall pay all expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) of or incidental to the perfection and enforcement
of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or
settlement of the Indebtedness or any claim under this Mortgage and the other
Loan Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or asserting the
rights and claims of Mortgagee in respect thereof, by litigation or otherwise.

          SECTION 4.10  NO MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION. Neither the enforcement of
                        --------------------------                            
any of the remedies under this Article, the assignment of the Rents and Leases
                               -------                                        
under Article 5, the security interests under Article 6, nor any other remedies
      ---------                               ---------                        
afforded to Mortgagee under the Loan Documents, at law or in equity shall cause
Mortgagee or any Lender to be deemed or construed to be a mortgagee in
possession of the Mortgaged Property, to obligate Mortgagee or any Lender to
lease the Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action, incur
any expense, or perform or discharge any obligation, duty or liability
whatsoever under any of the Leases or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
                         ------------------------------

          SECTION 5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  In furtherance of and in addition to the
                       ----------                                           
assignment made by Mortgagor in Section 2.1 of this Mortgage, Mortgagor hereby
                                -----------                                   
absolutely and unconditionally assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to
Mortgagee all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether now
existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title and interest in
and to all Rents.  If permitted under applicable law, this assignment is an
absolute assignment and not merely an assignment for additional security.  So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Mortgagor
shall have a revocable license from Mortgagee to exercise all rights extended to
the landlord under the Leases, including the right to receive and collect all
Rents and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the payment and

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
 
performance of the Obligations and to otherwise use the same.  The foregoing
license is granted subject to the conditional limitation that no Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings have
commenced, and without regard to waste, adequacy of security for the Obligations
or solvency of Mortgagor, the license herein granted shall automatically expire
and terminate, without notice by Mortgagee (any such notice being hereby
expressly waived by Mortgagor).

          SECTION 5.2  PERFECTION UPON RECORDATION.  Mortgagor acknowledges that
                       ---------------------------                              
Mortgagee has taken all actions necessary to obtain, and that upon recordation
of this Mortgage Mortgagee shall have, to the extent permitted under applicable
law, a valid and fully perfected first priority present assignment of the Rents
arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.  Mortgagor
acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this Mortgage Mortgagee's
interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be fully perfected, ``choate'' and
enforced as to Mortgagor and all third parties, including, without limitation,
any subsequently appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the United
States Code (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), without the necessity of commencing a
foreclosure action with respect to this Mortgage, making formal demand for the
Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or taking any other affirmative
action.

          SECTION 5.3  BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS.  Without limitation of the
                       ---------------------                            
absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder, Mortgagor and
Mortgagee agree that (a) this Mortgage shall constitute a ``security agreement''
for purposes of Section 552(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the security interest
created by this Mortgage extends to property of Mortgagor acquired before the
commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid as Rents and (c)
such security interest shall extend to all Rents acquired by the estate after
the commencement of any case in bankruptcy.

          SECTION 5.4  NO MERGER OF ESTATES.  So long as part of the
                       --------------------                         
Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid and undischarged,
the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged Property shall not merge, but
shall remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the union of such estates
either in Mortgagor, Mortgagee, any tenant or any third party by purchase or
otherwise.

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 6
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

          SECTION 6.1  SECURITY INTEREST.  This Mortgage constitutes a "Security
                       -----------------                                        
Agreement" on personal property within the meaning of the UCC and other
applicable law and with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and
Property Agreements.  To this end, Mortgagor grants to Mortgagee a first and
prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and Property
Agreements and all other Mortgaged Property which is personal property to secure
the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations, and agrees
that Mortgagee shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under
the UCC with respect to such property.  Any notice of sale, disposition or other
intended action by Mortgagee with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents and Property Agreements sent to Mortgagor at least five (5) days prior to
any action under the UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to Mortgagor.

          SECTION 6.2  FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Mortgagor shall execute and
                       --------------------                              
deliver to Mortgagee, in form and substance satisfactory to Mortgagee, such
financing statements and such further assurances as Mortgagee may, from time to
time, reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve Mortgagee's
security interest hereunder and Mortgagee may cause such statements and
assurances to be recorded and filed, at such times and places as may be required
or permitted by law to so create, perfect and preserve such security interest.
Mortgagor's chief executive office is in the State of North Carolina at the
address set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage.

          SECTION 6.3  FIXTURE FILING.  This Mortgage shall also constitute a
                       --------------                                        
"fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against all of the Mortgaged
Property which is or is to become fixtures.  Information concerning the security
interest herein granted may be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Mortgagor)
and Secured Party (Mortgagee) as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Mortgage.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------
          SECTION 7.1  NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be given
                       -------                                               
under this Mortgage shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the
Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 7.2  COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND.  All Obligations
                       -------------------------------                  
contained in this Mortgage are intended by Mortgagor and Mortgagee to be, and
shall be construed as, covenants running with the Mortgaged Property.  As used
herein, "Mortgagor" shall refer to the party named in the first paragraph of
this Mortgage and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of the Mortgaged
Property.  All Persons who may have or acquire an interest in the

                                      A-10
<PAGE>
 
Mortgaged Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the terms
of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; however, no such party
shall be entitled to any rights thereunder without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.3  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Mortgagor hereby irrevocably appoints
                       ----------------                                        
Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, as its attorney-in-fact, which agency
is coupled with an interest, (a) to execute and/or record any notices of
completion, cessation of labor or any other notices that Mortgagee deems
appropriate to protect Mortgagee's interest, if Mortgagor shall fail to do so
within ten (10) days after written request by Mortgagee, (b) upon the issuance
of a deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Mortgage or the delivery of a deed
in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of assignment, conveyance or
further assurance with respect to the Leases, Rents, Personalty, Fixtures and
Property Agreements in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as may be
necessary or desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file or
record financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or preserve
Mortgagee's security interests and rights in or to any of the Mortgaged
Property, and (d) while any Event of Default exists, to perform any obligation
of Mortgagor hereunder, however: (1) Mortgagee shall not under any circumstances
be obligated to perform any obligation of Mortgagor; (2) any sums advanced by
Mortgagee in such performance shall be added to and included in the Indebtedness
and shall bear interest at the rate or rates at which interest is then computed
on the Indebtedness; (3) Mortgagee as such attorney-in-fact shall only be
accountable for such funds as are actually received by Mortgagee; and (4)
Mortgagee shall not be liable to Mortgagor or any other person or entity for any
failure to take any action which it is empowered to take under this Section.
                                                                    ------- 

          SECTION 7.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Mortgage shall be binding
                       ----------------------                                 
upon and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, the Lenders, and Mortgagor and their
respective successors and assigns.  Mortgagor shall not, without the prior
written consent of Mortgagee, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.5  NO WAIVER.  Any failure by Mortgagee to insist upon
                       ---------                                          
strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Loan
Documents shall not be deemed to be a waiver of same, and Mortgagee or the
Lenders shall have the right at any time to insist upon strict performance of
all of such terms, provisions and conditions.

          SECTION 7.6  CREDIT AGREEMENT.  If any conflict or inconsistency
                       ----------------                                   
exists between this Mortgage and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement
shall govern, except for Section 7.9 which shall, in all cases, control.

          SECTION 7.7  RELEASE OR RECONVEYANCE.  Upon payment in full of the
                       -----------------------                              
Indebtedness and performance in full of the Obligations, Mortgagee, at
Mortgagor's expense, shall release the liens and security interests created by
this Mortgage or reconvey the Mortgaged Property to

                                      A-11
<PAGE>
 
Mortgagor.  In addition, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then
continuing or would be caused thereby, if Mortgagor sells or transfers for value
any portion of the Mortgaged Property as permitted under Section 7.7 of the
Credit Agreement, Mortgagee shall release the liens and security interests
created by this Mortgage on such Mortgaged Property or reconvey such Mortgaged
Property to Mortgagor, concurrently with the consummation of such sale or other
transfer.  Such release or reconveyance shall be at Mortgagor's sole cost and
expense, and only upon not less than thirty days' prior written notice to
Mortgagee.  Any of the terms and provisions of this Mortgage that are intended
to survive, shall nevertheless survive the release or satisfaction of this
Mortgage whether voluntarily granted by Mortgagee, as a result of a judgment
upon judicial foreclosure of this Mortgage or in the event a deed in lieu of
foreclosure is granted by Mortgagor to Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.8  WAIVER OF STAY, MORATORIUM AND SIMILAR RIGHTS.  Mortgagor
                       ---------------------------------------------            
agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any
time insist upon or plead or in any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling
of assets, extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and
effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the provisions of this
Mortgage or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any agreement between Mortgagor
and Mortgagee or any rights or remedies of Mortgagee or the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.9  APPLICABLE LAW.  The provisions of this Mortgage
                       --------------                                  
regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of the liens and security
interests herein granted and warranties (statutory or otherwise) of title shall
be governed by and construed under the laws of the state in which the Mortgaged
Property is located.  All other provisions of this Mortgage and the Obligations
shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York (including, without
limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New
York), without regard to conflicts of laws principles.

          SECTION 7.10  HEADINGS.  The Article, Section and Subsection titles
                        --------                                             
hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter,
modify or define, or be used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections
or Subsections.

          SECTION 7.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Mortgage and the other Loan
                        ----------------                                   
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Mortgagee and
Mortgagor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  Accordingly, the
Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or
subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral
agreements between the parties.

                                      A-12
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 8
                             LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS
                              --------------------

          SECTION 8.1  This Mortgage shall be deemed to constitute a
continuously perfected fixture filing to be filed of record in the office of the
Recorder of the County in Indiana referred to in Exhibit A hereto, pursuant to
IC 26-1-9-402 and 26-1-9-403.  Part of the Mortgaged Property is or may become
fixtures.  It is intended that, as to such fixtures, this Mortgage shall be
effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing from the date of
the filing of the Mortgage for record with the Recorder of such County in
Indiana.  The information provided in this paragraph is provided in order that
this Mortgage shall comply with the requirements of the Uniform Commercial Code
as enacted in the State of Indiana ("State"), for a mortgage instrument to be
filed as a financing statement.  Mortgagor is the "debtor" and its name and
mailing address are set forth in the preamble of this Mortgage.  The "secured
party" is Mortgagee and its name and mailing address from which information
concerning the security interest granted herein may be obtained are as set forth
in the preamble of this Mortgage.  A statement describing the portion of the
Mortgaged Property comprising the goods or other Personal Property that may now
be or hereafter become fixtures hereby secured is set forth in the Granting
Clauses hereof.  The record owner of the Mortgaged Property is The Pantry, Inc.

          SECTION 8.2  The Notes/1/, by their terms, shall mature on October 31,
2002.


          SECTION 8.3  The Obligations secured by this Mortgage include, without
limitation, judgment(s) or final decree(s) rendered to collect any money
obligations of Mortgagor to Mortgagee and/or to enforce the performance or
collection of all covenants, agreements and liabilities of Mortgagor under this
Mortgage, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          SECTION 8.4  In the event a court of competent jurisdiction construes
the assignment of the Rents set forth in Article 5 of this Mortgage to be
collateral that secures the Obligations rather than an absolute assignment, the
assignment shall constitute an assignment of rents as set forth in IC 32-1-2-
16.3 and thereby creates a security interest in the Rents that will be perfected
upon the recording of this Mortgage.

          SECTION 8.5  Anything contained herein or in IC 32-8-16-1.5 to the
contrary notwithstanding, no waiver made by Mortgagor in this Mortgage, the
Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall constitute the
consideration for or be deemed to be a waiver or release by Mortgagee or any
judgment holder of the Obligations of the right to seek a deficiency judgment
against the Mortgagor or any other person or entity who may be personally

- ---------------------------
/1/  Define "Notes".

                                      A-13
<PAGE>
 
liable for the Obligations, which right to seek a deficiency judgment is hereby
reserved, preserved and retained by Mortgagee for its own behalf and its
successors and assigns.

          SECTION 8.6  Mortgagee shall be entitled to all rights and remedies
that a mortgagee would have under Indiana law or in equity in addition to all
rights and remedies it may have hereunder.  Where any provision of this Mortgage
is inconsistent with any provision of the laws of Indiana regulating the
creation or enforcement of a lien or security interest in real or personal
property including, but not by way of limitation, IC 34-1-53-1 Foreclosure of
                                                               --------------
Mortgages, the provisions of Indiana law shall take precedence over the
- ---------                                                              
provisions of this Mortgage, but shall not invalidate or render unenforceable
any other provisions of this Mortgage that can be construed in a manner
consistent with Indiana law.  Should applicable Indiana law confer any rights or
impose any duties inconsistent with or in addition to any of the provisions of
this Mortgage, the affected provisions of this Mortgage shall be considered
amended to conform to such applicable law, but all other provisions hereof shall
remain in full force and effect without modification.  To the extent the laws of
Indiana limit (i) the availability of the exercise of any of the remedies set
forth herein, including without limitation the remedies involving a power of
sale on the part of Mortgagee and the right of Mortgagee to exercise self-help
in connection with the enforcement of the terms of this Mortgage, or (ii) the
enforcement of waivers and indemnities made by Mortgagor, such remedies,
waivers, or indemnities shall be exercisable or enforceable, any provisions in
this Mortgage to the contrary notwithstanding, if, and to the extent, permitted
by the laws in force at the time of the exercise of such remedies or the
enforcement of such waivers or indemnities without regard to the enforceability
of such remedies, waivers or indemnities at the time of the execution and
delivery of this Mortgage.

          SECTION 8.7  In the event Mortgagor fails to sign Uniform Commercial
Code financing Statements upon Mortgagee's request, Mortgagee is hereby
authorized by Mortgagor to execute and file financing statements signed only by
a representative of Mortgagee covering the security interest of Mortgagee in any
of the Personal Property and/or fixtures constituting part of the Mortgaged
Property.

          SECTION 8.8  Mortgagor certifies and warrants to Mortgagee, to the
best of Mortgagor's knowledge, after diligent inquiry and investigation, none of
the Mortgaged Property is within the definition of the term "property" contained
in Section 6 (IC 13-11-2-174) of the Indiana Responsible Property Transfer Law
("IRPTL") (IC13-25-3).  Mortgagor shall observe, perform and comply with the
requirements of IRPTL in connection with the Mortgage and the transaction
evidenced by the Mortgage.

          SECTION 8.9  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Mortgage to
the contrary, this Mortgage shall secure (i) a maximum amount not exceeding One
Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00), exclusive of any items
described in (ii) below, including any additional advances made from time to
time after the date hereof pursuant to this Mortgage or

                                      A-14
<PAGE>
 
the other Loan Documents whether made as a part of the Obligations secured
hereby, made at the option of Mortgagee, made after a reduction to a zero (0) or
other balance, or made otherwise, (ii) all other amounts payable by Mortgagor or
advance by Mortgagee for the account, or on behalf, of Mortgagor, pursuant to
this Mortgage or other Loan Documents, including amounts advanced with respect
to the Mortgaged Property for the payment of taxes, assessments, insurance
premiums and other costs and impositions incurred for the protection of the
Mortgaged Property to the same extent as if the future obligations and advances
were made ont he date of execution of the Mortgage; and (iii) future
modifications, extensions, and renewals of the Obligations secured by this
Mortgage and/or the other Loan Documents.  Pursuant to IC 32-8-11-9, the lien of
this Mortgage with respect to any future advances, modifications, extensions and
renewals referred to herein and made from time to time shall have the same
priority to which this Mortgage otherwise would be entitled as of the date the
Mortgage is executed and recorded without regard to the fact that any such
future advance, modification, extension or renewal may occur after the Mortgage
is executed.

          SECTION 8.10  If, after the date of this Mortgage, Mortgagor acquires
any property located on and used in connection with the Mortgaged Property and
that by the terms of this Mortgage is required or intended to be encumbered by
this Mortgage, the property shall become subject to the lien and security
interest of this Mortgage immediately upon its acquisition by Mortgagor and
without any further mortgage, conveyance, assignment or transfer.  Nevertheless,
upon Mortgagee's request at any time, Mortgagor will execute, acknowledge and
deliver any additional instruments and assurances of title and will do or cause
to be done anything further that is reasonably necessary for carrying out the
intent of this Mortgage.

          SECTION 8.11  Notwithstanding anything in this Mortgage to the
contrary, in the event of a conflict between any of the terms and provisions of
this Article and those contained in the other Articles of this Mortgage, the
terms and provisions of this Article shall control.

          SECTION 8.12  In addition to having any other right or remedy
available at law or in equity, Mortgagee shall have the option pursuant to IC
26-1-9-501 of either (i) proceeding under the UCC and exercising such rights and
remedies as may be provided to a secured party by the UCC with respect to all or
any portion of the Mortgaged Property which is Fixtures and Personalty
(including, without limitation, taking possession of and selling such Fixtures
and Personalty) or (ii) treating such Fixtures and Personalty as real property
and proceeding with respect to both the real and personal property constituting
the Mortgaged Property in accordance with Mortgagee's rights, powers and
remedies with respect to the real property (in which event the default
provisions of the UCC shall not apply).

          SECTION 8.13  When the Indebtedness hereby secured, or any part
thereof, shall become due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, Mortgagee shall
have the right to foreclose the lien hereof for such Indebtedness or part
thereof.  In any suit to foreclose the lien hereof or

                                      A-15
<PAGE>
 
enforce any other remedy of Mortgagee under this Mortgage or the Note, there
shall be allowed and included as additional indebtedness in the decree for sale
or other judgment or decree all expenditures and expenses which may be paid or
incurred by or on behalf of Mortgagee for attorneys' fees, appraiser's fees,
outlays for documentary and expert evidence, stenographers' charges, publication
costs, and costs (which may be estimated as to items to be expended after entry
of the decree) of procuring all such abstracts of title, title searches and
examinations, title insurance policies, and similar data and assurances with
respect to title as Mortgagee may deem reasonably necessary either to prosecute
such suit or to evidence to bidders at any sale which may be had pursuant to
such decree the true condition of the title to or the value of the Mortgaged
Property.  All expenditures and expenses of the nature in this paragraph
mentioned, and such expenses and fees as may be incurred in the protection of
the Mortgaged Property and the maintenance of the lien of this Mortgage,
including the fees of any attorney employed by Mortgagee in any litigation or
proceeding affecting this Mortgage, the Note or the Mortgaged Property,
including probate and bankruptcy proceedings, or in preparations for the
commencement or defense of any proceeding or threatened suite or proceeding,
shall be immediately due and payable by Mortgagor, with interest thereon at the
Default Rate set forth in the Credit Agreement and shall be secured by this
Mortgage.

          SECTION 8.14  Upon, or at any time after the filing of a complaint to
foreclose this Mortgage, the court in which such complaint is filed may appoint
a receiver of the Mortgaged Property by the court in which such complaint is
filed, and Mortgagor consents to the appointment of such receiver for the
purpose of preserving and maximizing the value of the Mortgaged Property.  Such
appointment may be made either before or after sale, without notice, without
regard to the solvency or insolvency of Mortgagor at the time of application for
such receiver and without regard to the then value of the Mortgaged Property or
whether the same shall be then occupied as a homestead or not.  Such receiver
shall have all of the usual powers and duties of receivers pursuant to IC 34-12,
as amended from time to time including, without limitation, the power: (a) to
collect the rents, issues and profits of the Mortgaged Property during the
pendency of such foreclosure suit and, in case of a sale and a deficiency,
during the full statutory period of redemption, whether there be redemption or
not, as well as during any further times when Mortgagor, except for the
intervention of such receiver, would be entitled to collect such rents, issues
and profits; (b) to extend or modify any then existing leases and to make new
leases, which extensions, modifications and new leases may provide for terms to
expire, or for options to lessees to extend or renew terms to expire, beyond the
maturity date of the Indebtedness hereunder and beyond the date of the issuance
of a deed or deeds to a purchaser or purchasers at a foreclosure sale, it being
understood and agreed that any such leases, and the options or other such
provisions to be contained therein, shall be binding upon Mortgagor and all
persons whose interests in the premises are subject to the lien hereof and upon
the purchaser or purchasers at any foreclosure sale, notwithstanding any
redemption from sale, discharge of the Mortgage indebtedness, satisfaction of
any foreclosure decree, or issuance of any certificate of sale or deed to any
purchaser; and (c) all other powers which may be necessary

                                      A-16
<PAGE>
 
or are usual in such cases for the protection, possession, control, management,
and operation of the premises during the whole of said period.  The court from
time to time may authorize the receiver to apply the net income in his hands in
payment in whole or in part of: (a) the Indebtedness secured hereby, or by any
decree foreclosing this mortgage, or any tax, special assessment or other lien
which may be or become superior to the lien hereof or of such decree, provided
such application is made prior to foreclosure sale; (b) the deficiency in case
of a sale and deficiency.

         [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                      A-17
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor and Mortgagee have on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above written, caused
this instrument to be duly EXECUTED AND DELIVERED by authority duly given.

                              THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation



                              By: _____________________________
                                   Name:  William T. Flyg
                                   Title: Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief
                                          Financial Officer & Secretary



                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK



                              By: _____________________________
                                    Name:  Mark Felker
                                    Title: Senior Vice President



This instrument was prepared by F. Thomas Muller of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 400
South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071-2899.

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

STATE OF NEW YORK        )
                         ) SS.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK       )

     Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared William T. Flyg, the Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary of THE PANTRY, INC., a Delaware corporation, and
acknowledged the execution of the foregoing instrument as such officer acting
for and on behalf of said corporation, and who, having been duly sworn, stated
that any representations therein contained are true and correct.

     Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this ____ day of October, 1997.

                         _________________________________________
                                    (signature)
                         _________________________________________
                         (printed name)            Notary Public
My Commission Expires:

______________________   Resident of ________________ County
                                                            [SEAL]

STATE OF NEW YORK        )
                         ) SS.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK       )

     Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally
appeared Mark Felker, the Senior Vice President of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, a
North Carolina corporation, and acknowledged the execution of the foregoing
instrument as such officer acting for and on behalf of said corporation, and
who, having been duly sworn, stated that any representations therein contained
are true and correct.

     Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this ____ day of October, 1997.

                         _________________________________________
                                    (signature)
                         _________________________________________
                         (printed name)            Notary Public
My Commission Expires:

______________________   Resident of ________________ County
                                                            [SEAL]

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                               MORTGAGED PROPERTY


                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                               ORIGINAL MORTGAGES


                                      B-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.23



                     OBLIGATIONS SECURED HEREBY PROVIDE FOR
                          A FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATE

               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                    AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (FLORIDA)

                                  BY AND FROM

                  LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC., ``MORTGAGOR''

                                       TO

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                    IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT, ``MORTGAGEE''

                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997
           THE SECURED PARTY (MORTGAGEE) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
           TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
                                DESCRIBED HEREIN

                      PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
                           AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

                             F. THOMAS MULLER, ESQ.
                             O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
                             400 SOUTH HOPE STREET
                       LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071-2899
                                FILE 154,607-004
<PAGE>
 
               MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
                    AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (FLORIDA)

     THIS MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES AND
FIXTURE FILING (Florida) (this "MORTGAGE") is dated as of October 23, 1997, by
and from LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC., a Florida corporation ("MORTGAGOR"),
having an address at 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North Carolina 27330, to FIRST
UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent ("AGENT") for the lenders party to the Credit
Agreement (defined below) (such lenders, together with their respective
successors and assigns, collectively, the "LENDERS"), having an address at 301
South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 (Agent, together with its
successors and assigns, "MORTGAGEE").

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.  All capitalized terms used herein without
                       -----------                                            
definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among The Pantry,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PANTRY"), the Lenders, and Mortgagee.  As used
herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

          1.1.1  "INDEBTEDNESS":  (1) All indebtedness of Pantry to Mortgagee
and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the sum of all (a) principal,
interest and other amounts evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents, and (b)
principal, interest and other amounts which may hereafter be loaned by Mortgagee
or any of the Lenders under or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, whether evidenced by a promissory note or other
instrument which, by its terms, is secured hereby, and (2) all other
indebtedness, obligations and liabilities now or hereafter existing of any kind
of Pantry or Mortgagor to Mortgagee or any of the Lenders under documents which
recite that they are intended to be secured by this Mortgage.

          1.1.2  "MORTGAGED PROPERTY":  All of Mortgagor's interest in (1) the
fee interest in the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, together with any greater estate therein
as hereafter may be acquired by Mortgagor (the "LAND"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, now or at any time situated, placed or
constructed upon the Land (the "IMPROVEMENTS"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now owned or hereafter
acquired by Mortgagor and now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in
connection with any of the Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities whether or not
situated in easements (the "FIXTURES"), (4) all
<PAGE>
 
right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all goods, accounts, general
intangibles, instruments, documents, chattel paper and all other personal
property of any kind or character, including such items of personal property as
defined in the UCC (defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor
and now or hereafter affixed to, placed upon, used in connection with, arising
from or otherwise related to the Land and Improvements (the "PERSONALTY"), (5)
all reserves, escrows or impounds required under the Credit Agreement and all
deposit accounts maintained by Mortgagor with respect to the Mortgaged Property,
(6) all leases, licenses, concessions, occupancy agreements or other agreements
(written or oral, now or at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a
possessory interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of the Mortgaged
Property, together with all related security and other deposits (the "LEASES"),
(7) all of the rents, revenues, income, proceeds, profits, security and other
types of deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the Leases
for using, leasing, licensing possessing, operating from, residing in, selling
or otherwise enjoying the Mortgaged Property (the "RENTS"), (8) all other
agreements, such as construction contracts, architects' agreements, engineers'
contracts, utility contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements,
service contracts, permits, licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way
relating to the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance, enjoyment
or ownership of the Mortgaged Property (the "PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (9) all
rights, privileges, tenements, hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements,
appendages and appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all accessions,
replacements and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all proceeds
thereof, (11) all insurance policies, unearned premiums therefor and proceeds
from such policies covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired
by Mortgagor, and (12) all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest in and to
any awards, remunerations, reimbursements, settlements or compensation
heretofore made or hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining
to the Land, Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty.  As used in this Mortgage,
the term "MORTGAGED PROPERTY" shall mean all or, where the context permit or
requires, any portion of the above or any interest therein.

          1.1.3  "OBLIGATIONS":  All of the agreements, covenants, conditions,
warranties, representations and other obligations of Pantry (including, without
limitation, the obligation to repay the Indebtedness) under the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

          1.1.4  "UCC":  The Uniform Commercial Code of Florida or, if the
creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest herein granted is
governed by the laws of a state other than Florida, then, as to the matter in
question, the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in that state.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 2
                                     GRANT
                                     -----

          SECTION 2.1  GRANT.  To secure the full and timely payment of the
                       -----                                               
Indebtedness and the full and timely performance of the Obligations, Mortgagor
MORTGAGES, GRANTS, BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Mortgagee the
Mortgaged Property, subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND
TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, and Mortgagor does hereby bind
itself, its successors and assigns to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to
the Mortgaged Property unto Mortgagee.

                                   ARTICLE 3
                   WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

          Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants to Mortgagee as follows:

          SECTION 3.1  TITLE TO MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND LIEN OF THIS INSTRUMENT.
                       -------------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagor owns the Mortgaged Property free and clear of any liens, claims or
interests, except the Permitted Encumbrances.  This Mortgage creates valid,
enforceable first priority liens and security interests against the Mortgaged
Property.

          SECTION 3.2  FIRST LIEN STATUS.  Mortgagor shall preserve and protect
                       -----------------                                       
the first lien and security interest status of this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents.  If any lien or security interest other than the Permitted
Encumbrances is asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagor shall
promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Mortgagee a detailed written notice of
such lien or security interest (including origin, amount and other terms), and
(b) pay the underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to cause it
to be released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements of the
Credit Agreement (including the requirement of providing a bond or other
security satisfactory to Mortgagee).

          SECTION 3.3  PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE.  Mortgagor shall pay the
                       -----------------------                          
Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall perform the Obligations
in full when they are required to be performed.

          SECTION 3.4  REPLACEMENT OF FIXTURES AND PERSONALTY.  Mortgagor shall
                       --------------------------------------                  
not, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, permit any of the Fixtures
or Personalty to be removed at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless
the removed item is removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if
removed permanently, is obsolete and is replaced by an article of equal or
better suitability and value, owned by Mortgagor subject to the liens and
security interests of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, and free and
clear of any other lien or security interest except such as may be permitted
under the Credit Agreement or first approved in writing by Mortgagee.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 3.5  INSPECTION.  Mortgagor shall permit Mortgagee and the
                       ----------                                           
Lenders, and their respective agents, representatives and employees, upon
reasonable prior notice to Mortgagor, to inspect the Mortgaged Property and all
books and records of Mortgagor located thereon, and to conduct such
environmental and engineering studies as Mortgagee or the Lenders may require,
provided that such inspections and studies shall not materially interfere with
the use and operation of the Mortgaged Property.

