MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC
SC 13D, 1998-01-02
SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                              JP Foodservice, Inc.
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per Share
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    466232105
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                    c/o Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.
                               225 Liberty Street
                          New York, New York 10080-6123
                           Attention: James V. Caruso
                            Telephone: (212) 236-7753
                     (Name, Address and Telephone Number of
                    Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
                                 Communications)

                                    Copy to:

                               Marcia L. Tu, Esq.
                            Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
                             World Financial Center
                                   North Tower
                          New York, New York 10281-1323
                            Telephone: (212) 449-8412

                                December 23, 1997
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

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

If the filing person has previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the  acquisition  which is the subject of this  Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [__].


<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 466232105


(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]       (a)
[__]       (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,814,745
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,814,745
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,814,745

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   HC, CO


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
              MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC.

(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,814,745
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,814,745
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,814,745

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   HC, CO


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH MBP INC.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   CO




<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO

(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN


<PAGE>



CUSIP No. 466232105


(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
               MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only


(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   CO


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  ML EMPLOYEES LBO MANAGERS, INC.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  CO



<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH LBO PARTNERS NO. IV, L.P.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P.

(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN




<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH LBO PARTNERS NO. B-IV, L.P.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN



<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                 MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION
                 PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P.

(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only


(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN





<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
              ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN




<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO

(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN



<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  ML IBK POSITIONS, INC.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  CO


<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  KECALP INC.


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO

(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  CO


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO


(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN



<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO

(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN



<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 466232105

(1)      Name of Reporting Person
         S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
                  MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994


(2)      Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)

[__]        (a)
[__]        (b)


(3)      SEC Use Only

(4)      Sources of Funds (See Instructions)     OO

(5)      Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
         Items 2(d) or 2(e).

(6)      Citizenship or Place of Organization      Delaware


 Number of        (7)   Sole Voting Power               -0-
  Shares
Beneficially      (8)   Shared Voting Power          7,808,898
 Owned by
   Each           (9)   Sole Dispositive Power          -0-
 Reporting
  Person         (10)   Shared Dispositive Power     7,808,898
    With

(11)     Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person  7,808,898

(12)     Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
           (See Instructions)

(13)     Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)    17.3%

(14)     Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)  PN


<PAGE>


Item 1.  Security and Issuer.

              The class of equity securities to which this Statement on Schedule
13D relates is the common  stock,  par value $.01 per share (the "Issuer  Common
Stock"),  of JP Foodservice,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the "Issuer").  The
address of the  Issuer's  principal  executive  offices is 9830  Patuxent  Woods
Drive, Columbia, Maryland 21046.

Item 2.  Identity and Background.

     This  Statement is being filed by (a) Merchant  Banking L.P. No. II, (b) ML
Employees LBO  Partnership  No. I, L.P., (c) Merrill Lynch Capital  Appreciation
Partnership  No. XIII,  L.P.,  (d) ML Offshore  LBO  Partnership  No. XIII,  (e)
Merrill  Lynch  Capital  Appreciation  Partnership  No.  B-XVIII,  L.P.,  (f) ML
Offshore LBO Partnership No. B-XVIII,  (g) MLCP Associates L.P. No. II, (h) MLCP
Associates  L.P. No. IV, (i) ML IBK  Positions,  Inc.,  (j) Merrill Lynch KECALP
L.P.  1987,  (k) Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P.  1991,  (l) Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P.
1994  (collectively,  the "ML  Investors"),  (m) Merrill Lynch & Co.,  Inc., (n)
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc., (o) Merrill Lynch MBP Inc., (p) Merrill Lynch Capital
Partners,  Inc.,  (q) ML Employees  LBO  Managers,  Inc.,  (r) Merrill Lynch LBO
Partners No. IV, (s) Merrill  Lynch LBO  Partners No. B-IV and (t) KECALP,  Inc.
(collectively with the ML Investors, the "Filing ML Entities").

     Merrill Lynch Group,  Inc. is a wholly owned  subsidiary of Merrill Lynch &
Co. Inc. Merrill Lynch MBP Inc.,  Merrill Lynch Capital  Partners,  Inc., ML IBK
Positions,  Inc. and KECALP Inc. are wholly owned  subsidiaries of Merrill Lynch
Group,  Inc.  Merrill Lynch MBP Inc. is the general partner of Merchant  Banking
L.P. II. Merrill Lynch Capital Partners,  Inc. is the general partner of Merrill
Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. B-IV,  MLCP Associates
L.P. No. II and MLCP Associates L.P. No. IV. ML Employees LBO Managers,  Inc. is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Capital  Partners,  Inc. ML Employees
LBO Managers,  Inc. is the general partner of ML Employees LBO Partnership No. I
L.P.  Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV is the general  partner of Merrill Lynch
Capital  Appreciation  Partnership  No. XIII,  L.P. and the  investment  general
partner of ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. XIII.  Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No.
B-IV is the general  partner of Merrill Lynch Capital  Appreciation  Partnership
No.  B-XVIII,  L.P.  and the  investment  general  partner  of ML  Offshore  LBO
Partnership  No. B-XVIII.  KECALP,  Inc. is the general partner of Merrill Lynch
KECALP L.P.  1987,  Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1991 and Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P.
1994. Merrill Lynch International,  Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc., and Merrill Lynch International Capital Management (Guernsey)
II Limited is a wholly owned  subsidiary  of Merrill Lynch  International,  Inc.
Merrill  Lynch  International  Capital  Management  (Guernsey) II Limited is the
administrative  general partner of both ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. XIII and
ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. B-XVIII.

     Merrill Lynch & Co.,  Inc.,  Merrill Lynch Group,  Inc.,  Merrill Lynch MBP
Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., ML IBK Positions, Inc., KECALP Inc.,
ML  Employees  LBO  Managers,   Inc.  and  Merrill  Lynch  International,   Inc.
(collectively,  the "ML  Domestic  Corporate  Entities")  are each  corporations
organized  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Delaware,   and  Merrill  Lynch
International  Capital  Management  (Guernsey) II Limited  (together with the ML
Domestic  Corporate  Entities,  the "ML  Corporate  Entities")  is a corporation
organized under the laws of Guernsey, Channel Islands. Merchant Banking L.P. No.
II, ML Employees LBO Partnership No. I, L.P., Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV,
Merrill  Lynch  LBO  Partners  No.  B-IV,  Merrill  Lynch  Capital  Appreciation
Partnership No. XIII, L.P., Merrill Lynch Capital  Appreciation  Partnership No.
B-XVIII, L.P., MLCP Associates L.P. No. II, MLCP Associates L.P. No. IV, Merrill
Lynch KECALP L.P. 1987,  Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1991 and Merrill Lynch KECALP
L.P.  1994  (collectively,  the "ML  Domestic  Partnerships")  are each  limited
partnerships  organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. ML Offshore LBO
Partnership No. XIII and ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. B-XVIII  (collectively,
the "ML Offshore  Partnerships") are each limited  partnerships  organized under
the laws of the Cayman Islands.
<PAGE>

              Attached  hereto  as  Appendix  A is a  list  of  each  of  the ML
Corporate  Entities,  each of the ML  Domestic  Partnerships  and each of the ML
Offshore  Partnerships  setting forth the following  information with respect to
each such entity:

              (a)      name;

              (b) principal business; and

              (c)      address of principal business and office.

              Attached hereto as Appendix B is a list of the executive  officers
and  directors  of  each  ML  Corporate   Entity  setting  forth  the  following
information with respect to each such person:

              (a)      name;

              (b) business address (or residence where indicated);

              (c)      present principal occupation or employment and the name,
                       principal business and address of any corporation or 
                       other organization in which such employment is conducted;
                       and

              (d) citizenship.

              During the last five years, no entity listed on Appendix A and, to
the  knowledge  of the Filing ML Entities,  no person  listed on Appendix B, has
been (i) convicted in a criminal  proceeding  (excluding  traffic  violations or
similar  misdemeanors)  or (ii)  has  been a party  to a civil  proceeding  of a
judicial or  administrative  body of competent  jurisdiction and, as a result of
such  proceeding,  was or is  subject  to a  judgment,  decree  or  final  order
enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating  activities  subject
to,  federal or state  securities  laws or finding any violation with respect to
such laws.

Item 3.  Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

              This  statement  relates to shares of the Issuer Common Stock that
the ML  Investors  received as  consideration  in the merger (the  "Merger")  of
Rykoff-Sexton,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("Rykoff"),  with and into Hudson
Acquisition  Corp., a Delaware  corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary
of the Issuer  ("Merger Sub"), in accordance with the terms and conditions of an
Agreement  and Plan of Merger dated as of June 30, 1997, as amended (the "Merger
Agreement"),  among the Issuer,  Merger Sub and Rykoff.  On December  23,  1997,
pursuant to the Merger Agreement,  (A) the Merger was consummated,  and (B) each
outstanding  share of Common  Stock,  par value $.10 per share,  of Rykoff  (the
"Rykoff  Common Stock") was converted into the right to receive 0.775 of a share
of Issuer  Common Stock (or cash in lieu of  fractional  shares of Issuer Common
Stock).  Immediately  prior to the Merger,  the ML  Investors  owned  10,076,004
shares of Rykoff Common Stock, which represented approximately 35.2% of the then
outstanding shares of Rykoff Common Stock.

              A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A and
is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>

Item 4.  Purpose of Transaction.

              The Issuer Common Stock was acquired by the ML Investors  pursuant
to the Merger.  The Issuer Common Stock so acquired by the ML Investors is being
held for investment  purposes and not with the intention of acquiring control of
the Issuer.

              The Filing ML Entities  from time to time  intend to review  their
respective investments in the Issuer on the basis of various factors,  including
the Issuer's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects,
general economic and industry conditions,  the securities markets in general and
those for the Issuer's  securities in particular,  as well as other developments
and other investment  opportunities.  Based upon such review, and subject to the
restrictions  set  forth in the  agreements  referred  to below,  the  Filing ML
Entities will take such actions in the future as the Filing ML Entities may deem
appropriate in light of the circumstances existing from time to time.

              Pursuant to the Merger  Agreement,  upon the  consummation  of the
Merger,  the  Board of  Directors  of the  Issuer  was  increased  from  nine to
seventeen  directors and two of the directors  were  designated by Merrill Lynch
Capital Partners, Inc.

              Merrill  Lynch  Capital  Partners,   Inc.  and  the  ML  Investors
(collectively,  the "ML  Entities") are parties to certain  agreements  with the
Rykoff and the Issuer described in Item 6 below and the information contained in
Item 6 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

              None of the  Filing  ML  Entities  has  formulated  any  plans  or
proposals  that  relate to or would  result in any of the actions  specified  in
clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

              The Filing ML Entities  beneficially own an aggregate of 7,808,898
shares of Issuer Common  Stock,  representing  approximately  17.3% of the total
currently outstanding.

              For each Filing ML Entity,  the  information  contained in Items 7
through 11 and Item 13 on the applicable cover page hereto regarding such Filing
ML Entity is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

              Each Filing ML Entity disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
of Issuer Common Stock not held of record by such Filing ML Entity.

              Messrs. Bowman and Fitzgibbons (two individuals listed on Appendix
B) directly own 38,750 and 7,750 shares of Issuer  Common  Stock,  respectively.
None of the entities listed on Appendix A and, to the knowledge of the Filing ML
Entities,  no other person listed on Appendix B, has any contract,  arrangement,
understanding or relationship (legal or otherwise) with either Mr. Bowman or Mr.
Fitzgibbons with respect to such shares of Issuer Common Stock,  including,  but
not limited to,  transfer or voting of any such  shares,  finder's  fees,  joint
ventures,  loan or option  arrangements,  puts or calls,  guarantees of profits,
division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.

              None of the entities listed on Appendix A and, to the knowledge of
the  Filing  ML  Entities,  no person  listed on  Appendix  B has  effected  any
transaction  in the Issuer  Common Stock during the past 60 days,  in each case,
other than the  acquisition  of the Issuer Common Stock  pursuant to the Merger.
The Merger and the Merger  Agreement  are  described  in Item 3 hereof,  and the
information contained in Item 3 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to
        Securities of the Issuer.

              The Issuer and the ML Entities  entered  into a support  agreement
dated as of June 30, 1997 in  connection  with the  execution  by the Issuer and
Rykoff of the Merger  Agreement.  Subsequently,  the Issuer and the ML  Entities
entered into an Amended and Restated Support Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997
(the  "Support  Agreement").  Each ML Entity  agreed,  pursuant  to the  Support
Agreement,  among other things,  not to take certain  actions during the term of
the Support Agreement relating to the disposition of the businesses or assets of
the Issuer or its  subsidiaries,  or the acquisition of voting securities of the
Issuer or its subsidiaries,  or the merger or consolidation of the Issuer or any
of its subsidiaries with or into any corporation or other entity, other than the
Merger or related  transactions.  A copy of the  Support  Agreement  is attached
hereto as Exhibit B and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

              The ML Entities have entered into certain  agreements with Rykoff,
described  below,  which the Issuer  has  expressly  assumed or which  otherwise
remain in effect.

              Rykoff  and the ML  Entities  are  parties to an  agreement  which
imposes certain standstill, voting and transfer restrictions on the ML Entities,
and provides  for  representation  on the Rykoff Board of Directors  and certain
committees  thereof by individuals  selected by the ML Entities (the "Standstill
Agreement"). The Standstill Agreement remains in full force and effect.

              The following describes the provisions of the Standstill Agreement
as in effect immediately prior to the Merger. The Standstill Agreement provided,
among other things,  (i) for the designation by the ML Entities of four nominees
to Rykoff's  Board of Directors,  with such number of nominees and Board members
decreasing if the percentage of  outstanding  shares of Rykoff Common Stock held
by the ML Entities fell below  certain  levels,  (ii) that,  for a period of ten
years,  the ML Entities  would not acquire  beneficial  ownership of  additional
voting securities of Rykoff  representing voting power in excess of 36.4% of the
outstanding voting securities of Rykoff and would not take certain other actions
relating  to the  control of Rykoff,  (iii) that the ML  Entities  would vote in
favor of Rykoff's  nominees for Rykoff's  Board of  Directors,  (iv) for certain
restrictions on transfer of Rykoff's  voting  securities held by the ML Entities
and (v) for a right of first refusal, under specified circumstances,  for Rykoff
in respect of certain  transfers  by the ML Entities of shares of Rykoff  Common
Stock.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Standstill  Agreement provided that
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S") and its affiliates
(other than the ML  Entities)  could  effect or  recommend  transactions  in the
ordinary  course of its or their  business  provided  that they did not  acquire
beneficial  ownership of more than 2% of the  outstanding  voting  securities of
Rykoff  (with  such  percentage  increasing  up  to  5%  if  the  percentage  of
outstanding  voting  securities  of Rykoff  held by the ML  Entities  fell below
certain  levels).  A copy of the  Standstill  Agreement  is  attached  hereto as
Exhibit C and is incorporated herein by reference.

              Rykoff  and the ML  Investors  are  parties to an  agreement  (the
"Registration  Rights  Agreement")  which provides the ML Investors with certain
"demand" and  "piggyback"  registration  rights and certain  other  parties with
"piggyback" registration rights, subject to certain conditions, requiring Rykoff
to register for sale under the  Securities Act all or a portion of Rykoff Common
Stock owned by them. JP  Foodservice  has expressly  assumed the  obligations of
Rykoff  under  the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  pursuant  to an  assumption
agreement (the "Assumption  Agreement") dated as of December 23, 1997. A copy of
the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  is  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit D and is
incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Assumption Agreement is attached
hereto as Exhibit E and is incorporated herein by reference.

              Except for the Support Agreement, the Standstill Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement (including the related Assumption Agreement), none
of the  entities  listed on  Appendix A and, to the  knowledge  of the Filing ML
Entities,  no  person  listed  on  Appendix  B, has any  contract,  arrangement,
understanding or relationship  (legal or otherwise) with any person with respect
to any  securities  of the Issuer,  including,  but not limited to,  transfer or
voting of any such  securities,  finder's fees,  joint ventures,  loan or option
arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss,
or the giving or withholding of proxies.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>          <C>
Item 7.  Material to be Filed as Exhibits.


A.            Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 30, 1997, as amended, among the Issuer,
              Merger Sub and Rykoff.

B.            Amended and Restated Support Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997, among the Issuer and the
              ML Entities, acknowledged by Rykoff.

C.            Standstill Agreement dated as of May 17, 1996 among the ML Entities, certain other
              stockholders of Rykoff and Rykoff.

D.            Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 17, 1996 among the ML Investors and Rykoff.

E.            Assumption Agreement dated as of December 23, 1997, with respect to Registration Rights
              Agreement, by JP Foodservice.

F.            Joint Filing Agreement dated as of December 31, 1997 among the Filing ML Entities.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


Signature

              After  reasonable  inquiry  and to the best of our  knowledge  and
belief,  we certify that the  information  set forth in this  Statement is true,
complete and correct.


January 2, 1998                           MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.



                                            By:    /s/ James V. Caruso
                                            Name:      James V. Caruso
                                            Title:     Vice President



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>                                                        <C>
                                  Exhibit Index



                              Exhibit Description                                          Page

A.                         Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 30,
                           1997, as amended, among the Issuer, Merger Sub
                           and Rykoff.                                                      A-1

B.                         Amended and Restated Support Agreement dated as
                           of June 30, 1997, among the Issuer and the ML
                           Entities, acknowledged by Rykoff.                                B-1

C.                         Standstill Agreement dated as of May 17, 1996
                           among the ML Entities, certain other stockholders
                           of Rykoff and Rykoff.                                            C-1

D.                         Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 17,
                           1996 among the ML Investors and Rykoff.                          D-1

E.                         Assumption Agreement dated as of December 23,
                           1997, with respect to Registration Rights
                           Agreement, by JP Foodservice.                                    E-1

F.                         Joint Filing Agreement dated as of December 31,
                           1997 among the Filing ML Entities.                               F-1

</TABLE>
<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX A

                      CORPORATIONS AND LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

     The names and principal  businesses of the reporting entities are set forth
below.  Unless otherwise  noted,  the ML Corporate  Entities and the ML Domestic
Partnerships  have as the  address of their  principal  business  and office 225
Liberty St., New York, NY 10080;  and the ML Offshore  Partnerships  have as the
address of their  principal  business and office c/o CIBC Bank and Trust Company
(Cayman) Limited, P.O. Box 694 GT, Edward Street, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
 
                        NAME                                           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
 

ML Corporate Entities
- ---------------------
 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 1                            Holding   Company   that, through its  subsidiaries
                                                       and affiliates,  provides investment,    financing,
                                                       insurance   and   related  services   on  a   global
                                                       basis.
 

Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.2                             Holding Company.
 

Merrill Lynch MBP Inc.                                 Acts as general partner for Merchant Banking L.P. No. II.
 

Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.                   Acts as general partner for various investment partnerships.
 

ML IBK Positions, Inc.                                 Holds proprietary investments for Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
 

KECALP Inc.                                            Acts as general partner for various KECALP investment partnerships.
 

ML Employees LBO Managers, Inc.                        Acts as general partner for ML Employees LBO Partnership No. 1, L.P.
 

Merrill Lynch International Incorporated 3             Provides through its  subsidiaries and affiliates
                                                       investment,    financing, insurance   and   related
                                                       services  outside  the US and Canada.
 

Merrill Lynch International Capital Management         Acts as administrative General Partner for various
(Guernsey) II Limited 4                                 investment partnerships.
 

<PAGE>
ML Domestic Partnerships
- ------------------------ 

Merchant Banking L.P. No. II                           Investment partnership.
 

ML Employees LBO Partnership No. I, L.P.               Investment partnership.
 

Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV                      Acts as general partner for various investment
                                                       partnerships.
 

Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. B-IV                    Acts as general partner for various investment
                                                       partnerships.
 

Merrill Lynch Capital Appreciation Partnership No.     Investment partnership.
XIII, L.P.
 

Merrill Lynch Capital Appreciation Partnership No.     Investment partnership.
B-XVIII, L.P.
 

MLCP Associates L.P. No. II                            Investment partnership.
 

MLCP Associates L.P. No. IV                            Investment partnership.
 

Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1987                         Investment partnership.
 

Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1991                         Investment partnership.
 

Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1994                         Investment partnership.
 


ML Offshore Partnerships
- ------------------------

ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. XIII                   Investment partnership.
 

ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. B-XVIII                Investment partnership.
 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX B

                        EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

        The names and principal  occupations  of each of the executive  officers
and directors of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.;  Merrill Lynch Group,  Inc.; Merrill
Lynch MBP Inc.;  Merrill Lynch Capital Partners,  Inc.; ML IBK Positions,  Inc.;
KECALP Inc.;  ML Employees  LBO  Managers,  Inc.;  Merrill  Lynch  International
Incorporated;  and Merrill Lynch International  Capital Management (Guernsey) II
Limited are set forth below.  Unless  otherwise  noted, all of these persons are
United States  citizens,  and have as their  business  address  World  Financial
Center, New York, NY 10281.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------
 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
- -------------------------

David H. Komansky                                      Same
Chairman & CEO, Director
 
Thomas W. Davis                                        Same
Exec. VP, Corporate and Institutional Client Group
 
E. Stanley O'Neal                                      Same
Exec. VP, Corporate and Institutional Client Group

William O. Bourke 5                                    Former Chairman and CEO, Reynolds Metals Co.
Director
 
Worley H. Clark 6                                      Former Chairman and CEO, Nalco Chemical Co.
Director
 
Jill K. Conway 7                                       Visiting Scholar, Massachusetts Institute of
Director                                               Technology
 
Edward L. Goldberg                                     Same
Exec. VP, Operations,
Systems & Communications

<PAGE>

NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------
 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.(Cont.)
- --------------------------------
 
Stephen L. Hammerman                                   Same
Vice Chairman, Director & General Counsel
 
Earle H. Harbison, Jr. 8                               Chairman, Harbison Corporation
Director
 
George B. Harvey 9                                     Chairman, President & CEO, Pitney Bowes Inc.
Director

William R. Hoover 10                                   Chairman & Former CEO, Computer Sciences Corp.
Director
 
Jerome P. Kenney                                       Same
Exec. VP, Corp. Strategy & Research
 
Herbert M. Allison, Jr.                                Same
President, COO & Director

Robert P. Luciano 11                                   Chairman, Schering-Plough Corporation
Director

David K. Newbigging 12                                 Chairman of Equitas Holdings Limited
Director
 
Aulana L. Peters 13                                    Partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Director
 
John J. Phelan, Jr.                                    Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group
Director
 
Winthrop H. Smith, Jr. 14                              Same
Chairman, Merrill Lynch International
Exec. V.P. Int'l Private Client Group

John L. Steffens                                       Same
Vice Chairman, U.S., Private Client Group

William L. Weiss 15                                    Chairman Emeritus, Ameritech Corporation
Director
 
Joseph T. Willet                                       Same
CFO & Senior VP
 
Arthur H. Zeikel 16                                    Same
Exec. V.P., Merrill Lynch Asset Management Group
 

<PAGE>
NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------
 
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
- ------------------------

Mark B. Goldfus                                        Senior VP & Associate General Counsel
Director & Vice President
 

Theresa Lang                                           Senior VP & Treasurer
Director & President & Treasurer
 

Stanley Schaefer 17                                    Director of Tax
Director & Vice President
 

Michael J. Castellano                                  Director, Corporate Reporting
Director & Vice President
 

Allen G. Braithwaite, III, 18                          Same
Vice President
 

Richard S. Miller                                      Same
Vice President
 

H. Allen White 19                                      Director, Corporate Real Estate and Purchasing
Vice President
 
 

Merrill Lynch MBP Inc.
- ----------------------

Herbert M. Allison, Jr                                 Exec. VP, Corporate and Institutional Client Group
Vice President & Director
 

Matthias B. Bowman                                     Vice Chairman, Investment Banking
President
 

James V. Caruso 20                                     Director, Partnership Analysis and Management
Treasurer & Vice President
 

Thomas W. Davis                                        Co-head, Investment Banking
Vice President & Director
 

Barry S. Friedberg                                     Exec. VP
Director
 

Theresa Lang                                           Senior VP & Treasurer
Vice President & Director
 

Jack Levy                                              Managing Director and Co-head, M&A
Vice President & Director
 

Robert F. Tully 21                                     Vice President, Investment Banking
Treasurer & Vice President
<PAGE>
NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------

Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.
- -----------------------------------

Gerald S. Armstrong                                    Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc.
Director

Daniel H. Bayly                                        Co-head, Investment Banking
Director

Matthias B. Bowman                                     Vice Chairman, Investment Banking
President, Director

James J. Burke, Jr.22                                  Managing Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc.
Director

James V. Caruso                                        Director, Partnership Analysis and Management
Vice President, Treasurer

Evelyne Estey                                          Director, M&A
Director

Robert F. End 23                                       Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc.
Director

Albert J. Fitzgibbons III 24                           Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc.
Director

Barry S. Friedberg                                     Exec. VP
Director

Jerome P. Kenney                                       Exec. VP
Director
 
Theresa Lang                                           Senior VP & Treasurer
Director
 
Mark McAndrews                                         CAO, Investment Banking
Director
 
Stephen M. McLean 25                                   Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc.
Director
 
Ross D. McMahon 26                                     VP, Partnership Analysis and Management
Vice President
 
Alexis P. Michas 27                                    Partner and COO, Stonington Partners, Inc.
Director
 
Jerry G. Rubenstein 28                                 Independent Adviser, Omni Management Associates
Director
 
Rupinder S. Sidhu 29                                   Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc.
Director
 
Nathan C. Thorne                                       Managing Director, Investment Banking
Vice President, Director
 
Robert W. Williamson 30                                Senior VP & Chief Credit Officer
Director
<PAGE>
NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------

ML IBK Positions, Inc.
- ---------------------

Matthias B. Bowman                                     Vice Chairman, Investment Banking
President, Director
 

James V. Caruso 31                                     Director, Partnership Analysis and Management
Vice President, Director
 

Jeffrey A. Gelfand                                     FVP & Director, Finance & Administration
Vice President, Director
 

Mark McAndrews                                         CAO, Investment Banking
Vice President, Director
 

Nathan C. Thorne                                       Managing Director, Investment Banking
Vice President
 

Neven Viducic                                          VP, Accounting
Treasurer
 
 

KECALP, Inc.
- -----------

Matthias B. Bowman                                     Vice Chairman, Investment Banking
President & Director
 

James V. Caruso 32                                     Director, Partnership Analysis and Management
Director
 

Mark B. Goldfus                                        Senior VP & Associate General Counsel
Vice President & Director
 

Andrew J. Melnick                                      Director, Global Fundamental Equity Research
Vice President & Director
 

John L. Steffens
Chairman & Director
 

Daniel G. Tully
Director
 

Patrick J. Walsh                                       Senior VP & Director, Human Resources
Vice President & Director
<PAGE>
NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------

ML Employees LBO Managers, Inc.
- ------------------------------

Kevin K. Albert                                        Managing Director, Private Equity Group,
Director                                               Investment Banking
 

Daniel H. Bayly                                        Co-head, Investment Banking
Director
 

Matthias B. Bowman                                     Vice Chairman, Investment Banking
President, Director
 

James V. Caruso 33                                     Director, Partnership Analysis and Management
Vice President, Treasurer, Director
 

Alfred F. Hurley, Jr.
Director
 

Jeffrey M. Peek                                        Director, Research
Vice President, Director
 

Nathan C. Thorne                                       Managing Director, Investment Banking
Vice President
 
<PAGE>
NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------

Merrill Lynch International Incorporated
- ----------------------------------------

Winthrop H. Smith, Jr. 34                              Same
Chairman, Director
 

Michael J.P. Marks35                                   Co-head, Global Equities, Merrill Lynch
Deputy Chairman, Director                              International
 

Donald N. Gershuny                                     General Counsel, Private Client
Senior Vice President, Director
 

Carlos M. Morales                                      Senior VP & General Counsel, Corporate &
Senior Vice President, Director                        Institutional Client
 

Ronald J. Strauss                                      FVP, Merrill Lynch International
Senior Vice President and COO, Director
 

Paul J. O'Sullivan                                     Senior Finance Officer, Treasury
Senior Vice President & CFO
 

Anthony Vanadia                                        Same
Vice President & Treasurer
 

Malcolm B. Binks                                       Same
Senior Vice President
 

Brian C. Henderson                                     Same
Senior Vice President
 

<PAGE>
NAME/POSITION                                          PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- -------------                                          ----------------------------

Merrill Lynch International Capital Management
(Guernsey) II Ltd.
- ----------------------------------------------

James V. Caruso 36                                     Director, Partnership Analysis and Management
Director
 

Roger O. Healy 37                                      Secretary, Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Company
Director                                               (Cayman) Limited
 

Jonathan S. Nicholson 38                               Managing Director
Director
</TABLE> 

1        250 Vesey St., New York, NY 10281.


2        250 Vesey St., New York, NY 10281.


3        250 Vesey St., New York, NY 10281.


4        CIBC Bank and Trust Company (Cayman) Limited
         P.O. Box 694GT, Edward Street
         Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands


5        Reynolds Metal Company
         6601 West Broad St.
         Richmond, VA 23230


6        W. H. Clark Associates, Ltd.
         135 South LaSalle St.
         Suite 1117
         Chicago, IL 60603


7        Massachusetts Institute of Technology
         Program on Science, Technology & Society
         STS Building
         E-51, Room 209 F
         Cambridge, MA 02139


8        Harbison Corporation
         7700 Bonhomme Ave.
         Suite 750
         St. Louis, MO 63105


9        Pitney Bowes Inc.
         World Headquarters
         Location #65-27
         One Elmcroft Road
         Stamford, CT 06926-0700


10       Computer Sciences Corp.
         2100 East Grand Ave.
         El Segundo, CA 90245
<PAGE>

11       Schering-Plough Corp.
         P.O. Box 1000
         One Giralda Farms
         Madison, NJ 07940-1000


12      Wah Kwong House, 9th Floor
        10 Albert Embankment
        London SEI 7SP


13       Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
         333 South Grand Ave.
         47th Floor
         Los Angeles, CA 90071


14       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


15       One First National Plaza
         21 South Clark St.
         Suite 2530C
         Chicago, IL 60603-2006


16       Merrill Lynch Asset Management
         800 Scudders Mill Rd.
         Plainsboro, NJ 08536


17       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


18       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY  10080


19       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY  10080


20       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080
<PAGE>

21       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


22       Stonington Partners, Inc.
         767 Fifth Avenue
         48th Floor
         New York, NY 10153


23       Stonington Partners, Inc.
         767 Fifth Avenue
         48th Floor
         New York, NY 10153


24       Stonington Partners, Inc.
         767 Fifth Avenue
         48th Floor
         New York, NY 10153


25       Stonington Partners, Inc.
         767 Fifth Avenue
         48th Floor
         New York, NY 10153


26       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


27       Stonington Partners, Inc.
         767 Fifth Avenue
         48th Floor
         New York, NY 10153


28       123 Coulter Ave.
         Ardmore, PA 19003


29       Stonington Partners, Inc.
         767 Fifth Avenue
         48th Floor
         New York, NY 10153


30       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080
<PAGE>

31       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


32       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


33       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


34       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


35       P.O. Box 293
         20 Farringdon Road
         London EC1M 3NH, England


36       225 Liberty St.
         New York, NY 10080


37       Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust Co. (Cayman) Ltd.
         P.O. Box 1164
         British American Building
         Phase III, 5th Floor
         Jennett Street
         Georgetown, Grand Cayman BWI 


38       Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust Co. (Cayman) Ltd.
         P.O. Box 1164
         British American Building
         Phase III, 5th Floor
         Jennett Street
         Georgetown, Grand Cayman BWI 

<PAGE>
       
                                    Exhibit A

     AGREEMENT  AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of June 30,  1997,  as amended as of
September  3, 1997 and as of  November  5, 1997 among JP  FOODSERVICE,  INC.,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("JPFI"),  HUDSON  ACQUISITION  CORP.  ("Merger  Sub"), a
Delaware  corporation and a wholly-owned  subsidiary of JPFI, and RYKOFF-SEXTON,
INC., a Delaware corporation ("RSI").

     WHEREAS,  the  respective  Boards of Directors of JPFI,  Merger Sub and RSI
have each  approved  the merger of RSI with and into Merger Sub (the  "Merger"),
upon the terms  and  subject  to the  conditions  set  forth in this  Agreement,
whereby each issued and  outstanding  share of common stock,  par value $.10 per
share,  of RSI ("RSI Common Stock",  which  reference shall be deemed to include
the associated RSI Rights (as defined in Section 3.1(c) attached thereto), other
than shares owned by JPFI or RSI,  will be  converted  into the right to receive
the Merger Consideration (as defined in Section 1.7); and

     WHEREAS,  the  respective  Boards of Directors of JPFI,  Merger Sub and RSI
have each  determined  that the Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated
hereby are consistent  with, and in furtherance  of, their  respective  business
strategies  and  goals  and  are in  the  best  interests  of  their  respective
stockholders; and

     WHEREAS,  as a condition  to, and on the date  immediately  following,  the
execution  of this  Agreement,  JPFI  and RSI  will  enter  into a stock  option
agreement (the "RSI Option Agreement")  attached hereto as Exhibit A and a stock
option agreement (the "JPFI Option  Agreement" and, together with the RSI Option
Agreement, the "Option Agreements") attached hereto as Exhibit B; and

     WHEREAS,  for federal  income tax purposes,  it is intended that the Merger
will qualify as a  reorganization  under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and

     WHEREAS, for financial accounting purposes,  it is intended that the Merger
will be accounted for as a pooling of interests  transaction under United States
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"); and

     WHEREAS,  as a condition to, and  immediately  following,  the execution of
this  Agreement,  JPFI and certain  stockholders of RSI will enter into, and RSI
will execute an acknowledgment to, a support agreement (the "Support Agreement")
attached hereto as Exhibit C; and

     WHEREAS, JPFI and RSI desire to make certain  representations,  warranties,
covenants and  agreements  in  connection  with the Merger and also to prescribe
various conditions to the Merger;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  representations,  warranties,
covenants  and  agreements  contained in this  Agreement,  the parties  agree as
follows:

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

     SECTION 1.1. The Merger.  Upon the terms and subject to the  conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "DGCL"),  RSI shall be merged with and into Merger Sub at the Effective
Time (as defined in Section 1.3).  Following the  Effective  Time,  the separate
corporate  existence  of RSI shall  cease and Merger Sub shall be the  surviving
corporation  (the "Surviving  Corporation")  and shall succeed to and assume all
the rights and obligations of RSI in accordance with the DGCL.

     SECTION 1.2.  Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take
place at 10:00  a.m.,  New York  City  time,  on a date to be  specified  by the
parties (the "Closing  Date"),  which shall be no later than the second business
day after  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  set forth in Article  VI,
unless another time or date is agreed to by the parties hereto. The Closing will
be held at such  location in the City of New York as is agreed to by the parties
hereto.

     SECTION 1.3.  Effective Time.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
as soon as  practicable  on the Closing Date, the parties shall cause the Merger
to be  consummated  by  filing a  certificate  of  merger  or other  appropriate
documents (in any such case, the "Certificate of Merger") executed in accordance
with the  relevant  provisions  of the DGCL and shall make all other  filings or
recordings  required under the DGCL.  The Merger shall become  effective at such
time as the  Certificate  of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of
Delaware,  or at such  subsequent  date or time as JPFI and RSI shall  agree and
specify in the  Certificate  of Merger  (the time the Merger  becomes  effective
being hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Time").

     SECTION  1.4.  Effects of the  Merger.  The  Merger  shall have the effects
set forth in Section  259 of the DGCL.

     SECTION 1.5.  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and By-laws of the  Surviving
Corporation   and  JPFI.  (a)  At  the  Effective   Time,  the   Certificate  of
Incorporation  and the by-laws of Merger Sub, as in effect  immediately prior to
the Effective Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws of the
Surviving Corporation,  in each case until thereafter amended in accordance with
applicable  law;  provided,  however,  that Article First of the  Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended to read as follows:

     The  name of the  Corporation  (which  is  hereinafter  referred  to as the
"Corporation") is Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.

     (b) At the  Effective  Time,  the  by-laws  of JPFI shall be amended as set
forth in Exhibit F and, as so amended, such by-laws shall be the by-laws of JPFI
until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

     SECTION 1.6. Directors and Officers. (a) As of the Effective Time, James L.
Miller  shall be  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of JPFI and Mark Van
Stekelenburg  shall be Vice  Chairman  and  President  of JPFI and,  subject  to
Section 1.6(b), shall be nominated for election to the class of directors of the
JPFI Board of Directors whose terms shall expire in 1998.