          SECTION 3.6  OTHER COVENANTS.  All of the covenants in the Credit
                       ---------------                                     
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and, together with covenants in
this Article, shall be covenants running with the land.
     -------                                           

          SECTION 3.7  CONDEMNATION AWARDS AND INSURANCE PROCEEDS.
                       ------------------------------------------ 

          3.7.1  Condemnation Awards.  Mortgagor assigns all awards and
                 -------------------                                   
compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or other taking, or
any purchase in lieu thereof, to Mortgagee and authorizes Mortgagee to collect
and receive such awards and compensation and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

          3.7.2  Insurance Proceeds.  Mortgagor assigns to Mortgagee all
                 ------------------                                     
proceeds of any insurance policies insuring against loss or damage to the
Mortgaged Property.  Mortgagor authorizes Mortgagee to collect and receive such
proceeds and authorizes and directs the issuer of each of such insurance
policies to make payment for all such losses directly to Mortgagee, instead of
to Mortgagor and Mortgagee jointly.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                            DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 4.1  REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default exists, Mortgagee may,
                       --------                                                
at Mortgagee's election, exercise any or all of the following rights, remedies
and recourses:

          4.1.1  Acceleration.  Declare the Indebtedness to be immediately due
                 ------------                                                 
and payable, without further notice, presentment, protest, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, demand or action of any nature whatsoever
(each of which hereby is expressly waived by Mortgagor), whereupon the same
shall become immediately due and payable.

          4.1.2  Entry on Mortgaged Property.  Enter the Mortgaged Property and
                 ---------------------------                                   
take exclusive possession thereof and of all books, records and accounts
relating thereto or located thereon.  If Mortgagor remains in possession of the
Mortgaged Property after an Event of Default and without Mortgagee's prior
written consent, Mortgagee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess
Mortgagor.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          4.1.3  Operation of Mortgaged Property.  Hold, lease, develop, manage,
                 -------------------------------                                
operate or otherwise use the Mortgaged Property upon such terms and conditions
as Mortgagee may deem reasonable under the circumstances (making such repairs,
alternations, additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Mortgagee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and other
amounts collected by Mortgagee in connection therewith in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.7.
              ----------- 

          4.1.4  Foreclosure and Sale.  Institute proceedings for the complete
                 --------------------                                         
foreclosure of this Mortgage, either by judicial action or by power of sale, in
which case the Mortgaged Property may be sold for cash or credit in one or more
parcels.  With respect to any notices required or permitted under the UCC,
Mortgagor agrees that five days' prior written notice shall be deemed
commercially reasonable.  At any such sale by virtue of any judicial
proceedings, power of sale, or any other legal right, remedy or recourse, the
title to and right of possession of any such property shall pass to the
purchaser thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor shall
be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title, interest,
claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand whatsoever, either at law or
inequity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall be a perpetual bar
both at law and in equity against Mortgagor, and against all other Persons
claiming or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or under
Mortgagor.  Mortgagee or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser at such sale.  If
Mortgagee is the highest bidder, Mortgagee may credit the portion of the
purchase price that would be distributed to Mortgagee against the Indebtedness
in lieu of paying cash.  In the event this Mortgage is foreclosed by judicial
action, appraisement of the Mortgaged Property is waived.

          4.1.5  Receiver.  Make application to a court of competent
                 --------                                           
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of strict right and
without notice to Mortgagor or regard to the adequacy of the Mortgaged Property
for the repayment of the Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the
Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagor irrevocably consents to such appointment.  Any
such receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of receivers in similar
cases, including the full power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the
Mortgaged Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and shall
apply such Rents in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                                                      ----------- 

          4.1.6  Other.  Exercise all other rights, remedies and recourses
                 -----                                                    
granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

          SECTION 4.2  SEPARATE SALES.  The Mortgaged Property may be sold in
                       --------------                                        
one or more parcels and in such manner and order as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may elect; the right of sale arising out of any Event of Default
shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.3  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, CONCURRENT AND NONEXCLUSIVE.
                       ------------------------------------------------  
Mortgagee and the Lenders shall have all rights, remedies and recourses granted
in the Loan Documents and available at law or equity (including the UCC), which
rights (a) shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Mortgagor or others obligated under the
Loan Documents, or against the Mortgaged Property, or against any one or more of
them, at the sole discretion of Mortgagee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised
as often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or failure to
exercise any of them shall not be construed as a waiver or release thereof or of
any other right, remedy or recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be,
nonexclusive.  No action by Mortgagee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or otherwise at law or
equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.4  RELEASE OF AND RESORT TO COLLATERAL.  Mortgagee may
                       -----------------------------------                
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity for any notice to
a consent by the holder of any subordinate lien on the Mortgaged Property, any
part of the Mortgaged Property without, as to the remainder, in any way
impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or security interest
created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their status as a first and
prior lien and security interest in and to the Mortgaged Property.  For payment
of the Indebtedness, Mortgagee may resort to any other security in such order
and manner as Mortgagee may elect.

          SECTION 4.5  WAIVER OF REDEMPTION, NOTICE AND MARSHALLING OF ASSETS.
                       ------------------------------------------------------- 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to
Mortgagor by virtue of any present or future statute of limitations or law or
judicial decision exempting the Mortgaged Property from attachment, levy or sale
on execution or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil
process, redemption or extension of time for payment, (b) all notices of any
Event of Default or of Mortgagee's election to exercise or the actual exercise
of any right, remedy or recourse provided for under the Loan Documents, and (c)
any right to a marshalling of assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation.

          SECTION 4.6  DISCONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS.  If Mortgagee or the
                       -----------------------------                      
Lenders shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse permitted
under the Loan Documents and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it
for any reason, Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right to do
so and, in such an event, Mortgagor, Mortgagee, and the Lenders shall be
restored to their former positions with respect to the Indebtedness, the
Obligations, the Loan Documents, the Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the
rights, remedies, recourses and powers of Mortgagee and the Lenders shall
continue and if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but no
such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of Default which may
then exist or the right of Mortgagee or the Lenders

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
thereafter to exercise any right, remedy or recourse under the Loan Documents
for such Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.7  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds of any sale of, and
                       ----------------------                                   
the Rents and other amounts generated by the holding, leasing, management,
operation or other use of the Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Mortgagee
(or the receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless otherwise
required by applicable law:

          4.7.1  to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking possession
of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using, leasing, repairing, improving
and selling the same, including, without limitation (1) receiver's fees and
expenses, including the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants' fees and
expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;

          4.7.2  to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the
Obligations in such manner and order of preference as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may determine; and

          4.7.3  the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons legally
entitled thereto.

          SECTION 4.8  OCCUPANCY AFTER FORECLOSURE.  Any sale of the Mortgaged
                       ---------------------------                            
Property or any part thereof in accordance with Section 4.1.4 will divest all
                                                -------------                
right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to the property sold.  Subject to
applicable law, any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased.  If Mortgagor retains possession of such
property or any part thereof subsequent to such sale, Mortgagor will be
considered a tenant at sufferance of the purchaser, and will, if Mortgagor
remains in possession after demand to remove, be subject to eviction and
removal, forcible or otherwise, with or without process of law.

          SECTION 4.9  ADDITIONAL ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS; COSTS OF
                       -----------------------------------------------
ENFORCEMENT.
- ----------- 

          4.9.1  If any Event of Default exists, Mortgagee and each of the
Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure such Event of
Default in the name and on behalf of Mortgagor.  All sums advanced and expenses
incurred at any time by Mortgagee or any Lender under this Section, or otherwise
                                                           -------              
under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or applicable law, shall
bear interest from the date that such sum is advanced or expense incurred, to
and including the date of reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which
interest is then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together with
interest thereon, shall be secured by this Mortgage.

          4.9.2  Mortgagor shall pay all expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) of or incidental to the perfection and enforcement
of this Mortgage and the other Loan

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or settlement of the Indebtedness or
any claim under this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, and for the curing
thereof, or for defending or asserting the rights and claims of Mortgagee in
respect thereof, by litigation or otherwise.

          SECTION 4.10  NO MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION. Neither the enforcement of
                        --------------------------                            
any of the remedies under this Article, the assignment of the Rents and Leases
                               -------                                        
under Article 5, the security interests under Article 6, nor any other remedies
      ---------                               ---------                        
afforded to Mortgagee under the Loan Documents, at law or in equity shall cause
Mortgagee or any Lender to be deemed or construed to be a mortgagee in
possession of the Mortgaged Property, to obligate Mortgagee or any Lender to
lease the Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action, incur
any expense, or perform or discharge any obligation, duty or liability
whatsoever under any of the Leases or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
                         ------------------------------

          SECTION 5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  In furtherance of and in addition to the
                       ----------                                           
assignment made by Mortgagor in Section 2.1 of this Mortgage, Mortgagor hereby
                                -----------                                   
absolutely and unconditionally assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to
Mortgagee all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether now
existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title and interest in
and to all Rents.  If permitted under applicable law, this assignment is an
absolute assignment and not merely an assignment for additional security.  So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Mortgagor
shall have a revocable license from Mortgagee to exercise all rights extended to
the landlord under the Leases, including the right to receive and collect all
Rents and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the payment and performance of
the Obligations and to otherwise use the same.  The foregoing license is granted
subject to the conditional limitation that no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings have commenced, and
without regard to waste, adequacy of security for the Obligations or solvency of
Mortgagor, the license herein granted shall automatically expire and terminate,
without notice by Mortgagee (any such notice being hereby expressly waived by
Mortgagor).

          SECTION 5.2  PERFECTION UPON RECORDATION.  Mortgagor acknowledges that
                       ---------------------------                              
Mortgagee has taken all actions necessary to obtain, and that upon recordation
of this Mortgage Mortgagee shall have, to the extent permitted under applicable
law, a valid and fully perfected, first priority, present assignment of the
Rents arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.  Mortgagor
acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this Mortgage Mortgagee's
interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be fully perfected, ``choate'' and
enforced as to Mortgagor and all third parties, including, without limitation,
any subsequently appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the United
States Code (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), without

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
the necessity of commencing a foreclosure action with respect to this Mortgage,
making formal demand for the Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or
taking any other affirmative action.

          SECTION 5.3  BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS.  Without limitation of the
                       ---------------------                            
absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder, Mortgagor and
Mortgagee agree that (a) this Mortgage shall constitute a ``security agreement''
for purposes of Section 552(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the security interest
created by this Mortgage extends to property of Mortgagor acquired before the
commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid as Rents and (c)
such security interest shall extend to all Rents acquired by the estate after
the commencement of any case in bankruptcy.

          SECTION 5.4  NO MERGER OF ESTATES.  So long as part of the
                       --------------------                         
Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid and undischarged,
the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged Property shall not merge, but
shall remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the union of such estates
either in Mortgagor, Mortgagee, any tenant or any third party by purchase or
otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 6
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

          SECTION 6.1  SECURITY INTEREST.  This Mortgage constitutes a "Security
                       -----------------                                        
Agreement" on personal property within the meaning of the UCC and other
applicable law and with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and
Property Agreements.  To this end, Mortgagor grants to Mortgagee a first and
prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and Property
Agreements and all other Mortgaged Property which is personal property to secure
the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations, and agrees
that Mortgagee shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under
the UCC with respect to such property.  Any notice of sale, disposition or other
intended action by Mortgagee with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents and Property Agreements sent to Mortgagor at least five (5) days prior to
any action under the UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to Mortgagor.

          SECTION 6.2  FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Mortgagor shall execute and
                       --------------------                              
deliver to Mortgagee, in form and substance satisfactory to Mortgagee, such
financing statements and such further assurances as Mortgagee may, from time to
time, reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve Mortgagee's
security interest hereunder and Mortgagee may cause such statements and
assurances to be recorded and filed, at such times and places as may be required
or permitted by law to so create, perfect and preserve such security interest.
Mortgagor's chief executive office is in the State of North Carolina at the
address set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 6.3  FIXTURE FILING.  This Mortgage shall also constitute a
                       --------------                                        
"fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against all of the Mortgaged
Property which is or is to become fixtures.  Information concerning the security
interest herein granted may be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Mortgagor)
and Secured Party (Mortgagee) as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Mortgage.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------
          SECTION 7.1  NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be given
                       -------                                               
under this Mortgage shall be given in accordance with the provisions of the
Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 7.2  COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND.  All Obligations
                       -------------------------------                  
contained in this Mortgage are intended by Mortgagor and Mortgagee to be, and
shall be construed as, covenants running with the Mortgaged Property.  As used
herein, "Mortgagor" shall refer to the party named in the first paragraph of
this Mortgage and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of the Mortgaged
Property.  All Persons who may have or acquire an interest in the Mortgaged
Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the terms of the
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; however, no such party shall be
entitled to any rights thereunder without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.3  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Mortgagor hereby irrevocably appoints
                       ----------------                                        
Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, as its attorney-in-fact, which agency
is coupled with an interest, (a) to execute and/or record any notices of
completion, cessation of labor or any other notices that Mortgagee deems
appropriate to protect Mortgagee's interest, if Mortgagor shall fail to do so
within ten (10) days after written request by Mortgagee, (b) upon the issuance
of a deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Mortgage or the delivery of a deed
in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of assignment, conveyance or
further assurance with respect to the Leases, Rents, Personalty, Fixtures and
Property Agreements in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as may be
necessary or desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file or
record financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or preserve
Mortgagee's security interests and rights in or to any of the Mortgaged
Property, and (d) while any Event of Default exists, to perform any obligation
of Mortgagor hereunder, however: (1) Mortgagee shall not under any circumstances
be obligated to perform any obligation of Mortgagor; (2) any sums advanced by
Mortgagee in such performance shall be added to and included in the Indebtedness
and shall bear interest at the rate or rates at which interest is then computed
on the Indebtedness; (3) Mortgagee as such attorney-in-fact shall only be
accountable for such funds as are actually received by Mortgagee; and (4)
Mortgagee shall not be liable to Mortgagor or any other person or entity for any
failure to take any action which it is empowered to take under this Section.
                                                                    ------- 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 7.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Mortgage shall be binding
                       ----------------------                                 
upon and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, the Lenders, and Mortgagor and their
respective successors and assigns.  Mortgagor shall not, without the prior
written consent of Mortgagee, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.5  NO WAIVER.  Any failure by Mortgagee to insist upon
                       ---------                                          
strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Loan
Documents shall not be deemed to be a waiver of same, and Mortgagee or the
Lenders shall have the right at any time to insist upon strict performance of
all of such terms, provisions and conditions.

          SECTION 7.6  CREDIT AGREEMENT.  If any conflict or inconsistency
                       ----------------                                   
exists between this Mortgage and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement
shall govern.

          SECTION 7.7  RELEASE OR RECONVEYANCE.  Upon payment in full of the
                       -----------------------                              
Indebtedness and performance in full of the Obligations, Mortgagee, at
Mortgagor's expense, shall release the liens and security interests created by
this Mortgage or reconvey the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagor.  In addition, as
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing or would be
caused thereby, if Mortgagor sells or transfers for value any portion of the
Mortgaged Property as permitted under Section 7.7 of the Credit Agreement,
Mortgagee shall release the liens and security interests created by this
Mortgage on such Mortgaged Property or reconvey such Mortgaged Property to
Mortgagor, concurrently with the consummation of such sale or other transfer.
Such release or reconveyance shall be at Mortgagor's sole cost and expense, and
only upon not less than thirty days' prior written notice to Mortgagee.

          SECTION 7.8  WAIVER OF STAY, MORATORIUM AND SIMILAR RIGHTS.  Mortgagor
                       ---------------------------------------------            
agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any
time insist upon or plead or in any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling
of assets, extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and
effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the provisions of this
Mortgage or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any agreement between Mortgagor
and Mortgagee or any rights or remedies of Mortgagee or the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.9  APPLICABLE LAW.  The provisions of this Mortgage
                       --------------                                  
regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of the liens and security
interests herein granted shall be governed by and construed under the laws of
the state in which the Mortgaged Property is located.  All other provisions of
this Mortgage and the Obligations shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New York (including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

          SECTION 7.10  HEADINGS.  The Article, Section and Subsection titles
                        --------                                             
hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter,
modify or define, or be used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections
or Subsections.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 7.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Mortgage and the other Loan
                        ----------------                                   
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Mortgagee and
Mortgagor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  Accordingly, the
Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or
subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral
agreements between the parties.

          SECTION 7.12  SURETYSHIP WAIVERS.
                        ------------------ 

          7.12.1  Mortgagor agrees that its obligations hereunder are
irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional and shall not be affected
by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a
guarantor or surety other than payment and performance in full of the
Obligations.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the
generality thereof, each Loan Party agrees as follows:  (i) Lender may from time
to time, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or giving rise to any limitation, impairment or
discharge of such Loan Party's liability hereunder, (A) renew, extend,
accelerate or otherwise change the time, place, manner or terms of payment of
the Obligations, (B) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or
refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the
Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of
the same to the payment of any other obligations, (C) request and accept
guaranties of the Obligations and take and hold other security for the payment
of the Obligations, (D) release, exchange, compromise, subordinate or modify,
with or without consideration, any other security for payment of the
Obligations, any guaranties of the Obligations, or any other obligation of any
Person with respect to the Obligations, (E) enforce and apply any other security
now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of Lender in respect of the
Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any
other right or remedy that Lender may have against any such security, as Lenders
in their discretion may determine consistent with this Agreement and any other
Loan Document including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more
judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is
commercially reasonable, and (F) exercise any other rights available to Lender
under the Loan Documents, at law or in equity; and (ii) this Agreement and the
obligations of each Loan Party hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and
shall not be subject to any limitation, impairment or discharge for any reason
(other than payment in full of the Obligations), including without limitation
the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Loan Party shall have
had notice or knowledge of any of them:  (A) any failure to assert or enforce or
agreement not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court,
by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim
or demand or any right, power or remedy with respect to the Obligations or any
agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any guaranty of or other security
for the payment of the Obligations, (B) any waiver, amendment or modification
of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including
without limitation provisions relating to events

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
of default) of the Credit Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any
agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any guaranty or other
security for the Obligations, (C) the Obligations, or any agreement relating
thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any
respect, (D) the application of payments received from any source to the payment
of indebtedness other than the Obligations, even though Lender might have
elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Obligations, (E) any
failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any other
collateral which secures any of the Obligations, (F) any defenses, set-offs or
counterclaims which any other Loan Party may allege or assert against any Lender
in respect of the Obligations, including but not limited to failure of
consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of
limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury, and (G) any other act or thing
or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any
manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Loan Party as an obligor in respect
of the Obligations.

     7.12.2  Each Loan Party waives, for the benefit of Lender:  (i) any right
to require Lender, as a condition of payment or performance by such Loan Party,
to (A) proceed against any other Loan Party, any guarantor of the Obligations or
any other Person, (B) proceed against or exhaust any other security held from
any other Loan Party, any guarantor of the Obligations or any other Person, (C)
proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit
on the books of Lender in favor of any Loan Party or any other Person, or (D)
pursue any other remedy in the power of Lender whatsoever; (ii) any defense
arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or
other defense of any Loan Party including, without limitation, any defense based
on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the
Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the
cessation of the liability of any Loan Party from any cause other than payment
in full of the Obligations; (iii) any defense based upon any statute or rule of
law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in
amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (iv)
any defense based upon Lender's errors or omissions in the administration of the
Obligations, except behavior which amounts to bad faith; (v) (A) any principles
or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict
with the terms of this Agreement and any legal or equitable discharge of such
Loan Party's obligations hereunder, (B) the benefit of any statute of
limitations affecting such Loan Party's liability hereunder or the enforcement
hereof, (C) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (D)
promptness, diligence and any requirement that Lender protect, secure, perfect
or insure any other security interest or lien or any property subject thereto;
(vi) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of
dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, notices of default under the
Credit Agreement or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any
renewal, extension or modification of the Obligations or any agreement related
thereto, notices of any extension of credit to Loan Parties and notices of any
of the matters referred to in the preceding paragraph and any right to consent
to any thereof; and (vii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any defenses
or benefits that may be derived from

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or
sureties, or which may conflict with the terms of this Agreement.

     7.12.3  Until the Obligations shall have been paid in full, each Loan Party
shall withhold exercise of (i) any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect,
that such Loan Party now has or may hereafter have against any other Loan Party
or any of its assets in connection with this Agreement or the performance by any
other Loan Party of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim,
right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law
or otherwise and including without limitation (A) any right of subrogation,
reimbursement or indemnification that any Loan Party now has or may hereafter
have against any other Loan Party, (B) any right to enforce, or to participate
in, any claim, right or remedy that Lender now has or may hereafter have against
any Loan Party, and (C) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any
other collateral or security now or hereafter held by Lender, and (ii) any right
of contribution any Loan Party may have against any guarantor of the
Obligations.  Each Loan Party further agrees that, to the extent the waiver of
its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as
set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or
voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement or
indemnification such Loan Party may have against any other Loan Party or against
any other collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Loan Party
may have against any such guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any
rights Lender may have against any Loan Party, to all right, title and interest
Lender may have in any such other collateral or security, and to any right
Lender may have against any such guarantor.


                                   ARTICLE 8
                              LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS
                              --------------------

 
          SECTION 8.1  FUTURE ADVANCES.  This Mortgage also secures such future
                       ---------------                                         
additional advances as may be made by Mortgagee at Mortgagee's option to
Mortgagor for any purposes, provided that all such advances are to be made
within twenty (20) years from the date of this Mortgage. The total Indebtedness
secured by this Mortgage may decrease or increase from time to time, but the
total unpaid balance so secured at any one time may not exceed the maximum
principal amount of Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) plus interest
accrued thereon, and any disbursements made for the payment of taxes, levies,
assessments or insurance on the Mortgaged Property, with interest upon such
disbursements.  If, pursuant to Florida Statutes (S)697.04, Mortgagor files a
notice specifying the dollar limit beyond which future advances made pursuant to
this Mortgage will not be secured by this Mortgage, Mortgagor shall give
immediate notice to Mortgagee by certified mail.  Such filing constitutes an
additional Event of Default hereunder.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 8.2  INSURANCE AND TAXES.  Mortgagor shall at all time
                       -------------------                              
provide, maintain and keep in force or cause to be provided, maintained and keep
in force, at no expense to Mortgagee, policies of insurance in form and amounts
and issued by companies, associations or organizations reasonably satisfactory
to Mortgagee covering such casualties, risks, perils, liabilities and other
hazards as set forth in the Credit Agreement or as Mortgagee reasonably
requires.   Mortgagor shall pay, or cause to be paid prior to delinquency, all
real property taxes and assessments, general and special, and all other taxes
and assessments of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation,
nongovernmental levies or assessments such as maintenance charges, levies or
charges resulting from covenants, conditions and restrictions affecting the
Mortgaged Property, which are assessed or imposed upon the Mortgaged Property,
or become due and payable, and which create, may create or appear to create a
lien upon the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof, or upon any person,
property, equipment or other facility used in the operation or maintenance
thereof (all the above collectively hereinafter referred to as "IMPOSITIONS");
provided, however, if, by law any such Imposition is payable, or may at the
option of the taxpayer be paid, in installments, Mortgagor may pay the same or
cause it to be paid, together with any accrued interest on the unpaid balance of
such Imposition, in installments before any fine, penalty, interest or cost may
be added thereto for the nonpayment of any such installment and interest.  If
Mortgagor does not pay such insurance premiums and Impositions in accordance
with the foregoing, Mortgagee may pay such amounts and Mortgagor shall reimburse
Mortgagee upon demand for such payments and such reimbursement obligation shall
be added to the Obligations secured hereby.

         [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor has on the date set forth in the
acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above written, caused
this instrument to be duly EXECUTED AND DELIVERED by authority duly given.

                         LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC., a Florida corporation



                         By: _____________________________
                              Name: William T. Flyg
                              Its:  Executive Vice President and Assistant
                                    Secretary



                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


STATE OF NEW YORK        )
                         ) SS.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK       )


     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 23 day of October,
1997 by William T. Flyg, as the Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary
of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc., a Florida corporation, on behalf of the
corporation.  He is personally known to me or has produced a
_______________________ as identification.


                                         _________________________________
                                         Print Name:______________________
                                         Notary Public, New York, New York
 
                                         My Commission Expires:___________
 
                                         Commission No.:__________________

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                               MORTGAGED PROPERTY


                                      A-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.24



PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
400 SOUTH HOPE STREET
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
ATTENTION:  F. THOMAS MULLER, ESQ.
 FILE 154,607-004



                     OBLIGATIONS SECURED HEREBY PROVIDE FOR
                          A FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATE


                    DEED TO SECURE DEBT, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                       AND ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS [GEORGIA]



                                  BY AND FROM


                    LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC., "GRANTOR"


                                       TO


                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                     IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT, "GRANTEE"


                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 1997
<PAGE>
 
                    DEED TO SECURE DEBT, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                            AND ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS


          THIS DEED TO SECURE DEBT, SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES (Georgia) (this "DEED TO SECURE DEBT") is dated as of October 23,
1997, by and from LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC., a Florida corporation
("GRANTOR"), whose address is 1801 Douglas Drive, Sanford, North Carolina 27330,
to FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent ("AGENT") for the lenders party to the
Credit Agreement (defined below) (such lenders, together with their respective
successors and assigns, collectively, the "LENDERS"), having an address at 301
South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 (Agent, together with its
successors and assigns, "GRANTEE").


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

          SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.  All capitalized terms used herein without
                       -----------                                            
definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among Grantor, the
Lenders, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Syndication Agent, and Grantee.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

          1.1.1  "INDEBTEDNESS":  (1)  (a) principal, interest and other amounts
evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents in the face principal amount of
Seventy-Five Million and No/100ths Dollars ($75,000,000.00), with principal and
accrued unpaid interest being due and payable in full not later than October 31,
2002, set forth in the Credit Agreement, and (b) principal, interest and other
amounts which may hereafter be loaned by Grantee or any of the Lenders under or
in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
whether evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument which, by its terms,
is secured hereby, and (2) all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities
now or hereafter existing of any kind of Grantor to Grantee or any of the
Lenders under documents which recite that they are intended to be secured by
this Deed to Secure Debt.

          1.1.2  "MORTGAGED PROPERTY":  All of Grantor's right, title and
interest in (1) the fee simple interest in the real property described in
Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, together
with any greater estate therein as hereafter may be acquired by Grantor (the
"LAND"), (2) all improvements now owned or hereafter acquired by Grantor, now or
at any time situated, placed or constructed upon the Land (the

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
"IMPROVEMENTS"), (3) all materials, supplies, equipment, apparatus and other
items of personal property now owned or hereafter acquired by Grantor and now or
hereafter attached to, installed in or used in connection with any of the
Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical, storm and sanitary sewer
facilities and all other utilities whether or not situated in easements (the
"FIXTURES"), (4) all right, title and interest of Grantor in and to all goods,
accounts, general intangibles, instruments, documents, chattel paper and all
other personal property of any kind or character, including such items of
personal property as defined in the UCC (defined below), now owned or hereafter
acquired by Grantor and now or hereafter affixed to, placed upon, used in
connection with, arising from or otherwise related to the Land and Improvements
(the "PERSONALTY"), (5) all reserves, escrows or impounds required under the
Credit Agreement and all deposit accounts maintained by Grantor with respect to
the Mortgaged Property, (6) all leases, licenses, concessions, occupancy
agreements or other agreements (written or oral, now or at any time in effect)
which grant to any Person a possessory interest in, or the right to use, all or
any part of the Mortgaged Property, together with all related security and other
deposits (the "LEASES"), (7) all of the rents, revenues, income, proceeds,
profits, security and other types of deposits, and other benefits paid or
payable by parties to the Leases for using, leasing, licensing, possessing,
operating from, residing in, selling or otherwise enjoying the Mortgaged
Property (the "RENTS"), (8) all other agreements, such as construction
contracts, architects' agreements, engineers' contracts, utility contracts,
maintenance agreements, management agreements, service contracts, permits,
licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way relating to the construction,
use, occupancy, operation, maintenance, enjoyment or ownership of the Mortgaged
Property (the "PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (9) all rights, privileges, tenements,
hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements, appendages and appurtenances
appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all accessions, replacements and
substitutions for any of the foregoing and all proceeds thereof, (11) all
insurance policies, unearned premiums therefor and proceeds from such policies
covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired by Grantor, and
(12) all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to any awards,
remunerations, reimbursements, settlements or compensation heretofore made or
hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining to the Land,
Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty.  As used in this Deed to Secure Debt, the
term "MORTGAGED PROPERTY" shall mean all or, where the context permit or
requires, any portion of the above or any interest therein.

          1.1.3  "OBLIGATIONS":  All of the agreements, covenants, conditions,
warranties, representations and other obligations of Grantor (including, without
limitation, the obligation to repay the Indebtedness) under the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

          1.1.4  "UCC":  The Uniform Commercial Code of Georgia or, if the
creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest herein granted is
governed by the laws of

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
a state other than Georgia, then, as to the matter in question, the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in that state.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                     GRANT
                                     -----

          SECTION 2.1  GRANT.  To secure the full and timely payment of the
                       -----                                               
Indebtedness and the full and timely performance of the Obligations, Grantor
GRANTS, BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Grantee the Mortgaged Property,
subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances.  TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the
Mortgaged Property, and all parts, rights, members and appurtenances thereof, to
the use, benefit and behalf of Grantee, for the benefit of Lenders and the
successors and assigns of Grantee IN FEE SIMPLE forever; and Grantor covenants
that Grantor is lawfully seized and possessed of the Mortgaged Property as
aforesaid and has good right to convey the same, that the same are unencumbered
except for the Permitted Encumbrances, and that Grantor will warrant and will
forever defend the title thereto against the claims of all persons whomsoever,
except as to the Permitted Encumbrances.