     (b) Prior to the  Effective  Time,  JPFI shall (i)  increase  the number of
members of the Board of Directors of JPFI to 17; (ii) take such action as may be
necessary  such that the Board of Directors of JPFI,  immediately  following the
Effective  Time,  is comprised of (A) nine  individuals,  including  each of the
incumbent  members of the JPFI Board of Directors  (or their  replacements),  no
fewer than five of whom shall be outside directors, as selected by JPFI prior to
the Effective Time, plus (B) seven individuals, no fewer than four of whom shall
be outside  directors,  two of whom shall be  individuals  designated by Merrill
Lynch Capital Partners,  Inc., one of whom shall be Mark Van  Stekelenburg,  and
four of whom shall be current  incumbents  of the RSI Board of Directors who are
not  employees of RSI or its  subsidiaries  or  affiliated  with  Merrill  Lynch
Capital Partners Inc. to be selected by RSI prior to the Effective Time, and (C)
one  additional  person to be designated  by the Chairman of JPFI  following the
Merger;  provided  that no person shall be deemed not to be an outside  director
for purposes of this Section 1.6(b) solely because such person is or has been an
ML Director (as defined in Section 3.1(d)); and (iii) take such action as may be
necessary  such that two of the three  classes  of the JPFI  Board of  Directors
shall be  comprised  of six  directors  each,  three of whom shall be  incumbent
directors  of the JPFI Board of  Directors  pursuant  to clause  (ii)(A) of this
Section  1.6(b)  and  three of whom  shall be  designated  as  directors  by RSI
pursuant to clause  (ii)(B) of this Section  1.6(b),  and the third class of the
JPFI Board of  Directors  shall be comprised  of five  directors,  three of whom
shall be incumbent  directors of the JPFI Board of Directors  pursuant to clause
(ii)(A) of this Section 1.6(b), one of whom shall be designated as a director by
RSI pursuant to clause  (ii)(B) of this Section  1.6(b) and one of whom shall be
designated as a director by the Chairman of JPFI  pursuant to clause  (ii)(C) of
this Section 1.6(b).  The two directors who shall be designated by Merrill Lynch
Capital Partners,  Inc. shall be appointed,  one each, to the class of directors
whose terms expire in 1999 and 2000,  respectively.  Of the four directors to be
selected by RSI pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of the first sentence of this Section
1.6(b), James I. Maslon shall be appointed to the class of directors whose terms
expire in 1998,  and Bernard  Sweet shall be appointed to the class of directors
whose terms expire in 1999.
<PAGE>

     (c) As of the Effective  Time, the JPFI Board of Directors  shall initially
have three committees,  as follows: an audit committee, a compensation committee
and a nominating committee.  Each committee will be comprised of four directors,
two of whom shall be designated by JPFI,  one of whom shall be designated by RSI
and one of whom shall be  designated  by mutual  agreement  of JPFI and RSI. The
initial  chairman  of  each  of the of the  audit  committee,  the  compensation
committee  and  the  nominating   committee  shall  be,  until  such  chairman's
replacement is duly designated by the JPFI Board of Directors, the JPFI director
who is currently the incumbent  chairman of such committee;  provided,  however,
that in the event any of such chairs  becomes vacant for any reason prior to the
Effective  Time, the chairman shall be the person  thereafter  designated by the
JPFI Board of Directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
of JPFI. One member of the  nominating  committee of the JPFI Board of Directors
(and of an executive  committee  thereof,  if such a committee  is  established)
shall be designated by Merrill Lynch Capital  Partners,  Inc. as RSI's  designee
thereon.

     (d) Except as set forth in Section  1.6(a),  the  directors and officers of
Merger  Sub  immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Time  shall  be the  initial
directors  and  officers of the  Surviving  Corporation,  each to hold office in
accordance  with the Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-Laws of the Surviving
Corporation.

     (e) It is currently contemplated that the first three vacancies on the JPFI
Board of Directors to occur  following the  Effective  Time shall not be filled,
but that in each case the  number of  directors  shall be  reduced,  so that the
total  number  of  directors  constituting  the JPFI  Board of  Directors  shall
thereafter be 14.

     SECTION 1.7.  Reservation of Right to Revise  Transaction.  If each of RSI,
Merger Sub and JPFI agree,  the parties hereto,  prior to the receipt of the RSI
Stockholder Approval and the JPFI Stockholder Approval (each as defined herein),
may change the method of  effecting  the business  combination  between JPFI and
RSI, and each party shall  cooperate in such  efforts,  including to provide for
(a) a merger of RSI with and into JPFI,  or (b) mergers (to occur  substantially
simultaneously)  of  separate  subsidiaries  of a Delaware  corporation  jointly
formed by JPFI and RSI for such  purpose  into  each of JPFI and RSI;  provided,
however,  that no such  change  shall (i) alter or change  the amount or kind of
consideration  to be issued to holders of RSI Common  Stock as  provided  for in
this Agreement (the "Merger  Consideration"),  other than, in the case of clause
(b)  above,  the  identity  of the issuer  thereof,  (ii)  adversely  affect the
proposed  accounting  treatment for the Merger or the tax treatment to JPFI, RSI
or  their   respective   stockholders  as  a  result  of  receiving  the  Merger
Consideration,  or (iii) materially delay receipt of any approval referred to in
Section 6.1(c) or the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
               CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

     SECTION 2.1.  Effect on Capital Stock.  As of the Effective Time, by virtue
of the  Merger and  without  any  action on the part of Merger  Sub,  RSI or the
holder of any shares of the following securities:

     (a) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and JPFI-Owned  Stock. Each share of RSI
Common  Stock that is owned by RSI,  Merger Sub or JPFI shall  automatically  be
cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist,  and no  consideration  shall be
delivered in exchange therefor.

     (b) Conversion of RSI Common Stock.  Subject to Section 2.2(e), each issued
and outstanding  share of RSI Common Stock (other than shares to be cancelled in
accordance  with Section  2.1(a))  shall be converted  into the right to receive
0.775 (the  "Exchange  Ratio")  validly  issued,  fully paid and  non-assessable
shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("JPFI Common Stock"), of JPFI.
As of the Effective Time, all such shares of RSI Common Stock shall no longer be
outstanding and shall  automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to
exist,  and each  holder of a  certificate  representing  any such shares of RSI
Common  Stock shall cease to have any rights with  respect  thereto,  except the
right to receive  the Merger  Consideration  and any cash in lieu of  fractional
shares of JPFI Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration  therefor upon
surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 2.2, without interest.

     (c) Conversion of Merger Sub Common Stock.  Each share of common stock, par
value $0.10 per share,  of Merger Sub  ("Merger  Sub Common  Stock")  issued and
outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding as
a validly  issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  share of common  stock of the
Surviving Corporation.

     (d) JPFI Common Stock.  At and after the Effective Time, each share of JPFI
Common Stock issued and outstanding  immediately prior to the Closing Date shall
remain an issued and outstanding  share of common stock of JPFI and shall not be
affected by the Merger.

     (e)  Options and  Warrants.  (i) JPFI will take all action  necessary  such
that, at the Effective  Time,  each option granted by RSI to purchase  shares of
RSI Common Stock which is outstanding and unexercised  immediately prior thereto
shall cease to represent a right to acquire shares of RSI Common Stock and shall
be converted into an option to purchase shares of JPFI Common Stock in an amount
and at an exercise  price  determined as provided below (and  otherwise,  in the
case of  options,  subject  to the terms of the RSI Stock  Plans (as  defined in
Section 3.1(c)) and the agreements  evidencing grants  thereunder) (the "Assumed
Options"):

          (1) The number of shares of JPFI Common Stock to be subject to the new
option shall be equal to the product of the number of shares of RSI Common Stock
subject  to the  original  option  and the  Exchange  Ratio,  provided  that any
fractional shares of JPFI Common Stock resulting from such multiplication  shall
be rounded to the nearest whole share; and

          (2) The  exercise  price per share of JPFI Common  Stock under the new
option shall be equal to the exercise  price per share of RSI Common Stock under
the original option divided by the Exchange  Ratio,  provided that such exercise
price shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent.

     (ii) The  adjustment  provided  herein with respect to any options that are
"incentive  stock  options" (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) shall be and
is intended to be effected in a manner that is consistent with Section 424(a) of
the Code.  The duration and other terms of the new options  shall be the same as
the original  options  except that all  references  to RSI shall be deemed to be
references to JPFI.

     (iii) At the Effective Time, the warrants,  dated May 17, 1996, between RSI
and each of Teachers  Insurance and Annuity  Association of America,  the Nippon
Credit Bank,  Ltd. and Dresdner Bank AG (each,  an "Assumed  Warrant")  shall be
assumed by JPFI and shall constitute a warrant to acquire, otherwise on the same
terms and conditions as were applicable under such Assumed Warrant,  a number of
shares of JPFI Common Stock determined pursuant to the terms of Sections 2 and 3
of the Assumed Warrants, copies of which have been delivered to JPFI.
<PAGE>

     (iv) As soon as  practicable  following  the  Effective  Time,  JPFI  shall
deliver,  upon due  surrender of the Assumed  Options and Assumed  Warrants,  to
holders of Assumed Options and Assumed Warrants  appropriate  option and warrant
agreements representing the right to acquire JPFI Common Stock on the same terms
and conditions as contained in the Assumed Options and Assumed  Warrants (except
as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.1(e)). Except as expressly contemplated
herein, JPFI shall comply with the terms of the RSI Stock Plans as they apply to
the Assumed  Options.  JPFI shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve
for  issuance a  sufficient  number of shares of JPFI Common  Stock for delivery
upon exercise of the Assumed  Options and Assumed  Warrants in  accordance  with
this Section  2.1(e).  JPFI shall file a registration  statement on Form S-8 (or
any  successor  form)  or on  another  appropriate  form,  effective  as of,  or
reasonably promptly  following,  the Effective Time, with respect to JPFI Common
Stock  subject to the  Assumed  Options  and shall use  commercially  reasonable
efforts  to  maintain  the  effectiveness  of  such  registration  statement  or
registration  statements  (and maintain the current  status of the prospectus or
prospectuses  contained  therein)  for so long  as the  Assumed  Options  remain
outstanding and exercisable.  With respect to those individuals who,  subsequent
to the Effective Time, will be subject to the reporting  requirements of Section
16 of the Exchange Act,  JPFI shall  administer  the Hudston Stock Plans,  where
applicable,  in a manner that  complies  with Rule 16b-3  promulgated  under the
Exchange Act.

     SECTION  2.2.  Exchange of  Certificates.  (a)  Exchange  Agent.  As of the
Effective  Time,  JPFI  shall  enter into an  agreement  with such bank or trust
company as may be designated  by JPFI and  reasonably  satisfactory  to RSI (the
"Exchange  Agent") which shall provide that JPFI shall deposit with the Exchange
Agent as of the Effective  Time, for the benefit of the holders of shares of RSI
Common  Stock,  for exchange in  accordance  with this  Article II,  through the
Exchange Agent,  certificates representing the shares of JPFI Common Stock (such
shares of JPFI Common Stock,  together with any dividends or distributions  with
respect  thereto with a record date after the Effective  Time, any Excess Shares
(as defined in Section  2.2(e)) and any cash  (including  cash proceeds from the
sale of the  Excess  Shares)  payable in lieu of any  fractional  shares of JPFI
Common Stock being  hereinafter  referred to as the  "Exchange  Fund")  issuable
pursuant to Section 2.1 in exchange for outstanding shares of RSI Common Stock.

     (b)  Exchange  Procedures.  As soon as  reasonably  practicable  after  the
Effective  Time,  the  Exchange  Agent  shall mail to each holder of record of a
certificate  or  certificates  which  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
represented  outstanding shares of RSI Common Stock (the  "Certificates")  whose
shares  were  converted  into the  right to  receive  the  Merger  Consideration
pursuant to Section 2.1, (i) a letter of  transmittal  (which shall specify that
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall
pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent, and shall be
in such  form and have  such  other  provisions  as JPFI and RSI may  reasonably
specify) and (ii)  instructions  for use in  surrendering  the  Certificates  in
exchange  for the Merger  Consideration.  Upon  surrender of a  Certificate  for
cancellation  to the Exchange  Agent,  together with such letter of transmittal,
duly  executed,  and such other  documents as may  reasonably be required by the
Exchange Agent, the holder of such  Certificate  shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor a certificate representing that number of whole shares of JPFI
Common  Stock  which  such  holder  has the  right to  receive  pursuant  to the
provisions  of this  Article II,  certain  dividends or other  distributions  in
accordance with Section 2.2(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional  share of JPFI
Common  Stock  in  accordance  with  Section  2.2(e),  and  the  Certificate  so
surrendered  shall  forthwith  be  cancelled.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the
contrary contained herein, no certificate representing JPFI Common Stock or cash
in lieu of a fractional  share interest shall be delivered to a person who is an
affiliate of RSI for purposes of qualifying  the Merger for pooling of interests
accounting  treatment  under Opinion 16 of the Accounting  Principles  Board and
applicable  Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") rules and  regulations,
unless  such person has  executed  and  delivered  an  agreement  in the form of
Exhibit E hereto.  In the event of a  surrender  of a  Certificate  representing
shares of RSI Common Stock which are not  registered in the transfer  records of
RSI under the name of the person  surrendering such  Certificate,  a certificate
representing the proper number of shares of JPFI Common Stock may be issued to a
person other than the person in whose name the  Certificate  so  surrendered  is
registered  if such  Certificate  shall be properly  endorsed or otherwise be in
proper form for transfer and the person  requesting  such issuance shall pay any
transfer  or other taxes  required  by reason of the  issuance of shares of JPFI
Common Stock to a person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or
establish  to the  satisfaction  of JPFI  that  such tax has been paid or is not
applicable.  Until  surrendered  as  contemplated  by  this  Section  2.2,  each
Certificate  shall be deemed at any time after the  Effective  Time to represent
only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration which the
holder thereof has the right to receive in respect of such Certificate  pursuant
to the provisions of this Article II, certain  dividends or other  distributions
in accordance  with Section 2.2(c) and cash in lieu of any  fractional  share of
JPFI Common Stock in accordance with Section  2.2(e).  No interest shall be paid
or will accrue on any cash  payable to holders of  Certificates  pursuant to the
provisions of this Article II.
<PAGE>

     (c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other
distributions  with  respect to JPFI  Common  Stock with a record date after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with
respect to the shares of JPFI Common Stock represented thereby, and, in the case
of  Certificates  representing  RSI  Common  Stock,  no cash  payment in lieu of
fractional  shares shall be paid to any such holder  pursuant to Section 2.2(e),
and all such  dividends,  other  distributions  and  cash in lieu of  fractional
shares of JPFI  Common  Stock  shall be paid by JPFI to the  Exchange  Agent and
shall be included in the Exchange Fund, in each case until the surrender of such
Certificate  in  accordance  with this  Article  II.  Subject  to the  effect of
applicable escheat or similar laws,  following surrender of any such Certificate
there shall be paid to the holder of the certificate  representing  whole shares
of JPFI Common Stock issued in exchange therefor,  without interest,  (i) at the
time of such surrender,  the amount of dividends or other  distributions  with a
record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole
shares of JPFI Common Stock and, in the case of  Certificates  representing  RSI
Common  Stock,  the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional  share of
JPFI Common  Stock to which such holder is entitled  pursuant to Section  2.2(e)
and (ii) at the  appropriate  payment  date,  the amount of  dividends  or other
distributions  with a record  date after the  Effective  Time and with a payment
date  subsequent to such surrender  payable with respect to such whole shares of
JPFI Common Stock.

     (d) No Further  Ownership  Rights in RSI Common  Stock.  All shares of JPFI
Common  Stock  issued  upon  the  surrender  for  exchange  of  Certificates  in
accordance  with the terms of this Article II (including  any cash paid pursuant
to this  Article  II) shall be deemed to have  been  issued  (and  paid) in full
satisfaction  of all  rights  pertaining  to the  shares  of  RSI  Common  Stock
theretofore represented by such Certificates, subject, however, to the Surviving
Corporation's  obligation to pay any  dividends or make any other  distributions
with a record date prior to the  Effective  Time which may have been declared or
made by RSI on such  shares  of RSI  Common  Stock  which  remain  unpaid at the
Effective  Time, and there shall be no further  registration of transfers on the
stock  transfer  books of the Surviving  Corporation of the shares of RSI Common
Stock which were outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after
the  Effective  Time,   Certificates   are  presented  to  JPFI,  the  Surviving
Corporation  or the Exchange  Agent for any reason,  they shall be cancelled and
exchanged as provided in this Article II, except as otherwise provided by law.

     (e) No  Fractional  Shares.  (i)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
contained  herein,  no certificates or scrip  representing  fractional shares of
JPFI  Common  Stock  shall  be  issued  upon  the   surrender  for  exchange  of
Certificates,  no  dividend  or  distribution  of  JPFI  shall  relate  to  such
fractional  share interests and such fractional share interests will not entitle
the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder  of JPFI. In lieu of
the issuance of such fractional shares, JPFI shall pay each former holder of RSI
Common Stock an amount in cash equal to the product  obtained by multiplying (A)
the  fractional  share  interest to which such former  holder (after taking into
account  all  shares of RSI  Common  Stock  held at the  Effective  Time by such
holder) would  otherwise be entitled by (B) the average of the closing prices of
the JPFI  Common  Stock as  reported on the NYSE  Composite  Reporting  Tape (as
reported in The Wall Street  Journal,  or, if not  reported  therein,  any other
authoritative  source)  during the ten trading days  preceding the fifth trading
day prior to the Closing Date (such average, the "Average JPFI Price").

     (ii) As soon as practicable  after the determination of the amount of cash,
if any, to be paid to holders of Certificates  formerly  representing RSI Common
Stock with respect to any fractional share  interests,  the Exchange Agent shall
make   available  such  amounts  to  such  holders  of   Certificates   formerly
representing  RSI Common Stock  subject to and in  accordance  with the terms of
Section 2.2(c).

     (f)  Termination  of Exchange  Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which
remains  undistributed  to the holders of the  Certificates for six months after
the Effective Time shall be delivered to JPFI,  upon demand,  and any holders of
the  Certificates  who have not theretofore  complied with this Article II shall
thereafter   look  only  to  JPFI  for   payment  of  their   claim  for  Merger
Consideration,  any dividends or distributions with respect to JPFI Common Stock
and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of JPFI Common Stock.

     (g) No Liability.  None of JPFI, RSI, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation
or the Exchange  Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares of
JPFI Common Stock, any dividends or distributions with respect thereto, any cash
in lieu of fractional  shares of JPFI Common Stock or any cash from the Exchange
Fund, in each case  delivered to a public  official  pursuant to any  applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

     (h)  Investment of Exchange  Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash
included  in the  Exchange  Fund,  as directed by JPFI,  on a daily  basis.  Any
interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to JPFI.

     (i) Lost  Certificates.  If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed,  upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person  claiming
such  Certificate  to be lost,  stolen or  destroyed  and,  if  required  by the
Surviving  Corporation,  the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable
amount as the Surviving  Corporation  may direct as indemnity  against any claim
that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent
shall issue in  exchange  for such lost,  stolen or  destroyed  Certificate  the
Merger Consideration and, if applicable,  any unpaid dividends and distributions
on shares of JPFI Common Stock  deliverable  in respect  thereof and any cash in
lieu of fractional shares, in each case pursuant to this Agreement.

     SECTION  2.3.  Certain  Adjustments.  If  between  the date  hereof and the
Effective  Time,  the  outstanding  shares of RSI Common Stock or of JPFI Common
Stock  shall be  changed  into a  different  number  of  shares by reason of any
reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination or exchange of shares,
or any dividend  payable in stock or other  securities shall be declared thereon
with a record date  within such  period,  the  Exchange  Ratio shall be adjusted
accordingly  to provide to the  holders  of RSI Common  Stock the same  economic
effect  as  contemplated  by this  Agreement  prior  to  such  reclassification,
recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange or dividend.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     SECTION 3.1. Representations and Warranties of RSI. Except as (i) disclosed
to an executive  officer of JPFI in writing prior to the date of Amendment No. 2
to this Agreement or (ii) disclosed in (w) the Disclosure  Schedule delivered by
RSI to JPFI prior to the  execution  of this  Agreement as  supplemented  by the
Supplemental  Disclosure  Schedule attached to Amendment No. 2 to this Agreement
(collectively,  the "RSI  Disclosure  Schedule"),  (x) any RSI SEC  Document (as
defined  in  Section  8.3)  filed and  publicly  available  prior to the date of
Amendment No. 2 to this Agreement (as amended to the date hereof, "RSI Filed SEC
Documents"),  (y) the Form S-4 (as  defined in Section  8.3) filed  prior to the
date of this Amendment No. 2 or (z) any RSI Press Release (as defined in Section
4.1(a)), RSI represents and warrants to JPFI as follows:

     (a)  Organization,  Standing and Corporate  Power.  (i) Each of RSI and its
subsidiaries  (as defined in Section 8.3) is a corporation or other legal entity
duly  organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  (with  respect  to
jurisdictions  which recognize such concept) under the laws of the  jurisdiction
in which it is organized and has the requisite  corporate or other power, as the
case may be, and  authority  to carry on its  business  as now being  conducted,
except, as to subsidiaries,  for those  jurisdictions where the failure to be so
organized,  existing or in good standing  individually or in the aggregate would
not have a material adverse effect (as defined in Section 8.3) on RSI.

     (ii) RSI has  delivered to JPFI prior to the  execution  of this  Agreement
complete  and  correct   copies  of  any   amendments  to  its   certificate  of
incorporation  (the  "RSI  Certificate")  and  by-laws  not filed as of the date
hereof with the RSI Filed SEC Documents.

     (b)  Subsidiaries.  Exhibit 21 to RSI's Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended June 28, 1997 includes all the subsidiaries of RSI which as of
the date of this Agreement are Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02
of Regulation S-X of the SEC). All the  outstanding  shares of capital stock of,
or other equity interests in, each such Significant Subsidiary have been validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly
by RSI, free and clear of all pledges, claims, liens, charges,  encumbrances and
security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever (collectively,  "Liens") and
free of any other  restriction  (including any restriction on the right to vote,
sell or otherwise  dispose of such capital stock or other ownership  interests),
other than Liens and restrictions  imposed by RSI's debt agreements  included as
exhibits to the RSI Filed SEC Documents.

     (c) Capital  Structure.  The  authorized  capital  stock of RSI consists of
40,000,000  shares of RSI Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $.10 per share ("RSI  Preferred  Stock").  At the close of business on
June 25,  1997:  (i)  27,969,503  shares of RSI  Common  Stock  were  issued and
outstanding;  (ii)  271,020  shares of RSI Common  Stock were held by RSI in its
treasury;  (iii) no shares of RSI Preferred  Stock were issued and  outstanding;
(iv) 1,479,113 shares of RSI Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to
all stock option, restricted stock or other stock-based  compensation,  benefits
or  savings  plans,  agreements  or  arrangements  in which  current  or  former
employees  or directors of RSI or its  subsidiaries  participate  as of the date
hereof  (including,  without  limitation,  the 1980 Stock Option Plan,  the 1988
Stock Option and Compensation Plan, the RSI 1989 Director Stock Option Plan, the
RSI 1993 Director  Stock Option Plan,  the 1995 Key  Employees  Stock Option and
Compensation  Plan,  the RSI  Convertible  Award Plan  (Officer and Key Employee
Edition),  the RSI Convertible  Award Plan (Director  Edition),  the Amended and
Restated  Management Stock Option Plan of WS Holdings  Corporation,  the Amended
and  Restated US  Foodservice  Inc.  1992 Stock  Option Plan and the Amended and
Restated US  Foodservice  Inc.  1993 Stock  Option  Plan),  complete and correct
copies of which, in each case as amended as of the date hereof,  have been filed
as exhibits to the RSI Filed SEC  Documents  or  delivered  to JPFI (such plans,
collectively,  the "RSI Stock Plans");  (v) 331,761 (336,637 as of September 27,
1997) shares of RSI Common Stock were reserved for issuance  upon  conversion of
the  Assumed  Warrants  and (vi)  125,000  shares of RSI  Preferred  Stock  were
reserved for issuance upon exercise of preferred stock purchase rights (the "RSI
Rights") issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement,  dated as
of May 15, 1996, by and between RSI and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C.,
as rights agent (as  successor to Chemical  Bank) (the "RSI Rights  Agreement").
Section 3.1(c) of the RSI Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a complete and correct
list,  as of June 27, 1997,  of the number of shares of RSI Common Stock subject
to  employee  stock  options or other  rights to  purchase or receive RSI Common
Stock  granted  under the RSI Stock Plans  (collectively,  "RSI  Employee  Stock
Options"),  the dates of grant and  exercise  prices  thereof.  All  outstanding
shares of capital  stock of RSI are, and all shares which may be issued will be,
when issued, duly authorized,  validly issued,  fully paid and nonassessable and
not subject to preemptive rights. Except as set forth in this Section 3.1(c) and
except for changes since June 27, 1997  resulting from the issuance of shares of
RSI Common  Stock  pursuant to the RSI  Employee  Stock  Options or as expressly
permitted by this Agreement,  (x) there are not issued, reserved for issuance or
outstanding  (A) any shares of capital stock or other voting  securities of RSI,
(B) any securities of RSI or any RSI subsidiary convertible into or exchangeable
or exercisable for shares of capital stock or voting  securities of RSI, (C) any
warrants,  calls,  options  or  other  rights  to  acquire  from  RSI or any RSI
subsidiary,  and any  obligation  of RSI or any RSI  subsidiary  to  issue,  any
capital stock, voting securities or securities  convertible into or exchangeable
or exercisable for capital stock or voting  securities of RSI, and (y) there are
no outstanding obligations of RSI or any RSI subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any such securities or to issue,  deliver or sell, or cause to
be issued, delivered or sold, any such securities.  There are no outstanding (A)
securities of RSI or any RSI  subsidiary  convertible  into or  exchangeable  or
exercisable for shares of capital stock or other voting  securities or ownership
interests in any RSI subsidiary, (B) warrants, calls, options or other rights to
acquire from RSI or any RSI  subsidiary,  and any  obligation  of RSI or any RSI
subsidiary to issue,  any capital stock,  voting  securities or other  ownership
interests in, or any securities  convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for any capital  stock,  voting  securities  or ownership  interests in, any RSI
subsidiary or (C) obligations of RSI or any RSI subsidiary to repurchase, redeem
or otherwise  acquire any such outstanding  securities of RSI subsidiaries or to
issue,  deliver or sell,  or cause to be  issued,  delivered  or sold,  any such
securities.  Except as  described  in Section  3.1(b),  neither  RSI nor any RSI
subsidiary is a party to any agreement  restricting the purchase or transfer of,
relating to the voting of, requiring registration of, or granting any preemptive
or,  except  as  provided  by the  terms  of the  RSI  Employee  Stock  Options,
antidilutive  rights with respect to, any  securities of the type referred to in
the two  preceding  sentences.  Other  than the RSI  subsidiaries,  RSI does not
directly or  indirectly  beneficially  own any  securities  or other  beneficial
ownership interests in any other entity except for  non-controlling  investments
made in the ordinary  course of business in entities which are not  individually
or in the aggregate material to RSI and its subsidiaries as a whole.

     (d) Authority;  Noncontravention. RSI has all requisite corporate power and
authority  to enter  into this  Agreement,  each of the Option  Agreements  and,
subject, in the case of the Merger, to the RSI Stockholder  Approval (as defined
in Section  3.1(h)),  to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement and each of the Option
Agreements by RSI and the consummation by RSI of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate  action
on the part of RSI,  subject,  in the case of the Merger, to the RSI Stockholder
Approval.  This  Agreement  has been,  and the Option  Agreements  will be, duly
executed and delivered by RSI and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery thereof by JPFI,  constitutes (or will constitute,  as the case may be)
the legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of RSI,  enforceable  against RSI in
accordance  with their terms.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement does
not,  and  the  execution  and  delivery  of  the  Option   Agreements  and  the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance
with the  provisions  of this  Agreement  and the  Option  Agreements  will not,
conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice
or lapse of time, or both) under,  (i) the RSI Certificate or the by-laws of RSI
or the  comparable  organizational  documents of any of its  subsidiaries,  (ii)
except as  contemplated  by Section 5.17,  any loan or credit  agreement,  note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, trust document, lease or other agreement, instrument,
permit,  concession,  franchise,  license or similar authorization applicable to
RSI or any of its subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets or (iii)
subject  to the  governmental  filings  and  other  matters  referred  to in the
following sentence, any judgment,  order, decree, statute, law, ordinance,  rule
or regulation  applicable to RSI or any of its  subsidiaries or their respective
properties  or  assets,  other  than,  in the case of  clauses  (ii) and  (iii),
conflicts,  violations, or defaults that would not prevent RSI from consummating
the Merger under this Agreement.  No consent,  approval,  order or authorization
of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any
federal,  state,  local  or  foreign  government,  any  court,   administrative,
regulatory  or  other  governmental  agency,  commission  or  authority  or  any
nongovernmental self-regulatory agency, commission or authority (a "Governmental
Entity")  is required by or with  respect to RSI or any of its  subsidiaries  in
connection  with the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  or the Option
Agreements by RSI or the  consummation by RSI of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby,  except for (1) the filing of a pre-merger  notification and
report form by RSI under the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements  Act of
1976,  as amended  (the "HSR  Act");  (2) the filing with the SEC of (A) a proxy
statement  relating  to the RSI  Stockholders  Meeting  (as  defined  in Section
5.1(b)) (such proxy statement, together with the proxy statement relating to the
JPFI  Stockholders  Meeting  (as  defined  in Section  5.1(c)),  in each case as
amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Joint Proxy Statement"), and (B)
such  reports  under  Section  13(a),  13(d),  15(d) or 16(a) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (the  "Exchange  Act"),  as may be required in
connection  with this  Agreement,  the Option  Agreements  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby;  (3) the filing of the  Certificate  of Merger
with the  Secretary  of State of Delaware  and  appropriate  documents  with the
relevant  authorities  of other  states in which RSI is qualified to do business
and  such  filings  with   Governmental   Entities  to  satisfy  the  applicable
requirements  of state  securities  or "blue sky" laws;  and (4) such  consents,
approvals,  orders or authorizations the failure of which to be made or obtained
individually or in the aggregate would not (x) have a material adverse effect on
RSI or (y)  reasonably  be  expected to impair the ability of RSI to perform its
obligations  under this Agreement.  The entry into the Support  Agreement by the
Stockholders  (as defined in the Support  Agreement) and the consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  thereby  has  been  approved  by the  RSI  Board  of
Directors  in  the  manner  contemplated  by  Section  3.1(a)  of  that  certain
Standstill Agreement (the "Standstill Agreement"),  dated as of May 17, 1996, by
and between RSI and the ML Entities  (as defined  therein).  The entry into this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby has been
agreed to by a  majority  of the ML  Directors  (as  defined  in the  Standstill
Agreement)  for all purposes of the  Standstill  Agreement as may be relevant to
effecting  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and the  Support
Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2.2(a) thereof).

     (e) Financial  Statements.  To RSI's  knowledge,  the financial  statements
included in RSI's Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28,
1997 and such other  periodic  reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act
since such date have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except,  in the case
of  unaudited  statements,  as  permitted  by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a
consistent  basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated financial position of RSI and
its subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the  consolidated  results of their
operations  and cash flows for the periods then ended  (subject,  in the case of
unaudited statements, to year-end audit adjustments).

     (f) ERISA  Compliance.  (i) To RSI's  knowledge,  each RSI Benefit Plan (as
defined in Section  4.1(a)) has been  administered in accordance with its terms,
except for any failures so to administer any RSI Benefit Plan that  individually
or in the aggregate  would not have a material  adverse  effect on RSI. To RSI's
knowledge,  RSI,  its  subsidiaries  and all the RSI  Benefit  Plans  have  been
operated,  and are in compliance with the applicable  provisions of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA"),  the Code and all
other  applicable  laws and the terms of all  applicable  collective  bargaining
agreements,  except for any failures to be in such compliance that  individually
or in the aggregate  would not have a material  adverse  effect on RSI. To RSI's
knowledge,  no fact or event has  occurred  since the date of any  determination
letter from the Internal  Revenue Service ("IRS") that, to RSI's  knowledge,  is
reasonably  likely  to affect  adversely  the  qualified  status of any such RSI
Benefit Plan or the exempt status of any such trust.

     (ii) To RSI's  knowledge,  no RSI Benefit Plan has incurred an "accumulated
funding  deficiency"  (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412
of the Code) whether or not waived. To RSI's knowledge,  there are not any facts
or circumstances that, to RSI's knowledge, would materially adversely change the
funded  status of any RSI  Benefit  Plan that is a  "defined  benefit"  plan (as
defined in Section  3(35) of ERISA) since the date of the most recent  actuarial
report for such plan.

     (iii) With respect to any RSI Benefit Plan that is a multiemployer plan, to
RSI's knowledge (A) neither RSI nor any of its  subsidiaries  has any contingent
liability under Section 4204 of ERISA, and no circumstances exist that present a
material  risk  that  any such  plan  will go into  reorganization,  and (B) the
aggregate  withdrawal  liability of RSI and its  subsidiaries,  computed as if a
complete  withdrawal by RSI and any of its  subsidiaries had occurred under each
such RSI Benefit Plan on the date hereof, would not be material.

     (iv) To  RSI's  knowledge,  no  employee  of RSI  will be  entitled  to any
material payment, additional benefits or any acceleration of the time of payment
or  vesting  of any  benefits  under  any RSI  Benefit  Plan as a result  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in conjunction with
any other event such as a termination of employment),  except that substantially
all RSI Employee Stock Options will vest as of the date on which RSI Stockholder
Approval is obtained.

     (g) Taxes. (i) To RSI's knowledge,  no deficiencies for any taxes have been
proposed,  asserted or assessed against RSI or any of its subsidiaries  that are
not adequately reserved for, except for deficiencies that individually or in the
aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on RSI.

     (ii) Neither RSI nor any of its  subsidiaries has taken any action or knows
of any fact, agreement,  plan or other circumstance that is reasonably likely to
prevent the Merger from  qualifying  as a  reorganization  within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.

     (h)  Voting  Requirements.  The  affirmative  vote at the RSI  Stockholders
Meeting  (the "RSI  Stockholder  Approval")  of the holders of a majority of all
outstanding  shares of RSI Common Stock to adopt this Agreement is the only vote
of the  holders  of any class or  series of RSI's  capital  stock  necessary  to
approve  and adopt this  Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
including the Merger.
<PAGE>

     (i) State Takeover  Statutes;  Certain  Provisions of RSI Certificate.  The
Board of Directors of RSI has adopted a resolution or resolutions approving this
Agreement and the Option Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby  and,  assuming  the  accuracy  of JPFI's  representation  and  warranty
contained  in Section  3.2(m),  (a) such  approval  constitutes  approval of the
Merger  and  the  other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and by  the  Option
Agreements by the RSI Board of Directors under (i) the provisions of Section 203
of the DGCL such that Section 203 of the DGCL does not apply to this  Agreement,
the Option Agreements and the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby and
(ii) Section A.2. of Article Fourteenth of the RSI Certificate such that the 80%
vote otherwise  required by Article Fourteenth does not apply to this Agreement,
the Option Agreements or the transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby;  and
(b) for purposes of Article Twelfth of the RSI Certificate  ("Article Twelfth"),
such approval  constitutes  approval of this Agreement and the Option Agreements
and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and  thereby  (and the RSI Board of
Directors has conclusively  determined,  pursuant to Article Twelfth,  that such
agreements together constitute the "memorandum of understanding" contemplated by
Article  Twelfth) for purposes of Section B of Article Twelfth such that the 80%
vote otherwise required by Article Twelfth does not apply to this Agreement, the
Option  Agreements or the transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby.  To the
knowledge  of RSI,  except for Section 203 of the DGCL (which has been  rendered
inapplicable),  no state  takeover  statute is  applicable  to the Merger or the
other transactions contemplated hereby.

     (j)  Accounting  Matters.  To its  knowledge,  neither  RSI  nor any of its
affiliates  (as such term is used in  Section  5.10) has taken or agreed to take
any action (including, without limitation, in connection with any RSI Stock Plan
or any agreement  thereunder) that would prevent the business  combination to be
effected by the Merger from being  accounted for as a "pooling of interests" and
RSI has no reason to believe  that the Merger will not  qualify for  "pooling of
interests" accounting.

     (k)  Brokers.  No broker,  investment  banker,  financial  advisor or other
person other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce,  Fenner & Smith Incorporated  ("Merrill
Lynch")  and  Wasserstein  Perella & Co.,  Inc.  ("Wasserstein")  , the fees and
expenses of which will be paid by RSI, is  entitled to any  broker's,  finder's,
financial  advisor's or other similar fee or  commission in connection  with the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement based upon  arrangements made by or
on behalf of RSI.  RSI has  furnished  to JPFI true and  complete  copies of all
agreements   under  which  any  such  fees  or  expenses  are  payable  and  all
indemnification and other agreements related to the engagement of the persons to
whom such fees are payable.