          THIS CONVEYANCE is intended: (i) to operate and to be construed as a
deed passing the title to the Mortgaged Property to Grantee, for the benefit of
the Lenders, and is made under those provisions of the existing laws of the
State of Georgia relating to the deeds to secure debt, and not as a mortgage,
and (ii) to constitute a security agreement pursuant to the UCC.

                                   ARTICLE 3
                   WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
                   -----------------------------------------

          Grantor warrants, represents and covenants to Grantee as follows:

          SECTION 3.1  TITLE TO MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND SECURITY TITLE OF THIS
                       ------------------------------------------------------
INSTRUMENT.  Grantor owns the Mortgaged Property free and clear of any liens,
- ----------                                                                   
claims or interests, except the Permitted Encumbrances.  This Deed to Secure
Debt creates a valid, enforceable first priority security title and security
interests against the Mortgaged Property.

          SECTION 3.2  FIRST PRIORITY STATUS.  Grantor shall preserve and
                       ---------------------                             
protect the first priority and security interest status of this Deed to Secure
Debt and the other Loan Documents.  If any lien or security interest other than
the Permitted Encumbrances is asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Grantor
shall promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Grantee a detailed written notice
of such lien or security interest (including origin, amount and other terms),
and (b) pay the underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to
cause it to be released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements
of the Credit

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Agreement (including the requirement of providing a bond or other security
satisfactory to Grantee).

          SECTION 3.3  PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE.  Grantor shall pay the
                       -----------------------                        
Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall perform the Obligations
in full when they are required to be performed.

          SECTION 3.4  REPLACEMENT OF FIXTURES AND PERSONALTY.  Grantor shall
                       --------------------------------------                
not, without the prior written consent of Grantee, permit any of the Fixtures or
Personalty to be removed at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless the
removed item is removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if removed
permanently, is obsolete and is replaced by an article of equal or better
suitability and value, owned by Grantor subject to the liens and security
interests of this Deed to Secure Debt and the other Loan Documents, and free and
clear of any other lien or security interest except such as may be permitted
under the Credit Agreement or first approved in writing by Grantee.

          SECTION 3.5  INSPECTION.  Grantor shall permit Grantee and the
                       ----------                                       
Lenders, and their respective agents, representatives and employees, upon
reasonable prior notice to Grantor, to inspect the Mortgaged Property and all
books and records of Grantor located thereon, and to conduct such environmental
and engineering studies as Grantee or the Lenders may require, provided that
such inspections and studies shall not materially interfere with the use and
operation of the Mortgaged Property.

          SECTION 3.6  OTHER COVENANTS.  All of the covenants in the Credit
                       ---------------                                     
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and, together with covenants in
this Article, shall be covenants running with the land.
     -------                                           

          SECTION 3.7  CONDEMNATION AWARDS AND INSURANCE PROCEEDS.
                       ------------------------------------------ 

          3.7.1  Condemnation Awards.  Grantor assigns all awards and
                 -------------------                                 
compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or other taking, or
any purchase in lieu thereof, to Grantee and authorizes Grantee to collect and
receive such awards and compensation and to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

          3.7.2  Insurance Proceeds.  Grantor assigns to Grantee all proceeds of
                 ------------------                                             
any insurance policies insuring against loss or damage to the Mortgaged
Property.  Grantor authorizes Grantee to collect and receive such proceeds and
authorizes and directs the issuer of each of such insurance policies to make
payment for all such losses directly to Grantee, instead of to Grantor and
Grantee jointly.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 4
                            DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
                            -----------------------

          SECTION 4.1  REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default exists, Grantee may, at
                       --------                                                 
Grantee's election, exercise any or all of the following rights, remedies and
recourses:

          4.1.1  Acceleration.  Declare the Indebtedness to be immediately due
                 ------------                                                 
and payable, without further notice, presentment, protest, notice of intent to
accelerate, notice of acceleration, demand or action of any nature whatsoever
(each of which hereby is expressly waived by Grantor), whereupon the same shall
become immediately due and payable.

          4.1.2  Entry on Mortgaged Property.  Enter the Mortgaged Property and
                 ---------------------------                                   
take exclusive possession thereof and of all books, records and accounts
relating thereto or located thereon.  If Grantor remains in possession of the
Mortgaged Property after an Event of Default and without Grantee's prior written
consent, Grantee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess Grantor.

          4.1.3  Operation of Mortgaged Property.  Hold, lease, develop, manage,
                 -------------------------------                                
operate or otherwise use the Mortgaged Property upon such terms and conditions
as Grantee may deem reasonable under the circumstances (making such repairs,
alternations, additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Grantee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and other
amounts collected by Grantee in connection therewith in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.7.
              ----------- 

          4.1.4  Exercise Power of Sale.  Sell the Mortgaged Property or any
                 ----------------------                                     
part of the Mortgaged Property at public sale or sales before the door of the
courthouse of the County in which the Mortgaged Property or any part of the
Mortgaged Property is situated, to the highest bidder for cash, in order to pay
the Indebtedness, including, without limitation, all accrued, unpaid interest
thereon, and all expenses of the sale and of all proceedings in connection
therewith, including reasonable attorney's fees, if actually incurred, after
advertising the time, place and terms of sale once a week for four (4) weeks
immediately preceding such sale (but without regard to the number of days) in a
newspaper in which Sheriff's sales are advertised in said County.  The foregoing
notwithstanding, Grantee may sell, or cause to be sold, any tangible or
intangible personal property, or any part thereof, and which constitutes a part
of the security hereunder in the foregoing manner, or as may otherwise be
provided by law, including the UCC.  With respect to any notices required or
permitted by the UCC, Grantor agrees that five days' prior written notice shall
be deemed commercially reasonable.  Grantee may bid and purchase at any such
sale and may satisfy Grantee's obligation to purchase pursuant to Grantee's bid
by canceling an equivalent portion of any Indebtedness then outstanding and
secured hereby.  At any such sale, Grantee may execute and deliver to the
purchaser a conveyance of the Mortgaged Property or any part of the Mortgaged
Property in fee simple with full warranties of title and, to this end, Grantor

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
hereby constitutes and appoints Grantee the agent and attorney in fact of
Grantor to make such sale and conveyance, and thereby to divest Grantor of all
right, title and equity that Grantor may have in and to the Mortgaged Property
and to vest the same in the purchaser or purchasers at such sale or sales, and
all the acts and doings of said agent and attorney in fact are hereby ratified
and confirmed and any recitals in said conveyance or conveyances as to facts
essential to a valid sale shall be binding on Grantor.  The aforesaid power of
sale and agency hereby granted are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable
by death or otherwise, are granted as cumulative of the other remedies provided
by law for collection of the indebtedness secured hereby and shall not be
exhausted by one exercise thereof but may be exercised until full payment of all
sums secured hereby.

          4.1.5  Receiver.  Make application to a court of competent
                 --------                                           
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of strict right and
without notice to Grantor or regard to the adequacy of the Mortgaged Property
for the repayment of the Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the
Mortgaged Property, and Grantor irrevocably consents to such appointment.  Any
such receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of receivers in similar
cases, including the full power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the
Mortgaged Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and shall
apply such Rents in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7.
                                                      ----------- 

          4.1.6  Other.  Exercise all other rights, remedies and recourses
                 -----                                                    
granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

          SECTION 4.2  SEPARATE SALES.  The Mortgaged Property may be sold in
                       --------------                                        
one or more parcels and in such manner and order as Grantee in its sole
discretion may elect multiple sales are hereby expressly authorized and the
right of sale arising out of any Event of Default shall not be exhausted by any
one or more sales, until all the Mortgaged Property is sold or the Indebtedness
is satisfied in full.

          SECTION 4.3  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, CONCURRENT AND NONEXCLUSIVE.
                       ------------------------------------------------  
Grantee and the Lenders shall have all rights, remedies and recourses granted in
the Loan Documents and available at law or equity (including the UCC), which
rights (a) shall be cumulative and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Grantor or others obligated under the Loan
Documents, or against the Mortgaged Property, or against any one or more of
them, at the sole discretion of Grantee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised as
often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or failure to exercise
any of them shall not be construed as a waiver or release thereof or of any
other right, remedy or recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be,
nonexclusive.  No action by Grantee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or otherwise at law or
equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of Default.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.4  RELEASE OF AND RESORT TO COLLATERAL.  Grantee may
                       -----------------------------------              
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity for any notice to
or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien on the Mortgaged Property, any
part of the Mortgaged Property without, as to the remainder, in any way
impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the security title or security
interest created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their status as a
first and prior security title and security interest in and to the Mortgaged
Property.  For payment of the Indebtedness, Grantee may resort to any other
security in such order and manner as Grantee may elect.

          SECTION 4.5  NOTICE AND MARSHALLING OF ASSETS.  To the fullest extent
                       ---------------------------------                       
permitted by law, Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and
releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to Grantor by virtue of any present
or future statute of limitations or law or judicial decision exempting the
Mortgaged Property from attachment, levy or sale on execution or providing for
any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption or extension of
time for payment, (b) all notices of any Event of Default or of Grantee's
election to exercise or the actual exercise of any right, remedy or recourse
provided for under the Loan Documents, and (c) any right to a marshalling of
assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation.

          SECTION 4.6  DISCONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS.  If Grantee or the Lenders
                       -----------------------------                            
shall have proceeded to invoke any right, remedy or recourse permitted under the
Loan Documents and shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it for any
reason, Grantee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right to do so and, in
such an event, Grantor, Grantee, and the Lenders shall be restored to their
former positions with respect to the Indebtedness, the Obligations, the Loan
Documents, the Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the rights, remedies,
recourses and powers of Grantee and the Lenders shall continue as if the right,
remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but no such discontinuance or
abandonment shall waive any Event of Default which may then exist or the right
of Grantee or the Lenders thereafter to exercise any right, remedy or recourse
under the Loan Documents for such Event of Default.

          SECTION 4.7  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds of any sale of, and
                       ----------------------                                   
the Rents and other amounts generated by the holding, leasing, management,
operation or other use of the Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Grantee
(or the receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless otherwise
required by applicable law:

          4.7.1  to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking possession
of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using, leasing, repairing, improving
and selling the same, including, without limitation (1) receiver's fees and
expenses, including the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees
and expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          4.7.2  to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the
Obligations in such manner and order of preference as Grantee in its sole
discretion may determine; and

          4.7.3  the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons legally
entitled thereto.

          SECTION 4.8  OCCUPANCY AFTER FORECLOSURE.  Any sale of the Mortgaged
                       ---------------------------                            
Property or any part thereof in accordance with Section 4.1.4 will divest all
                                                -------------                
right, title and interest of Grantor in and to the property sold.  Subject to
applicable law, any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased.  If Grantor retains possession of such
property or any part thereof subsequent to such sale, Grantor will be considered
a tenant at sufferance of the purchaser, and will, if Grantor remains in
possession after demand to remove, be subject to eviction and removal, forcible
or otherwise, with or without process of law.

          SECTION 4.9  ADDITIONAL ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS; COSTS OF
                       -----------------------------------------------
ENFORCEMENT.
- ----------- 

          4.9.1  If any Event of Default exists, Grantee and each of the Lenders
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cure such Event of Default in
the name and on behalf of Grantor.  All sums advanced and expenses incurred at
any time by Grantee or any Lender under this Section, or otherwise under this
                                             -------                         
Deed to Secure Debt or any of the other Loan Documents or applicable law, shall
bear interest from the date that such sum is advanced or expense incurred, to
and including the date of reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which
interest is then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together with
interest thereon, shall be secured by this Deed to Secure Debt.

          4.9.2  Grantor shall pay all expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses) of or incidental to the perfection and enforcement of this
Deed to Secure Debt and the other Loan Documents, or the enforcement, compromise
or settlement of the Indebtedness or any claim under this Deed to Secure Debt
and the other Loan Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or
asserting the rights and claims of Grantee in respect thereof, by litigation or
otherwise.

          SECTION 4.10  NO GRANTEE IN POSSESSION. Neither the enforcement of any
                        ------------------------                                
of the remedies under this Article, the assignment of the Rents and Leases under
                           -------                                              
Article 5, the security interests under Article 6, nor any other remedies
- ---------                               ---------                        
afforded to Grantee under the Loan Documents, at law or in equity shall cause
Grantee or any Lender to be deemed or construed to be a mortgagee in possession
of the Mortgaged Property, to obligate Grantee or any Lender to lease the
Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action, incur any
expense, or perform or discharge any obligation, duty or liability whatsoever
under any of the Leases or otherwise.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 5
                         ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
                         ------------------------------

          SECTION 5.1  ASSIGNMENT.  In furtherance of and in addition to the
                       ----------                                           
assignment made by Grantor in Section 2.1 of this Deed to Secure Debt, Grantor
                              -----------                                     
hereby absolutely and unconditionally assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to
Grantee all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether now
existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title and interest in
and to all Rents.  If permitted under applicable law, this assignment is an
absolute assignment and not merely an assignment for additional security.  So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Grantor shall
have a revocable license from Grantee to exercise all rights extended to the
landlord under the Leases, including the right to receive and collect all Rents
and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the payment and performance of the
Obligations and to otherwise use the same.  The foregoing license is granted
subject to the conditional limitation that no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings have commenced, and
without regard to waste, adequacy of security for the Obligations or solvency of
Grantor, the license herein granted shall automatically expire and terminate,
without notice by Grantee (any such notice being hereby expressly waived by
Grantor).

          SECTION 5.2  PERFECTION UPON RECORDATION.  Grantor acknowledges that
                       ---------------------------                            
Grantee has taken all actions necessary to obtain, and that upon recordation of
this Deed to Secure Debt Grantee shall have, to the extent permitted under
applicable law, a valid and fully perfected first priority present assignment of
the Rents arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.  Grantor
acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this Deed to Secure Debt
Grantee's interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be fully perfected,
``choate'' and enforced as to Grantor and all third parties, including, without
limitation, any subsequently appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the
United States Code (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), without the necessity of commencing
a foreclosure action with respect to this Deed to Secure Debt, making formal
demand for the Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or taking any
other affirmative action.

          SECTION 5.3  BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS.  Without limitation of the
                       ---------------------                            
absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder, Grantor and Grantee
agree that (a) this Deed to Secure Debt shall constitute a ``security
agreement'' for purposes of Section 552(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the
security interest created by this Deed to Secure Debt extends to property of
Grantor acquired before the commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all
amounts paid as Rents and (c) such security interest shall extend to all Rents
acquired by the estate after the commencement of any case in bankruptcy.

          SECTION 5.4  NO MERGER OF ESTATES.  So long as part of the
                       --------------------                         
Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid and undischarged,
the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged Property shall not merge, but
shall remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
union of such estates either in Grantor, Grantee, any tenant or any third party
by purchase or otherwise.

                                   ARTICLE 6
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

          SECTION 6.1  SECURITY INTEREST.  This Deed to Secure Debt constitutes
                       -----------------                                       
a "Security Agreement" on personal property within the meaning of the UCC and
other applicable law and with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents
and Property Agreements.  To this end, Grantor grants to Grantee a first and
prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents and Property
Agreements and all other Mortgaged Property which is personal property to secure
the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations, and agrees
that Grantee shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the
UCC with respect to such property.  Any notice of sale, disposition or other
intended action by Grantee with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents and Property Agreements sent to Grantor at least five (5) days prior to
any action under the UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to Grantor.

          SECTION 6.2  FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Grantor shall execute and deliver
                       --------------------                                    
to Grantee, in form and substance satisfactory to Grantee, such financing
statements and such further assurances as Grantee may, from time to time,
reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve Grantee's security
interest hereunder and Grantee may cause such statements and assurances to be
recorded and filed, at such times and places as may be required or permitted by
law to so create, perfect and preserve such security interest.  Grantor's chief
executive office is in the State of North Carolina at the address set forth in
the first paragraph of this Deed to Secure Debt.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------
          SECTION 7.1  NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be given
                       -------                                               
under this Deed to Secure Debt shall be given in accordance with the provisions
of the Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 7.2  COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE LAND.  All Obligations
                       -------------------------------                  
contained in this Deed to Secure Debt are intended by Grantor and Grantee to be,
and shall be construed as, covenants running with the Mortgaged Property.  As
used herein, "Grantor" shall refer to the party named in the first paragraph of
this Deed to Secure Debt and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of
the Mortgaged Property.  All Persons who may have or acquire an interest in the
Mortgaged Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the terms
of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; however, no such party
shall be entitled to any rights thereunder without the prior written consent of
Grantee.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 7.3  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints
                       ----------------                                      
Grantee and its successors and assigns, as its attorney-in-fact, which agency is
coupled with an interest, (a) to execute and/or record any notices of
completion, cessation of labor or any other notices that Grantee deems
appropriate to protect Grantee's interest, if Grantor shall fail to do so within
ten (10) days after written request by Grantee, (b) upon the issuance of a deed
pursuant to the foreclosure of this Deed to Secure Debt or the delivery of a
deed in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of assignment,
conveyance or further assurance with respect to the Leases, Rents, Personalty,
Fixtures and Property Agreements in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as
may be necessary or desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file
or record financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or preserve Grantee's
security interests and rights in or to any of the Mortgaged Property, and (d)
while any Event of Default exists, to perform any obligation of Grantor
hereunder, however: (1) Grantee shall not under any circumstances be obligated
to perform any obligation of Grantor; (2) any sums advanced by Grantee in such
performance shall be added to and included in the Indebtedness and shall bear
interest at the rate or rates at which interest is then computed on the
Indebtedness; (3) Grantee as such attorney-in-fact shall only be accountable for
such funds as are actually received by Grantee; and (4) Grantee shall not be
liable to Grantor or any other person or entity for any failure to take any
action which it is empowered to take under this Section.
                                                ------- 

          SECTION 7.4  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Deed to Secure Debt shall
                       ----------------------                                 
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Grantee, the Lenders, and Grantor
and their respective successors and assigns.  Grantor shall not, without the
prior written consent of Grantee, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.5  NO WAIVER.  Any failure by Grantee to insist upon strict
                       ---------                                               
performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Loan Documents
shall not be deemed to be a waiver of same, and Grantee or the Lenders shall
have the right at any time to insist upon strict performance of all of such
terms, provisions and conditions.

          SECTION 7.6  CREDIT AGREEMENT.  If any conflict or inconsistency
                       ----------------                                   
exists between this Deed to Secure Debt and the Credit Agreement, the Credit
Agreement shall govern.

          SECTION 7.7  RELEASE OR RECONVEYANCE.  Upon payment in full of the
                       -----------------------                              
Indebtedness and performance in full of the Obligations, Grantee, at Grantor's
expense, shall release the security title and security interests created by this
Deed to Secure Debt or reconvey the Mortgaged Property to Grantor.  In addition,
as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing or would be
caused thereby, if Grantor sells or transfers for value any portion of the
Mortgaged Property as permitted under Section 7.7 of the Credit Agreement,
Grantee shall release the liens and security interests created by this Deed to
Secure Debt on such Mortgaged Property or reconvey such Mortgaged Property to
Grantor, concurrently with the

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
consummation of such sale or other transfer.  Such release or reconveyance shall
be at Grantor's sole cost and expense, and only upon not less than thirty days'
prior written notice to Grantee.

          SECTION 7.8  WAIVER OF STAY, MORATORIUM AND SIMILAR RIGHTS.  Grantor
                       ---------------------------------------------          
agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any
time insist upon or plead or in any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling
of assets, extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and
effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the provisions of this Deed
to Secure Debt or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any agreement between
Grantor and Grantee or any rights or remedies of Grantee or the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.9  APPLICABLE LAW.  The provisions of this Deed to Secure
                       --------------                                        
Debt regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of the liens and
security interests herein granted shall be governed by and construed under the
laws of the state in which the Mortgaged Property is located.  All other
provisions of this Deed to Secure Debt and the Obligations shall be governed by
the laws of the State of New York (including, without limitation, Section 5-1401
of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to
conflicts of laws principles.

          SECTION 7.10  HEADINGS.  The Article, Section and Subsection titles
                        --------                                             
hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter,
modify or define, or be used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections
or Subsections.

          SECTION 7.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Deed to Secure Debt and the
                        ----------------                                   
other Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between
Grantee and Grantor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings
between such parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
Accordingly, the Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior,
contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no
unwritten oral agreements between the parties.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor has, effective as of the date first above
written, caused this instrument to be duly EXECUTED, SEALED AND DELIVERED by
authority duly given.

                         LIL' CHAMP FOOD STORES, INC., a Florida corporation



                         By: _____________________________
                              Name:   William T. Flyg
                              Title:  Executive Vice President and Assistant
                                      Secretary


                              [Affix Corporate Seal]



________________________________
Unofficial Witness



_________________________________
Notary Public
[Affix official seal
and indicate expiration of
commission]

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A

                               MORTGAGED PROPERTY


                                      A-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.25


                              SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY


         This SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY is entered into as of October 23, 1997 by THE
UNDERSIGNED (each a "GUARANTOR" and collectively, "GUARANTORS") in favor of and
for the benefit of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent for and
representative of (in such capacity herein called "GUARANTIED PARTY") the
financial institutions ("LENDERS") party to the Credit Agreement referred to
below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as hereinafter defined), and, subject to
subsection 3.12, for the benefit of the other Beneficiaries (as hereinafter
defined).

                                    RECITALS

         A.   The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("COMPANY"), has entered
into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 with Guarantied
Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders (said Credit Agreement, as it may hereafter
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the
"CREDIT AGREEMENT"; capitalized terms defined therein and not otherwise defined
herein being used herein as therein defined).

         B.   Company may from time to time enter, or may from time to time have
entered, into one or more Interest Rate Agreements (collectively, the "LENDER
INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS") with or one or more Lenders (in such capacity,
collectively, "INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS") in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement, and it is desired that the obligations of Company under the
Lender Interest Rate Agreements, including the obligation of Company to make
payments thereunder in the event of early termination thereof (all such
obligations being the "INTEREST RATE OBLIGATIONS"), together with all
obligations of Company under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
be guarantied hereunder.

         C.   A portion of the proceeds of the Loans may be advanced to
Guarantors and thus the Guarantied Obligations (as hereinafter defined) are
being incurred for and will inure to the benefit of Guarantors (which benefits
are hereby acknowledged).

         D.   It is a condition precedent to the making of the initial Loans
under the Credit Agreement that Company's obligations thereunder be guarantied
by Guarantors.

         E.   Guarantors are willing irrevocably and unconditionally to guaranty
such obligations of Company.

         NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the foregoing and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and
in order to induce Lenders and Guarantied Party to enter into the Credit
Agreement and to make

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
Loans and other extensions of credit thereunder and to induce Interest Rate
Exchangers to enter into the Lender Interest Rate Agreements, Guarantors hereby
agree as follows:

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS

    1.1  CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.  As used in this Guaranty, the following terms
         ---------------------                                                
shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

         "BENEFICIARIES" means Guarantied Party, Syndication Agent, Lenders and
    any Interest Rate Exchangers.

         "GUARANTIED OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning assigned to that term in
    subsection 2.1.

         "GUARANTY" means this Subsidiary Guaranty dated as of October 23, 1997,
    as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "PAYMENT IN FULL", "PAID IN FULL" or any similar term means payment in
    full of the Guarantied Obligations, including all principal, interest,
    costs, fees and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of
    Beneficiaries as required under the Loan Documents and the Lender Interest
    Rate Agreements.

    1.2  INTERPRETATION.
         -------------- 

         (a) References to "Sections" and "subsections" shall be to Sections and
    subsections, respectively, of this Guaranty unless otherwise specifically
    provided.
    
         (b) In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms,
    conditions and provisions of this Guaranty and the terms, conditions and
    provisions of the Credit Agreement, the terms, conditions and provisions of
    this Guaranty shall prevail.

SECTION 2.  THE GUARANTY

    2.1  GUARANTY OF THE GUARANTIED OBLIGATIONS.   Subject to the provisions of
         --------------------------------------                                
subsection 2.2(a), Guarantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally guaranty the due and punctual payment in full of all Guarantied
Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by
required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including
amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under
Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. (S) 362(a)).  The term
"GUARANTIED OBLIGATIONS" is used herein in its most comprehensive sense and
includes:

         (a) any and all Obligations of Company and any and all Interest Rate
    Obligations, in each case now or hereafter

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
    made, incurred or created, whether absolute or contingent, liquidated or
    unliquidated, whether due or not due, and however arising under or in
    connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the
    Lender Interest Rate Agreements, including those arising under successive
    borrowing transactions under the Credit Agreement which shall either
    continue the Obligations of Company or from time to time renew them after
    they have been satisfied and including interest which, but for the filing of
    a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Company, would have accrued on any
    Guarantied Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Company
    for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding; and

         (b) those expenses set forth in subsection 2.8 hereof.

    2.2  LIMITATION ON AMOUNT GUARANTIED; CONTRIBUTION BY GUARANTORS.  (a)
         -----------------------------------------------------------      
Anything contained in this Guaranty to the contrary notwithstanding, if any
Fraudulent Transfer Law (as hereinafter defined) is determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be applicable to the obligations of any Guarantor
under this Guaranty, such obligations of such Guarantor hereunder shall be
limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not
render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer
or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any
applicable provisions of comparable state law (collectively, the "FRAUDULENT
TRANSFER LAWS"), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of
such Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent
Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of such
Guarantor (x) in respect of intercompany indebtedness to Company or other
affiliates of Company to the extent that such indebtedness would be discharged
in an amount equal to the amount paid by such Guarantor hereunder and (y) under
any guaranty of Subordinated Indebtedness which guaranty contains a limitation
as to maximum amount similar to that set forth in this subsection 2.2(a),
pursuant to which the liability of such Guarantor hereunder is included in the
liabilities taken into account in determining such maximum amount) and after
giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under the applicable
provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to subrogation,
reimbursement, indemnification or contribution of such Guarantor pursuant to
applicable law or pursuant to the terms of any agreement (including any such
right of contribution under subsection 2.2(b).

    (b) Guarantors under this Guaranty together desire to allocate among
themselves, in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under this
Guaranty.  Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any
date by any Guarantor under this Guaranty (a "FUNDING GUARANTOR") that exceeds
its Fair Share (as defined below) as of such date, that Funding Guarantor shall
be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Guarantors in the amount of
such other Guarantor's

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Fair Share Shortfall (as defined below) as of such date, with the result that
all such contributions will cause each Guarantor's Aggregate Payments (as
defined below) to equal its Fair Share as of such date.  "FAIR SHARE" means,
with respect to a Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to
(i) the ratio of (x) the Adjusted Maximum Amount (as defined below) with respect
to such Guarantor to (y) the aggregate of the Adjusted Maximum Amounts with
respect to all Guarantors multiplied by (ii) the aggregate amount paid or
                          ---------- --                                  
distributed on or before such date by all Funding Guarantors under this Guaranty
in respect of the obligations guarantied.  "FAIR SHARE SHORTFALL" means, with
respect to a Guarantor as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of
the Fair Share of such Guarantor over the Aggregate Payments of such Guarantor.
"ADJUSTED MAXIMUM AMOUNT" means, with respect to a Guarantor as of any date of
determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Guarantor
under this Guaranty, determined as of such date in accordance with subsection
2.2(a); provided that, solely for purposes of calculating the "Adjusted Maximum
        --------                                                               
Amount" with respect to any Guarantor for purposes of this subsection 2.2(b),
any assets or liabilities of such Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to
subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of
contribution hereunder shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such
Guarantor.  "AGGREGATE PAYMENTS" means, with respect to a Guarantor as of any
date of determination, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate amount of all
payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Guarantor in
respect of this Guaranty (including in respect of this subsection 2.2(b)) minus
                                                                          -----
(ii) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by
such Guarantor from the other Guarantors as contributions under this subsection
2.2(b).  The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as
of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the
applicable Funding Guarantor.  The allocation among Guarantors of their
obligations as set forth in this subsection 2.2(b) shall not be construed in any
way to limit the liability of any Guarantor hereunder.

    2.3  PAYMENT BY GUARANTORS; APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.  Subject to the
         ----------------------------------------------                 
provisions of subsection 2.2(a), Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree,
in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which
any Beneficiary may have at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue
hereof, that upon the failure of Company to pay any of the Guarantied
Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity,
by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise
(including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic
stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.  (S) 362(a)),
Guarantors will upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to Guarantied
Party for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries, an amount equal to the sum of
the unpaid principal amount of all Guarantied Obligations then due as aforesaid,
accrued and unpaid interest on such Guarantied Obligations (including interest
which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
respect to Company, would have accrued on such Guarantied Obligations, whether
or not a claim is allowed against Company for such interest in the related
bankruptcy proceeding) and all other Guarantied Obligations then owed to
Beneficiaries as aforesaid.  All such payments shall be applied promptly from
time to time by Guarantied Party as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.

    2.4  LIABILITY OF GUARANTORS ABSOLUTE.  Each Guarantor agrees that its
         --------------------------------                                 
obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional
and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or
equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than payment in full of the
Guarantied Obligations.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting
the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

         (a) This Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of
    collectibility.

         (b) Guarantied Party may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence of
    an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement notwithstanding the existence
    of any dispute between Company and any Beneficiary with respect to the
    existence of such Event of Default.

         (c) The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the
    obligations of Company under the Loan Documents or the Lender Interest Rate
    Agreements and the obligations of any other guarantor (including any other
    Guarantor) of the obligations of Company under the Loan Documents or the
    Lender Interest Rate Agreements, and a separate action or actions may be
    brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any action is
    brought against Company or any of such other guarantors and whether or not
    Company is joined in any such action or actions.