     (l)  Opinions of  Financial  Advisors.  RSI has  received  the  opinions of
Merrill  Lynch and  Wasserstein,  each dated the date of Amendment No. 2 to this
Agreement,  to the effect  that,  as of such date,  the  Exchange  Ratio for the
conversion  of RSI  Common  Stock  into JPFI  Common  Stock,  as amended by such
Amendment No. 2, is fair from a financial  point of view to holders of shares of
RSI Common Stock (other than JPFI and its  affiliates),  signed  copies of which
opinions have been delivered to JPFI on or before the date of Amendment No. 2 to
this  Agreement,  it being  understood and agreed by JPFI that such opinions are
for the benefit of the Board of  Directors  of RSI and may not be relied upon by
JPFI, its affiliates or any of their respective stockholders.

     (m) Ownership of JPFI Common Stock. To the knowledge of RSI, as of the date
hereof (and before  giving  effect to the JPFI Option  Agreement,  which will be
entered into  immediately  after the execution of this  Agreement),  neither RSI
nor, to its knowledge without independent investigation,  any of its affiliates,
(i)  beneficially  owns (as  defined  in Rule  13d-3  under the  Exchange  Act),
directly  or  indirectly,  or (ii) is party  to any  agreement,  arrangement  or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring,  holding, voting or disposing of, in
each case, shares of capital stock of JPFI.

     (n) RSI Rights Agreement. RSI has taken all action (including, if required,
redeeming all of the outstanding preferred stock purchase rights issued pursuant
to the RSI Rights  Agreement or amending the RSI Rights  Agreement)  so that the
entering  into of this  Agreement,  the RSI  Option  Agreement  and the  Support
Agreement,  the Merger,  the  acquisition  of shares  pursuant to the RSI Option
Agreement and the other transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby do not and
will not result in the grant of any  rights to any  person  under the RSI Rights
Agreement or enable or require the RSI Rights to be  exercised,  distributed  or
triggered.

     SECTION 3.2.  Representations and Warranties of JPFI and Merger Sub. Except
(i) as disclosed to an executive  officer of RSI in writing prior to the date of
Amendment  No.  2 to this  Agreement  or (ii)  disclosed  in (w) the  Disclosure
Schedule  delivered by JPFI and Merger Sub to RSI prior to the execution of this
Agreement as supplemented by the Supplemental  Disclosure  Schedule  attached to
Amendment  No.  2  to  this  Agreement   (collectively,   the  "JPFI  Disclosure
Schedule"),  (x) any JPFI SEC  Document  (as  defined in Section  8.3) filed and
publicly  available  prior to the date of Amendment No. 2 to this  Agreement (as
amended to the date hereof, "JPFI Filed SEC Documents"),  (y) the Form S-4 filed
prior to the date of this  Amendment  No. 2 or (z) any JPFI  Press  Release  (as
defined in Section 4.1(b)),  JPFI and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent
and warrant to RSI as follows:

     (a)  Organization,  Standing and Corporate  Power. (i) Each of JPFI and its
subsidiaries  is a  corporation  or other legal entity duly  organized,  validly
existing and in good standing  (with respect to  jurisdictions  which  recognize
such concept)  under the laws of the  jurisdiction  in which it is organized and
has the requisite corporate or other power, as the case may be, and authority to
carry on its business as now being conducted,  except,  as to subsidiaries,  for
those  jurisdictions  where the failure to be so organized,  existing or in good
standing  individually  or in the  aggregate  would not have a material  adverse
effect on JPFI.

     (ii) JPFI has  delivered to RSI prior to the  execution  of this  Agreement
complete  and  correct   copies  of  any   amendments  to  its   certificate  of
incorporation  (the "JPFI  Certificate")  and  by-laws  not filed as of the date
hereof with the JPFI Filed SEC Documents.

     (b)  Subsidiaries.  Exhibit 21 to JPFI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended June 28, 1997, as amended,  includes all the  subsidiaries  of
JPFI which as of the date of this Agreement are  Significant  Subsidiaries.  All
the outstanding  shares of capital stock of, or other equity  interests in, each
such  Significant  Subsidiary  have been  validly  issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable  and are owned  directly or indirectly by JPFI,  free and clear of
all Liens and free of any other  restriction  (including any  restriction on the
right  to  vote,  sell or  otherwise  dispose  of such  capital  stock  or other
ownership interests).

     (c) Capital  Structure.  The  authorized  capital stock of JPFI consists of
75,000,000  shares of JPFI Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $.01 per share ("JPFI Preferred  Stock").  At the close of business on
June 24,  1997:  (i)  22,588,688.61  shares of JPFI Common Stock were issued and
outstanding  (including shares of restricted JPFI Common Stock);  (ii) no shares
of JPFI Common Stock were held by JPFI in its treasury;  (iii) no shares of JPFI
Preferred  Stock were  issued and  outstanding;  (iv)  4,264,329  shares of JPFI
Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to all stock option, restricted
stock or other stock-based  compensation,  benefits or savings plans, agreements
or arrangements in which current or former employees or directors of JPFI or its
subsidiaries participate as of the date hereof,  including,  without limitation,
the JPFI 1994 Stock  Incentive  Plan,  the JPFI Stock  Option  Plan for  Outside
Directors and the JPFI 1994 Employee Stock  Purchase Plan,  complete and correct
copies of which, in each case as amended as of the date hereof,  have been filed
with the JPFI Filed SEC Documents or delivered to RSI (such plans, collectively,
the "JPFI Stock Plans");  and (v) 350,000  shares of JPFI  Preferred  Stock were
reserved for issuance upon exercise of preferred  share  purchase  rights issued
pursuant to the Rights  Agreement,  dated as of February 19, 1996,  between JPFI
and The Bank of New York, as rights agent (the "JPFI Rights Agreement"). Section
3.2(c) of the JPFI  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a complete and correct list,
as of June 24,  1997,  of the number of shares of JPFI Common  Stock  subject to
employee  stock options or other rights to purchase or receive JPFI Common Stock
granted  under  the  JPFI  Stock  Plans  (collectively,   "JPFI  Employee  Stock
Options"),  the dates of grant and  exercise  prices  thereof.  All  outstanding
shares of capital stock of JPFI are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant
to this Agreement or otherwise will be, when issued,  duly  authorized,  validly
issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  and not  subject to  preemptive  rights.
Except as set forth in this Section  3.2(c),  and except for changes  since June
24, 1997  resulting from the issuance of shares of JPFI Common Stock pursuant to
the JPFI Employee Stock Options or as expressly permitted by this Agreement, (x)
there are not issued,  reserved  for issuance or  outstanding  (A) any shares of
capital stock or other voting  securities of JPFI, (B) any securities of JPFI or
any JPFI subsidiary  convertible  into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares
of capital stock or voting securities of JPFI, (C) any warrants,  calls, options
or other rights to acquire from JPFI or any JPFI subsidiary,  and any obligation
of JPFI or any JPFI subsidiary to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or
securities  convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or
voting securities of JPFI, and (y) there are no outstanding  obligations of JPFI
or any JPFI  subsidiary  to  repurchase,  redeem or  otherwise  acquire any such
securities  or to issue,  deliver or sell,  or cause to be issued,  delivered or
sold, any such  securities.  There are no outstanding  (A) securities of JPFI or
any JPFI subsidiary  convertible  into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares
of capital stock or other voting  securities or ownership  interests in any JPFI
subsidiary, (B) warrants, calls, options or other rights to acquire from JPFI or
any JPFI subsidiary, and any obligation of JPFI or any JPFI subsidiary to issue,
any capital stock,  voting  securities or other  ownership  interests in, or any
securities  convertible  into or  exchangeable  or  exercisable  for any capital
stock,  voting securities or ownership  interests in, any JPFI subsidiary or (C)
obligations of JPFI or any JPFI  subsidiary to  repurchase,  redeem or otherwise
acquire  any such  outstanding  securities  of JPFI  subsidiaries  or to  issue,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,  delivered or sold, any such securities.
Neither JPFI nor any JPFI subsidiary is a party to any agreement restricting the
purchase or transfer of, relating to the voting of,  requiring  registration of,
or  granting  any  preemptive  or,  except as  provided by the terms of the JPFI
Employee Stock Options,  antidilutive  rights with respect to, any securities of
the  type  referred  to in the two  preceding  sentences.  Other  than  the JPFI
subsidiaries,  JPFI  does  not  directly  or  indirectly  beneficially  own  any
securities or other  beneficial  ownership  interests in any other entity except
for  non-controlling  investments  made in the  ordinary  course of  business in
entities which are not individually or in the aggregate material to JPFI and its
subsidiaries as a whole.

     (d)  Authority;  Noncontravention  Each  of  JPFI  and  Merger  Sub has all
requisite  corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,  and JPFI
has all  requisite  corporate  power  and  authority  to enter  into the  Option
Agreements  and the  Support  Agreement  and,  subject  to the JPFI  Stockholder
Approval  (as  defined  in  Section  3.2(h)),  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
each of JPFI and  Merger  Sub,  and the  execution  and  delivery  of the Option
Agreements and the Support  Agreement by JPFI and the  consummation  by JPFI and
Merger Sub of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of JPFI and Merger Sub,
subject,  in the case of the Merger and the  issuance  of JPFI  Common  Stock in
connection with the Merger, to the JPFI Stockholder Approval. This Agreement has
been, and the Support Agreement and Option Agreements will be, duly executed and
delivered  by JPFI  (and,  in the case of this  Agreement,  by Merger  Sub) and,
assuming  the  due  authorization,   execution  and  delivery  thereof  by  RSI,
constitute (or will constitute, as the case may be) the legal, valid and binding
obligation of JPFI (and, in the case of this Agreement, Merger Sub), enforceable
against JPFI (and, in the case of this Agreement, Merger Sub) in accordance with
their terms.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement  does not, and the
execution  and delivery of the Option  Agreements  and the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance with the provisions
of this  Agreement,  the Support  Agreement and the Option  Agreements will not,
conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice
or lapse of time,  or both) under,  (i) the JPFI  Certificate  or the by-laws of
JPFI or the comparable organizational documents of any of its subsidiaries, (ii)
any loan or credit agreement,  note, bond, mortgage,  indenture, trust document,
lease or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession,  franchise, license or
similar  authorization  applicable to JPFI or any of its  subsidiaries  or their
respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and
other  matters  referred to in the  following  sentence,  any  judgment,  order,
decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to JPFI or any of
its  subsidiaries or their respective  properties or assets,  other than, in the
case of clauses (ii) and (iii), conflicts, violations or defaults that would not
prevent  JPFI from  consummating  the Merger under this  Agreement.  No consent,
approval,   order  or  authorization  of,  action  by,  or  in  respect  of,  or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required by
or with  respect  to JPFI or any of its  subsidiaries  in  connection  with  the
execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  by JPFI  and  Merger  Sub,  or the
execution  and  delivery  by  JPFI of the  Option  Agreements  and  the  Support
Agreement,  or the  consummation  by  JPFI  or  Merger  Sub of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby or  thereby,  except  for (1) the  filing  of a  pre-merger
notification  and report form by JPFI under the HSR Act; (2) the filing with the
SEC of (A) the Joint Proxy Statement relating to the JPFI Stockholders  Meeting,
(B) the Form S-4 and (C) such reports under Section 13(a), 13(d), 15(d) or 16(a)
of the Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the
Option Agreements and the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby; (3) the
filing of the  Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware and
appropriate  documents  with the relevant  authorities  of other states in which
JPFI is qualified to do business and such filings with Governmental  Entities to
satisfy the applicable  requirements of state securities or "blue sky" laws; (4)
such filings with and  approvals of the NYSE to permit the shares of JPFI Common
Stock that are to be issued in the  Merger  and under the RSI Stock  Plans to be
listed on the NYSE; and (5) such consents,  approvals,  orders or authorizations
the failure of which to be made or  obtained  individually  or in the  aggregate
would  not (x) have a  material  adverse  effect  on JPFI or (y)  reasonably  be
expected to impair the ability of JPFI or Merger Sub to perform its  obligations
under this Agreement.

     (e) Financial  Statements.  To JPFI's knowledge,  the financial  statements
included in JPFI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28,
1997 and such other  periodic  reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act
since such date have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except,  in the case
of  unaudited  statements,  as  permitted  by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a
consistent  basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto) and fairly present the  consolidated  financial  position of JPFI
and its  subsidiaries  as of the dates thereof and the  consolidated  results of
their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case
of unaudited statements, to year-end audit adjustments).

     (f) ERISA  Compliance.  (i) To JPFI's  knowledge,  each JPFI  Benefit  Plan
(defined in Section 4.1(b)) has been  administered in accordance with its terms,
except for any failures so to administer any JPFI Benefit Plan that individually
or in the aggregate would not have a material  adverse effect on JPFI. To JPFI's
knowledge,  JPFI,  its  subsidiaries  and all the JPFI  Benefit  Plans have been
operated,  and are in compliance  with the applicable  provisions of ERISA,  the
Code and all other  applicable  laws and the terms of all applicable  collective
bargaining  agreements,  except for any failures to be in such  compliance  that
individually  or in the aggregate  would not have a material  adverse  effect on
JPFI. To JPFI's  knowledge,  no fact or event has occurred since the date of any
determination  letter  from the IRS that,  to JPFI's  knowledge,  is  reasonably
likely to affect adversely the qualified status of any such JPFI Benefit Plan or
the exempt status of any such trust.

     (ii) To JPFI's knowledge, no JPFI Benefit Plan has incurred an "accumulated
funding  deficiency"  (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412
of the Code) whether or not waived. To JPFI's knowledge, there are not any facts
or circumstances  that, to JPFI's knowledge,  would materially  adversely change
the funded status of any JPFI Benefit Plan that is a "defined  benefit" plan (as
defined in Section  3(35) of ERISA) since the date of the most recent  actuarial
report for such plan.

     (iii) With respect to any JPFI Benefit Plan that is a  multiemployer  plan,
to  JPFI's  knowledge,  (A)  neither  JPFI nor any of its  subsidiaries  has any
contingent  liability under Section 4204 of ERISA,  and no  circumstances  exist
that present a material risk that any such plan will go into reorganization, and
(B) the aggregate withdrawal liability of JPFI and its subsidiaries, computed as
if a complete  withdrawal by JPFI and any of its subsidiaries had occurred under
each such JPFI Benefit Plan on the date hereof, would not be material.

     (iv) To JPFI's  knowledge,  no  employee  of JPFI will be  entitled  to any
material payment, additional benefits or any acceleration of the time of payment
or  vesting  of any  benefits  under  any JPFI  Benefit  Plan as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in conjunction with
any other event such as a termination of  employment),  except that certain JPFI
Employee Stock Options may vest in connection with such transactions.

     (g) Taxes. (i) To JPFI's knowledge, no deficiencies for any taxes have been
proposed,  asserted or assessed against JPFI or any of its subsidiaries that are
not adequately reserved for, except for deficiencies that individually or in the
aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on JPFI.

     (ii) Neither JPFI nor any of its subsidiaries has taken any action or knows
of any fact, agreement,  plan or other circumstance that is reasonably likely to
prevent the Merger from  qualifying  as a  reorganization  within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.

     (h) Voting  Requirements.  The  affirmative  vote at the JPFI  Stockholders
Meeting (the "JPFI Stockholder Approval") of the holders of a majority of shares
of JPFI Common Stock  present in person or by proxy at a duly  convened and held
meeting  of JPFI  stockholders  is the only vote of the  holders of any class or
series of JPFI's capital stock necessary to approve and adopt this Agreement and
the transactions  contemplated hereby,  including the Merger and the issuance of
the JPFI Common Stock pursuant to the Merger.

     (i) State Takeover  Statutes;  Certificate of  Incorporation.  The Board of
Directors  of JPFI has  approved  this  Agreement,  the Option  Agreements,  the
Support  Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,  and,
assuming the accuracy of RSI's  representation and warranty contained in Section
3.1(m),  such  approval  constitutes  approval  of  the  Merger  and  the  other
transactions  contemplated  hereby and  thereby  by the JPFI Board of  Directors
under the  provisions  of Section 203 of the DGCL such that Section 203 does not
apply to this Agreement,  the Option  Agreements,  the Support  Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. To the knowledge of JPFI, no state
takeover  statute  other than  Section 203 of the DGCL (which has been  rendered
inapplicable) is applicable to the Merger or the other transactions contemplated
hereby.

     (j)  Accounting  Matters.  To its  knowledge,  neither  JPFI nor any of its
affiliates  (as such term is used in  Section  5.10) has taken or agreed to take
any action  (including,  without  limitation,  in connection with any JPFI Stock
Plan or any agreement thereunder) that would prevent the business combination to
be effected by the Merger from being  accounted  for as a pooling of  interests,
and JPFI has no reason to believe  that the Merger will not qualify for "pooling
of interest" accounting.

     (k)  Brokers.  No broker,  investment  banker,  financial  advisor or other
person,  other than Goldman Sachs & Co.  ("Goldman"),  Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith
Barney") and  PaineWebber  Inc.,  the fees and expenses of which will be paid by
JPFI,  is entitled  to any  broker's,  finder's,  financial  advisor's  or other
similar fee or commission in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement  based upon  arrangements  made by or on behalf of JPFI. JPFI has
furnished to RSI true and complete copies of all agreements under which any such
fees or  expenses  are  payable  and all  indemnification  and other  agreements
related to the engagement of the persons to whom such fees are payable.

     (l)  Opinions of  Financial  Advisors.  JPFI has  received  the opinions of
Goldman  and  Smith  Barney,  each  dated  the date of  Amendment  No. 2 to this
Agreement,  to the effect  that,  as of such date,  the  Exchange  Ratio for the
conversion  of RSI  Common  Stock  into JPFI  Common  Stock,  as amended by such
Amendment No. 2, is fair from a financial  point of view to JPFI,  signed copies
of which  opinions have been delivered to RSI on or before the date of Amendment
No. 2 to this  Agreement,  it  being  understood  and  agreed  by RSI that  such
opinions  are for the benefit of the Board of  Directors  of JPFI and may not be
relied upon by RSI, its affiliates or any of their respective stockholders.

     (m) Ownership of RSI Common Stock. To the knowledge of JPFI, as of the date
hereof or at any time within twelve  months prior to the date of this  Agreement
(and before  giving  effect to the RSI Option  Agreement,  which will be entered
into immediately after the execution of this Agreement) neither JPFI nor, to its
knowledge  without  independent  investigation,   any  of  its  affiliates,  (i)
beneficially  owns (as defined in either Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act or in
Article  Fourteenth of the RSI Certificate of Incorporation) or owned,  directly
or  indirectly,  or  (ii)  is or was  party  to any  agreement,  arrangement  or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring,  holding, voting or disposing of, in
each case, shares of capital stock of RSI.

     (n) JPFI  Rights  Agreement.  JPFI has  taken  all  action  (including,  if
required,  redeeming all of the  outstanding  preferred  stock  purchase  rights
issued  pursuant  to the JPFI  Rights  Agreement  or  amending  the JPFI  Rights
Agreement)  so that  the  entering  into  of this  Agreement,  the  JPFI  Option
Agreement and the Merger,  the acquisition of shares pursuant to the JPFI Option
Agreement and the other transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby do not and
will not result in the grant of any rights to any person  under the JPFI  Rights
Agreement or enable or require the JPFI Rights to be exercised,  distributed  or
triggered.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

                    COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

     SECTION 4.1. (a) Conduct of Business by RSI.  Except (i) as disclosed to an
executive  officer of JPFI in writing  prior to the date of  Amendment  No. 2 to
this  Agreement  ("Amendment  No.  2"),  or  (ii)  as  disclosed  in (A) the RSI
Disclosure  Schedule,  (B) any RSI Filed SEC Document,  or (C) any press release
issued  by RSI  prior  to the  date  of this  Amendment  (each,  an  "RSI  Press
Release"),  (iii) as otherwise  expressly  contemplated by this Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  thereby, or (iv) as consented to by JPFI in writing,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed,  during the period from
the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, (I) RSI shall, and shall cause
its subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course
consistent  with past practice and in  compliance in all material  respects with
all applicable laws and regulations,  and, to the extent  consistent  therewith,
use  all  reasonable   efforts  to  preserve   intact  their  current   business
organizations,  (II)  except as may be  required  by law or any  plan,  program,
contract or  arrangement  in effect on the date of  Amendment  No. 2, during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, RSI shall not, and
shall not permit any of its  subsidiaries to, (A) grant to any current or former
director,  officer,  any regional vice president or president of any division of
RSI or its subsidiaries  any increase in compensation,  bonus or other benefits,
except as required by employment  agreements in effect as of April 27, 1996; (B)
grant to any such  current  or  former  director,  officer,  any  regional  vice
president or president of any division any increase in severance or  termination
pay;  or (C)  enter  into,  or amend,  any  employment,  deferred  compensation,
consulting,  severance,  termination or indemnification  agreement with any such
current or former director, officer, regional vice president or president of any
division,  or (III)  except  as may be  required  by law or any  plan,  program,
contract or  arrangement  in effect on the date of  Amendment  No. 2, during the
period from the date of Amendment  No. 2 to the Effective  Time,  RSI shall not,
and shall not permit  any of its  subsidiaries  to adopt or amend,  and to RSI's
knowledge  since  October 8, 1997,  RSI has not and has not permitted any of its
subsidiaries to, adopt or amend, any collective bargaining agreement (other than
renegotiations required by any such collective bargaining agreement), employment
agreement,  consulting  agreement,  severance  agreement or any bonus,  pension,
profit sharing, deferred compensation,  incentive compensation, stock ownership,
stock purchase,  stock option, phantom stock, retirement,  vacation,  severance,
disability, death benefit,  hospitalization,  medical or other plan, arrangement
or understanding  providing benefits to any current or former employee,  officer
or director of RSI or any of its wholly-owned  subsidiaries  (collectively,  the
"RSI  Benefit  Plans"),  in any  manner  which  would,  individually,  or in the
aggregate,  involve  amounts in excess of  $1,000,000.  Anything in this Section
4.1(a) to the contrary notwithstanding,  RSI and any RSI subsidiary shall not be
deemed in violation of this Section  4.1(a) if such  violation is cured prior to
the Effective  Time.  Without  limiting the  generality  of the  foregoing  (but
subject  to the  above  exceptions),  during  the  period  from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective  Time, RSI shall not, and shall not permit any of its
subsidiaries to:

     (i) other than dividends and  distributions  by a direct or indirect wholly
owned  subsidiary  of RSI to its parent,  or by a  subsidiary  that is partially
owned  by  RSI  or  any  of its  subsidiaries,  provided  that  RSI or any  such
subsidiary receives or is to receive its proportionate share thereof, or regular
semi-annual  dividends not to exceed $.03 per share,  (x) declare,  set aside or
pay any dividends on, make any other  distributions in respect of, or enter into
any  agreement  with  respect to the voting of, any of its  capital  stock,  (y)
split,  combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other  securities  in respect of, in lieu of or in  substitution
for shares of its capital  stock,  except for issuances of RSI Common Stock upon
the  exercise of RSI Employee  Stock  Options or the Assumed  Warrants,  in each
case,  outstanding as of the date hereof in accordance  with their present terms
(including  cashless  exercise) or issued pursuant to Section  4.1(a)(ii) or (z)
purchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of RSI or any
of its subsidiaries or any other securities  thereof or any rights,  warrants or
options to acquire any such shares or other securities  (except,  in the case of
clause (z), for the deemed  acceptance of shares upon  cashless  exercise of RSI
Employee  Stock Options  outstanding on the date hereof,  or in connection  with
withholding obligations relating thereto);

     (ii) issue,  deliver,  sell, pledge or otherwise encumber or subject to any
Lien any  shares of its  capital  stock,  any  other  voting  securities  or any
securities convertible into, or any rights,  warrants or options to acquire, any
such  shares,  voting  securities  or  convertible  securities  (other  than the
issuance of RSI Common  Stock upon the  exercise or  conversion  of RSI Employee
Stock Options or the Assumed Warrants, in each case,  outstanding as of the date
hereof in  accordance  with their  present terms or the issuance of RSI Employee
Stock Options (and shares of RSI Common Stock upon the exercise thereof) granted
after the date hereof in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice for  employees (so long as such  additional  amount of RSI Common Stock
subject to RSI Employee  Stock Options  issued to such employees does not exceed
the lesser of (x) 400,000  shares of RSI Common Stock in the  aggregate  and (y)
the number of shares of RSI Common Stock  subject to RSI Employee  Stock Options
issued  during  RSI's  fiscal  year  ended  June 28,  1997 and so long as no RSI
Employee Stock Option issued pursuant to this Section  4.1(a)(ii)  shall contain
any  terms  providing  for,  or  otherwise  permit or give rise to any right to,
accelerated  vesting,  the releasing of  restrictions or any payment (in cash or
otherwise)  as a result of the  consummation  of the  Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     (iii) amend its certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other comparable
organizational documents;

     (iv) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or  consolidating  with,  or by
purchasing a substantial  portion of the assets of, or by any other manner,  any
business or any person,  or, except for  transactions  in the ordinary course of
business  consistent  with past practice  pursuant to contracts or agreements in
force at the date of this  Agreement  or pursuant to RSI's  current  capital and
operating  budgets (in each case,  as  previously  provided  to JPFI),  make any
material investment either by purchase of stock or securities,  contributions to
capital,  property transfers, or purchase of any property or assets of any other
individual, corporation or other entity other than a subsidiary of RSI;

     (v) sell, lease, license,  mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any
Lien  or  otherwise  dispose  of any  of its  properties  or  assets  (including
securitizations),  other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice;

     (vi) make any tax election that individually or in the aggregate would have
a  material  adverse  effect  on RSI or any of its tax  attributes  or settle or
compromise any material income tax liability;

     (vii)  incur  any  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  or  issue  any  debt
securities  or assume,  guarantee or endorse,  or otherwise as an  accommodation
become  responsible for the obligations of any person for borrowed money,  other
than pursuant to a revolving  credit facility or receivables  facility in effect
as of the date hereof,  in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practice;

     (viii)  settle any material  claim,  action or proceeding  involving  money
damages,  except  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with  past
practice;

     (ix) enter into or terminate any material  contract or  agreement,  or make
any change in any of its material leases or contracts,  other than amendments or
renewals of contracts and leases without material adverse changes of terms; or

     (x) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing actions;

provided  that the  limitations  set forth in this  Section  4.1(a)  (other than
clause  (iii))  shall not apply to any  transaction  between  RSI and any wholly
owned subsidiary or between any wholly owned subsidiaries of RSI.

     (b) Conduct of Business by JPFI.  Except (i) as  disclosed  to an executive
officer  of RSI in  writing  prior to the date of  Amendment  No.  2, or (ii) as
disclosed  in (A) the JPFI  Disclosure  Schedule  as  amended  by  Schedule V to
Amendment  No. 2, (B) any JPFI  Filed  SEC  Document,  or (C) any press  release
issued  by JPFI  prior to the date of  Amendment  No.  2  (each,  a "JPFI  Press
Release"),  (iii) as otherwise  expressly  contemplated by this Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  thereby,  or (iv) as consented to by RSI in writing,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed,  during the period from
the date of this  Agreement to the  Effective  Time,  (I) JPFI shall,  and shall
cause its subsidiaries to, carry on their respective  businesses in the ordinary
course  consistent with past practice and in compliance in all material respects
with  all  applicable  laws  and  regulations,  and,  to the  extent  consistent
therewith,  use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their current business
organizations,  (II)  except as may be  required  by law or any  plan,  program,
contract or  arrangement  in effect on the date of  Amendment  No. 2, during the
period from the date of this  Agreement to the Effective  Time,  JPFI shall not,
and shall not permit  any of its  subsidiaries  to, (A) grant to any  current or
former  director,  officer,  any  regional  vice  president  or president of any
division of JPFI or its  subsidiaries  any  increase in  compensation,  bonus or
other benefits, except as required by employment agreements in effect as of June
29,  1996;  (B) grant to any such  current  or  former  director,  officer,  any
regional  vice  president or president of any division any increase in severance
or  termination  pay,  or (C) enter into,  or amend,  any  employment,  deferred
compensation,  consulting,  severance,  termination or indemnification agreement
with any such current or former director, officer or any regional vice president
or president of any  division,  or (III) except as may be required by law or any
plan, program, contract or arrangement in effect on the date of Amendment No. 2,
during the period from the date of Amendment No. 2 to the Effective  Time,  JPFI
shall not, and shall not permit any of its  subsidiaries to adopt or amend,  and
to JPFI's  knowledge  since October 8, 1997,  JPFI has not and has not permitted
any of its subsidiaries to, adopt or amend, any collective  bargaining agreement
(other  than   renegotiations   required  by  any  such  collective   bargaining
agreement),  employment agreement,  consulting agreement, severance agreement or
any  bonus,   pension,   profit  sharing,   deferred   compensation,   incentive
compensation,  stock  ownership,  stock purchase,  stock option,  phantom stock,
retirement,  vacation,  severance,  disability, death benefit,  hospitalization,
medical or other plan,  arrangement or understanding  providing  benefits to any
current  or  former  employee,  officer  or  director  of  JPFI  or  any  of its
wholly-owned  subsidiaries  (collectively,  the "JPFI  Benefit  Plans"),  in any
manner which would, individually, or in the aggregate, involve amounts in excess
of $1,000,000.  Anything in this Section 4.1(b) to the contrary notwithstanding,
JPFI and any JPFI  subsidiary  shall not be deemed in  violation of this Section
4.1(b) if such violation is cured prior to the Effective Time.  Without limiting
the  generality of the foregoing (but subject to the above  exceptions),  during
the period from the date of this  Agreement to the  Effective  Time,  JPFI shall
not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to:
<PAGE>

     (i) other than dividends and  distributions  by a direct or indirect wholly
owned  subsidiary  of JPFI to its parent,  or by a subsidiary  that is partially
owned  by JPFI  or any of its  subsidiaries,  provided  that  JPFI  or any  such
subsidiary  receives  or is to receive  its  proportionate  share  thereof,  (x)
declare,  set aside or pay any  dividends  on, make any other  distributions  in
respect of, or enter into any  agreement  with  respect to the voting of, any of
its capital stock, (y) split,  combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or
issue or authorize  the issuance of any other  securities in respect of, in lieu
of or in substitution  for shares of its capital stock,  except for issuances of
JPFI Common Stock upon the exercise of JPFI Employee  Stock Options  outstanding
as of the date hereof in accordance with their present terms (including cashless
exercise) or issued  pursuant to Section  4.1(b)(ii) or (z) purchase,  redeem or
otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of JPFI or any of its subsidiaries
or any other  securities  thereof or any rights,  warrants or options to acquire
any such shares or other securities  (except, in the case of clause (z), for the
deemed  acceptance  of shares  upon  cashless  exercise of JPFI  Employee  Stock
Options, or in connection with withholding obligations relating thereto);

     (ii) issue,  deliver,  sell, pledge or otherwise encumber or subject to any
Lien any  shares of its  capital  stock,  any  other  voting  securities  or any
securities convertible into, or any rights,  warrants or options to acquire, any
such  shares,  voting  securities  or  convertible  securities  (other  than the
issuance of JPFI Common Stock upon the exercise of JPFI  Employee  Stock Options
outstanding as of the date hereof in accordance  with their present terms or the
issuance of JPFI  Employee  Stock  Options (and shares of JPFI Common Stock upon
the exercise  thereof)  granted after the date hereof in the ordinary  course of
business consistent with past practice for employees (so long as such additional
amount of JPFI Common Stock  subject to JPFI Employee  Stock  Options  issued to
employees does not exceed 300,000 shares of JPFI Common Stock in the aggregate);

    (iii) except as contemplated hereby, amend its certificate of incorporation,
by-laws or other  comparable organizational documents;

     (iv) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or  consolidating  with,  or by
purchasing a substantial  portion of the assets of, or by any other manner,  any
business or any person,  or, except for  transactions  in the ordinary course of
business  consistent  with past practice  pursuant to contracts or agreements in
force at the date of this  Agreement or pursuant to JPFI's  current  capital and
operating  budgets  (in each case,  as  previously  provided  to RSI),  make any
material investment either by purchase of stock or securities,  contributions to
capital,  property transfers, or purchase of any property or assets of any other
individual, corporation or other entity other than a subsidiary of JPFI;

     (v) sell, lease, license,  mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any
Lien  or  otherwise  dispose  of any  of its  properties  or  assets  (including
securitizations),  other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice;

     (vi) make any tax election that individually or in the aggregate would have
a  material  adverse  effect on JPFI or any of its tax  attributes  or settle or
compromise any material income tax liability;

     (vii)  incur  any  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  or  issue  any  debt
securities  or assume,  guarantee or endorse,  or otherwise as an  accommodation
become  responsible for the obligations of any person for borrowed money,  other
than pursuant to a revolving  credit facility or receivables  facility in effect
as of the date hereof,  in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practice;

     (viii) settle any claim,  action or  proceeding  involving  money  damages,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

     (ix) enter into or terminate any material  contract or  agreement,  or make
any change in any of its material leases or contracts,  other than amendments or
renewals of contracts and leases without material adverse changes of terms; or

     (x) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing actions;

provided  that the  limitations  set forth in this  Section  4.1(b)  (other than
clause  (iii))  shall not apply to any  transaction  between JPFI and any wholly
owned subsidiary or between any wholly owned subsidiaries of JPFI.

     (c) Other  Actions.  Except as required by law, RSI and JPFI shall not, and
shall not permit any of their respective  subsidiaries to,  voluntarily take any
action that would, or that could reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of
the  representations  and  warranties of such party set forth in this  Agreement
that are qualified as to materiality becoming untrue at the Effective Time, (ii)
any of such  representations  and warranties that are not so qualified  becoming
untrue  in any  material  respect  at the  Effective  Time,  or (iii) any of the
conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being satisfied.

     (d) Advice of Changes.  RSI and JPFI shall promptly  advise the other party
orally and in writing to the extent it has  knowledge of (i) any  representation
or warranty  made by it  contained  in this  Agreement  that is  qualified as to
materiality   becoming   untrue  or  inaccurate  in  any  respect  or  any  such
representation  or  warranty  that  is  not  so  qualified  becoming  untrue  or
inaccurate  in any  material  respect,  (ii) the  failure by it to comply in any
material respect with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition
or agreement to be complied  with or  satisfied by it under this  Agreement  and
(iii) any  change  or event  having,  or which,  insofar  as can  reasonably  be
foreseen, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on such
party or on the truth of such  party's  representations  and  warranties  or the
ability of the  conditions  set forth in Article VI to be  satisfied;  provided,
however, that no such notification shall affect the representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements of the parties (or remedies with respect thereto) or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement.

     SECTION  4.2. No  Solicitation  or  Negotiations.  (a) Neither JPFI nor RSI
shall,  directly  or  indirectly,  solicit  or  encourage  (including  by way of
furnishing  information),  or authorize  any  individual,  corporation  or other
entity to solicit or encourage  (including  by way of  furnishing  information),
from any  third  party any  inquiries  or  proposals  relating  to,  or  conduct
negotiations  or  discussions  with any third party with respect to, or take any
other action to  facilitate  any  inquiries  or the making of any proposal  that
constitutes,  or that may  reasonably  be expected  to lead to, any  proposal or
offer relating to the disposition of its business or assets,  or the acquisition
of its voting  securities,  or the merger or  consolidation  of it or any of its
subsidiaries with or into any corporation or other entity other than as provided
in this  Agreement,  the Option  Agreements or the Support  Agreement  (and each
party shall promptly notify the other of all of the relevant details relating to
all inquiries and proposals which it may receive relating to any such matters).