         (d) Payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the
    Guarantied Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge any
    Guarantor's liability for any portion of the Guarantied Obligations which
    has not been paid.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if
    Guarantied Party is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any
    Guarantor's covenant to pay a portion of the Guarantied Obligations, such
    judgment shall not be deemed to release such Guarantor from its covenant to
    pay the portion of the Guarantied Obligations that is not the subject of
    such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by
    such Guarantor, limit, affect, modify or abridge any other Guarantor's
    liability hereunder in respect of the Guarantied Obligations.

         (e) Any Beneficiary, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without
    notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability of
    this Guaranty or giving

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
    rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination of
    any Guarantor's liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew,
    extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change
    the time, place, manner or terms of payment of the Guarantied Obligations,
    (ii) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer
    of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guarantied
    Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment
    of the same to the payment of any other obligations; (iii) request and
    accept other guaranties of the Guarantied Obligations and take and hold
    security for the payment of this Guaranty or the Guarantied Obligations;
    (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind,
    waive, alter, subordinate or modify, with or without consideration, any
    security for payment of the Guarantied Obligations, any other guaranties of
    the Guarantied Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including
    any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guarantied Obligations; (v) enforce
    and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such
    Beneficiary in respect of this Guaranty or the Guarantied Obligations and
    direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or
    remedy that such Beneficiary may have against any such security, in each
    case as such Beneficiary in its discretion may determine consistent with the
    Credit Agreement or the applicable Lender Interest Rate Agreement and any
    applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security
    pursuant to one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every
    aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable, and even though such
    action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or
    subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against Company or any
    security for the Guarantied Obligations; and (vi) exercise any other rights
    available to it under the Loan Documents or the Lender Interest Rate
    Agreements.

         (f) This Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall be
    valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation,
    impairment, discharge or termination for any reason (other than payment in
    full of the Guarantied Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the
    following, whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge
    of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or
    agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by
    order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or
    enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy (whether
    arising under the Loan Documents or the Lender Interest Rate Agreements, at
    law, in equity or otherwise) with respect to the Guarantied Obligations or
    any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of or
    security for the payment of the Guarantied Obligations; (ii) any rescission,
    waiver, amendment or

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
    modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or
    provisions (including provisions relating to events of default) of the
    Credit Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, any of the Lender
    Interest Rate Agreements or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant
    thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guarantied
    Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms of the
    Credit Agreement or such Loan Document, such Lender Interest Rate Agreement
    or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security; (iii) the
    Guarantied Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being
    found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect; (iv) the
    application of payments received from any source (other than payments
    received pursuant to the other Loan Documents or any of the Lender Interest
    Rate Agreements or from the proceeds of any security for the Guarantied
    Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral
    for indebtedness other than the Guarantied Obligations) to the payment of
    indebtedness other than the Guarantied Obligations, even though any
    Beneficiary might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of
    the Guarantied Obligations; (v) any Beneficiary's consent to the change,
    reorganization or termination of the corporate structure or existence of
    Company or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of
    the Guarantied Obligations; (vi) any failure to perfect or continue
    perfection of a security interest in any collateral which secures any of the
    Guarantied Obligations; (vii) any defenses, set-offs or counterclaims which
    Company may allege or assert against any Beneficiary in respect of the
    Guarantied Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of
    warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and
    satisfaction and usury; and (viii) any other act or thing or omission, or
    delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to
    any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the
    Guarantied Obligations.

    2.5  WAIVERS BY GUARANTORS.  Each Guarantor hereby waives, for the benefit
         ---------------------                                                
of Beneficiaries:

         (a)  any right to require any Beneficiary, as a condition of payment or
    performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against Company, any other
    guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guarantied Obligations or
    any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from
    Company, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (iii) proceed against
    or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books
    of any Beneficiary in favor of Company or any other Person, or (iv) pursue
    any other remedy in the power of any Beneficiary whatsoever;

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
         (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority
    or any disability or other defense of Company including any defense based on
    or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the
    Guarantied Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by
    reason of the cessation of the liability of Company from any cause other
    than payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations;

         (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides
    that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in
    other respects more burdensome than that of the principal;

         (d) any defense based upon any Beneficiary's errors or omissions in the
    administration of the Guarantied Obligations, except behavior which amounts
    to bad faith;

         (e) (i) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise,
    which are or might be in conflict with the terms of this Guaranty and any
    legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor's obligations hereunder, (ii)
    the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor's
    liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to set-offs,
    recoupments and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence and any
    requirement that any Beneficiary protect, secure, perfect or insure any
    security interest or lien or any property subject thereto;

         (f)  notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest,
    notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including
    acceptance of this Guaranty, notices of default under the Credit Agreement,
    the Lender Interest Rate Agreements or any agreement or instrument related
    thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Guarantied
    Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of
    credit to Company and notices of any of the matters referred to in
    subsection 2.4 and any right to consent to any thereof; and

         (g)  any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by
    law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or
    which may conflict with the terms of this Guaranty.

    2.6  GUARANTORS' RIGHTS OF SUBROGATION, CONTRIBUTION, ETC.  Each Guarantor
         ----------------------------------------------------                 
hereby waives any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such
Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against Company or any of its assets in
connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Guarantor of its
obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right or remedy arises
in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise and
including (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification that
such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against Company, (b) any right to
enforce, or

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
to participate in, any claim, right or remedy that any Beneficiary now has or
may hereafter have against Company, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to
participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any
Beneficiary.  In addition, until the Guarantied Obligations shall have been
indefeasibly paid in full and the Commitments shall have terminated and all
Letters of Credit shall have expired or been cancelled, each Guarantor shall
withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against
any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guarantied
Obligations (including any such right of contribution under subsection 2.2(b)).
Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to
withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement,
indemnification and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of
subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification such Guarantor may have against
Company or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution
such Guarantor may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and
subordinate to any rights any Beneficiary may have against Company, to all
right, title and interest any Beneficiary may have in any such collateral or
security, and to any right any Beneficiary may have against such other
guarantor.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such
subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution rights at any time
when all Guarantied Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount
shall be held in trust for Guarantied Party on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall
forthwith be paid over to Guarantied Party for the benefit of Beneficiaries to
be credited and applied against the Guarantied Obligations, whether matured or
unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.

    2.7  SUBORDINATION OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  Any indebtedness of Company or any
         ----------------------------------                                     
Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor (the "OBLIGEE GUARANTOR") is
hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantied Obligations, and any
such indebtedness collected or received by the Obligee Guarantor after an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for Guarantied
Party on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to Guarantied
Party for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the
Guarantied Obligations but without affecting, impairing or limiting in any
manner the liability of the Obligee Guarantor under any other provision of this
Guaranty.

    2.8  EXPENSES.  Guarantors jointly and severally agree to pay, or cause to
         --------                                                             
be paid, on demand, and to save Beneficiaries harmless against liability for,
any and all costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel and
allocated costs of internal counsel) incurred or expended by any Beneficiary in
connection with the enforcement of or preservation of any rights under this
Guaranty.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
    2.9  CONTINUING GUARANTY.   This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall
         -------------------                                                    
remain in effect until all of the Guarantied Obligations shall have been paid in
full and the Commitments shall have terminated and all Letters of Credit shall
have expired or been cancelled.  Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any
right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any
Guarantied Obligations.

    2.10 AUTHORITY OF GUARANTORS OR COMPANY.  It is not necessary for any
         ----------------------------------                              
Beneficiary to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Guarantor or Company
or the officers, directors or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf
of any of them.

    2.11 FINANCIAL CONDITION OF COMPANY.  Any Loans may be granted to Company or
         ------------------------------                                         
continued from time to time, and any Lender Interest Rate Agreements may be
entered into from time to time, in each case without notice to or authorization
from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of Company at
the time of any such grant or continuation or at the time such Lender Interest
Rate Agreement is entered into, as the case may be.  No Beneficiary shall have
any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment, or any
Guarantor's assessment, of the financial condition of Company.  Each Guarantor
has adequate means to obtain information from Company on a continuing basis
concerning the financial condition of Company and its ability to perform its
obligations under the Loan Documents and the Lender Interest Rate Agreements,
and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of
the financial condition of Company and of all circumstances bearing upon the
risk of nonpayment of the Guarantied Obligations.  Each Guarantor hereby waives
and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Beneficiary to disclose any matter,
fact or thing relating to the business, operations or conditions of Company now
known or hereafter known by any Beneficiary.

    2.12 RIGHTS CUMULATIVE.  The rights, powers and remedies given to
         -----------------                                           
Beneficiaries by this Guaranty are cumulative and shall be in addition to and
independent of all rights, powers and remedies given to Beneficiaries by virtue
of any statute or rule of law or in any of the other Loan Documents, any of the
Lender Interest Rate Agreements or any agreement between any Guarantor and any
Beneficiary or Beneficiaries or between Company and any Beneficiary or
Beneficiaries.  Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay by any
Beneficiary in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not impair
any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor
shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power or remedy.

    2.13 BANKRUPTCY; POST-PETITION INTEREST; REINSTATEMENT OF GUARANTY.  (a) So
         -------------------------------------------------------------         
long as any Guarantied Obligations remain outstanding, no Guarantor shall,
without the prior written consent of Guarantied Party acting pursuant to the
instructions of Requisite Obligees (as defined in subsection 3.14), commence

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization or
insolvency proceedings of or against Company.  The obligations of Guarantors
under this Guaranty shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged,
deferred, suspended or terminated by any proceeding, voluntary or involuntary,
involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation
or arrangement of Company or by any defense which Company may have by reason of
the order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from
any such proceeding.

         (b)  Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any
portion of the Guarantied Obligations which accrues after the commencement of
any proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion
of the Guarantied Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of
the commencement of said proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such
portion of the Guarantied Obligations if said proceedings had not been
commenced) shall be included in the Guarantied Obligations because it is the
intention of Guarantors and Beneficiaries that the Guarantied Obligations which
are guarantied by Guarantors pursuant to this Guaranty should be determined
without regard to any rule of law or order which may relieve Company of any
portion of such Guarantied Obligations.  Guarantors will permit any trustee in
bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of
creditors or similar person to pay Guarantied Party, or allow the claim of
Guarantied Party in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on
which such proceeding is commenced.

         (c)  In the event that all or any portion of the Guarantied Obligations
are paid by Company, the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall continue and
remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the
event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered
directly or indirectly from any Beneficiary as a preference, fraudulent transfer
or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall
constitute Guarantied Obligations for all purposes under this Guaranty.

    2.14 NOTICE OF EVENTS.  As soon as any Guarantor obtains knowledge thereof,
         ----------------                                                      
such Guarantor shall give Guarantied Party written notice of any condition or
event which has resulted in (a) a material adverse change in the financial
condition of any Guarantor or Company or (b) a breach of or noncompliance with
any term, condition or covenant contained herein or in the Credit Agreement, any
other Loan Document, any Lender Interest Rate Agreement or any other document
delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

    2.15 SET OFF.  In addition to any other rights any Beneficiary may have
         -------                                                           
under law or in equity, if any amount shall at any time be due and owing by any
Guarantor to any Beneficiary under this Guaranty, such Beneficiary is authorized
at any time or from time to time, without notice (any such notice being

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
hereby expressly waived), to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all
deposits (general or special, including indebtedness evidenced by certificates
of deposit, whether matured or unmatured) and any other indebtedness of such
Beneficiary owing to such Guarantor and any other property of such Guarantor
held by any Beneficiary to or for the credit or the account of such Guarantor
against and on account of the Guarantied Obligations and liabilities of such
Guarantor to any Beneficiary under this Guaranty.

    2.16 DISCHARGE OF GUARANTY UPON SALE OF GUARANTOR.   If all of the stock of
         --------------------------------------------                          
any Guarantor or any of its successors in interest under this Guaranty shall be
sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger or consolidation) in an Asset
Sale not prohibited by subsection 7.7 of the Credit Agreement or otherwise
consented to by Requisite Lenders, the Guaranty of such Guarantor or such
successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be
discharged and released without any further action by any Beneficiary or any
other Person effective as of the time of such Asset Sale; provided that, as a
                                                          --------           
condition precedent to such discharge and release, Guarantied Party shall have
received evidence satisfactory to it that arrangements satisfactory to it have
been made for delivery to Guarantied Party of the applicable Net Asset Sale
Proceeds.

SECTION 3.  MISCELLANEOUS

    3.1  SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES.  All agreements, representations and           
         ----------------------                                       
warranties made herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Guaranty
and the other Loan Documents and the Lender Interest Rate Agreements and any
increase in the Commitments under the Credit Agreement.

    3.2  NOTICES.  Any communications between Guarantied Party and any Guarantor
         -------                                                                
and any notices or requests provided herein to be given may be given by mailing
the same, postage prepaid, or by telex, facsimile transmission or cable to each
such party at its address set forth in the Credit Agreement, on the signature
pages hereof or to such other addresses as each such party may in writing
hereafter indicate.  Any notice, request or demand to or upon Guarantied Party
or any Guarantor shall not be effective until received.

    3.3  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation under this
         ------------                                                    
Guaranty shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

    3.4  AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  No amendment, modification, termination or
         ----------------------                                             
waiver of any provision of this Guaranty, and no consent to any departure by any
Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written
concurrence of Guarantied Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification,

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
each Guarantor against whom enforcement of such amendment or modification is
sought.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

    3.5  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this Guaranty are
         --------                                                       
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a
part of this Guaranty for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

    3.6  APPLICABLE LAW; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.  THIS GUARANTY AND THE RIGHTS
         -------------------------------------                               
AND OBLIGATIONS OF GUARANTORS AND BENEFICIARIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY,
AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.  The
rules of construction set forth in subsection 1.3 of the Credit Agreement shall
be applicable to this Guaranty mutatis mutandis.

    3.7  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and
         ----------------------                                             
shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its respective successors and assigns.
This Guaranty shall inure to the benefit of Beneficiaries and their respective
successors and assigns.  No Guarantor shall assign this Guaranty or any of the
rights or obligations of such Guarantor hereunder without the prior written
consent of all Lenders.  Any Beneficiary may, without notice or consent, assign
its interest in this Guaranty in whole or in part.  The terms and provisions of
this Guaranty shall inure to the benefit of any transferee or assignee of any
Loan, and in the event of such transfer or assignment the rights and privileges
herein conferred upon such Beneficiary shall automatically extend to and be
vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions
hereof.

    3.8  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  ALL JUDICIAL
         ----------------------------------------------               
PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY GUARANTOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
GUARANTY, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL
COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK.  BY
EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH GUARANTOR, FOR ITSELF AND IN
CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

         (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
    AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

         (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

         (III)  AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY
    SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
    REQUESTED, TO SUCH GUARANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
    SUBSECTION 3.2;

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
         (IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
    SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER SUCH GUARANTOR IN ANY SUCH
    PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
    BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

         (V) AGREES THAT BENEFICIARIES RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY
    OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST SUCH GUARANTOR
    IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

         (VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION 3.8 RELATING TO
    JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST
    EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR
    OTHERWISE.

    3.9  WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.  EACH GUARANTOR AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THE
         -----------------------                                               
BENEFITS HEREOF, EACH BENEFICIARY HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS
TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF
THIS GUARANTY.  The scope of this waiver is intended to be all encompassing of
any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the
subject matter of this transaction, including contract claims, tort claims,
breach of duty claims and all other common law and statutory claims.  Each
Guarantor and, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, each Beneficiary, each
(i) acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement for such Guarantor
and Beneficiaries to enter into a business relationship, that such Guarantor and
Beneficiaries have already relied on this waiver in entering into this Guaranty
or accepting the benefits thereof, as the case may be, and that each will
continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings and (ii)
further warrants and represents that each has reviewed this waiver with its
legal counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial
rights following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE,
MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A
MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SUBSECTION 3.9 AND EXECUTED
BY GUARANTIED PARTY AND EACH GUARANTOR), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY
SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS GUARANTY.
In the event of litigation, this Guaranty may be filed as a written consent to a
trial by the court.

    3.10 NO OTHER WRITING.  This writing is intended by Guarantors and
         ----------------                                             
Beneficiaries as the final expression of this Guaranty and is also intended as a
complete and exclusive statement of the terms of their agreement with respect to
the matters covered hereby.  No course of dealing, course of performance or
trade usage, and no parol evidence of any nature, shall be used to supplement or
modify any terms of this Guaranty.  There are no conditions to the full
effectiveness of this Guaranty.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
    3.11      FURTHER ASSURANCES.  At any time or from time to time, upon the
              ------------------                                             
request of Guarantied Party, Guarantors shall execute and deliver such further
documents and do such other acts and things as Guarantied Party may reasonably
request in order to effect fully the purposes of this Guaranty.

      3.12    ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS.  The initial Guarantors hereunder shall be
              ---------------------                                            
such of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Company as are signatories hereto on the
date hereof.  From time to time subsequent to the date hereof, additional
Restricted Subsidiaries of Company may become parties hereto, as additional
Guarantors (each an "ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR"), by executing a counterpart of this
Guaranty.  Upon delivery of any such counterpart to Administrative Agent, notice
of which is hereby waived by Guarantors, each such Additional Guarantor shall be
a Guarantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if such Additional Guarantor
were an original signatory hereof.  Each Guarantor expressly agrees that its
obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the
addition or release of any other Guarantor hereunder, nor by any election of
Administrative Agent not to cause any Subsidiary of Company to become an
Additional Guarantor hereunder.  This Guaranty shall be fully effective as to
any Guarantor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other
Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Guarantor hereunder.

    3.13 COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.  This Guaranty may be executed in any
         ---------------------------                                       
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be
an original for all purposes; but all such counterparts together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.  This Guaranty shall become
effective as to each Guarantor upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by
such Guarantor (whether or not a counterpart hereof shall have been executed by
any other Guarantor) and receipt by Guarantied Party of written or telephonic
notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.

    3.14 GUARANTIED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
         ---------------------------------------- 

         (a) Guarantied Party has been appointed to act as Guarantied Party
hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, Interest
Rate Exchangers.  Guarantied Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action, solely in
accordance with this Guaranty and the Credit Agreement; provided that Guarantied
                                                        --------                
Party shall exercise, or refrain from exercising, any remedies hereunder in
accordance with the instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment
in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional amount (or, with
respect to any Lender Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in
accordance with its terms,

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
the amount then due and payable (exclusive of expenses and similar payments but
including any early termination payments then due) under such Lender Interest
Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate Agreements (Requisite Lenders or,
if applicable, such holders being referred to herein as "REQUISITE OBLIGEES").
In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this subsection 3.14, each
Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees that
it shall have no right individually to enforce this Guaranty, it being
understood and agreed by such Interest Rate Exchanger that all rights and
remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by Guarantied Party for the benefit
of Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this subsection 3.14.

         (b) Guarantied Party shall at all times be the same Person that is
Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.  Written notice of resignation
by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute notice of resignation as Guarantied Party under this Guaranty;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute removal as Guarantied Party under this Guaranty;
and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5
of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor
Guarantied Party under this Guaranty.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor
Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Guarantied Party under this Guaranty, and the
retiring or removed Guarantied Party under this Guaranty shall promptly (i)
transfer to such successor Guarantied Party all sums held hereunder, together
with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with
the performance of the duties of the successor Guarantied Party under this
Guaranty, and (ii) take such other actions as may be necessary or appropriate in
connection with the assignment to such successor Guarantied Party of the rights
created hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed Guarantied Party shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations under this Guaranty.  After any
retiring or removed Guarantied Party's resignation or removal hereunder as
Guarantied Party, the provisions of this Guaranty shall inure to its benefit as
to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Guaranty while it
was Guarantied Party hereunder.



                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned Guarantors has caused this
Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.

                                 [LIST ALL RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES]

                                 By __________________________________

                                 Title _______________________________

                                 Address: ____________________________

                                          ____________________________

                                          ____________________________


                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Additional Guarantor has caused
this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly
authorized as of ______________, 199_.

                        ____________________________________
                             (Name of Additional Guarantor)

                        By __________________________________

                        Title _______________________________

                        Address: ____________________________

                                 ____________________________

                                 ____________________________

                                
                                


                                      S-2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.26



                         SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT


         This SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
October 23, 1997 and entered into by and between [INSERT NAME OF GRANTOR IN
CAPS], a _____________________ corporation ("GRANTOR"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK, as administrative agent for and representative of (in such capacity herein
called "SECURED PARTY") the financial institutions ("LENDERS") party to the
Credit Agreement referred to below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as
hereinafter defined).


                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

         A.   Secured Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with The Pantry, Inc.,
Delaware corporation ("COMPANY"), pursuant to which Lenders have made certain
commitments, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to Company.

         B.   Company may from time to time enter, or may from time to time have
entered, into one or more Interest Rate Agreements (collectively, the "LENDER
INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS") with one or more Lenders (in such capacity,
collectively, "INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS").

         C.   Grantor has executed and delivered that certain Subsidiary
Guaranty dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Subsidiary Guaranty, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "GUARANTY") in favor of Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and
any Interest Rate Exchangers, pursuant to which Grantor has guarantied the
prompt payment and performance when due of all obligations of Company under the
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all obligations of Company
under the Lender Interest Rate Agreements, including the obligation of Company
to make payments thereunder in the event of early termination thereof.

         D.   It is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit by
Lenders under the Credit Agreement that Grantor shall have granted the security
interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce
Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement
and to induce Interest Rate

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
Exchangers to enter into the Lender Interest Rate Agreements, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, Grantor hereby agrees with Secured Party as follows:

         SECTION 1.  GRANT OF SECURITY.  Grantor hereby grants to Secured Party
                     -----------------                                         
a security interest in, all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to the
following, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which Grantor
now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located
(the "COLLATERAL"):

         (a) all equipment in all of its forms, all parts thereof and all
accessions thereto (any and all such equipment, parts and accessions being the
"EQUIPMENT");

         (b) all inventory in all of its forms (including (i) all goods held by
Grantor for sale or lease or to be furnished under contracts of service or so
leased or furnished, (ii) all raw materials, work in process, finished goods,
and materials used or consumed in the manufacture, packing, shipping,
advertising, selling, leasing, furnishing or production of such inventory or
otherwise used or consumed in Grantor's business, (iii) all goods in which
Grantor has an interest in mass or a joint or other interest or right of any
kind, (iv) all goods which are returned to or repossessed by Grantor, and (v)
all accessions thereto and products thereof (all such inventory, accessions and
products being the "INVENTORY") and all negotiable documents of title (including
warehouse receipts, dock receipts and bills of lading) issued by any Person
covering any Inventory (any such negotiable document of title being a
"NEGOTIABLE DOCUMENT OF TITLE");

         (c) all accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, documents,
instruments, general intangibles and other rights and obligations of any kind
and all rights in, to and under all security agreements, leases and other
contracts securing or otherwise relating to any such accounts, contract rights,
chattel paper, documents, instruments, general intangibles or other obligations
(any and all such accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, documents,
instruments, general intangibles and other obligations being the "ACCOUNTS", and
any and all such security agreements, leases and other contracts being the
"RELATED CONTRACTS");

         (d) the agreements listed in Part A of Schedule II annexed hereto, as
                                                -----------                   
each such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time (said agreements, as so amended, supplemented or otherwise modified,
being referred to herein individually as an "ASSIGNED AGREEMENT" and
collectively as the "ASSIGNED AGREEMENTS"), including (i) all rights of Grantor
to receive moneys due or to become due under or pursuant to the Assigned
Agreements, (ii) all rights of Grantor to receive proceeds of any insurance,
indemnity, warranty or guaranty with respect to the Assigned Agreements, (iii)
all

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
claims of Grantor for damages arising out of any breach of or default under the
Assigned Agreements, and (iv) all rights of Grantor to terminate, amend,
supplement, modify or exercise rights or options under the Assigned Agreements,
to perform thereunder and to compel performance and otherwise exercise all
remedies thereunder;

         (e) all deposit accounts, including the deposit accounts listed in Part
B of Schedule II annexed hereto and all other deposit accounts maintained with
     -----------                                                              
Secured Party;

         (f) all trademarks, tradenames, tradesecrets, business names, patents,
patent applications, licenses, copyrights, registrations and franchise rights,
and all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing;

         (g) to the extent not included in any other paragraph of this Section
1, all other general intangibles (including tax refunds, rights to payment or
performance, choses in action and judgments taken on any rights or claims
included in the Collateral);

         (h) all plant fixtures, business fixtures and other fixtures and
storage and office facilities, and all accessions thereto and products thereof;

         (i) all books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, computer
programs, tapes, disks and related data processing software that at any time
evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are
otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization
thereupon; and

         (j) all proceeds, products, rents and profits of or from any and all of
the foregoing Collateral and, to the extent not otherwise included, all payments
under insurance (whether or not Secured Party is the loss payee thereof), or any
indemnity, warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or damage to or
otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral.  For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "PROCEEDS" includes whatever is receivable or received when
Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or otherwise disposed of,
whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 1 or otherwise
in this Agreement shall constitute a grant by Grantor of a security interest in
any contract, document, instrument, general intangible, lease, license or other
right of any kind to the extent such a grant of a security interest would, after
giving effect to the provisions of subsection 9-318 of the Uniform Commercial
Code for the relevant jurisdiction, constitute a breach or violation of any term
thereof.

         SECTION 2.  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.  This Agreement secures, and the
                     ------------------------                                  
Collateral is collateral security for, the

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
prompt payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by
required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including
the payment of amounts that would become due but for the operation of the
automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.
(S)362(a)), of all obligations and liabilities of every nature of Grantor now or
hereafter existing under or arising out of or in connection with the Guaranty
and all extensions or renewals thereof, whether for principal, interest
(including interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with
respect to Company, would accrue on such obligations, whether or not a claim is
allowed against Company for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding),
reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, payments for early
termination of Lender Interest Rate Agreements, fees, expenses, indemnities or
otherwise, whether voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others,
and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later
increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or
liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is
avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party, Syndication
Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent
transfer or otherwise and all obligations of every nature of Grantor now or
hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such obligations of Grantor being
the "SECURED OBLIGATIONS").

         SECTION 3.  GRANTOR REMAINS LIABLE.  Anything contained herein to the
                     ----------------------                                   
contrary notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain liable under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to
perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Secured Party of any
of its rights hereunder shall not release Grantor from any of its duties or
obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and
(c) Secured Party shall not have any obligation or liability under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall
Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of
Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for
payment assigned hereunder.

         SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Grantor represents and
                     ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

         (a) Ownership of Collateral.  Except for the security interest created
             -----------------------                                           
by this Agreement or any other Collateral Documents, Grantor owns the Collateral
free and clear of any Lien except for Permitted Encumbrances and Liens permitted
under subsection 7.2A(iv) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (with regard to the
Liens permitted under sections 7.2A(iv) and (v) of the Credit Agreement, only to
the extent such Liens relate to the specific property subject to such Liens).

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
         (b) Location of Equipment and Inventory.  All of the Equipment and
             -----------------------------------                           
Inventory is, as of the date hereof, located in one of the states (and counties
thereof) specified in Schedule I annexed hereto.
                      ----------                

         (c) Negotiable Documents of Title.  No Negotiable Documents of Title
             -----------------------------                                   
are outstanding with respect to any of the Inventory (other than in respect of
(i) Inventory with an aggregate value not in excess of $500,000 or (ii)
Inventory which, in the ordinary course of business, is in transit either (A)
from a supplier to Grantor, (B) between Grantor's retail locations, or (C) to
customers of Grantor).

         (d) Office Locations; Other Names.  The chief place of business, the
             -----------------------------                                   
chief executive office and the office where Grantor keeps its records regarding
the Accounts and all originals of all chattel paper that evidence Accounts is,
and has been for the four month period preceding the date hereof, located at the
location(s) specified in Schedule I. Grantor has not in the past five years
                         ----------                                        
done, and does not now do, business under any other name (including any trade-
name or fictitious business name), except as described in Schedule I.
                                                          ---------- 

         (e) Delivery of Certain Collateral.  All notes and other instruments
             ------------------------------                                  
(excluding checks) comprising any and all items of Collateral have been
delivered to Secured Party duly endorsed and accompanied by duly executed
instruments of transfer or assignment in blank.

         SECTION 5.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.
                     ------------------ 

         (a) Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of Grantor,
Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents,
and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured
Party may request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted
or purported to be granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Grantor will:  (i) mark
conspicuously each item of chattel paper included in the Accounts, each Related
Contract and, at the request of Secured Party, each of its records pertaining to
the Collateral, with a legend, in form and substance satisfactory to Secured
Party, indicating that such Collateral is subject to the security interest
granted hereby, (ii) at the request of Secured Party, deliver and pledge to
Secured Party hereunder all promissory notes and other instruments (including
checks) and all original counterparts of chattel paper constituting Collateral,
duly endorsed and accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or
assignment, all in form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party, (iii)
execute and file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments
thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or
desirable, or as Secured Party may request, in order to perfect and preserve the
security

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
interests granted or purported to be granted hereby, (iv) upon the request of
Secured Party, promptly after the acquisition by Grantor of any item of
Equipment which is covered by a certificate of title under a statute of any
jurisdiction under the law of which indication of a security interest on such
certificate is required as a condition of perfection thereof, execute and file
with the registrar of motor vehicles or other appropriate authority in such
jurisdiction an application or other document requesting the notation or other
indication of the security interest created hereunder on such certificate of
title, (v) upon the request of Secured Party within 30 days after the end of
each calendar quarter, deliver to Administrative Agent copies of all such
applications or other documents filed during such calendar quarter and copies of
all such certificates of title issued during such calendar quarter indicating
the security interest created hereunder in the items of Equipment covered
thereby, (vi) at any reasonable time, upon request by Secured Party, exhibit the
Collateral to and allow inspection of the Collateral by Secured Party, or
persons designated by Secured Party, and (vii) at Secured Party's request,
appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may affect Grantor's title to
or Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of the Collateral.