     (b) Nothing  contained in Section  4.2(a) or Section 5.1 shall prohibit RSI
or JPFI from taking and  disclosing to its  respective  stockholders  a position
contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE V

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     SECTION  5.1.  Preparation  of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy  Statement;
Stockholders  Meetings.  (a) As soon as  practicable  following the date of this
Agreement,  RSI and JPFI  shall  prepare  and file with the SEC the Joint  Proxy
Statement,  and JPFI shall  prepare and file with the SEC the Form S-4, in which
the Joint Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus. Each of RSI and JPFI
shall  use  best  efforts  to have the Form S-4  declared  effective  under  the
Securities  Act as promptly as practicable  after such filing.  RSI will use all
best  efforts  to  cause  the  Joint  Proxy  Statement  to be  mailed  to  RSI's
stockholders,  and JPFI  will use all best  efforts  to cause  the  Joint  Proxy
Statement  to be mailed  to JPFI's  stockholders,  in each case as  promptly  as
practicable  after the Form S-4 is declared  effective under the Securities Act.
JPFI shall also take any action  (other  than  qualifying  to do business in any
jurisdiction in which it is not now so qualified or to file a general consent to
service of process)  required to be taken under any applicable  state securities
laws in connection  with the issuance of JPFI Common Stock in the Merger and RSI
shall furnish all information concerning RSI and the holders of RSI Common Stock
as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. No filing of,
or amendment or supplement to, the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement will be
made by JPFI  without  RSI's  prior  consent  (which  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld)  and  without  providing  RSI the  opportunity  to review and  comment
thereon. JPFI will advise RSI, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
time when the Form S-4 has become  effective or any  supplement or amendment has
been filed, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the  qualification
of the JPFI Common Stock issuable in connection  with the Merger for offering or
sale in any  jurisdiction,  or any request by the SEC for amendment of the Joint
Proxy  Statement or the Form S-4 or comments  thereon and  responses  thereto or
requests  by the SEC for  additional  information.  If at any time  prior to the
Effective  Time  any  information  relating  to RSI  or  JPFI,  or any of  their
respective  affiliates,  officers or  directors,  should be discovered by RSI or
JPFI which should be set forth in an amendment or  supplement to any of the Form
S-4 or the  Joint  Proxy  Statement,  so that any of such  documents  would  not
include any  misstatement  of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances  under
which they were made, not misleading, the party which discovers such information
shall promptly  notify the other parties hereto and an appropriate  amendment or
supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC and,
to the extent required by law, disseminated to the stockholders of RSI and JPFI.

     (b) RSI shall,  as promptly as  practicable  after the Form S-4 is declared
effective  under the Securities Act, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold
a meeting of its  stockholders  (the "RSI  Stockholders  Meeting") in accordance
with the DGCL for the purpose of  obtaining  the RSI  Stockholder  Approval  and
shall,  through  its  Board of  Directors,  recommend  to its  stockholders  the
approval and adoption of this Agreement,  the Merger and the other  transactions
contemplated hereby.

     (c) JPFI shall,  as promptly as practicable  after the Form S-4 is declared
effective  under the Securities Act, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold
a meeting of its stockholders  (the "JPFI  Stockholders  Meeting") in accordance
with the DGCL for the purpose of  obtaining  the JPFI  Stockholder  Approval and
shall,  through  its  Board of  Directors,  recommend  to its  stockholders  the
approval and adoption of this Agreement,  the Merger and the other  transactions
contemplated hereby.

     (d) JPFI and RSI will use best efforts to hold the RSI Stockholders Meeting
and the JPFI  Stockholders  Meeting  on the same date and as soon as  reasonably
practicable after the date hereof.

     SECTION 5.2. Letters of RSI's  Accountants.  (a) RSI shall use best efforts
to cause to be delivered to JPFI two letters from RSI's independent accountants,
one dated a date within two business  days before the date on which the Form S-4
shall become  effective and one dated a date within two business days before the
Closing  Date,  each  addressed  to  JPFI,  in  form  and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to JPFI and customary in scope and  substance for comfort  letters
delivered by  independent  public  accountants in connection  with  registration
statements similar to the Form S-4.

     (b) RSI shall use best  efforts to cause to be delivered to JPFI and JPFI's
independent accountants a letter from RSI's independent accountants addressed to
JPFI and RSI, dated as of the date the Form S-4 is declared  effective and as of
the  Closing  Date,  stating  that  accounting  for the  Merger as a pooling  of
interests under Opinion 16 of the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC
rules and  regulations is appropriate if the Merger is closed and consummated as
contemplated by this Agreement.

     SECTION 5.3. Letters of JPFI's Accountants. (a) JPFI shall use best efforts
to cause to be delivered to RSI two letters from JPFI's independent accountants,
one dated a date within two business  days before the date on which the Form S-4
shall become  effective and one dated a date within two business days before the
Closing  Date,  each  addressed  to  RSI,  in  form  and  substance   reasonably
satisfactory  to RSI and customary in scope and  substance  for comfort  letters
delivered by  independent  public  accountants in connection  with  registration
statements similar to the Form S-4.

     (b) JPFI shall use best  efforts to cause to be  delivered to RSI and RSI's
independent accountants a letter from JPFI's independent accountants,  addressed
to RSI and JPFI, dated as of the date the Form S-4 is declared  effective and as
of the Closing  Date,  stating  that  accounting  for the Merger as a pooling of
interests under Opinion 16 of the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC
rules and  regulations is appropriate if the Merger is closed and consummated as
contemplated by this Agreement.

     SECTION  5.4.  Access  to  Information;  Confidentiality.  Subject  to  the
Confidentiality  Agreements dated April 22, 1997, each as amended as of June 13,
1997, between JPFI and RSI (the  "Confidentiality  Agreements"),  and subject to
applicable  law,  each  of RSI and  JPFI  shall,  and  shall  cause  each of its
respective  subsidiaries  to,  afford  to the other  party and to the  officers,
employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of
such other party,  reasonable  access  during normal  business  hours during the
period prior to the Effective Time to all their  respective  properties,  books,
contracts,  commitments,  personnel and records (provided that such access shall
not interfere  with the business or  operations of such party) and,  during such
period,  each of RSI and JPFI  shall,  and shall  cause  each of its  respective
subsidiaries  to, furnish promptly to the other party (a) a copy of each report,
schedule,  registration  statement  and other  document  filed by it during such
period pursuant to the  requirements of federal or state securities laws and (b)
all other information concerning its business,  properties and personnel as such
other party may reasonably request. No review pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall
affect any  representation or warranty given by the other party hereto.  Each of
RSI and JPFI will  hold,  and will  cause its  respective  officers,  employees,
accountants,   counsel,   financial  advisors  and  other   representatives  and
affiliates to hold, any nonpublic  information  in accordance  with the terms of
the Confidentiality Agreements.

     SECTION 5.5. Best Efforts. (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this  Agreement,  each of the parties agrees to use best efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all actions,  and to do, or cause to be done, and to
assist and  cooperate  with the other  parties in doing,  all things  necessary,
proper or advisable to consummate and make  effective,  in the most  expeditious
manner practicable,  the Merger and the other transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement,  including (i) the obtaining of all necessary  actions or nonactions,
waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Entities and the making of all
necessary  registrations  and  filings  and the  taking  of all  steps as may be
necessary  to  obtain  an  approval  or  waiver  from,  or to avoid an action or
proceeding  by, any  Governmental  Entity,  (ii) the  obtaining of all necessary
consents,  approvals  or waivers,  and any  necessary or  appropriate  financing
arrangements,  from third parties,  (iii) the defending of any lawsuits or other
legal  proceedings,   whether  judicial  or  administrative,   challenging  this
Agreement  or  the  consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
Agreement,  including  seeking to have any stay or temporary  restraining  order
entered by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed,  and (iv)
the execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate
the  transactions  contemplated by, and to fully carry out the purposes of, this
Agreement.

     (b) In connection  with and without  limiting the  foregoing,  RSI and JPFI
shall (i) take all action  necessary to ensure that no state takeover statute or
similar statute or regulation is or becomes  applicable to this  Agreement,  the
Option Agreements, the Support Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby and (ii) if any state takeover  statute or similar statute or
regulation  becomes  applicable  to such  agreements or  transactions,  take all
action necessary to ensure that such transactions may be consummated as promptly
as  practicable  on the terms  contemplated  by this  Agreement and otherwise to
minimize  the effect of such statute or  regulation  on the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     SECTION 5.6. Employment Agreements.  (a) From and after the Effective Time,
JPFI  will,  and will  cause  Merger  Sub to,  honor in  accordance  with  their
respective terms, and assume and agree to perform, in the same manner and to the
same extent that RSI would be required to do if the Merger had not taken  place,
the RSI Benefit Plans,  the RSI Stock Plans (subject to Section  2.1(e)) and all
employment,  severance and change in control agreements in effect as of the date
hereof.  For the purpose of any such Plan or agreement that contains a provision
relating to a change in control of RSI and that is  disclosed as such on Section
5.6(a) of the RSI Disclosure  Schedule,  JPFI acknowledges that the consummation
of the Merger constitutes such a change in control.  RSI and JPFI will cooperate
on and after the date of this Agreement to develop appropriate  employee benefit
plans, programs and arrangements,  including,  but not limited to, executive and
incentive  compensation,  stock  option and  supplemental  executive  retirement
plans,  for  employees  and  directors  of the  Surviving  Corporation  and  its
subsidiaries  from and after the  Effective  Time.  Nothing in this  Section 5.6
shall be  interpreted  as preventing  the Surviving  Corporation  from amending,
modifying  or  terminating  any RSI Stock Plans or RSI Benefit  Plans,  or other
contracts, arrangements, commitments or understandings, in accordance with their
terms and  applicable  law, or be deemed to constitute  an  employment  contract
between JPFI or the Surviving  Corporation  and any  individual,  or a waiver of
JPFI's or the  Surviving  Corporation's  right to discharge  any employee at any
time, with or without cause.
<PAGE>

     (b) Each of RSI and JPFI will take the actions  indicated on Section 5.6(b)
of the RSI  Disclosure  Schedule  to be  taken  by it at or  prior  to the  time
specified  therein,  including  the  execution,  at the  Effective  Time,  of an
employment  agreement  with Mark Van  Stekelenburg  in the form attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit G.

     SECTION 5.7. Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance. (a) JPFI agrees to
maintain in effect in accordance with their terms all rights to  indemnification
and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions  occurring at or prior to
the  Effective  Time  existing as of the date of this  Agreement in favor of the
current or former directors or officers of RSI and its subsidiaries  (and any of
their respective  predecessors,  including,  without limitation,  US Foodservice
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("US Foodservice"), that was merged within and into
USF  Acquisition  Corporation  on May 17, 1996) as provided in their  respective
certificates  of   incorporation   or  by-laws  (or  comparable   organizational
documents) and any  indemnification  agreements of RSI or in Section 7.13 of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 2, 1996,  among RSI, USF Acquisition
Corporation and US Foodservice.  The certificate of incorporation  and bylaws of
the  Surviving  Corporation  shall  contain the  provisions  (and the  Surviving
Corporation's  Certification  of  Incorporation  and  by-laws  may be amended to
incorporate such provisions) with respect to indemnification  that are set forth
in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of RSI (in each case in effect as
of June 30, 1997 and as provided to JPFI prior to such date),  which  provisions
shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified, except as required by law,
for a period of six years  from the  Effective  Time in any  manner  that  would
affect  adversely the rights  thereunder of  individuals  who at (or at any time
prior  to)  the  Effective  Time  were  directors  or  officers  of  RSI  or its
subsidiaries  (or any of its  predecessors).  In  addition,  from and  after the
Effective Time,  directors and officers of RSI who become  directors or officers
of JPFI will be  entitled  to the same  indemnity  rights and  protections,  and
directors' and officers' liability insurance,  as are afforded from time to time
to other directors and officers of JPFI.

     (b) In the event  that  JPFI,  the  Surviving  Corporation  or any of their
respective  successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other
person and is not the  continuing  or  surviving  corporation  or entity of such
consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of
its  properties and assets to any person,  then,  and in each such case,  proper
provision  will be  made  so that  the  successors  and  assigns  of JPFI or the
Surviving  Corporation  (as the case may be) assume the obligations set forth in
this Section 5.7.

     (c) JPFI shall use its best efforts to provide to RSI's  current  directors
and  officers,  for six years  after the  Effective  Time,  liability  insurance
covering acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time with respect to
those  persons  who are  currently  covered by RSI's  directors'  and  officers'
liability  insurance policy on terms with respect to such coverage and amount no
less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date hereof,  provided
that in no event  shall JPFI be required to expend more than 200% of the current
amount expended by RSI to maintain such coverage.

     (d) The  provisions  of this  Section  5.7 (i) are  intended  to be for the
benefit of, and will be enforceable by, each indemnified party, his or her heirs
and  his or  her  representatives  and  (ii)  are in  addition  to,  and  not in
substitution for, any other rights to  indemnification  or contribution that any
such person may have by contract or otherwise.

     (e) Without  limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  the provisions of
this  Section  5.7  shall  apply  to  any  litigation,   action,   suit,  claim,
investigation or proceeding described in Item 11 to Schedule II to Amendment No.
2.

     SECTION  5.8.  Fees  and  Expenses.  All  fees  and  expenses  incurred  in
connection with the Merger, this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated by
this  Agreement  shall be paid by the party  incurring  such  fees or  expenses,
whether or not the Merger is consummated,  except (x) to the extent set forth in
Section 7.5 hereof and (y) that each of JPFI and RSI shall bear and pay one-half
of the costs and expenses  incurred in connection with (1) the filing,  printing
and mailing of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement  (including SEC filing
fees) and (2) the filings of the pre-merger  notification and report forms under
the HSR Act (including filing fees).

     SECTION  5.9.  Public  Announcements.  JPFI and RSI will  consult with each
other before issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review,  comment
upon and concur with, and use reasonable  efforts to agree on, any press release
or other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement,  the Option  Agreements  and the  Support  Agreement,  including  the
Merger,  and  shall not issue any such  press  release  or make any such  public
statement  prior to such  consultation,  except as either party may determine is
required by  applicable  law,  court process or by  obligations  pursuant to any
listing  agreement with any national  securities  exchange or stock market.  The
parties  agree that the initial  press  release to be issued with respect to the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall be in the form  heretofore
agreed to by the parties.

     SECTION 5.10. Affiliates. (a) As soon as practicable after the date hereof,
RSI shall deliver to JPFI a letter  identifying all persons who may be deemed to
be, at the time this Agreement is submitted for adoption by the  stockholders of
RSI,  "affiliates"  of RSI for purposes of Rule 145 under the  Securities Act or
for  purposes  of  qualifying  the Merger for  pooling of  interests  accounting
treatment under Opinion 16 of the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC
rules and  regulations,  and such list shall be updated as  necessary to reflect
changes  from the date  hereof.  RSI shall use best efforts to cause each person
identified  on such list to  deliver  to JPFI not less than 30 days prior to the
Effective  Time,  a written  agreement  substantially  in the form  attached  as
Exhibit E hereto.  JPFI  shall use best  efforts  to cause all  persons  who are
"affiliates"  of JPFI for  purposes  of  qualifying  the Merger  for  pooling of
interests  accounting  treatment  under Opinion 16 of the Accounting  Principles
Board and applicable  SEC rules and  regulations to deliver to RSI not less than
30 days prior to the Effective Time, a written  agreement  substantially  in the
form of the fourth paragraph of Exhibit D hereto.

     (b) JPFI shall use reasonable best efforts to publish no later than 45 days
after the end of the first month after the Effective  Time in which there are at
least 30 days of post Merger combined  operations  (which month may be the month
in which the Effective  Time occurs),  combined  sales and net income figures as
contemplated  by and in  accordance  with  the  terms of SEC  Accounting  Series
Release No. 135.

     SECTION 5.11.  NYSE Listing.  JPFI shall use best efforts to cause the JPFI
Common Stock  issuable  under Article II to be approved for listing on the NYSE,
subject to official  notice of issuance,  as promptly as  practicable  after the
date hereof, and in any event prior to the Closing Date.

     SECTION 5.12. Tax Treatment. Each of JPFI and RSI shall use best efforts to
cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization  under the provisions of Section
368 of the Code and to obtain the  opinions  of counsel  referred  to in Section
6.1(g).  The parties will  characterize the Merger as such a reorganization  for
purposes of all tax returns and other filings.


     SECTION  5.13.  Pooling of  Interests.  Each of RSI and JPFI shall use best
efforts to cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  including the
Merger,  to be accounted  for as a pooling of interests  under Opinion 16 of the
Accounting  Principles Board and applicable SEC rules and regulations,  and such
accounting  treatment to be accepted by the SEC, and each of RSI and JPFI agrees
that it shall take no action that would cause such  accounting  treatment not to
be obtained.

     SECTION 5.14. Standstill Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements. During the
period from the date of this  Agreement  through the Effective  Time,  except as
JPFI and RSI otherwise mutually agree pursuant to a written instrument,  neither
RSI nor JPFI  shall  terminate,  amend,  modify  or waive any  provision  of any
confidentiality  or  standstill  agreement to which it or any of its  respective
subsidiaries  is a  party.  Except  as JPFI  and RSI  otherwise  mutually  agree
pursuant to a written  instrument,  during such period, RSI or JPFI, as the case
may be, shall enforce, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the
provisions of any such agreement,  including by obtaining injunctions to prevent
any  breaches  of such  agreements  and to  enforce  specifically  the terms and
provisions  thereof in any court of the United States of America or of any state
having jurisdiction.

     SECTION 5.15.  Post-Merger  Operations. Following the Effective  Time, JPFI
shall have its  headquarters  and principal corporate offices in Columbia, 
Maryland.

     SECTION  5.16.  Conveyance  Taxes.  JPFI  and RSI  shall  cooperate  in the
preparation,  execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires,  applications
or other documents  regarding any real property  transfer or gains,  sales, use,
transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp taxes, any transfer,  recording,
registration  and other  fees or any  similar  taxes  which  become  payable  in
connection  with  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  that  are
required or permitted to be filed on or before the Effective Time.

     SECTION 5.17.  87/8% Indenture.  Merger Sub, as the Surviving  Corporation,
agrees that it will comply with the provisions of Section 11.1 of the Indenture,
dated as of  November  1,  1993,  between  RSI,  as  issuer,  and  Norwest  Bank
Minnesota,  N.A.,  as trustee,  as  supplemented  on May 1, 1996  (relating to a
mandatory tender to the holders of the 87/8% Senior  Subordinated Notes due 2003
thereunder upon a "change of control" (as defined in such Indenture)).