         (b) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to file one or more
financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or
any part of the Collateral without the signature of Grantor.  Grantor agrees
that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of a
financing statement signed by Grantor shall be sufficient as a financing
statement and may be filed as a financing statement in any and all
jurisdictions.

         (c) Grantor will furnish to Secured Party from time to time statements
and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other
reports in connection with the Collateral as Secured Party may reasonably
request, all in reasonable detail.

         SECTION 6.  CERTAIN COVENANTS OF GRANTOR.  Grantor shall:
                     ----------------------------                 

         (a) not use or permit any Collateral to be used unlawfully or in
violation of any provision of this Agreement or any applicable statute,
regulation or ordinance or any policy of insurance covering the Collateral;

         (b) notify Secured Party of any change in Grantor's name, identity or
corporate structure within 15 days of such change;

         (c) give Secured Party 30 days' prior written notice of any change in
Grantor's chief place of business, chief executive office or residence or the
office where Grantor keeps

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
its records regarding the Accounts and all originals of all chattel paper that
evidence Accounts;

         (d) if Secured Party gives value to enable Grantor to acquire rights in
or the use of any Collateral, use such value for such purposes; and

         (e) pay promptly when due all property and other taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims (including claims
for labor, materials and supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent
the validity thereof is being contested in good faith; provided that Grantor
                                                       --------             
shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims not
later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale under any judgement,
writ or warrant of attachment entered or filed against Grantor or any of the
Collateral as a result of the failure to make such payment.

         SECTION 7.  SPECIAL COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY.
                     ---------------------------------------------------------  
Grantor shall:

         (a) keep the Equipment and Inventory in the jurisdictions specified on
                                                                               
Schedule I annexed hereto or, upon 30 days' prior written notice to Secured
- ----------                                                                 
Party, at such other places in jurisdictions where all action that may be
necessary in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or
purported to be granted hereby, or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with respect to such Equipment and
Inventory shall have been taken;

         (b) cause the Equipment to be maintained and preserved in the same
condition, repair and working order as when new, ordinary wear and tear
excepted, and in accordance with Grantor's past practices.  Grantor shall
promptly furnish to Secured Party a statement respecting any material loss or
damage to any of the Equipment;

         (c) keep correct and accurate records of the Inventory, itemizing and
describing the kind, type and quantity of Inventory, Grantor's cost therefor and
(where applicable) the current list prices for the Inventory;

         (d) if any Inventory is in possession or control of any of Grantor's
agents or processors, if the aggregate book value of all such Inventory exceeds
$500,000, and in any event upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as
defined in the Credit Agreement), instruct such agent or processor to hold all
such Inventory for the account of Secured Party and subject to the instructions
of Secured Party; and

         (e) promptly upon the issuance and delivery to Grantor of any
Negotiable Document of Title (other than any one or more Negotiable Documents of
Title covering (i) Inventory with an aggregate value not in excess of $500,000
or (ii) Inventory which, in the ordinary course of business, is in transit
either

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
(A) from a supplier to Grantor, (B) between Grantor's retail locations, or (C)
to customers of Grantor), deliver such Negotiable Document of Title to Secured
Party.

         SECTION 8.  INSURANCE.  Grantor shall, at its own expense, maintain
                     ---------                                              
insurance with respect to the Equipment and Inventory in accordance with the
terms of the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 9.  SPECIAL COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO ACCOUNTS AND RELATED
                     ------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACTS.
- --------- 

         (a) Grantor shall keep its chief place of business and chief executive
office and the office where it keeps its records concerning the Accounts and
Related Contracts, and all originals of all chattel paper that evidence
Accounts, at the location therefor specified in Section 4 or, upon 30 days'
prior written notice to Secured Party, at such other location in a jurisdiction
where all action that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured Party may
request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or
purported to be granted hereby, or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with respect to such Accounts and
Related Contracts shall have been taken.  Grantor will hold and preserve such
records and chattel paper and will permit representatives of Secured Party at
any time during normal business hours to inspect and make abstracts from such
records and chattel paper, and Grantor agrees to render to Secured Party, at
Grantor's cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be
reasonably requested with regard thereto.  Promptly upon the request of Secured
Party, Grantor shall deliver to Secured Party complete and correct copies of
each Related Contract.

         (b) Grantor shall, for not less than 5 years from the date on which
such Account arose, maintain (i) complete records of each Account, including
records of all payments received, credits granted and merchandise returned, and
(ii) all documentation relating thereto.

         (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (c), Grantor shall
continue to collect, at its own expense, all amounts due or to become due to
Grantor under the Accounts and Related Contracts.  In connection with such
collections, Grantor may take (and, at Secured Party's direction, shall take)
such action as Grantor or Secured Party may deem necessary or advisable to
enforce collection of amounts due or to become due under the Accounts; provided,
                                                                       -------- 
however, that Secured Party shall have the right at any time, upon the
- -------                                                               
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and upon written
notice to Grantor of its intention to do so, to notify the account debtors or
obligors under any Accounts of the assignment of such Accounts to Secured Party
and to direct such account debtors or obligors to make payment of all amounts
due or to become due to Grantor thereunder directly to Secured Party, to notify
each Person maintaining a lockbox or similar arrangement to which account
debtors or obligors under any Accounts have been

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
directed to make payment to remit all amounts representing collections on checks
and other payment items from time to time sent to or deposited in such lockbox
or other arrangement directly to Secured Party and, upon such notification and
at the expense of Grantor, to enforce collection of any such Accounts and to
adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner
and to the same extent as Grantor might have done.  After receipt by Grantor of
the notice from Secured Party referred to in the proviso to the preceding
                                                 -------                 
sentence, (i) all amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments)
received by Grantor in respect of the Accounts and the Related Contracts shall
be received in trust for the benefit of Secured Party hereunder, shall be
segregated from other funds of Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or
delivered to Secured Party in the same form as so received (with any necessary
endorsement) to be held as cash Collateral and applied as provided by Section
18, and (ii) Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or
payment of any Account, or release wholly or partly any account debtor or
obligor thereof, or allow any credit or discount thereon.

         SECTION 10.  SPECIAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSIGNED
                      -----------------------------------------------
AGREEMENTS.
- ----------

         (a)  Grantor shall at its expense:

              (i) perform and observe all terms and provisions of the Assigned
    Agreements to be performed or observed by it, maintain the Assigned
    Agreements in full force and effect, enforce the Assigned Agreements in
    accordance with their terms, and take all such action to such end as may be
    from time to time requested by Secured Party; and

              (ii) furnish to Secured Party, promptly upon receipt thereof,
    copies of all notices, requests and other documents received by Grantor
    under or pursuant to the Assigned Agreements, and from time to time (A)
    furnish to Secured Party such information and reports regarding the Assigned
    Agreements as Secured Party may reasonably request and (B) upon request of
    Secured Party make such demands and requests for information and reports or
    for action as Grantor is entitled to make under the Assigned Agreements.

         (b)  Grantor shall not:

              (i) cancel or terminate any of the Assigned Agreements or consent
    to or accept any cancellation or termination thereof;

              (ii) amend or otherwise modify the Assigned Agreements or give any
    consent, waiver or approval thereunder;

              (iii)  waive any default under or breach of the Assigned
    Agreements;

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
         (iv) consent to or permit or accept any prepayment of amounts to become
    due under or in connection with the Assigned Agreements, except as expressly
    provided therein; or

         (v)  take any other action in connection with the Assigned Agreements
    that would impair the value of the interest or rights of Grantor thereunder
    or that would impair the interest or rights of Secured Party.

         SECTION 11.  DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.  Upon the occurrence and during the
                      ----------------                                     
continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party may exercise dominion and
control over, and refuse to permit further withdrawals (whether of money,
securities, instruments or other property) from any deposit accounts maintained
with Secured Party constituting part of the Collateral.

         SECTION 12.  LICENSE OF PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, ETC.  Grantor
                      -----------------------------------------------          
hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to Secured Party, effective upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default, the nonexclusive right and license to use
all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents or technical processes owned or
used by Grantor that relate to the Collateral and any other collateral granted
by Grantor as security for the Secured Obligations, together with any goodwill
associated therewith, all to the extent necessary to enable Secured Party to
use, possess and realize on the Collateral and to enable any successor or assign
to enjoy the benefits of the Collateral.  This right and license shall inure to
the benefit of all successors, assigns and transferees of Secured Party and its
successors, assigns and transferees, whether by voluntary conveyance, operation
of law, assignment, transfer, foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or
otherwise.  Such right and license is granted free of charge, without
requirement that any monetary payment whatsoever be made to Grantor.

         SECTION 13.  TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS.  Grantor shall not:
                      -------------------------                     

         (a) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise
dispose of any of the Collateral, except as permitted by the Credit Agreement;
                                                                              
provided that in the event Grantor makes an Asset Sale or sale and lease-back
- --------                                                                     
transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement and the assets subject to such
Asset Sale or sale and lease-back transaction constitute Collateral, Secured
Party shall release the Collateral that is the subject of such Asset Sale to
Grantor free and clear of any Lien and security interest under this Agreement or
any other Collateral Document concurrently with the consummation of such Asset
Sale or sale and lease-back transaction; provided, further that, as a condition
                                         --------  -------                     
precedent to such release, Secured Party shall have received evidence
satisfactory to it that arrangements satisfactory to it have been made for
delivery to Secured Party of that amount of Net Asset Sale Proceeds required to
be delivered to Secured Party under the Credit Agreement; or

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
         (b) except for the security interest created by this Agreement, create
or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral to
secure the indebtedness or other obligations of any Person, except as otherwise
permitted under subsections 7.2A(iv) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (with
regard to the Liens permitted under subsections 7.2A(iv) and (v) of the Credit
Agreement, only to the extent such Liens relate to the specific property subject
to such Liens).  If Grantor proposes to obtain financing permitted under Section
7.1(iii) of the Credit Agreement with respect to any asset acquired after the
Closing Date ("PERMITTED CAPEX FINANCING"), Secured Party will either (a) with
respect to such asset, subordinate the Lien and security interest created
hereunder to the Lien securing such Permitted CapEx Financing by a subordination
agreement reasonably acceptable to Secured Party and the provider thereof or (b)
if Grantor has not been able, after reasonable effort, to get the provider of
such Permitted CapEx Financing to agree to subordination, Secured Party will
release the Lien and security interest granted hereunder in such asset.

         SECTION 14.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Grantor hereby
                      ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Grantor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of Grantor and in the name of Grantor, Secured
Party or otherwise, from time to time in Secured Party's discretion, upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default, to take any action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party
may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement,
including:

         (a) to obtain and adjust insurance required to be maintained by Grantor
or paid to Secured Party pursuant to Section 8;

         (b) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive
and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in
respect of any of the Collateral;

         (c) to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments,
documents and chattel paper in connection with clauses (a) and (b) above;

         (d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings
that Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of
the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of Secured Party with respect
to any of the Collateral;

         (e) to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Liens permitted
under this Agreement or the Credit Agreement) levied or placed upon or
threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the
amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by Secured Party in its
sole discretion, any such payments made by Secured Party to become

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
obligations of Grantor to Secured Party, due and payable immediately without
demand;

         (f) to sign and endorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills
of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments,
verifications and notices in connection with Accounts and other documents
relating to the Collateral; and

         (g) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, generally to sell, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to
or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though
Secured Party were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to do, at
Secured Party's option and Grantor's expense, at any time or from time to time,
all acts and things that Secured Party deems necessary to protect, preserve or
realize upon the Collateral and Secured Party's security interest therein in
order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as
Grantor might do.

         SECTION 15.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Grantor fails to perform
                      -------------------------                              
any agreement contained herein within the period provided herein, upon
reasonable notice, Secured Party may itself perform, or cause performance of,
such agreement, and the expenses of Secured Party incurred in connection
therewith shall be payable by Grantor under Section 19.

         SECTION 16.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                      ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not
impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers.  Except for the exercise of
reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the
accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to
preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any
Collateral.  Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in
the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral
is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured Party accords
its own property.

         SECTION 17.  REMEDIES.  If any Event of Default shall have occurred and
                      --------                                                  
be continuing, Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in
addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise
available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the
"CODE") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected Collateral), and also
may (a) require Grantor to, and Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its
expense and upon request of Secured Party forthwith, assemble all or part of the
Collateral as directed by Secured Party and make it available to Secured Party
at a place to be designated by Secured Party that is reasonably convenient to
both parties, (b) enter onto the

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
property where any Collateral is located and take possession thereof with or
without judicial process, (c) prior to the disposition of the Collateral, store,
process, repair or recondition the Collateral or otherwise prepare the
Collateral for disposition in any manner to the extent Secured Party deems
appropriate, (d) take possession of Grantor's premises or place custodians in
exclusive control thereof, remain on such premises and use the same and any of
Grantor's equipment for the purpose of completing any work in process, taking
any actions described in the preceding clause (c) and collecting any Secured
Obligation, and (e) without notice except as specified below, sell the
Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale,
at any of Secured Party's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for
future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such
other terms as Secured Party may deem commercially reasonable.  Secured Party or
any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any or all of the
Collateral at any such public sale and, to the extent permitted by law, private
sale, and Secured Party, as agent for and representative of Lenders and Interest
Rate Exchangers (but not any Lender or Lenders or Interest Rate Exchanger or
Interest Rate Exchangers in its or their respective individual capacities unless
Requisite Obligees (as defined in Section 21(a)) shall otherwise agree in
writing), shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or
payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at
any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a
credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by Secured
Party at such sale.  Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property
sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of Grantor, and Grantor
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of
redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the
future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.
Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at
least ten days' notice to Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or
the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
notification.  Secured Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of
Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given.  Secured Party may
adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time
and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at
the time and place to which it was so adjourned.  Grantor hereby waives any
claims against Secured Party arising by reason of the fact that the price at
which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the
price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if Secured Party
accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than
one offeree.  If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral
are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Grantor shall be liable for
the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by Secured Party to
collect such deficiency.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 18.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  Except as expressly provided
                      -----------------------                               
elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by Secured Party in respect
of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of
the Collateral shall be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.

         SECTION 19.  INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.
                      ---------------------- 

         (a) Grantor agrees to indemnify Secured Party, Syndication Agent, each
Lender and each Interest Rate Exchanger from and against any and all claims,
losses and liabilities in any way relating to, growing out of or resulting from
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including enforcement
of this Agreement), except to the extent such claims, losses or liabilities
result solely from Secured Party's, Syndication Agent's or such Lender's or
Interest Rate Exchanger's gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

         (b) Grantor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the amount of any
and all costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody,
preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, any of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of
any of the rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Grantor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

         SECTION 20.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                      -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and
shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of the
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Grantor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its successors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise.
Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor.  Upon any
such termination Secured Party will, at Grantor's expense, execute and deliver
to Grantor such documents as Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 21.  SECURED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
                      ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder
by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, Interest Rate
Exchangers.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this
Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that Secured Party shall exercise,
                                    --------                                   
or refrain from exercising, any remedies provided for in Section 17 in
accordance with the instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment
in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional amount (or, with
respect to any Lender Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in
accordance with its terms, the amount then due and payable (exclusive of
expenses and similar payments but including any early termination payments then
due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate
Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if applicable, such holders being referred to
herein as "REQUISITE OBLIGEES").  In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 21(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the
benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon
any of the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Interest
Rate Exchanger that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by
Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers in
accordance with the terms of this Section 21(a).

         (b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person that is
Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.  Written notice of resignation
by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party under this Agreement;
and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5
of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor Secured
Party under this Agreement.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor
Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement, and the retiring
or removed Secured Party under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to
such successor Secured Party all sums, securities and other items of Collateral
held hereunder, together with all records and other documents necessary or
appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor
Secured Party under this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to such
successor Secured Party such amendments to financing statements, and take such
other actions,

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such
successor Secured Party of the security interests created hereunder, whereupon
such retiring or removed Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Agreement.  After any retiring or removed Administrative
Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Secured Party, the provisions of
this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it under this Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.

         SECTION 22.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination
                      ---------------                                          
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Grantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification, by Grantor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

         SECTION 23.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication herein
                      -------                                           
required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally
served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail or courier
service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by
courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days
after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly
addressed.  For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall be
as set forth under such party's name on the signature pages hereof or, as to
either party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice delivered to the other party hereto.

         SECTION 24.  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  No
                      -----------------------------------------------------     
failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in the exercise of any power,
right or privilege hereunder shall impair such power, right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege.
All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not
exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

         SECTION 25.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation
                      ------------                                         
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         SECTION 26.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this
                      --------                                          
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any
substantive effect.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 27.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.  THIS
                      -------------------------------------------       
AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF
THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY
PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.  Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement,
terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the State of
New York are used herein as therein defined.  The rules of construction set
forth in subsection 1.3 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this
Agreement mutatis mutandis.

         SECTION 28.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  ALL
                      ----------------------------------------------      
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST GRANTOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL
COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK.  BY
EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, GRANTOR, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION
WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

         (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
    AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

         (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

         (III)  AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY
    SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
    REQUESTED, TO GRANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 23;

         (IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
    SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER GRANTOR IN ANY SUCH
    PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
    BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

         (V) AGREES THAT SECURED PARTY RETAINS THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY
    OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST GRANTOR IN THE
    COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

         (VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 28 RELATING TO
    JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST
    EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR
    OTHERWISE.

         SECTION 29.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  GRANTOR AND SECURED PARTY HEREBY
                      --------------------                                   
AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  The scope of this waiver is
intended to be

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that
relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including contract claims,
tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory
claims.  Grantor and Secured Party each acknowledge that this waiver is a
material inducement for Grantor and Secured Party to enter into a business
relationship, that Grantor and Secured Party have already relied on this waiver
in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely on this
waiver in their related future dealings.  Grantor and Secured Party further
warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel,
and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following
consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT
MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN
WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 29 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE
PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of
litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the
court.

         SECTION 30.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or
                      ------------                                           
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to
the same document.


                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Secured Party have caused this Agreement to be
    duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
                 authorized as of the date first written above.


                             [NAME OF GRANTOR], as Grantor



                             By: ____________________
                               Title:

                             Notice Address:
                                  _____________________
                                  _____________________
                                  _____________________


                             FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                             as Secured Party



                             By: ____________________
                               Title:

                             Notice Address:
                                  _____________________
                                  _____________________
                                  _____________________


                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I
                             TO SECURITY AGREEMENT


Chief Place of Business, Chief Executive
Office and Location of Records:



Locations of Equipment:



Locations of Inventory:



Trade Names:
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II
                             TO SECURITY AGREEMENT


A.  Assigned Agreements



B. Deposit Accounts

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.27


                          SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT



         This SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
October 23, 1997 and entered into by and between [INSERT NAME OF GRANTOR IN
CAPS], a _____________ corporation ("PLEDGOR"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
as administrative agent for and representative of (in such capacity herein
called "SECURED PARTY") the financial institutions ("LENDERS") party to the
Credit Agreement referred to below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as
hereinafter defined).


                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS


         A.   Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of (i) the shares of
stock (the "PLEDGED SHARES") described in Part A of Schedule I annexed hereto
                                                    ----------               
and issued by the corporations named therein and (ii) the indebtedness (the
"PLEDGED DEBT") described in Part B of said Schedule I and issued by the
                                            ----------                  
obligors named therein.

         B.   Secured Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with The Pantry, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("COMPANY"), pursuant to which Lenders have made certain
commitments, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to Company.

         C.   Company may from time to time enter, or may from time to time have
entered, into one or more Interest Rate Agreements (collectively, the "LENDER
INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS") with one or more Lenders (in such capacity,
collectively, "INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS").

         D.   Pledgor has executed and delivered that certain Subsidiary
Guaranty dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Subsidiary Guaranty, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "GUARANTY") in favor of Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and
any Interest Rate Exchangers, pursuant to which Pledgor has guarantied the
prompt payment and performance when due of all obligations of Company under the
Credit Agreement and all obligations of Company under the Lender Interest Rate
Agreements, including the obligation of Company to make payments thereunder in
the event of early termination thereof.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
         E.  It is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit by
Lenders under the Credit Agreement that Pledgor shall have granted the security
interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce
Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement
and to induce Interest Rate Exchangers to enter into Lender Interest Rate
Agreements, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Pledgor hereby agrees with Secured
Party as follows:

         SECTION 1.  PLEDGE OF SECURITY.  Pledgor hereby pledges and assigns to
                     ------------------                                        
Secured Party, and hereby grants to Secured Party a security interest in, all of
Pledgor's right, title and interest in and to the following (the "PLEDGED
COLLATERAL"):

         (a) the Pledged Shares and the certificates representing the Pledged
Shares and any interest of Pledgor in the entries on the books of any financial
intermediary pertaining to the Pledged Shares, and all dividends, cash,
warrants, rights, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
any or all of the Pledged Shares;

         (b) the Pledged Debt and the instruments evidencing the Pledged Debt,
and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to
time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
for any or all of the Pledged Debt;

         (c) all additional shares of, and all securities convertible into and
warrants, options and other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, stock of
any issuer of the Pledged Shares from time to time acquired by Pledgor in any
manner (which shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), the
certificates or other instruments representing such additional shares,
securities, warrants, options or other rights and any interest of Pledgor in the
entries on the books of any financial intermediary pertaining to such additional
shares, and all dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments and other
property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such additional
shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights;

         (d) all additional indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by
any obligor on the Pledged Debt and the instruments evidencing such
indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds
from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or
in exchange for any or all of such indebtedness;

         (e) all shares of, and all securities convertible into and warrants,
options and other rights to purchase or otherwise

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
acquire, stock of any Person that, after the date of this Agreement, becomes, as
a result of any occurrence, a direct Restricted Subsidiary of Pledgor (which
shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), the certificates or
other instruments representing such shares, securities, warrants, options or
other rights and any interest of Pledgor in the entries on the books of any
financial intermediary pertaining to such shares, and all dividends, cash,
warrants, rights, instru ments and other property or proceeds from time to time
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
any or all of such shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights;

         (f) all indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by any Person
that, after the date of this Agreement, becomes, as a result of any occurrence,
a direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of Pledgor, and all interest, cash,
instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
of such indebtedness; and

         (g) to the extent not covered by clauses (a) through (f) above, all
proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Pledged Collateral.  For purposes of
this Agreement, the term "PROCEEDS" includes whatever is receivable or received
when Pledged Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or otherwise
disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes
proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty payable to Pledgor or Secured Party from
time to time with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral.

         SECTION 2.  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.  This Agreement secures, and the
                     ------------------------                                  
Pledged Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt payment or performance
in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment,
declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts
that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section
362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. (S)362(a)), of all obligations and
liabilities of every nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing under or
arising out of or in connection with the Guaranty and all extensions or renewals
thereof, whether for principal, interest (including interest that, but for the
filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Company, would accrue on such
obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Company for such interest
in the related bankruptcy proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, payments for early termination of Lender Interest Rate
Agreements, fees, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or
involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from
time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred,
and all or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the
extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
indirectly from Secured Party, Syndication Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate
Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and all obligations
of every nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement (all
such obligations of Pledgor being the "SECURED OBLIGATIONS").

         SECTION 3.  DELIVERY OF PLEDGED COLLATERAL.  All certificates or
                     ------------------------------                      
instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Collateral shall be delivered
to and held by or on behalf of Secured Party pursuant hereto and shall be in
suitable form for transfer by delivery or, as applicable, shall be accompanied
by Pledgor's endorsement, where necessary, or duly executed instruments of
transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance satisfactory to
Secured Party.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement), Secured Party shall have the
right, without notice to Pledgor, to transfer to or to register in the name of
Secured Party or any of its nominees any or all of the Pledged Collateral,
subject only to the revocable rights specified in Section 7(a).  In addition,
Secured Party shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates or
instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or
instruments of smaller or larger denominations.

         SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Pledgor represents and
                     ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

         (a) Due Authorization, etc. of Pledged Collateral.  All of the Pledged
             ---------------------------------------------                     
Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable.  All of the Pledged Debt has been duly authorized, authenticated or
issued, and delivered and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
issuers thereof and is not in default.

         (b) Description of Pledged Collateral.  The Pledged Shares constitute
             ---------------------------------                                
all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of each issuer thereof, and
there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or other
agree ments outstanding with respect to, or property that is now or hereafter
convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any Pledged Shares.
The Pledged Debt constitutes all of the issued and outstanding intercompany
indebtedness evidenced by a promissory note of the respective issuers thereof
owing to Pledgor.

         (c) Ownership of Pledged Collateral.  Pledgor is the legal, record and
             -------------------------------                                   
beneficial owner of the Pledged Collateral free and clear of any Lien except for
the security interest created by this Agreement or any other Collateral Document
or Permitted Encumbrances.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 5.  TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS; ADDITIONAL PLEDGED COLLATERAL;
                     ---------------------------------------------------------
ETC.  Pledgor shall:
- ----                

         (a) not, except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, (i)
sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or
grant any option with respect to, any of the Pledged Collateral, (ii) create or
suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral,
except for the security interest under this Agreement, or (iii) permit any
issuer of Pledged Shares to merge or consolidate unless all the outstanding
capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation is, upon such merger or
consolidation, pledged hereunder and no cash, securities or other property is
distributed in respect of the outstanding shares of any other constituent
corporation; provided that in the event Pledgor makes an Asset Sale permitted by
             --------                                                           
the Credit Agreement and the assets subject to such Asset Sale are Pledged
Collateral, Secured Party shall release the Pledged Collateral that is the
subject of such Asset Sale to Pledgor free and clear of any Lien and security
interest under this Agreement or any other Collateral Document concurrently with
the consummation of such Asset Sale; provided, further that, as a condition
                                     --------  -------                     
precedent to such release, Secured Party shall have received evidence
satisfactory to it that arrangements satisfactory to it have been made for
delivery to Secured Party of the Net Asset Sale Proceeds of such Asset Sale to
the extent required under the Credit Agreement;

         (b) (i) cause each issuer of Pledged Shares not to issue any stock or
other securities in addition to or in substitution for the Pledged Shares issued
by such issuer, except to Pledgor, (ii) pledge hereunder, immediately upon its
acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all additional shares of
stock or other securities of each issuer of Pledged Shares, and (iii) pledge
hereunder, immediately upon its acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof,
any and all shares of stock of any Person that, after the date of this
Agreement, becomes, as a result of any occurrence, a direct Restricted
Subsidiary of Pledgor;

         (c) (i) pledge hereunder, immediately upon their issuance, any and all
instruments or other evidences of additional indebtedness from time to time owed
to Pledgor by any obligor on the Pledged Debt, and (ii) pledge hereunder,
immediately upon their issuance, any and all instruments or other evidences of
indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by any Person that after the date
of this Agreement becomes, as a result of any occurrence, a direct or indirect
Restricted Subsidiary of Pledgor;

         (d) promptly notify Secured Party of any event of which Pledgor becomes
aware causing loss of the Pledged Collateral;

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
         (e) promptly deliver to Secured Party all written notices received by
it with respect to the Pledged Collateral; and

         (f) pay promptly when due all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims against, the Pledged Collateral,
except to the extent the validity thereof is being contested in good faith;
                                                                           
provided that Pledgor shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges,
- --------                                                                      
levies or claims not later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale
under any judgement, writ or warrant of attachment entered or filed against
Pledgor or any of the Pledged Collateral as a result of the failure to make such
payment.

         SECTION 6.  FURTHER ASSURANCES; PLEDGE AMENDMENTS.
                     ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Pledgor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of Pledgor,
Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents,
and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured
Party may request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted
or purported to be granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Pledged
Collateral.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Pledgor will:
(i) execute and file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments
thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or
desirable, or as Secured Party may request, in order to perfect and preserve the
security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby and (ii) at Secured
Party's request, appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may affect
Pledgor's title to or Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of
the Pledged Collateral.

         (b) Pledgor further agrees that it will, upon obtaining any additional
shares of stock or other securities required to be pledged hereunder as provided
in Section 5(b) or (c), promptly (and in any event within five Business Days)
deliver to Secured Party a Pledge Amendment, duly executed by Pledgor, in
substantially the form of Schedule II annexed hereto (a "PLEDGE AMENDMENT"), in
                          -----------                                          
respect of the additional Pledged Shares or Pledged Debt to be pledged pursuant
to this Agreement.  Pledgor hereby authorizes Secured Party to attach each
Pledge Amendment to this Agreement and agrees that all Pledged Shares or Pledged
Debt listed on any Pledge Amendment delivered to Secured Party shall for all
purposes hereunder be considered Pledged Collateral; provided that the failure
                                                     --------                 
of Pledgor to execute a Pledge Amendment with respect to any additional Pledged
Shares or Pledged Debt pledged pursuant to this Agreement shall not impair the
security interest of Secured Party therein or otherwise adversely affect the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder with respect thereto.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 7.  VOTING RIGHTS; DIVIDENDS; ETC.
                     ------------------------------

         (a) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing:

         (i) Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other
    consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof
    for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the
    Credit Agreement; provided, however, that Pledgor shall not exercise or
                      --------  -------                                    
    refrain from exercising any such right if Secured Party shall have notified
    Pledgor that, in Secured Party's judgment, such action would have a material
    adverse effect on the value of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof;
    and provided, further, that Pledgor shall give Secured Party at least five
        --------  -------                                                     
    Business Days' prior written notice of the manner in which it intends to
    exercise, or the reasons for refraining from exercising, any such right.  It
    is understood, however, that neither (A) the voting by Pledgor of any
    Pledged Shares for or Pledgor's consent to the election of directors at a
    regularly scheduled annual or other meeting of stockholders or with respect
    to incidental matters at any such meeting nor (B) Pledgor's consent to or
    approval of any action otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the
    Credit Agreement shall be deemed inconsistent with the terms of this
    Agreement or the Credit Agreement within the meaning of this Section
    7(a)(i), and no notice of any such voting or consent need be given to
    Secured Party;

         (ii) Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain, and to utilize
    free and clear of the lien of this Agreement, any and all dividends and
    interest paid in respect of the Pledged Collateral; provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------      
    any and all

              (A) dividends and interest paid or payable other than in cash in
         respect of, and instruments and other property received, receivable or
         otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged
         Collateral,

              (B) dividends and other distributions paid or payable in cash in
         respect of any Pledged Collateral in connection with a partial or total
         liquidation or dissolution or in connection with a reduction of
         capital, capital surplus or paid-in-surplus, and

              (C) cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of
         principal or in redemption of or in exchange for any Pledged
         Collateral,

    shall be, and shall forthwith be delivered to Secured Party to hold as,
    Pledged Collateral and shall, if received by Pledgor, be received in trust
    for the benefit of Secured

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
    Party, be segregated from the other property or funds of Pledgor and be
    forthwith delivered to Secured Party as Pledged Collateral in the same form
    as so received (with all necessary indorsements); and

         (iii)  Secured Party shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be
    executed and delivered) to Pledgor all such proxies, dividend payment orders
    and other instruments as Pledgor may from time to time reasonably request
    for the purpose of enabling Pledgor to exercise the voting and other
    consensual rights which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (i)
    above and to receive the dividends, principal or interest payments which it
    is authorized to receive and retain pursuant to paragraph (ii) above.

         (b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default:

         (i) upon written notice from Secured Party to Pledgor, all rights of
    Pledgor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it would
    otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 7(a)(i) shall cease,
    and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in Secured Party who shall
    thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual
    rights;

         (ii) all rights of Pledgor to receive the dividends and interest
    payments which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain
    pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) shall cease, and all such rights shall
    thereupon become vested in Secured Party who shall thereupon have the sole
    right to receive and hold as Pledged Collateral such dividends and interest
    payments; and

         (iii)  all dividends, principal and interest pay ments which are
    received by Pledgor contrary to the provi sions of paragraph (ii) of this
    Section 7(b) shall be received in trust for the benefit of Secured Party,
    shall be segregated from other funds of Pledgor and shall forthwith be paid
    over to Secured Party as Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received
    (with any necessary indorsements).

         (c) In order to permit Secured Party to exercise the voting and other
consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section
7(b)(i) and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be
entitled to receive under Section 7(a)(ii) or Section 7(b)(ii), (i) Pledgor
shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to
Secured Party all such proxies, dividend payment orders and other instruments as
Secured Party may from time to time reasonably request and (ii) without limiting
the effect of the immediately preceding clause (i), Pledgor hereby grants to
Secured Party an irrevocable proxy to vote the Pledged Shares and to exercise
all other rights, powers, privileges and remedies to which a holder

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
of the Pledged Shares would be entitled (including giving or withholding written
consents of shareholders, calling special meetings of shareholders and voting at
such meetings), which proxy shall be effective, automatically and without the
necessity of any action (including any transfer of any Pledged Shares on the
record books of the issuer thereof) by any other Person (including the issuer of
the Pledged Shares or any officer or agent thereof), upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default and which proxy shall only terminate upon the payment in full
of the Secured Obligations.

         SECTION 8.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Pledgor hereby
                     ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor, Secured
Party or otherwise, from time to time in Secured Party's discretion to take any
action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including:

         (a) to file one or more financing or continuation statements, or
amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Pledged Collateral
without the signature of Pledgor; and

         (b) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default:

              (i) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive
    and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or
    in respect of any of the Pledged Collateral;

              (ii) to receive, endorse and collect any instruments made payable
    to Pledgor representing any divi dend, principal or interest payment or
    other distribution in respect of the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof
    and to give full discharge for the same; and

              (iii)  to file any claims or take any action or institute any
    proceedings that Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable for the
    collection of any of the Pledged Collateral or otherwise to enforce the
    rights of Secured Party with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral.

         SECTION 9.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Pledgor fails to perform any
                     -------------------------                                  
agreement contained herein after the period in which such performance is
required, and after reasonable notice, Secured Party may itself perform, or
cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of Secured Party incurred
in connection therewith shall be payable by Pledgor under Section 14(b).

         SECTION 10.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                      ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Pledged Collateral and shall
not impose any duty upon it to

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
exercise any such powers.  Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the
custody of any Pledged Collateral in its possession and the accounting for
moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall have no duty as to
any Pledged Collateral, it being understood that Secured Party shall have no
responsibility for (a) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls,
conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relating to any
Pledged Collateral, whether or not Secured Party has or is deemed to have
knowledge of such matters, (b) taking any necessary steps (other than steps
taken in accordance with the standard of care set forth above to maintain
possession of the Pledged Collateral) to preserve rights against any parties
with respect to any Pledged Collateral, (c) taking any necessary steps to
collect or realize upon the Secured Obligations or any guarantee therefor, or
any part thereof, or any of the Pledged Collateral, or (d) initiating any action
to protect the Pledged Collateral against the possibility of a decline in market
value.  Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the
custody and preservation of Pledged Collateral in its possession if such Pledged
Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured Party
accords its own property consisting of negotiable securities.

         SECTION 11.  REMEDIES.
                      -------- 

         (a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Pledged Collateral, in addition to
all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it,
all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the "CODE") (whether
or not the Code applies to the affected Pledged Collateral), and Secured Party
may also in its sole discretion, without notice except as specified below, sell
the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or
private sale, at any exchange or broker's board or at any of Secured Party's
offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such time
or times and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as Secured Party
may deem commercially reasonable, irrespective of the impact of any such sales
on the market price of the Pledged Collateral.  Secured Party or any Lender or
Interest Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any or all of the Pledged
Collateral at any such public sale and, to the extent permitted by law, private
sale, and Secured Party, as agent for and representative of Lenders and Interest
Rate Exchangers (but not any Lender or Lenders or Interest Rate Exchanger or
Interest Rate Exchangers in its or their respective individual capacities unless
Requisite Obligees (as defined in Section 16(a)) shall otherwise agree in
writing), shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or
payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Pledged Collateral
sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as
a credit on account of the purchase price for any Pledged Collateral payable by
Secured Party at such sale.  Each purchaser at any such sale

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part
of Pledgor, and Pledgor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable
law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at
any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or
hereafter enacted.  Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be
required by law, at least ten days' notice to Pledgor of the time and place of
any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall
constitute reasonable notification.  Secured Party shall not be obligated to
make any sale of Pledged Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been
given.  Secured Party may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time
by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without
further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.
Pledgor hereby waives any claims against Secured Party arising by reason of the
fact that the price at which any Pledged Collateral may have been sold at such a
private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a public
sale, even if Secured Party accepts the first offer received and does not offer
such Pledged Collateral to more than one offeree.  If the proceeds of any sale
or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral are insufficient to pay all the
Secured Obligations, Pledgor shall be liable for the deficiency and the fees of
any attorneys employed by Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

         (b) Pledgor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions
contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, Secured
Party may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the
Pledged Collateral conducted without prior registration or qualification of such
Pledged Collateral under the Securities Act and/or such state securities laws,
to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the
Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to
the distribution or resale thereof.  Pledgor acknowledges that any such private
sales may be at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable through
a public sale without such restrictions (including a public offering made
pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act) and,
notwithstanding such circumstances and the registration rights granted to
Secured Party by Pledgor pursuant to Section 12, Pledgor agrees that the effect
of the foregoing in respect of any such private sale shall not be deemed per se
                                                                         --- --
to cause such private sale to have not been made in a commercially reasonable
manner and that Secured Party shall have no obligation to engage in public sales
and no obligation to delay the sale of any Pledged Collateral for the period of
time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public
sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable state
securities laws, even if such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it.

         (c) If Secured Party determines to exercise its right to sell any or
all of the Pledged Collateral, upon written request, Pledgor shall and shall
cause each issuer of any Pledged

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Shares to be sold hereunder from time to time to furnish to Secured Party all
such information as Secured Party may request in order to determine the number
of shares and other instruments included in the Pledged Collateral which may be
sold by Secured Party in exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as
the same are from time to time in effect.

         SECTION 12.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  If Secured Party shall determine to
                      -------------------                                      
exercise its right to sell all or any of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
Section 11, Pledgor agrees that, upon request of Secured Party (which request
may be made by Secured Party in its sole discretion), Pledgor will, at its own
expense:

         (a) execute and deliver, and use its best efforts to cause each issuer
of the Pledged Collateral contemplated to be sold and the directors and officers
thereof to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or
cause to be done all such other acts and things, as may be necessary or, in the
opinion of Secured Party, advisable to file a registration statement covering
such Pledged Collateral under the provisions of the Securities Act and to use
its best efforts to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become
effective and to remain effective for such period as prospectuses are required
by law to be furnished, and to make all amendments and supplements thereto and
to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of Secured Party, are necessary
or advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable
thereto;

         (b) use its best efforts to qualify the Pledged Collateral under all
applicable state securities or "Blue Sky" laws and to obtain all necessary
governmental approvals for the sale of the Pledged Collateral, as requested by
Secured Party;

         (c) cause each such issuer to make available to its security holders,
as soon as practicable, an earnings statement which will satisfy the provisions
of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

         (d) to use its best efforts to do or cause to be done all such other
acts and things as may be necessary to make such sale of the Pledged Collateral
or any part thereof valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law; and

         (e) bear all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
of carrying out its obligations under this Section 12.

         Pledgor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained
in this Section 12 will cause irreparable injury to Secured Party, that Secured
Party has no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a
consequence,

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
that each and every covenant contained in this Section 12 shall be specifically
enforceable against Pledgor, and Pledgor hereby waives and agrees not to assert
any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except
for a defense that no default has occurred giving rise to the Secured
Obligations becoming due and payable prior to their stated maturities.  Nothing
in this Section 12 shall in any way alter the rights of Secured Party under
Section 11.

         SECTION 13.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  All proceeds received by Secured
                      -----------------------                                   
Party in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all
or any part of the Pledged Collateral shall be applied as provided in subsection
2.4D of the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 14.  INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.
                      ---------------------- 

         (a) Pledgor agrees to indemnify Secured Party, Syndication Agent, each
Lender and each Interest Rate Exchanger from and against any and all claims,
losses and liabilities in any way relating to, growing out of or resulting from
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including enforcement
of this Agreement), except to the extent such claims, losses or liabilities
result solely from Secured Party's, Syndication Agent's or such Lender's or
Interest Rate Exchanger's gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

         (b) Pledgor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the amount of any
and all costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody or
preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
of the Pledged Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the
rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Pledgor to perform or
observe any of the provisions hereof.

         (c) In the event of any public sale described in Section 12, Pledgor
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Secured Party, Syndication Agent, each
Lender and each Interest Rate Exchanger and each of their respective directors,
officers, employees and agents from and against any loss, fee, cost, expense,
damage, liability or claim, joint or several, to which any such Persons may
become subject or for which any of them may be liable, under the Securities Act
or otherwise, insofar as such losses, fees, costs, expenses, damages,
liabilities or claims (or any litigation commenced or threatened in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus,
registration statement, prospectus or other such document published or filed in
connection with such public sale, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse Secured Party and such other Persons
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by Secured Party and such
other Persons in connection with any litigation, of any nature whatsoever, com
menced or threatened in respect thereof (including any and all fees, costs and
expenses whatsoever reasonably incurred by Secured Party and such other Persons
and counsel for Secured Party and such other Persons in investigating, preparing
for, defending against or providing evidence, producing documents or taking any
other action in respect of, any such commenced or threatened litigation or any
claims asserted).  This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability which
Pledgor may otherwise have and shall extend upon the same terms and conditions
to each Person, if any, that controls Secured Party or such Persons within the
meaning of the Securities Act.

         SECTION 15.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                      -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Pledged Collateral
and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of all
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Pledgor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its succes sors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or other
wise.  Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Pledged Collateral shall revert to Pledgor.
Upon any such termination Secured Party will, at Pledgor's expense, execute and
deliver to Pledgor such documents as Pledgor shall reasonably request to
evidence such termination and Pledgor shall be entitled to the return, upon its
request and at its expense, against receipt and without recourse to Secured
Party, of such of the Pledged Collateral as shall not have been sold or
otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof.

         SECTION 16.  SECURED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
                      ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder
by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, Interest Rate
Exchangers.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Pledged Collateral), solely in accordance with
this Agreement and the Credit

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
Agreement; provided that Secured Party shall exercise, or refrain from
           --------                                                   
exercising, any remedies provided for in Section 11 in accordance with the
instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment in full of all
Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the holders
of a majority of the aggregate notional amount (or, with respect to any Lender
Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in accordance with its terms,
the amount then due and payable (exclusive of expenses and similar payments but
including any early termination payments then due) under such Lender Interest
Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate Agreements (Requisite Lenders or,
if applicable, such holders being referred to herein as "REQUISITE OBLIGEES").
In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this Section 16(a), each Interest
Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall
have no right individually to realize upon any of the Pledged Collateral
hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Interest Rate Exchanger that
all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by Secured Party for
the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers in accordance with the terms
of this Section 16(a).

         (b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person that is
Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.  Written notice of resignation
by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party under this Agreement;
and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5
of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor Secured
Party under this Agreement.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor
Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement, and the retiring
or removed Secured Party under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to
such successor Secured Party all sums, securities and other items of Collateral
held hereunder, together with all records and other documents necessary or
appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor
Secured Party under this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to such
successor Secured Party such amendments to financing statements, and take such
other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the
assignment to such successor Secured Party of the security interests created
hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed Secured Party shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations under this Agreement.  After any retiring or
removed Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Secured
Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement while it was
Secured Party hereunder.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 17.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination
                      ---------------                                          
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Pledgor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification, by Pledgor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

         SECTION 18.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication herein
                      -------                                           
required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally
served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail or courier
service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by
courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days
after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly
addressed.  For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall be
as set forth under such party's name on the signature pages hereof or, as to
either party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice delivered to the other party hereto.

         SECTION 19.  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  No
                      -----------------------------------------------------     
failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in the exercise of any power,
right or privilege hereunder shall impair such power, right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege.
All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not
exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

         SECTION 20.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation
                      ------------                                         
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         SECTION 21.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this
                      --------                                          
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any
substantive effect.

         SECTION 22.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.  THIS
                      -------------------------------------------       
AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF
THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY
PARTICULAR PLEDGED COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER
THAN

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit
Agreement, terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the
State of New York are used herein as therein defined.  The rules of construction
set forth in subsection 1.3 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this
Agreement mutatis mutandis.

         SECTION 23.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  ALL
                      ----------------------------------------------      
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST PLEDGOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL
COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK.  BY
EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, PLEDGOR, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION
WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

         (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
    AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

         (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

         (III)  AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY
    SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
    REQUESTED, TO PLEDGOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 18;

         (IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
    SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER PLEDGOR IN ANY SUCH
    PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
    BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

         (V) AGREES THAT SECURED PARTY RETAINS THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY
    OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PLEDGOR IN THE
    COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

         (VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 23 RELATING TO
    JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST
    EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR
    OTHERWISE.

         SECTION 24.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  PLEDGOR AND SECURED PARTY HEREBY
                      --------------------                                   
AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  The scope of this waiver is
intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including
contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law
and statutory claims.  Pledgor and Secured Party each acknowledge that this
waiver is a material inducement for Pledgor and Secured Party to enter into a
business relationship, that Pledgor and Secured Party have already relied on
this waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely
on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Pledgor and Secured Party
further warrant and represent that each

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each knowingly and
voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal
counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER
ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY
REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 24 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of litigation, this Agreement may
be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

         SECTION 25.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or
                      ------------                                           
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to
the same document.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and Secured Party have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

                             [NAME OF PLEDGOR], as Pledgor



                             By: __________________________
                               Title:

                             Notice Address:_____________________
                                            _____________________
                                            _____________________



                             FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                             as Secured Party



                             By: __________________________
                               Title:

                             Notice Address:
                                  _____________________
                                  _____________________
                                  _____________________


                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I


         Attached to and forming a part of the Pledge Agreement dated as of
October 23, 1997 between _______________, as Pledgor, and First Union National
Bank, as Secured Party.



                                     Part A

                  Class of    Stock Certi-   Par          Number of
Stock Issuer        Stock     ficate Nos.    Value          Shares
- ------------       --------   ------------   -----        ---------



                                     Part B

Debt Issuer                       Amount of Indebtedness
- -----------                       ----------------------



                                      I-1
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II


                                PLEDGE AMENDMENT


         This Pledge Amendment, dated ___________, ____, is delivered pursuant
to Section 6(b) of the Pledge Agreement referred to below.  The undersigned
hereby agrees that this Pledge Amendment may be attached to the Pledge Agreement
dated October 23, 1997, between the undersigned and First Union National Bank,
as Secured Party (the "PLEDGE AGREEMENT," capitalized terms defined therein
being used herein as therein defined), and that the [Pledged Shares] [Pledged
Debt] listed on this Pledge Amendment shall be deemed to be part of the [Pledged
Shares] [Pledged Debt] and shall become part of the Pledged Collateral and shall
secure all Secured Obligations.


                             [NAME OF PLEDGOR]



                             By: ___________________________
                             Title:



                  Class of    Stock Certi-   Par          Number of
Stock Issuer        Stock     ficate Nos.    Value          Shares
- ------------       --------   ------------   -----        ---------



Debt Issuer                       Amount of Indebtedness
- -----------                       ----------------------




                                     II-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.28


                    SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT


         This SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is
dated as of October 23, 1997 and entered into by and among [INSERT NAME OF
GRANTOR IN CAPS], a ________________ corporation ("GRANTOR"), and FIRST UNION
NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent for and representative of (in such
capacity herein called "SECURED PARTY") the financial institutions ("LENDERS")
party to the Credit Agreement referred to below and any Interest Rate Exchangers
(as hereinafter defined).


                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

         A.   Secured Party, Syndication Agent and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with The Pantry, Inc. (the
"Borrower") pursuant to which Lenders have made certain commitments, subject to
the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend certain
credit facilities to the Borrower.

         B.   Borrower may from time to time enter into one or more Interest
Rate Agreements (collectively, the "LENDER INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS") with one
or more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively, "INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS") in
accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

         C.   Grantor owns and uses in its business, and will in the future
adopt and so use, various intangible assets, including trademarks, service
marks, designs, logos, indicia, tradenames, corporate names, company names,
business names, fictitious business names, trade styles and/or other source
and/or business identifiers and applications pertaining thereto (collectively,
the "TRADEMARKS").

         D.   Secured Party desires to become a secured creditor with respect to
all of the existing and future Trademarks, all registrations that have been or
may hereafter be issued or applied for thereon in the United States and any
state thereof (the "REGISTRATIONS"), all common law and other rights in and to
the Trademarks in the United States and any state thereof (the "TRADEMARK
RIGHTS"), all goodwill of Grantor's business symbolized by the Trademarks and
associated therewith, including without limitation the documents and things
described in Section 1(b) (the "ASSOCIATED GOODWILL"), and all proceeds of the
Trademarks, the Registrations, the Trademark Rights and the Associated Goodwill,
and Grantor agrees to create a secured and protected interest in the Trademarks,
the Registrations, the

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
Trademark Rights, the Associated Goodwill and all the proceeds thereof as
provided herein.

         E.   Grantor has executed and delivered the Subsidiary Security
Agreement dated as of October 23, 1997 (the "SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT")
between Grantor and Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders, pursuant to which
Grantor has granted Secured Party a security interest in all of its personal
property, including, without limitation, the Collateral (as defined below),
which Subsidiary Security Agreement is to be supplemented by this Agreement, and
it is desired that all obligations of Grantor under the Guaranty be secured
hereunder.

         F.   Pursuant to the Subsidiary Security Agreement, Grantor has granted
to Secured Party a lien on and security interest in, among other assets, the
equipment and inventory relating to the products and services sold or delivered
under or in connection with the Trademarks such that, upon the occurrence and
during the continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party would be able to
exercise its remedies consistent with the Subsidiary Security Agreement, this
Agreement and applicable law to foreclose upon Grantor's business and use the
Trademarks, the Registrations and the Trademark Rights in conjunction with the
continued operation of such business, maintaining substantially the same product
and service specifications and quality as maintained by Grantor, and benefit
from the Associated Goodwill.

         G.   Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, and to permit Secured Party to operate Grantor's business without
interruption and to use the Trademarks, Registrations, Trademark Rights and
Associated Goodwill in conjunction therewith, Grantor is willing to appoint
Secured Party as Grantor's attorney-in-law and attorney-in-fact to execute
documents and take actions consistent therewith.

         I.   It is a requirement under the Credit Agreement that Grantor shall
have granted the security interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated
by this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce
Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement
as well as to induce Interest Rate Exchangers to enter into the Lender Interest
Rate Agreements to enter into the Lender Interest Rate Agreements and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, Grantor hereby agrees with Secured Party as follows:

         SECTION 1.  GRANT OF SECURITY.  Grantor hereby grants to Secured Party
                     -----------------                                         
a security interest in, all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to the
following, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which Grantor
now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located
(the "COLLATERAL"):

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
         (a) each of the Trademarks and rights and interests in Trademarks which
are presently, or in the future may be, owned, held (whether pursuant to a
license or otherwise) or used by Grantor, in whole or in part (including,
without limitation, the Trademarks specifically identified in Schedule A annexed
                                                              ----------        
hereto, as the same may be amended pursuant hereto from time to time), and
including all Trademark Rights with respect thereto and all federal and state
Registrations therefor heretofore or hereafter granted or applied for, the right
(but not the obligation) to register claims under any state or federal trademark
law and to apply for, renew and extend the Trademarks, Registrations and
Trademark Rights, the right (but not the obligation) to sue or bring opposition
or cancellation proceedings in the name of Grantor or in the name of Secured
Party or otherwise for past, present and future infringements of the Trademarks,
Registrations or Trademark Rights and all rights (but not obligations)
corresponding thereto in the United States and the Associated Goodwill; it being
understood that the rights and interests included herein shall include, without
limitation, all rights and interests pursuant to licensing or other contracts in
favor of Grantor pertaining to the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights
presently or in the future owned or used by third parties but, in the case of
third parties which are not Affiliates of Grantor, only to the extent permitted
by such licensing or other contracts and, if not so permitted, only with the
consent of such third parties;

         (b) the following documents and things in Grantor's possession, or
subject to Grantor's right to possession, related to (Y) the production, sale
and delivery by Grantor, or by any Affiliate, licensee or subcontractor of
Grantor, of products or services sold or delivered by or under the authority of
Grantor in connection with the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights
(which products and services shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to
include, without limitation, products and services sold or delivered pursuant to
merchandising operations utilizing any Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark
Rights); or (Z) any retail or other merchandising operations conducted under the
name of or in connection with the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights
by Grantor or any Affiliate, licensee or subcontractor of Grantor:

              (i) all lists and ancillary documents that identify and describe
    any of Grantor's customers, or those of its Affiliates, licensees or
    subcontractors, for products sold and services delivered under or in
    connection with the Trademarks or Trademark Rights, including without
    limitation any lists and ancillary documents that contain a customer's name
    and address, the name and address of any of its warehouses, branches or
    other places of business, the identity of the Person or Persons having the
    principal responsibility on a customer's behalf for ordering products or
    services of the kind supplied by Grantor, or the credit, payment, discount,
    delivery or other sale terms applicable to such customer, together with
    information setting forth

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
    the total purchases, by brand, product, service, style, size or other
    criteria, and the patterns of such purchases;

              (ii) all product and service specification documents and
    production and quality control manuals used in the manufacture or delivery
    of products and services sold or delivered under or in connection with the
    Trademarks or Trademark Rights;

              (iii)  all documents which reveal the name and address of any
    source of supply, and any terms of purchase and delivery, for any and all
    materials, components and services used in the production of products and
    services sold or delivered under or in connection with the Trademarks or
    Trademark Rights; and

              (iv) all documents constituting or concerning the then current or
    proposed advertising and promotion by Grantor or its Affiliates, licensees
    or subcontractors of products and services sold or delivered under or in
    connection with the Trademarks or Trademark Rights including, without
    limitation, all documents which reveal the media used or to be used and the
    cost for all such advertising conducted within the described period or
    planned for such products and services;

         (c) all general intangibles relating to the Collateral;

         (d) all books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, computer
programs, tapes, disks and related data processing software that at any time
evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are
otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization
thereupon; and

         (e) all proceeds, products, rents and profits (including without
limitation license royalties and proceeds of infringement suits) of or from any
and all of the foregoing Collateral and, to the extent not otherwise included,
all payments under insurance (whether or not Secured Party is the loss payee
thereof), or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or
damage to or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral.  For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "PROCEEDS" includes whatever is receivable
or received when Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or
otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary.

         SECTION 2.  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.  This Agreement secures, and the
                     ------------------------                                  
Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt payment or performance in full
when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration,
acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. (S)362(a)), of all obligations
and liabilities of every nature of Grantor now or hereafter existing under or
arising out of or in connection with the Guaranty and all extensions or renewals
thereof, whether for principal, interest (including without limitation interest
that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Company
and/or Grantor, would accrue on such obligations, whether or not a claim is
allowed against Company and/or Grantor for such interest in the related
bankruptcy proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit,
payments for early termination of Lender Interest Rate Agreements, fees,
expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or involuntary, direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not
jointly owed with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or
extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of
such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of
such payment is avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party,
Syndication Agent, any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger as a preference,
fraudulent transfer or otherwise (all such obligations and liabilities being the
"UNDERLYING DEBT"), and all obligations of every nature of Grantor now or
hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such obligations of Grantor,
together with the Underlying Debt, being the "SECURED OBLIGATIONS").

         SECTION 3.  GRANTOR REMAINS LIABLE.  Anything contained herein to the
                     ----------------------                                   
contrary notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain liable under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to
perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Secured Party of any
of its rights hereunder shall not release Grantor from any of its duties or
obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and
(c) Secured Party shall not have any obligation or liability under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall
Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of
Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for
payment assigned hereunder.

         SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Grantor represents and
                     ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

         (a) Description of Collateral.  A true and complete list of all
             -------------------------                                  
Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights owned, held (whether pursuant to
a license or otherwise) or used by Grantor, in whole or in part, as of the date
of this Agreement and which are material to the operation of the business of
Grantor is set forth in Schedule A annexed hereto.
                        ----------                

         (b) Validity and Enforceability of Collateral.  Each of the Trademarks,
             -----------------------------------------                          
Registrations and Trademark Rights that is owned by Grantor and is material to
the financial condition or

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
business of Grantor is valid, subsisting and enforceable.  Grantor is not aware
of any pending or threatened claim by any third party that any such Trademarks,
Registrations or Trademark Rights is invalid or unenforceable or that the use of
any of the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights violates the rights of
any third person or of any basis for any such claim.

         (c) Ownership of Collateral.  Except for the security interest created
             -----------------------                                           
by this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, Grantor owns the Collateral
free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances).  Except such as
may have been filed in favor of Secured Party relating to this Agreement, (i) no
effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all
or any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording office and
(ii) no effective filing covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

         (d) Office Locations; Other Names.  The chief place of business, the
             -----------------------------                                   
chief executive office and the office where Grantor keeps its records regarding
the Collateral is, and has been for the four month period preceding the date
hereof, located at the location identified in Schedule B attached hereto.
                                              ----------                  
Grantor has not in the past five years done, and does not now do, business under
any other name (including any trade-name or fictitious business name), except as
set forth in Schedule B attached hereto.
             ----------                 

         (e) Governmental Authorizations.  Except as contemplated by Sections
             ---------------------------                                     
1(a) and 4(f) hereof, no authorization, approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is
required for either (i) the grant by Grantor of the security interest hereby,
(ii) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Grantor, or
(iii) the perfection of or the exercise by Secured Party of its rights and
remedies hereunder in the United States (except as may have been taken by or at
the direction of Grantor).

         (f) Perfection.  This Agreement, together with the filing of financing
             ----------                                                        
statements describing the Collateral with the Secretary of State of the State of
[Delaware] [Florida], and the recording of this Agreement with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office, which have been made or will be made promptly
following the Closing Date, creates a valid, perfected and, except for Permitted
Encumbrances, First Priority security interest in the Collateral, securing the
payment of the Secured Obligations; provided that additional actions may be
                                    --------                               
required with respect to the perfection of proceeds of the Collateral.

         (g) Other Information.  All information heretofore, herein or hereafter
             -----------------                                                  
supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of Grantor with respect to the
Collateral is accurate and complete in all material respects.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 5.  FURTHER ASSURANCES; NEW TRADEMARKS, REGISTRATIONS AND
                     -----------------------------------------------------
TRADEMARK RIGHTS.
- ---------------- 

         (a) Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of Grantor,
Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents,
and take all further action, that may be necessary in order to perfect and
protect any security interest or conditional assignment granted or purported to
be granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise and enforce its rights
and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Grantor will:  (i) at the request of Secured Party,
mark conspicuously each of its records pertaining to the Collateral with a
legend, in form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party, indicating that
such Collateral is subject to the security interest granted hereby, (ii) execute
and file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and
such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary in order to perfect and
preserve the security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby, (iii)
at the revocable request of Secured Party, use its best efforts to obtain any
necessary consents of third parties to the grant and perfection of a security
interest and assignment to Secured Party with respect to any Collateral, (iv) at
any reasonable time, upon request by Secured Party, exhibit the Collateral to
and allow inspection of the Collateral by Secured Party, or persons designated
by Secured Party, and (v) at Secured Party's request, appear in and defend any
action or proceeding that may affect Grantor's title to or Secured Party's
security interest in all or any part of the Collateral.

         (b) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to file one or more
financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or
any part of the Collateral without the signature of Grantor.  Grantor agrees
that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of a
financing statement signed by Grantor shall be sufficient as a financing
statement and may be filed as a financing statement in any and all
jurisdictions.

         (c) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to modify this Agreement
without obtaining Grantor's approval of or signature to such modification by
amending Schedule A annexed hereto to include reference to any right, title or
         ----------                                                           
interest in any existing Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right or any
Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right acquired or developed by Grantor
after the execution hereof or to delete any reference to any right, title or
interest in any Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right in which Grantor no
longer has or claims any right, title or interest.

         (d) Grantor will furnish to Secured Party from time to time statements
and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other
reports in connection with the Collateral as Secured Party may reasonably
request, all in reasonable detail.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
         (e) If Grantor shall obtain rights to any new Trademarks, Registrations
or Trademark Rights, the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply
thereto.  Grantor shall promptly notify Secured Party in writing of any rights
to any new Trademarks or Trademark Rights acquired by Grantor after the date
hereof and of any Registrations issued or applications for Registration made
after the date hereof. Concurrently with the filing of an application for
Registration for any Trademark, Grantor shall execute, deliver and record in all
places where this Agreement is recorded an appropriate Trademark Collateral
Security Agreement, substantially in the form hereof, with appropriate
insertions, or an amendment to this Agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to Secured Party, pursuant to which Grantor shall grant a security
interest to the extent of its interest in such Registration as provided herein
to Secured Party unless so doing would, in the reasonable judgment of Grantor,
after due inquiry, result in the grant of a Registration in the name of Secured
Party, in which event Grantor shall give written notice to Secured Party as soon
as reasonably practicable and the filing shall instead be undertaken as soon as
practicable but in no case later than immediately following the grant of the
Registration.

         SECTION 6. CERTAIN COVENANTS OF GRANTOR.  Grantor shall:
                    ----------------------------                 

         (a) not use or permit any Collateral to be used unlawfully or in
violation of any provision of this Agreement or any applicable statute,
regulation or ordinance or any policy of insurance covering the Collateral;

         (b) notify Secured Party of any change in Grantor's name, identity or
corporate structure within 15 days of such change;

         (c) give Secured Party 30 days' prior written notice of any change in
Grantor's chief place of business or chief executive office or the office where
Grantor keeps its records regarding the Collateral;

         (d) pay promptly when due all property and other taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims (including claims
for labor, materials and supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent
the validity thereof is being contested in good faith; provided that Grantor
                                                       --------             
shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims not
later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale under any judgement,
writ or warrant of attachment entered or filed against Grantor or any of the
Collateral as a result of the failure to make such payment;

         (e) not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise
dispose of any of the Collateral, except as permitted herein or by the Credit
Agreement; provided that in the event Grantor makes an Asset Sale permitted by
           --------                                                           
the Credit

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Agreement and the assets subject to such Asset Sale constitute Collateral,
Secured Party shall release the Collateral that is the subject of such Asset
Sale to Grantor free and clear of any Lien and security interest under this
Agreement or any other Collateral Documents concurrently with the consummation
of such Asset Sale; provided, further that, as a condition precedent to such
                    --------  -------                                       
release, Secured Party shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that
arrangements satisfactory to it have been made for delivery to Secured Party of
that amount of Net Asset Sale Proceeds required to be delivered to Secured Party
under the Credit Agreement;

         (f) except for the security interest created by this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, not create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect
to any of the Collateral to secure the indebtedness or other obligations of any
Person except for Permitted Encumbrances;

         (g) keep reasonable records respecting the Collateral and at all times
keep at least one complete set of its records concerning substantially all of
the Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights at its chief executive office
or principal place of business;

         (h) not permit the inclusion in any contract to which it becomes a
party of any provision that could impair in any material respect or prevent the
creation of a security interest in, or the assignment of, Grantor's rights and
interests in any property included within the definitions of any Trademarks,
Registrations, Trademark Rights and Associated Goodwill acquired under such
contracts;

         (i) take all reasonable steps necessary to protect the secrecy of all
trade secrets relating to the products and services sold or delivered under or
in connection with the Trademarks and Trademark Rights, including without
limitation entering into confidentiality agreements with employees and labeling
and restricting access to secret information and documents;

         (j) use proper statutory notice in connection with its use of each of
the Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights;

         (k) use consistent standards of high quality (which may be consistent
with Grantor's past practices) in the manufacture, sale and delivery of products
and services sold or delivered under or in connection with the Trademarks,
Registrations and Trademark Rights, including, to the extent applicable, in the
operation and maintenance of its retail stores and other merchandising
operations; and

         (l) upon any officer of Grantor obtaining knowledge thereof, promptly
notify Secured Party in writing of any event that may materially and adversely
affect the value of the

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Collateral or any material portion thereof, the ability of Grantor or Secured
Party to dispose of the Collateral or any material portion thereof, or the
rights and remedies of Secured Party in relation thereto, including without
limitation the levy of any legal process against the Collateral or any material
portion thereof.

         SECTION 7. CERTAIN INSPECTION RIGHTS.  Grantor hereby grants to Secured
                    -------------------------                                   
Party and its employees, representatives and agents the right to visit Grantor's
and any of its Affiliate's or subcontractor's plants, facilities and other
places of business that are utilized in connection with the manufacture,
production, inspection, storage or sale of products and services sold or
delivered under any of the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights (or
which were so utilized during the prior six month period), and to inspect the
quality control and all other records relating thereto upon reasonable notice to
Grantor and as often as may be reasonably requested.

         SECTION 8.  AMOUNTS PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF THE COLLATERAL.  Except as
                     --------------------------------------------            
otherwise provided in this Section 8, Grantor shall continue to collect, at its
own expense, all amounts due or to become due to Grantor in respect of the
Collateral or any portion thereof.  In connection with such collections, Grantor
may take (and, at Secured Party's direction, shall take) such action as Grantor
or Secured Party may deem necessary or advisable to enforce collection of such
amounts; provided, however, that Secured Party shall have the right at any time,
         --------  -------                                                      
upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and upon
written notice to Grantor of its intention to do so, to notify the obligors with
respect to any such amounts of the existence of the security interest created
and to direct such obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to
Secured Party, and, upon such notification and at the expense of Grantor, to
enforce collection of any such amounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the
amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as Grantor
might have done.  After receipt by Grantor of the notice from Secured Party
referred to in the proviso to the preceding sentence, (i) all amounts and
                   -------                                               
proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by Grantor in respect
of amounts due to Grantor in respect of the Collateral or any portion thereof
shall be received in trust for the benefit of Secured Party hereunder, shall be
segregated from other funds of Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or
delivered to Secured Party in the same form as so received (with any necessary
endorsement) to be held as cash Collateral and applied as provided by Section
16, and (ii) Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or
payment of any such amount or release wholly or partly any obligor with respect
thereto or allow any credit or discount thereon.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 9. TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS AND LITIGATION.
                    ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Grantor shall have the duty diligently, through counsel reasonably
acceptable to Secured Party, to prosecute any trademark application relating to
any of the Trademarks specifically identified in Schedule A annexed hereto that
                                                 ----------                    
is pending as of the date of this Agreement, to make federal application on any
existing or future registerable but unregistered Trademarks, and to file and
prosecute opposition and cancellation proceedings, renew Registrations and do
any and all acts which are necessary or desirable to preserve and maintain all
rights in all Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights.  Any expenses
incurred in connection therewith shall be borne solely by Grantor.  Grantor
shall not abandon any Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right that is
material in value or to the conduct of Grantor's business without prior written
notice to, and express consent of, Secured Party.

         (b) Except as provided in Section 9(d), Grantor shall have the right to
commence and prosecute in its own name, as real party in interest, for its own
benefit and at its own expense, such suits, proceedings or other actions for
infringement, unfair competition, dilution or other damage as are in its
reasonable business judgment necessary to protect the Collateral. Secured Party
shall provide, at Grantor's expense, all reasonable and necessary cooperation in
connection with any such suit, proceeding or action including, without
limitation, joining as a necessary party.

         (c) Grantor shall promptly, following its becoming aware thereof,
notify Secured Party of the institution of, or of any adverse determination in,
any proceeding (whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any
federal, state, local or foreign court) described in Section 9(a) or 9(b) or
regarding Grantor's claim of ownership in or right to use any of the Trademarks,
Registrations or Trademark Rights, its right to register the same, or its right
to keep and maintain such Registration.  Grantor shall provide to Secured Party
any information with respect thereto requested by Secured Party.

         (d) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party
shall have the right (but not the obligation) to bring suit, in the name of
Grantor, Secured Party or otherwise, to enforce any Trademark, Registration,
Trademark Right, Associated Goodwill and any license thereunder, in which event
Grantor shall, at the request of Secured Party, do any and all lawful acts and
execute any and all documents required by Secured Party in aid of such
enforcement and Grantor shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse and indemnify
Secured Party as provided in Section 17 in connection with the exercise of its
rights under this Section 9.  To the extent that Secured Party shall elect not
to bring suit to enforce any Trademark, Registration, Trademark Right,
Associated Goodwill or any license thereunder as provided in this Section

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
9(d), Grantor agrees to use all reasonable measures, whether by action, suit,
proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the infringement of any of the Trademarks,
Registrations, Trademark Rights or Associated Goodwill by others and for that
purpose agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any
Person so infringing necessary to prevent such infringement.

         SECTION 10.  NON-DISTURBANCE AGREEMENTS, ETC.  If and to the extent
                      --------------------------------                      
that Grantor is permitted to license the Collateral, Secured Party shall enter
into a non-disturbance agreement or other similar arrangement, at Grantor's
request and expense, with Grantor and any licensee of any Collateral permitted
hereunder in form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party pursuant to which
(a) Secured Party shall agree not to disturb or interfere with such licensee's
rights under its license agreement with Grantor so long as such licensee is not
in default thereunder and (b) such licensee shall acknowledge and agree that the
Collateral licensed to it is subject to the security interest created in favor
of Secured Party and the other terms of this Agreement.

         SECTION 11.  REASSIGNMENT OF COLLATERAL.  If (a) an Event of Default
                      --------------------------                             
shall have occurred and, by reason of cure, waiver, modification, amendment or
otherwise, no longer be continuing, (b) no other Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (c) an assignment to Secured Party of any rights,
title and interests in and to the Collateral shall have been previously made and
shall have become absolute and effective pursuant to Section 12(f) or Section
15(b), and (d) the Secured Obligations shall not have become immediately due and
payable, upon the written request of Grantor and the written consent of Secured
Party, Secured Party shall promptly execute and deliver to Grantor such
assignments as may be necessary to reassign to Grantor any such rights, title
and interests as may have been assigned to Secured Party as aforesaid, subject
to any disposition thereof that may have been properly made by Secured Party
pursuant hereto; provided that, after giving effect to such reassignment,
                 --------                                                
Secured Party's security interest granted pursuant to Section 1, as well as all
other rights and remedies of Secured Party granted hereunder, shall continue to
be in full force and effect; and provided, further that the rights, title and
                                 --------  -------                           
interests so reassigned shall be free and clear of all Liens other than Liens
(if any) encumbering such rights, title and interest at the time of their
assignment to Secured Party and Permitted Encumbrances.

         SECTION 12.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Grantor hereby
                      ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Grantor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of Grantor and in the name of Grantor, Secured
Party or otherwise, from time to time in Secured Party's discretion, upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default, to take any action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party
may deem necessary or advisable to

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including without limitation:

         (a) to endorse Grantor's name on all applications, documents, papers
and instruments necessary for Secured Party in the use or maintenance of the
Collateral;

         (b) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive
and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in
respect of any of the Collateral;

         (c) to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments,
documents and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;

         (d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings
that Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of
the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of Secured Party with respect
to any of the Collateral;

         (e) to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Liens permitted
under this Agreement or the Credit Agreement) levied or placed upon or
threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the
amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by Secured Party in its
sole discretion, any such payments made by Secured Party to become obligations
of Grantor to Secured Party, due and payable immediately without demand; and

         (f) (i) to execute and deliver any of the assignments or documents
requested by Secured Party pursuant to Section 15(b), (ii) to grant or issue an
exclusive or non-exclusive license to the Collateral or any portion thereof to
any Person, and (iii) otherwise generally to sell, transfer, pledge, make any
agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully
and completely as though Secured Party were the absolute owner thereof for all
purposes, and to do, at Secured Party's option and Grantor's expense, at any
time or from time to time, all acts and things that are reasonably necessary to
protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and Secured Party's security
interest therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully
and effectively as Grantor might do.

         SECTION 13.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Grantor fails to perform
                      -------------------------                              
any agreement contained herein, Secured Party may itself perform, or cause
performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of Secured Party incurred in
connection therewith shall be payable by Grantor under Section 17.

         SECTION 14.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                      ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not
impose any duty upon it to exercise any

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
such powers.  Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any
Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by
it hereunder, Secured Party shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the
taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any
other rights pertaining to any Collateral.  Secured Party shall be deemed to
have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of Collateral in
its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to
that which Secured Party accords its own property.

         SECTION 15.  REMEDIES.  If any Event of Default shall have occurred and
                      --------                                                  
be continuing:

    (a) Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to
all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it,
all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the "CODE") (whether
or not the Code applies to the affected Collateral), and also may (i) require
Grantor to, and Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its expense and upon
request of Secured Party forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as
directed by Secured Party and make it available to Secured Party at a place to
be designated by Secured Party that is reasonably convenient to both parties,
(ii) enter onto the property where any Collateral is located and take possession
thereof with or without judicial process, (iii) prior to the disposition of the
Collateral, store the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for
disposition in any manner to the extent Secured Party deems appropriate, (iv)
take possession of Grantor's premises or place custodians in exclusive control
thereof, remain on such premises and use the same for the purpose of taking any
actions described in the preceding clause (iii) and collecting any Secured
Obligation, (v) exercise any and all rights and remedies of Grantor under or in
connection with the contracts related to the Collateral or otherwise in respect
of the Collateral, including without limitation any and all rights of Grantor to
demand or otherwise require payment of any amount under, or performance of any
provision of, such contracts, and (vi) without notice except as specified below,
sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or
private sale, at any of Secured Party's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on
credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices
and upon such other terms as Secured Party may deem commercially reasonable.
Secured Party, any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any
or all of the Collateral at any such public sale, and to the extent permitted by
law, private sale, and Secured Party, as agent for and representative of Lenders
and Interest Rate Exchangers (but not any Lender or Lenders, Interest Rate
Exchanger or Interest Rate Exchangers in its or their respective individual
capacities unless Requisite Lenders and Requisite Obligees (as defined in
Section 19(a)) shall otherwise agree in writing), shall be entitled, for the
purpose of bidding and making settlement or

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at
any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a
credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by Secured
Party at such sale.  Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property
sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of Grantor, and Grantor
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of
redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the
future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.
Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at
least ten days' notice to Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or
the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
notification.  Secured Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of
Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given.  Secured Party may
adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time
and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at
the time and place to which it was so adjourned.  Grantor hereby waives any
claims against Secured Party arising by reason of the fact that the price at
which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the
price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if Secured Party
accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than
one offeree.  If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral
are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Grantor shall be liable for
the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by Secured Party to
collect such deficiency.

         (b) Upon written demand from Secured Party, Grantor shall execute and
deliver to Secured Party an assignment or assignments of the Trademarks,
Registrations, Trademark Rights and the Associated Goodwill and such other
documents as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes
of this Agreement.

         SECTION 16.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.  Except as expressly provided
                      -----------------------                               
elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by Secured Party in respect
of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of
the Collateral shall be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.

         SECTION 17.  INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.
                      ---------------------- 

         (a) Grantor agrees to indemnify Secured Party, Syndication Agent, each
Lender, each Interest Rate Exchanger from and against any and all claims, losses
and liabilities in any way relating to, growing out of or resulting from this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
limitation, enforcement of this Agreement), except to the extent such claims,
losses or liabilities result solely from Secured Party's, Syndication Agent's,
such Lender's, such Interest Rate

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
Exchanger's gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction.

         (b) Grantor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the amount of any
and all costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody,
preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, any of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of
any of the rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Grantor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

         SECTION 18.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                      -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and
shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of the
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Grantor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its successors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise.
Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor.  Upon any
such termination Secured Party will, at Grantor's expense, execute and deliver
to Grantor such documents as Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination.

         SECTION 19.  SECURED PARTY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
                      ------------------------------------- 

         (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder
by Lenders.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right
hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including,
without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in
accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that Secured
                                                         --------             
Party shall exercise, or refrain from exercising, any remedies provided for in
Section 15 in accordance with the instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii)
after payment in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional amount
(or, with respect to any Lender Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated
in accordance with its terms, the amount then due and payable (exclusive of
expenses and

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
similar payments but including any early termination payments then due) under
such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate Agreements
(Requisite Lenders or, if applicable, such holders being referred to herein as
"REQUISITE OBLIGEES").  In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this
Section 19(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the benefits
hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon any of
the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Interest Rate
Exchanger that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by
Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers in
accordance with the terms of this Section 19(a).

         (b) Written notice of resignation by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute notice of
resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement; removal of Administrative
Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
removal as Secured Party under this Agreement; and appointment of a successor
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute appointment of a successor Secured Party under this Agreement.
Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent under subsection
9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor Administrative Agent, that successor
Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Secured Party
under this Agreement, and the retiring or removed Secured Party under this
Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Secured Party all sums,
securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder, together with all
records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the
performance of the duties of the successor Secured Party under this Agreement,
and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Secured Party such amendments to
financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or
appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Secured Party of
the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed
Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.  After any retiring or removed Administrative Agent's resignation or
removal hereunder as Secured Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure
to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this
Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.

         SECTION 20.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination
                      ---------------                                          
or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Grantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification, by Grantor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 21.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication herein
                      -------                                           
required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally
served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or mail or courier service and shall be
deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon
receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days after depositing it in
the mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed.  For the purposes hereof,
the address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such party's name
on the signature pages hereof or, as to either party, such other address as
shall be designated by such party in a written notice delivered to the other
party hereto.

         SECTION 22.  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  No
                      -----------------------------------------------------     
failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in the exercise of any power,
right or privilege hereunder shall impair such power, right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege.
All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not
exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

         SECTION 23.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation
                      ------------                                         
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         SECTION 24.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this
                      --------                                          
Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any
substantive effect.

         SECTION 25.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
                      --------------------                                    
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES,
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE VALIDITY OR PERFECTION OF
THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY
PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.  Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement,
terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the State of
New York are used herein as therein defined.

         SECTION 26.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  ALL
                      ----------------------------------------------      
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST GRANTOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION
IN THE STATE

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT GRANTOR ACCEPTS FOR
ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF
FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED
THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.  Grantor hereby agrees that service
of all process in any such proceeding in any such court may be made by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to Grantor at its
address provided in Section 21, such service being hereby acknowledged by
Grantor to be sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against Grantor
in any such court and to be otherwise effective and binding service in every
respect.  Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of Secured Party to bring
proceedings against Grantor in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

         SECTION 27.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  GRANTOR AND SECURED PARTY HEREBY
                      --------------------                                   
AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  The scope of this waiver is
intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including
without limitation contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all
other common law and statutory claims.  Grantor and Secured Party each
acknowledge that this waiver is a material inducement for Grantor and Secured
Party to enter into a business relationship, that Grantor and Secured Party have
already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will
continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Grantor and
Secured Party further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver
with its legal counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS
IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING,
AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS
OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of litigation, this Agreement
may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

         SECTION 28.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or
                      ------------                                           
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to
the same document.


                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Secured Party have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.



                        [NAME OF GRANTOR]



                        By: ___________________________________
                        Title: _________________________________

                        Notice Address:
                             __________________________
                             __________________________
                             __________________________


                        FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                        as Secured Party



                        By: ___________________________________
                        Title:__________________________________

                        Notice Address:


                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE A
                                       TO
                              TRADEMARK COLLATERAL
                             SECURITY AGREEMENT AND
                             CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT


                      UNITED STATES
    REGISTERED          TRADEMARK            REGISTRATION  REGISTRATION
      OWNER            DESCRIPTION              NUMBER        DATE
   ----------         -------------         ------------  ------------






                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE B
                                       TO
                              TRADEMARK COLLATERAL
                             SECURITY AGREEMENT AND
                             CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT

Filing Jurisdictions:



Office Locations:



Other Names:



                                      B-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 12.1

                               THE PANTRY, INC.
                               ----------------

        SCHEDULE I - COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
        --------------------------------------------------------------
                            (Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                    Sep. 30,    Sep. 29,    Sep. 28,    Sep. 26,   Sep. 25,
                                      1993        1994        1995        1996       1997
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C> 
Pretax (loss) income..............  $ 3,326     $  (181)    $(3,639)   $(10,778)    $  (975)

Fixed charges:
 Interest expense.................    7,434      12,047      13,241      11,992      13,039
 Amortization of deferred
  financing costs.................      162         908       1,038       1,359       1,461
 Preferred stock dividends........      331          31           -       2,654       5,304
 Rental expense (1)...............    2,334       2,183       2,253       2,709       2,901
                                    -------     -------     -------    --------     -------
Total fixed charges...............  $10,261     $15,169     $16,532    $ 18,714     $22,705
                                    -------     -------     -------    --------     -------

Earnings..........................  $13,587     $14,988     $12,893    $  7,936     $21,730
                                    -------     -------     -------    --------     -------

Ratio (shortfall) of
 earnings to fixed charges........     1.32     $  (181)    $(3,639)   $(10,778)    $  (975)
                                    =======     =======     =======    ========     =======
</TABLE> 

(1)  One-third of rental expense related to operating leases representing an
     appropriate interest factor.


<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 21.1


                       SUBSIDIARIES OF THE PANTRY, INC.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Name of Subsidiary
     (and Name under which does business)     Jurisdiction of Incorporation
    ---------------------------------------   -----------------------------
    <S>                                       <C>
    Sandhills, Inc.                           Delaware
    Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.              Florida
    Pantry Properties, Inc.                   South Carolina
    TC Capital Management, Inc.               Delaware
    PH Holdings, Inc.                         North Carolina
</TABLE>


                                    21.1-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON SCHEDULE

     We consent to the use in this Registration Statement relating to the Offer
to Exchange its unrestricted 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due October 15,
2007 for any and all of its outstanding restricted 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes due October 15, 2007 of The Pantry, Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated
December 5, 1997, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of the Registration
Statement.

     We also consent to the use of our report dated February 14, 1997 on the
financial statements of Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc., appearing in the
Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement.

     We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
Prospectus.

     Our audits of the consolidated financial statements of The Pantry, Inc. for
the years ended September 26, 1996 and September 25, 1997 also included the
financial statement schedule of The Pantry, Inc., listed in Item 21. This
- ----------------------------
financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management.
- ----------------------------
Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion,
such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic
     ----------------------------
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects
the information set forth therein for the years ended September 26, 1996 and
September 25, 1997.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP



Raleigh, North Carolina
December 19, 1997



<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.3


                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of The Pantry, Inc. of our report dated
November 30, 1995 relating to the consolidated statements of operations, of cash
flows and of changes in shareholders' deficit for the year ended September 28,
1995 of The Pantry, Inc., which appears in such Prospectus.  We also consent to
the application of such report to the financial statement schedule for the year
ended September 28, 1995 listed under Item 21(b) of this Registration Statement
when such schedule is read in conjunction with the financial statements referred
to in our report.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Prospectus.



/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
December 18, 1997


                                    23.3-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549
                          __________________________

                                   FORM  T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                    UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF
                   A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
                           __________________________

                      CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                      ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                           SECTION  305(b)(2) _______
                           __________________________

                    UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

        New York                                                13-3818954
(Jurisdiction of incorporation                             (I.R.S. Employer
 if not a U.S. national bank)                              Identification No.)


               114 West 47th Street                     10036-1532
               New York,  New York                      (Zip Code)
               (Address of principal
               executive offices)

                           __________________________
                                The Pantry, Inc.
              (Exact name of OBLIGOR as specified in its charter)

         Delaware                                              56-1574463
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I. R. S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

           P. O. Box 1410                                       27331-1410
         1801 Douglas Drive                                     (Zip code)
        Sanford, North Carolina
  (Address of principal executive offices)
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 2 -


                           __________________________
                                Sandhills, Inc.
              (Exact name of OBLIGOR as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                         51-0347722
(State or other jurisdiction of                        (I. R. S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)


    913 Market Street, Suite 806                              19801
        Wilmington, Delaware                                (Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

                           __________________________
                          Lil' Champ Food Stores, Inc.
              (Exact name of OBLIGOR as specified in its charter)

         Florida                                          59-1147100
(State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)

     9143 Phillips Highway, Suite 200                    32241-3180
             P. O. Box 23180                             (Zip code)
          Jacksonville, Florida
 (Address of principal executive offices)

                           __________________________
                   10-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 3 -


                                    GENERAL

1.  GENERAL INFORMATION
    -------------------

    Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

    (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it
         is subject.

         Federal Reserve Bank of New York (2nd District), New York, New York
           (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System)
         Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
         New York State Banking Department, Albany, New York

     (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

         The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR
    -----------------------------

    If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
    affiliation.

         None

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15:

    The obligor currently is not in default under any of its outstanding
    securities for which United States Trust Company of New York is Trustee.
    Accordingly, responses to Items 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and
    15 of Form T-1 are not required under General Instruction B.


16. LIST OF EXHIBITS
    ----------------

    T-1.1 --   Organization Certificate, as amended, issued by the State of
               New York Banking Department to transact business as a Trust
               Company, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit T-1.1 to Form 
               T-1 filed on September 15, 1995 with the Commission pursuant to
               the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust
               Indenture Reform Act of 1990 (Registration No. 33-97056).

    T-1.2 --   Included in Exhibit T-1.1.

    T-1.3 --   Included in Exhibit T-1.1.
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 4 -

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS
     ----------------
     (cont'd)

     T-1.4 --  The By-Laws of United States Trust Company of New York, as
               amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit T-1.4 to Form 
               T-1 filed on September 15, 1995 with the Commission pursuant to
               the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust
               Indenture Reform Act of 1990 (Registration No. 33-97056).

     T-1.6 --  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
               Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture
               Reform Act of 1990.

     T-1.7 --  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
               pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or
               examining authority.

NOTE
====

As of December 5, 1997, the trustee had 2,999,020 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, all of which are owned by its parent company, U.S. Trust
Corporation.  The term "trustee" in Item 2, refers to each of United States
Trust Company of New York and its parent company, U. S. Trust Corporation.

In answering Item 2 in this statement of eligibility as to matters peculiarly
within the knowledge of the obligor or its directors, the trustee has relied
upon information furnished to it by the obligor and will rely on information to
be furnished by the obligor and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.

                               __________________

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the trustee,
United States Trust Company of New York, a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in the City of New York, and State of New York, on the 5th day
of December 1997.

UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY
  OF NEW YORK, Trustee

By: /s/ James E. Logan
   ------------------------------
   James E. Logan
   Vice President
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit T-1.6
                                                                   -------------

       The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

                    United States Trust Company of New York
                              114 West 47th Street
                              New York, NY  10036


September 1, 1995



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, and subject to the
limitations set forth therein, United States Trust Company of New York ("U.S.
Trust") hereby consents that reports of examinations of U.S. Trust by Federal,
State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities
to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor.

Very truly yours,


UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY
      OF NEW YORK


 
By: /s/ Gerard F. Ganey
   ---------------------------
    Senior Vice President
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT T-1.7

                    UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONDITION
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                               ------------------
                                ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
ASSETS
- ------
<S>                                           <C>
Cash and Due from Banks                       $  116,582
 
Short-Term Investments                           183,652
 
Securities, Available for Sale                   691,965
 
Loans                                          1,669,611
Less:  Allowance for Credit Losses                16,067
                                              ----------
     Net Loans                                 1,653,544
Premises and Equipment                            61,796
Other Assets                                     125,121
                                              ----------
     Total Assets                             $2,832,660
                                              ==========
 
LIABILITIES
- -----------
Deposits:
     Non-Interest Bearing                     $  541,619
     Interest Bearing                          1,617,028
                                              ----------
         Total Deposits                        2,158,647
 
Short-Term Credit Facilities                     365,235
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities         141,793
                                              ----------
     Total Liabilities                        $2,665,675
                                              ==========
 
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
- --------------------
Common Stock                                      14,995
Capital Surplus                                   49,542
Retained Earnings                                 99,601
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities
     Available for Sale, Net of Taxes              2,847
                                              ----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                       166,985
                                              ----------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
     STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                     $2,832,660
                                              ==========
</TABLE>

I, Richard E. Brinkmann, Senior Vice President & Comptroller of the named bank
do hereby declare that this Statement of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate regulatory authority
and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Richard E. Brinkmann, SVP & Controller

November 13, 1997

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<NAME> THE PANTRY
<CIK> 0000915862
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-25-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-25-1997
<CASH>                                           3,347
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,101
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (150)
<INVENTORY>                                     17,161
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,278
<PP&E>                                         135,404
<DEPRECIATION>                                (57,418)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 142,799
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,523
<BONDS>                                        100,305
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                    (17,873)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   142,799
<SALES>                                        427,393
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               427,393
<CGS>                                          330,114
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   86,508
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,293)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,039
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (975)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (975)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (975)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

  THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON ________,
  1998, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE").


                               THE PANTRY, INC.


                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                  10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    To: U.S. Trust Company of New York, The Exchange Agent
<S>                                           <C>
By Registered or Certified Mail:              By Overnight Courier and By Hand after 4:30 p.m.:

 
United States Trust Company of New York       United States Trust Company of New York
P.O. Box 843 Cooper Station                   770 Broadway, 13th Floor
New York, New York 10276                      New York, New York 10003
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

 
By Hand before 4:30 p.m.:                     By Facsimile:

 
United States Trust Company of New York       (212) 780-0592
111 Broadway                                  Attention: Customer Service
New York, New York 10006
Attention:  Lower Level                       Confirm by telephone:
            Corporate Trust Window            (800) 548-6565
</TABLE>

          Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth
above or transmission of instructions via a facsimile number other than the one
listed above will not constitute a valid delivery.  The instructions
accompanying this Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this
Letter of Transmittal is completed.

          The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the
Prospectus dated ___________, 1998, (the "Prospectus") of The Pantry, Inc. (the
"Company") and this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which
together constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange
$1,000 principal amount of its 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the
"Exchange Notes") which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which
the Prospectus is a part, for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 10
1/4%  Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes"), of which $200,000,000
principal amount is outstanding.  Other capitalized terms used but not defined
herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.

          The Letter of Transmittal is to be used by Holders of Notes (i) if
certificates representing the Notes are to be physically delivered herewith; or
(ii) if tender of Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the Exchange
Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer - Procedures
for Tendering" by any financial institution that is a participant in DTC and
whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Notes; or
(iii) if tender of Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer - Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures."  Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery
to the Exchange Agent.

     The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person (i)
in whose name Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any other
person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder; or (ii) whose Notes are held of record by DTC who desires to deliver
such Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC.  The undersigned has completed,
executed and delivered this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the
undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer.  Holders who
wish to tender their Notes must complete this letter in its entirety.
<PAGE>
 
                 PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                    CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               DESCRIPTION OF 10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 ("NOTES"):
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    
           Name(s) and Address(es) of                                                Principal Amount Tendered      
              Registered Holder(s)                    Aggregate Principal Amount     (must be in integral multiple  
            (Please fill in, if blank)               Represented by Certificate(s)           of $1,000)*             
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>                             <C>
                                                      ______________________________ ______________________________________________ 
                                                      ______________________________ ______________________________________________ 
                                                      ______________________________ ______________________________________________ 
                                                      ______________________________ ______________________________________________ 
                                                      Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
 *  Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount Tendered," any
    tendering Holder of Notes will be deemed to have tendered the entire
    aggregate principal amount represented by the column labeled "Aggregate
    Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s)."

    If the space provided above is inadequate, list the principal amounts on a
    separate signed schedule and affix the list to this Letter of Transmittal.
    
    The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Notes. All
    other tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS                                            SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 4, 5 and 6)                                      (See Exchange Instructions 4, 5 and 6)
 
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Notes in a          To be completed ONLY if certificates for Notes in
principal amount not tendered or not accepted for            a principal amount not tendered or not accepted for 
exchange, or Exchange Notes issued in exchange for           exchange, or Exchange Notes issued in exchange for
Notes accepted for exchange, are to be issued in the         Notes accepted for exchange, are to be sent to    
name of someone other than the undersigned, or if the        someone other than the undersigned, or to the     
Notes tendered by book-entry transfer that are not           undersigned at an address other than that shown   
accepted for exchange are to be credited to an account       above.                                             
maintained by DTC.                                          
 
Issue certificate(s) to:                                     Mail to:                                      
                                                                                                           
Name________________________________________                 Name________________________________________     
              (Please Print)                                                  (Please Print)              
                                                                                                           
Address_____________________________________                 Address_____________________________________    
                                                                                                           
____________________________________________                 ____________________________________________    
            (Include Zip Code)                                             (Include Zip Code)            
                                                                                                           
____________________________________________                 ____________________________________________    
(Tax Identification or Social Security No.)                  (Tax Identification or Social Security No.)              
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


[_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY DTC TO THE EXCHANGE
    AGENT'S ACCOUNT AT DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Name of Tendering Institution:______________________________________________
    DTC Book-Entry Account No.:   ______________________________________________
    Transaction Code No.:         ______________________________________________

[_] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER.

    Name:   ____________________________________________________________________
    Address:____________________________________________________________________
            ____________________________________________________________________

[_] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
    COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
    THERETO.

[_] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND ANY OF THE NOTES YOU ARE
    TENDERING WERE ACQUIRED DIRECTLY FROM THE COMPANY.

    Principal Amount of Tendered Notes Acquired from the Company: $_____________
                                                                    

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned
hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Notes indicated above.
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the principal
amount of Notes tendered in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the
undersigned sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company
all right, title and interest in and to the Notes tendered hereby.  The
undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent its
agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also
acts as the agent of the Company) with respect to the tendered Notes with full
power of substitution to (i) deliver certificates for such Notes to the Company,
or transfer ownership of such Notes on the account books maintained by DTC, and
deliver all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the
order of, the Company; and (ii) present such Notes for transfer on the books of
the Company and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
beneficial ownership of such Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the
Exchange Offer.  The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed
irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she has full
power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Notes tendered
hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto,
free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not
subject to any adverse claim, when the same are acquired by the Company. The
undersigned hereby further represents that any Exchange Notes acquired in
exchange for Notes tendered hereby will have been acquired in the ordinary
course of business of the Holder receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not
the undersigned, that neither the Holder nor any such other person has an
arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange
Notes and that neither the Holder nor any such other person is an "affiliate,"
as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned
represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will
receive Exchange Notes, it represents that, except to the extent indicated at
the bottom of the preceding page, the Notes to be exchanged for Exchange Notes
were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities and not acquired directly from the Company, and it acknowledges that
it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the
undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer, it
acknowledges that it may not use the prospectus in connection with resales of
Exchange Notes received in exchange for Notes that were acquired directly from
the Company. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary
or desirable to complete the assignment, transfer and purchase of the Notes
tendered hereby.

     For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Notes when, as and if the Company has given oral or
written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.

     If any tendered Notes are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for any reason, certificates for any such unaccepted Notes will
be returned (except as noted below with respect to tenders through DTC), without
expense, to the undersigned at the address shown below or at a different address
as may be indicated herein under "Special Payment Instructions" as promptly as
practicable after the Expiration Date.

     All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of
Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal
representatives, successors and assigns.

     The undersigned understands that tenders of Notes pursuant to the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer - Procedures for
Tendering" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

     Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Payment Instructions," please
issue the certificates representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for
the Notes accepted for exchange and return any Notes not tendered or not
exchanged, in the name(s) of the undersigned (or in either such event in the
case of Notes tendered by DTC, by credit to the undersigned's account at DTC).
Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions,"
please send the certificates representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange
for the Notes accepted for exchange and any certificates for Notes not tendered
or not exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned
at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s), unless, in either
event, tender is being made through DTC. In the event that both "Special Payment
Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue
the certificates representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the
Notes accepted for
                                       3
<PAGE>
 

exchange and return any Notes not tendered or not exchanged in the name(s) of,
and send said certificates to, the person(s) so indicated. The undersigned
recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the "Special Payment
Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer any Notes from the
name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for
exchange any of the Notes so tendered.

     Holders of Notes who wish to tender their Notes and (i) whose Notes are not
immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Notes, this Letter of
Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent, or
cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer, prior to the Expiration
Date, may tender their Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures". See Instruction 1 regarding the completion of the Letter
of Transmittal printed below.

                        PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT
                   NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY

   X
 ----------------------------------------             ----------------------- 
                                                                 Date
   X
 ----------------------------------------             ----------------------- 
     Signature(s) of Registered Holder(s)                        Date
         or Authorized Signatory

Area Code and Telephone Number:_______________________________________________

     The above lines must be signed by the registered holder(s) of Notes as
their name(s) appear(s) on the Notes or, if the Notes are tendered by a
participant in DTC, as such participant's name appears on a security position
listing as the owner of the Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become
registered holder(s) by a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder(s), a copy of which must be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
If Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates are held of record by two
or more joint holders, then all such holders must sign this Letter of
Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, such person must (i) set forth his or her full title
below and (ii) unless waived by the Company, submit evidence satisfactory to the
Company of such person's authority so to act. See Instruction 4 regarding the
completion of this Letter of Transmittal printed below.

Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)

Capacity:_______________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________________________
                               (Include Zip Code)

         Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution:
         (If required by Instruction 4)

         _______________________________________________________________________
                        (Authorized Signature)

         _______________________________________________________________________
                              (Title)

         _______________________________________________________________________
                           (Name of Firm)

         Dated:___________________________________, 199_

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                 INSTRUCTIONS

        FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER


     1.   Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Notes.  The tendered Notes
(or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at
DTC of all Notes delivered electronically), as well as a properly completed and
duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. The method of delivery of the tendered Notes, this
Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is
at the election and risk of the Holder and, except as otherwise provided below,
the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange
Agent. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the Holder use an
overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should be
allowed to assure timely delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Notes should be
sent to the Company.

     Holders who wish to tender their Notes and (i) whose Notes are not
immediately available; or (ii) who cannot deliver their Notes, this Letter of
Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent, or
cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer, prior to 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date must tender their Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such
procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through a member firm of a
registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office
or correspondent in the United States or an institution which falls within the
definition of "Eligible Guarantor Institution" contained in Regulation 17Ad-15
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each, an "Eligible Institution"); (ii) prior
to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
(by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and
address of the Holder of the Notes and the principal amount of Notes tendered,
stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five
New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, this Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) together with the certificate(s) representing
the Notes (or a confirmation of electronic delivery of book-entry delivery into
the Exchange Agent's account at DTC) and any other required documents will be
deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) such
properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof), as
well as all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal and the
certificate(s) representing all tendered Notes in proper form for transfer (or a
confirmation of electronic delivery of book-entry delivery into the Exchange
Agent's account at DTC), must be received by the Exchange Agent within five New
York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, all as provided in
the Prospectus under the caption "Exchange Offer -Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures." Any Holder of Notes who wishes to tender his or her Notes pursuant
to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that the
Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Upon request of the Exchange Agent,
a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be sent to Holders who wish to tender their
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.

     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of tendered Notes and withdrawal of tendered Notes will
be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
Notes not properly tendered or any Notes the Company's acceptance of which
would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of
tender as to the Exchange Offer and/or particular Notes. The Company's
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the
instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) shall be final and binding on all
parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders
of Notes must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Neither
the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to
give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Notes,
nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Tenders of Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Notes received by the Exchange
Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering Holders of Notes, unless otherwise provided in this
Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.

     2. Tender by Holder. Only a Holder of Notes may tender such Notes in the
Exchange Offer. Any beneficial holder of Notes who is not the registered holder
and who wishes to tender should arrange with the registered holder to execute
and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his or her behalf or must, prior to
completing and executing this Letter of Transmittal and delivering his or her
Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Notes
in such Holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the
registered holder.

     3. Partial Tenders. Tenders of Notes will be accepted only in integral
multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal amount of any Notes is
tendered, the tendering Holder should fill in the principal amount tendered in
the third column of the box entitled "Description of 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2007 ("Notes")" above. The entire principal amount of Notes delivered
to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise
indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Notes is not tendered, then
Notes for the principal amount of Notes not tendered and a certificate or
certificates representing Exchange Notes issued in exchange for any Notes
accepted will be sent to the Holder at his or her registered address, unless a
different address is provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of
Transmittal, promptly after the Notes are accepted for exchange.

     4. Signatures on the Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements;
Guarantee of Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is
signed by the record Holder(s) of the Notes tendered hereby, the signature must
correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Notes or, if the Notes
are tendered by a participant in DTC, as such participant's name appears on a
security position listing as the owner of the Notes, without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.

     If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the
registered Holder or Holders of Notes tendered and the certificate or
certificates for Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor are to be issued (or
any untendered principal amount of Notes is to be reissued) to the registered
Holder, the said Holder need not and should not endorse any tendered Notes, nor
provide a separate bond power. In any other case, such Holder must either
properly endorse the Notes tendered or transmit a properly completed separate
bond power with this Letter of Transmittal, with the signatures on the
endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

     If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a person
other than the registered Holder or Holders of any Notes listed, such Notes must
be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers signed as the name of the
registered Holder or Holders appears on the Notes.

     If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Notes or bond
powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-
in-fact or officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and
unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their
authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

     Endorsements on Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this
Instruction 4 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

     Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed if (i) this
Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Notes
tendered herewith and such Holder(s) have not completed the box set forth herein
entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions;" or (ii) such Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible
Institution.

     5. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. Tendering Holders should
indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which Exchange
Notes or substitute Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for
exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the
person signing this Letter of Transmittal (or in the case of tender of Notes
through DTC, if different from DTC). In the case of issuance in a different
name, the taxpayer identification or social security number of the person named
must also be indicated.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     6. Tax Identification Number. Federal income tax law requires that a Holder
whose offered Notes are accepted for exchange must provide the Company (as
payor) with his, her or its correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN"),
which, in the case of an exchanging Holder who is an individual, is his or her
social security number. If the Company is not provided with the correct TIN or
an adequate basis for exemption, such Holder may be subject to a $50 penalty
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). In addition, delivery to
such Holder of Exchange Notes may be subject to backup withholding in an amount
equal to 31% of the gross proceeds resulting from the Exchange Offer. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from
the IRS by the Holder. Exempt Holders (including, among others, all corporations
and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. See instructions to the enclosed Form W-9.

     To prevent backup withholding, each exchanging Holder must provide his, her
or its correct TIN by completing the Form W-9 enclosed herewith, certifying that
the TIN provided is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i)
the Holder is exempt from backup withholding; (ii) the Holder has not been
notified by the IRS that he, she or it is subject to backup withholding as a
result of a failure to report all interest or dividends; or (iii) the IRS has
notified the Holder that he, she or it is no longer subject to backup
withholding. In order to satisfy the Exchange Agent that a foreign individual
qualifies as an exempt recipient, such Holder must submit a statement signed
under penalty of perjury attesting to such exempt status. Such statements may be
obtained from the Exchange Agent. If the Notes are in more than one name or are
not in the name of the actual owner, consult the Form W-9 for information on
which TIN to report. If you do not provide your TIN to the Company within 60
days, backup withholding will begin and continue until you furnish your TIN to
the Company.

     7. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however,
certificates representing Exchange Notes or Notes for principal amounts not
tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be
registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder
of the Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Notes are registered in the name of
any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or if a
transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether
imposed on the registered Holder or on any other persons) will be payable by the
tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption
therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such
transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering Holder.

     Except as provided in this Instruction 7, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.

     8. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the absolute right to amend,
waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any
Notes tendered.

     9. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Notes. Any tendering Holder whose
Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange
Agent at the address indicated herein for further instructions.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     10. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions and requests
for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this
Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address
specified in the Prospectus. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the
Exchange Offer.


                         (DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE BELOW)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Certificate       Notes      Notes
                     Surrendered      Tendered   Accepted
                     ------------------------------------
                     <S>              <C>        <C> 
 
                     ---------------- ---------- --------
 
                     ---------------- ---------- --------
</TABLE>

Delivery Prepared by_________________ Checked By____________ Date______________

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                               <C>                 <C>                 <C> 
Name (If joint names, see attached guidelines)

 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business name (Sole proprietors, 
see attached guidelines)


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please check appropriate box:                    [_] Individual/Sole Proprietor    [_]  Corporation    [_]   Partnership   [_] Other


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)

 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City, state, and ZIP code

 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>                                                       

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                      Part II -- For Payees 
                                                                                                      Exempt From Backup       
SUBSTITUTE                      PART  I --  Taxpayer Identification No.                               Withholding              
<S>                             <C>                                                                   <C> 
Form W-9                        Enter your taxpayer identification                                    (see enclosed Guidelines)  
Department of the Treasury      number in the appropriate box.  For          _______________________          
Internal Revenue Service        most individuals, this is your social           Social Security 
                                security number.  If you do not have a              Number
                                number, see How to Obtain a "TIN" in the
Payer's Request for Taxpayer    enclosed Guidelines.
Identification Number (TIN)                                                  _______________________
                                                                             Employer Identification
                                Note:  If the account is more than one                Number
                                name, see the chart in enclosed
                                Guidelines to determine what number to
                                give.
</TABLE>  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART III -- Certification -- Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
 
(1)  The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number
     (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and
 
(2)  I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from backup
     withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue
     Service ("IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a
     failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me
     that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
 
Certification Instructions. -- You must cross out item (2) above if you have
been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of
under-reporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after
being notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding, you
received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to
backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SIGNATURE                                        DATE                   , 1997
         --------------------------------------      -------------------   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE:  FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF
       ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU. PLEASE REVIEW ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
       CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
       FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
<PAGE>
 
            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

What Is Backup Withholding? -- Persons making certain payments to you are
required to withhold and pay to IRS 31% of such payments under certain
conditions. This is called "backup withholding."  Payments that could be subject
to backup withholding include interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange
transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee compensation, and certain payments
from fishing boat operators, but do not include real estate transactions.
     If you give the requester your correct TIN, make the appropriate
certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax
return, your payments will not be subject to backup withholding.  Payments you
receive will be subject to backup withholding if:
     (1) You do not furnish your TIN to the requester, or
     (2) IRS notifies the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN, or
     (3) You are notified by IRS that you are subject to backup withholding
because you failed to report all your interest and dividends on your tax return
(for interest and dividend accounts only), or
     (4) You fail to certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup
withholding under (3) above (for interest and dividend accounts opened after
1983 only), or
     (5) You fail to certify your TIN.  This applies only to interest, dividend,
broker or barter exchange accounts opened after 1983, or broker accounts
considered inactive in 1983.
     For other payments, you are subject to backup withholding only if (1) or
(2) above applies.
     Certain Payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and
information reporting.  See payees and Payments Exempt From Backup Withholding,
below, and Exempt Payees and Payments under Specific Instructions below if you
are an exempt payee.

Payees and Payments Exempt From Backup Withholding. -- The following is a list
of payees exempt from backup withholding and for which no information reporting
is required.  For interest and dividends, all listed payees are exempt except
item (9). For broker transactions, payees listed in (1) through (13), and a
person registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 who regularly acts
as a broker are exempt. Payments subject to reporting under sections 6041 and
6041A are generally exempt from backup withholding only if made to payees
described in items (1) through (7), except that a corporation that provides
medical and health care services or bills and collects payments for such
services is not exempt from backup withholding or information reporting.  Only
payees described in items (2) through (6) are exempt from backup withholding for
barter exchange transactions, patronage dividends, and payments by certain
fishing boat operators.
     11.  A corporation.
     12.  An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
retirement plan (IRA), or a custodial account under 403(b)(7).
     13.  The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
     14.  A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States,
or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.
     15.  A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or
instrumentalities.
     16.  An international organization or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities.
     17.  A foreign central bank of issue.
     18.  A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the U.S.
or a possession of the U.S.
     19.  A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission.
     20.  A real estate investment trust.
     21.  An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
     22.  A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
     23.  A financial institution.
     24.  A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or listed
in the most recent publication of the American Society of Corporate Securities,
Inc., Nominee List.
     25.  A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section
4947.
     Payments of dividends and patronage dividends generally not subject to
backup withholding also include the following:
 . Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.
 . Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and
that have at least one nonresident partner.
     Payments of interest generally not subject to backup withholding include
the following:
 . Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals.

Note:  You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more
and is paid in the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not
provided your correct TIN to the payer.

     Payments that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject
to backup withholding.  For details, see sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6042, 6044,
6045, 6049, 6050A, and 6050N, and the regulations under such sections.

Penalties

Failure to Furnish TIN. -- If you fail to furnish your TIN to a requester, you
are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due
to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

Misuse of TINs. -- If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of
Federal laws, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding. -- If you make
a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no imposition of
backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.

Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. -- Willfully falsifying
certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including
fines and/or imprisonment.

Specific Instructions

Name. -- If you are an individual, generally provide the name shown on your
social security cared.  However, if you have changed your last name, for
instance, due to marriage, without informing the Social Security Administration
of the name change, please enter your first name and both the last name shown on
your social security card and your new last name.

Signing the Certification. --
(1)  Interest, Dividend, and Barter Exchange Accounts Opened Before 1984 and
Broker Accounts That Were Considered Active During 1983. -- You are not required
to sign the certification; however, you may do so.  You are required to provide
your correct TIN.

(2)  Interest, Dividend, Broker and Barter Exchange Accounts Opened After 1983
and Broker Accounts That Were Considered Inactive During 1983. -- You must sign
the certification or backup withholding will apply.  If you are subject to
backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the
requester, you must cross out item (2) in the certification before signing the
form.

(3)  Other Payments. -- You are required to furnish your correct TIN, but you
are not required to sign the certification unless you have been notified of an
incorrect TIN.  Other payments include payments made in the course of the
requestor's trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for
merchandise), medical and health care services, payments to a nonemployee for
services (including attorney and accounting fees), and payments to certain
fishing boat crew members.

(4)  Exempt Payees and Payments -- If you are exempt from backup withholding,
you should complete this form to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.
Enter your correct TIN in Part I, write "EXEMPT" in the block in Part II, sign
and date the form.  If you are a nonresident alien or foreign entity not subject
to backup withholding, give the requester a completed Form W-8, Certificate of
Foreign Status.

(5)  TIN "Applied For." -- Follow the instructions under How To Obtain a TIN, on
page 1, sign and date this form.

Signature.-- For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I
should sign the form.

Privacy Act Notice. -- Section 6109 requires you to furnish your correct
taxpayer identification number (TIN) to persons who must file information
returns with IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain other income paid to
you, mortgage interest you paid, the acquisition or abandonment of secured
property, or contributions you made to an individual retirement arrangement
(IRA).  IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the
accuracy of your tax return.  You must provide your TIN whether or not you are
required to file a tax return.  Payers must generally withhold 20% of taxable
interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a
TIN to a payer.  Certain penalties may also apply.

            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                      NUMBER (TIN) ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
             (Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code)
<PAGE>
 
Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer.--
Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e. 
000-00-0000.  Employer identification numbers have nine digits separate by only 
one hyphen: i.e. 00-0000000.  The table below will help determine the number to 
give the payer.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                               Give the
For this type of account:              Give the                     For this type of account:                  EMPLOYER
                                       SOCIAL SECURITY                                                         IDENTIFICATION
                                       number of--                                                             number of--
- --------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                          <C>                                        <C>

1.    An individual's account          The individual               7.    A valid trust, estate, or pension    The legal entity (5)
                                                                          trust

2.    Two or more individuals          The actual owner of the      8.    Corporate account                    The corporation
      (joint account)                  account or, if combined
                                       funds, any one of the        9.    Association, club, religious,        The organization
                                       individuals (1)                    charitable, educational or other
                                                                          exempt organization account
3.    Custodian account of a           The minor (2)            
      minor (Uniform Gift to                                        10.   Partnership account held in the      The partnership
      Minors Act)                                                         name of the business
                                                              
4. a. The usual revocable              The grantor-trustee (1)      11.   A broker or registered nominee       The broker or nominee
      savings trust account                                     
      (grantor is also trustee)                                     12.   Account with the Department of       The public entity
                                                                          Agriculture in the name of a
   b. So-called trust account          The actual owner (1)               public entity (such as a State
      that is not a legal or                                              or local government, school
      valid trust under State                                             district, or prison) that 
      law                                                                 receives agricultural program
                                                                          payments
5.    Sole proprietorship account      The owner (3)                ----------------------------------------------------------------

6.    Sole Proprietorship              The owner (3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------      
</TABLE> 

(1)  List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.

(2)  Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.

(3)  Show the name of the owner.

(5)  List first and circle the name of the valid trust, estate, or pension 
     trust.  (Do not furnish the identifying number of the personal 
     representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated
     in the account title)

Note:  If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will
be considered to be that of the first name listed.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

                         Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

                                      for

                   10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007

                                       of

                                THE PANTRY, INC.


  This form, or one substantially equivalent hereto, must be used to accept the
Exchange Offer of The Pantry, Inc. (the "Company") made pursuant to the
Prospectus dated ____________________, 1998 (the "Prospectus"), if certificates
for the 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") of the Company
are not immediately available or if the Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or any
other documents required thereby cannot be delivered to the Exchange Agent or
the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed, prior to 5:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus).  Such
form may be delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile transmission,
overnight courier or mail to the Exchange Agent.  Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.

            To:  U.S. Trust Company of New York, The Exchange Agent

<TABLE>

<S>                                          <C>
By Registered or Certified Mail:             By Overnight Courier:

United States Trust Company of New York      United States Trust Company of New York
P.O. Box 841                                 770 Broadway, 13th Floor
Peter Cooper Station                         New York, New York 10003
New York, New York 10276-0841                Attention:  Corporate Trust Municipal Operations

By Hand:                                     By Facsimile:

United States Trust Company of New York      (212) 420-6504
111 Broadway, Lower Level                    Attention: Customer Service
New York, New York 10006-1906          
Attention: Corporate Trust Operations        Confirm by telephone:
                                             (800) 225-2398
</TABLE>

  Delivery of this instrument to an address, or transmission of instructions via
facsimile, other than as set forth above, does not constitute a valid delivery.

  This form is not to be used to guarantee signatures.  If a signature on the
Letter of Transmittal to be used to tender Notes is required to be guaranteed by
an "Eligible Institution" under the instructions thereto, such signature
guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the Letter of
Transmittal.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

  The undersigned hereby tenders to The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
"Exchange Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,____________________
                                                     (principal amount of Notes)
Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Instruction 1
of the Letter of Transmittal.
<PAGE>
 
           NOTE:  SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED WHERE INDICATED BELOW.

<TABLE>

<S>                                       <C>
Principal Amount(s) of Notes              Name(s) of Record Holder(s)
                                      
 .....................................     ......................................
                                      
 .....................................     ......................................
                                                    Please print or type
                                      
                                          Address...............................
                                      
                                          ......................................
                                                                       Zip Code
                                      
                                          Area Code and Tel. No.................
                                      
                                          Signature(s)..........................
                                      
                                          ......................................
                                      
                                          Dated:................................
                                      
                                          If Notes will be delivered by book-
                                          entry transfer at The Depository Trust
                                          Company ("DTC"), Depository Account
                                          No:...................................
</TABLE>


  This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be signed by the registered Holder(s)
of Notes exactly as its (their) name(s) appear on certificates for Notes or on a
security position listing as the owner of Notes, or by person(s) authorized to
become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted with this
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.  If signature is by a trustee, executor,
administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must provide the following
information.

                      Please print name(s) and address(es)

Name(s):     ...................................................................

             ...................................................................

Capacity:    ...................................................................

Address(es): ...................................................................

             ...................................................................
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                   GUARANTEE
                    (Not to be used for signature guarantee)

  The undersigned, a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or
trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States or an "Eligible Guarantor Institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
hereby (a) represents that the above named person(s) "own(s)" the Notes tendered
hereby within the meaning of Rule 10b-4 under the Exchange Act, (b) represents
that such tender of Notes complies with Rule 10b-4 and (c) guarantees that
delivery to the Exchange Agent of certificates for the Notes tendered hereby, in
proper form for transfer (or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such
Notes into the Exchange Agent's Account at DTC, pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus), with delivery of a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile
thereof) with any required signature and any other required documents, will be
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above within
five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date.

  The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter of Transmittal
and Notes tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent within the time period set forth
above and that failure to do so could result in financial loss to the
undersigned.

<TABLE> 

<S>                                      <C>
Name of Firm.........................    .......................................
                                                    Authorized Signature

Address..............................    Name...................................
                                                    Please Print or Type
 .....................................
                            Zip Code     Title..................................

Area Code and Tel. No................    Date...................................

Date:______________, 199_

</TABLE>


NOTE:  DO NOT SEND NOTES WITH THIS FORM; NOTES SHOULD BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER
       OF TRANSMITTAL SO THAT THEY ARE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITHIN
       FIVE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE TRADING DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE.

                                       3


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