     SECTION  5.18.  Certain Tax  Matters.  Provided  that the  structure of the
transaction  as  contemplated  in Section 1.1 has not been  revised  pursuant to
Section 1.7,  each of RSI and JPFI agrees that it will not treat the Merger as a
change  in the  ownership  or  effective  control  of RSI,  or a  change  in the
ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of RSI, each within the meaning
of Section 280G of the Code,  unless RSI or JPFI, as the case may be, concludes,
in its sole  discretion,  that  substantial  authority  (within  the  meaning of
Section 6621 of the Code) does not exist for such  position or unless  otherwise
required  by  a  determination  (as  defined  in  Section  1313  of  the  Code).
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  each of RSI and JPFI  agrees  that taking into
account the modification of the Exchange Ratio,  substantial authority exists as
of the date of Amendment No. 2 that, as of the Effective  Time, the position set
forth in this Section 5.18 shall  continue to be  applicable.  Without the prior
written  consent of RSI, JPFI agrees that it shall not, and shall not permit any
of its  subsidiaries to, take any action not required by any binding contract or
plan in effect as of the date of Amendment No. 2 or by applicable law that would
prevent the statement  set forth in the  preceding  sentence from being true and
correct as of the Effective Time, including without limitation,  any action with
respect  to the  issuance  of  shares of its  capital  stock,  any other  voting
securities  or any  securities  convertible  into,  or any  rights,  warrants or
options  to  acquire,   any  such  shares,   voting  securities  or  convertible
securities, whether or not permitted by any other provision of this Agreement.
<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     SECTION 6.1.  Conditions  to Each Party's  Obligation to Effect the Merger.
The  respective  obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to the
satisfaction  or  waiver  on or  prior  to the  Closing  Date  of the  following
conditions:

     (a)  Stockholder  Approvals.  Each of the RSI  Stockholder Approval and the
JPFI  Stockholder  Approval shall have been obtained.

     (b) HSR Act. The waiting period (and any extension  thereof)  applicable to
the Merger under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired.

     (c) Governmental, Regulatory and Other Approvals. (i) Other than the filing
provided  for under  Section 1.3 and filings  pursuant to the HSR Act (which are
addressed in Section  6.1(b)),  all consents,  approvals and actions of, filings
with and notices to any  Governmental  Entity  required  of RSI,  JPFI or any of
their   subsidiaries  to  consummate  the  Merger  and  the  other  transactions
contemplated  hereby (together with the matters  contemplated by Section 6.1(b),
the "Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals") shall have been obtained and (ii) except
as would not have a material adverse effect on any of RSI, JPFI or the Surviving
Corporation,  the consents and approvals set forth on Section  3.1(d) of the RSI
Disclosure  Schedule and Section  3.2(d) of the JPFI  Disclosure  Schedule shall
have been obtained or shall no longer be required.

     (d) No Injunctions or Restraints. No judgment, order, decree, statute, law,
ordinance, rule or regulation, entered, enacted, promulgated, enforced or issued
by any court or other  Governmental  Entity of competent  jurisdiction  or other
legal restraint or prohibition  (collectively,  "Restraints") shall be in effect
(i)  preventing  the  consummation  of the Merger,  or (ii) which  otherwise  is
reasonably  likely  to  have a  material  adverse  effect  on RSI  or  JPFI,  as
applicable; provided, however, that each of the parties shall have used its best
efforts to prevent the entry of any such Restraints and to appeal as promptly as
possible any such Restraints that may be entered.

     (e) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities
Act prior to the mailing of the Joint Proxy Statement by each of RSI and JPFI to
their respective  stockholders  and no stop order or proceedings  seeking a stop
order shall be threatened by the SEC or shall have been initiated by the SEC.

     (f) NYSE  Listing.  The  shares  of JPFI  Common  Stock  issuable  to RSI's
stockholders  as contemplated by Article II shall have been approved for listing
on the NYSE subject to official notice of issuance.

     (g) Tax Opinions.  JPFI shall have received from Wachtell,  Lipton, Rosen &
Katz,  counsel to JPFI,  and RSI shall have received from Jones,  Day,  Reavis &
Pogue, counsel to RSI, an opinion, dated the Closing Date,  substantially to the
effect  that:  (i) the Merger  will  constitute  a  "reorganization"  within the
meaning of Section  368(a) of the Code, and JPFI and RSI will each be a party to
such  reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;  (ii) no
gain or loss will be recognized by JPFI or RSI as a result of the Merger;  (iii)
no gain or loss will be recognized by the  stockholders of RSI upon the exchange
of their  shares of RSI Common  Stock  solely for  shares of JPFI  Common  Stock
pursuant to the Merger, except with respect to cash, if any, received in lieu of
fractional  shares of JPFI Common  Stock;  (iv) the  aggregate  tax basis of the
shares of JPFI Common Stock received solely in exchange for shares of RSI Common
Stock pursuant to the Merger  (including  fractional shares of JPFI Common Stock
for which cash is received)  will be the same as the  aggregate tax basis of the
shares of RSI Common Stock  exchanged  therefor;  and (v) the holding period for
shares of JPFI Common Stock  received in exchange for shares of RSI Common Stock
pursuant  to the Merger will  include  the  holding  period of the shares of RSI
Common Stock exchanged  therefor,  provided such shares of RSI Common Stock were
held as capital assets by the stockholder at the Effective Time.

     In  rendering  such  opinions,  each of  counsel  for JPFI and RSI shall be
entitled  to  receive  and  rely  upon  representations  of  fact  contained  in
certificates   of  officers  of  JPFI,  RSI  and   stockholders  of  RSI,  which
representations shall be in form and substance satisfactory to such counsel.

     (h) Pooling Letters.  JPFI and RSI shall have received letters from each of
RSI's independent  accountants and JPFI's independent  accountants,  dated as of
the Closing  Date,  in each case  addressed  to JPFI and RSI,  stating  that the
Merger  qualifies for  accounting as a pooling of interests  under Opinion 16 of
the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC rules and regulations.

     SECTION 6.2.  Conditions to  Obligations of JPFI. The obligation of JPFI to
effect the Merger is further  subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following
conditions:

     (a) Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of
RSI set forth herein shall be true and correct both when made,  and at and as of
the Closing  Date,  as if made at and as of such time  (except (i) to the extent
expressly  made as of an earlier  date, in which case such  representations  and
warranties  shall  be  true  and  correct  as of such  date,  and  (ii)  for the
representations  and warranties set forth in Sections  3.1(f) and 3.1(g)(i),  in
which case such  representations  and warranties shall be true and correct as of
the date of Amendment  No. 2) except  where the failure of such  representations
and  warranties  to be so  true  and  correct  (without  giving  effect  to  any
limitation to "materiality" or "material adverse effect" set forth therein) does
not  have,  and is not  likely  to have,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  a
material adverse effect on RSI.

     (b)  Performance  of  Obligations  of RSI. RSI shall have  performed in all
material  respects  all  obligations  required to be  performed by it under this
Agreement  at or  prior  to  the  Closing  Date;  provided,  however,  that  the
obligations  of RSI set forth in Clauses (II) and (III) of Section  4.1(a) shall
have been performed in all respects, without reference to any limitation on such
RSI obligations in respect of "materiality" or "material adverse effect."

     (c) RSI Rights Agreement.  The RSI Rights issued pursuant to the RSI Rights
Agreement  shall not have  become  nonredeemable,  exercisable,  distributed  or
triggered pursuant to the terms of such agreement.

     SECTION 6.3.  Conditions to  Obligations  of RSI. The  obligation of RSI to
effect the Merger is further  subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following
conditions:

     (a) Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of
JPFI set forth herein shall be true and correct both when made, and at and as of
the Closing  Date,  as if made at and as of such time  (except (i) to the extent
expressly  made as of an earlier  date, in which case such  representations  and
warranties  shall  be  true  and  correct  as of such  date,  and  (ii)  for the
representations  and warranties set forth in Sections  3.2(f) and 3.2(g)(i),  in
which case such  representations  and warranties shall be true and correct as of
the date of Amendment  No. 2) except  where the failure of such  representations
and  warranties  to be so  true  and  correct  (without  giving  effect  to  any
limitation to "materiality" or "material adverse effect" set forth therein) does
not  have,  and is not  likely  to have,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  a
material adverse effect on JPFI.

     (b)  Performance of  Obligations of JPFI.  JPFI shall have performed in all
material  respects  all  obligations  required to be  performed by it under this
Agreement  at or  prior  to  the  Closing  Date;  provided,  however,  that  the
obligations  of JPFI set forth in Clauses (II) and (III) of Section 4.1(b) shall
have been performed in all respects, without reference to any limitation on such
JPFI obligations in respect of "materiality" or "material adverse effect."

     (c) JPFI  Rights  Agreement.  The JPFI Rights  issued  pursuant to the JPFI
Rights Agreement shall not have become nonredeemable,  exercisable,  distributed
or triggered pursuant to the terms of such agreement.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     SECTION 7.1.  Termination.  This  Agreement  may be  terminated at any time
prior to the  Effective  Time,  and  (except  in the case of 7.1(e)  or  7.1(f))
whether  before or after the RSI  Stockholder  Approval or the JPFI  Stockholder
Approval:

     (a) by mutual  written  consent of JPFI and RSI, if the Board of Directors
of each so  determines by a vote of a majority of its entire Board;

     (b) by either the Board of Directors of JPFI or the Board of Directors of
RSI:

          (i) if the Merger  shall not have been  consummated  by April 1, 1998;
provided,  however,  that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section  7.1(b)(i)  shall not be available to any party whose failure to perform
any of its obligations under this Agreement results in the failure of the Merger
to be consummated by such time;

          (ii) if the RSI Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at a
RSI  Stockholders  Meeting  duly  convened  therefor  or at any  adjournment  or
postponement thereof;

          (iii) if the JPFI Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at
a JPFI  Stockholders  Meeting duly convened  therefor or at any  adjournment  or
postponement thereof; or

          (iv) if any  Restraint  having any of the effects set forth in Section
6.1(d) shall be in effect and shall have become final and  nonappealable,  or if
any  Governmental  Entity that must grant a Requisite  Regulatory  Approval  has
denied   approval  of  the  Merger  and  such   denial  has  become   final  and
nonappealable;  provided,  that the party  seeking to terminate  this  Agreement
pursuant to this Section  7.1(b)(iv) shall have used best efforts to prevent the
entry of and to remove such  Restraint  or to obtain such  Requisite  Regulatory
Approval, as the case may be;

     (c) by the Board of  Directors of JPFI  (provided  that JPFI is not then in
material  breach of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or other agreement
contained  herein),  if RSI shall  have  breached  or failed to  perform  in any
material  respect any of its  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or other
agreements contained in this Agreement,  or if RSI shall have breached or failed
to perform in any respect its covenants and  agreements set forth in Clause (II)
or Clause  (III) of the first  paragraph  of  Section  4.1(a),  which  breach or
failure to perform (A) would give rise to the  failure of a condition  set forth
in Section  6.2(a) or (b),  and (B) is incapable of being cured by RSI or is not
cured within 45 days of written notice thereof;

     (d) by the  Board of  Directors  of RSI  (provided  that RSI is not then in
material  breach of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or other agreement
contained  herein),  if JPFI  shall  have  breached  or failed to perform in any
material  respect any of its  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or other
agreements contained in this Agreement, or if JPFI shall have breached or failed
to perform in any respect its convenants and agreements set forth in Clause (II)
or Clause  (III) of the first  paragraph  of  Section  4.1(b),  which  breach or
failure to perform (A) would give rise to the  failure of a condition  set forth
in Section  6.3(a) or (b), and (B) is incapable of being cured by JPFI or is not
cured within 45 days of written notice thereof;

     (e) by the  Board  of  Directors  of  JPFI,  at any  time  prior to the RSI
Stockholders  Meeting,  if the RSI Board of  Directors  shall have (A) failed to
make, no later than the date of the first  mailing of the Joint Proxy  Statement
to the RSI Stockholders,  its recommendation  referred to in Section 5.1(b), (B)
withdrawn such  recommendation or (C) modified or changed such recommendation in
a manner adverse to the interests of JPFI; or

     (f) by the  Board  of  Directors  of RSI,  at any  time  prior  to the JPFI
Stockholders  Meeting,  if the JPFI Board of Directors  shall have (A) failed to
make, no later than the date of the first  mailing of the Joint Proxy  Statement
to the JPFI Stockholders,  its recommendation referred to in Section 5.1(c), (B)
withdrawn such  recommendation or (C) modified or changed such recommendation in
a manner adverse to the interests of RSI.

     SECTION 7.2.  Effect of  Termination.  In the event of  termination of this
Agreement by either RSI or JPFI as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall
forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on
the part of JPFI or RSI,  other  than the  provisions  of the last  sentence  of
Section 5.4,  Section 5.8, this Section 7.2, Section 7.5 and Article VIII, which
provisions  shall  survive such  termination,  and except that,  notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither JPFI nor RSI shall
be relieved  or  released  from any  liabilities  or damages  arising out of its
willful breach of any provision of this Agreement.

     SECTION 7.3.  Amendment.  Subject to compliance  with  applicable law, this
Agreement  may be  amended by the  parties  at any time  before or after the RSI
Stockholder Approval or the JPFI Stockholder Approval;  provided,  however, that
after any such approval,  there may not be, without further approval of such the
stockholders  of RSI (in the  case of the  RSI  Stockholders  Approval)  and the
stockholders  of JPFI  (in the  case of the  JPFI  Stockholders  Approval),  any
amendment  of  this  Agreement  that  changes  the  amount  or the  form  of the
consideration to be delivered to the holders of RSI Common Stock  hereunder,  or
which by law otherwise requires the further approval of such stockholders.  This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of each of the  parties  hereto and duly  approved  by the  parties'  respective
Boards of Directors or a duly designated committee thereof.

     SECTION 7.4. Extension;  Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, a
party may,  subject to the proviso of Section  7.3,  (a) extend the time for the
performance of any of the  obligations  or other acts of the other parties,  (b)
waive  any  inaccuracies  in the  representations  and  warranties  of the other
parties  contained in this  Agreement or in any document  delivered  pursuant to
this  Agreement  or (c)  waive  compliance  by the other  party  with any of the
agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement.  Any agreement on the part
of a party to any such  extension  or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in
an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. Any extension or waiver
given in  compliance  with  this  Section  7.4 or  failure  to  insist on strict
compliance  with an  obligation,  covenant,  agreement  or  condition  shall not
operate as a waiver of, or estoppel  with  respect to, any  subsequent  or other
failure.

     SECTION 7.5.  Termination  Expenses.  (a) In the event of a termination  of
this  Agreement  and the  abandonment  of the  Merger  at any  time  (i) by JPFI
pursuant  to  Section   7.1(c)  (other  than  for  a  nonwillful   breach  of  a
representation,  warranty,  covenant or  agreement of RSI  contained  herein) or
Section  7.1(e) or (ii) by JPFI or RSI  pursuant to Section  7.1(b)(ii)  (if, at
such time,  in the case of clause  (ii) of this  Section  7.5(a),  any event has
occurred that would give JPFI the right to exercise the RSI Stock  Option),  and
in order to compensate JPFI for the expenses  associated with the negotiation of
this Agreement and the other matters  contemplated hereby, RSI shall, within one
business  day  following  such  termination,  pay JPFI a fee of  $30,000,000  in
immediately available funds.

     (b) In the event of a termination of this Agreement and the  abandonment of
the Merger at any time (i) by RSI pursuant to Section  7.1(d)  (other than for a
nonwillful breach of a representation,  warranty,  covenant or agreement of JPFI
contained  herein)  or  Section  7.1(f)  or  (ii) by  JPFI  or RSI  pursuant  to
7.1(b)(iii)  (if,  at such  time,  in the case of  clause  (ii) of this  Section
7.5(b),  any event has  occurred  that would give RSI the right to exercise  the
JPFI Stock Option),  and in order to compensate RSI for the expenses  associated
with the  negotiation  of this  Agreement  and the  other  matters  contemplated
hereby, JPFI shall, within one business day following such termination,  pay RSI
a fee of $30,000,000 in immediately available funds.

     (c) A party's  right to receive the fee  contemplated  by this Section 7.5,
and its ability to enforce the provisions this Section 7.5, shall not be subject
to approval by the stockholders of either JPFI or RSI.

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SECTION 8.1.  Nonsurvival of  Representations  and Warranties.  None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument  delivered
pursuant to this Agreement  shall survive the Effective  Time.  This Section 8.1
shall not limit any  covenant or  agreement  of the  parties  which by its terms
contemplates performance after the Effective Time.

     SECTION 8.2.  Notices.  All notices,  requests,  claims,  demands and other
communications  under this  Agreement  shall be in  writing  and shall be deemed
given if  delivered  personally,  telecopied  (which  is  confirmed)  or sent by
overnight courier  (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following
addresses  (or at such other  address for a party as shall be  specified by like
notice):

     (a) if to JPFI, to

          JP Foodservice, Inc.
          9830 Patuxent Woods Drive
          Columbia, Maryland 21046
          Telecopy No: (410) 312-7149
          Attention: David M. Abramson, Esq.

     with a copy to:

          Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
          51 West 52 Street
          New York, New York 10019
          Telecopy No.: (212) 403-2000
          Attention: Edward D. Herlihy, Esq.

     (b) if to Rykoff, to

          Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
          1050 Warrenvill Road
          Lisle, Illinois
          Telecopy No. (717) 830-7112
          Attention: Robert J. Harter, Jr., Esq.

     with a copy to:

          Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
          77 West Wacker
          Chicago, Illinois 10022
          Telecopy No.: (312) 782-8585
          Attention: Elizabeth Kitslaar, Esq.

     SECTION 8.3.   Definitions.   For purposes of this Agreement:

     (a) except for purposes of Section 5.10, an "affiliate" of any person means
another person that directly or indirectly,  through one or more intermediaries,
controls,  is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first person,
where "control" means the  possession,  directly or indirectly,  of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the  management  policies of a person,  whether
through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, as trustee or executor,
or otherwise;

     (b) "material adverse change" or "material adverse effect" means, when used
in connection with RSI or JPFI, any change,  effect, event,  occurrence or state
of facts that is or could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the
business,  financial  condition or results of  operations  of such party and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that no change, effect, event,
occurrence or state of facts  relating to, or arising or resulting  from, any of
the following  matters,  regardless of the amounts  involved shall  constitute a
"material adverse change" or "material adverse effect": (i) any actions taken or
omitted to be taken with the prior written  approval of JPFI in  anticipation or
reliance upon the  consummation of the Merger or the  transactions  contemplated
thereby,  (ii) any  failure by RSI or its  subsidiaries  to keep  available  the
services of their  current  officers  or other  employees,  or to  preserve  any
relationships  with those persons having  business  dealings with them; or (iii)
any of the matters  disclosed in the RSI Disclosure  Schedule,  in any RSI Filed
SEC Document,  in any RSI Press Release,  or otherwise disclosed to an executive
officer of JPFI in writing by RSI prior to the date of Amendment No. 2;

     (c)  "person"  means  an  individual,  corporation,   partnership,  limited
liability   company,   joint   venture,   association,   trust,   unincorporated
organization or other entity;

     (d) a  "subsidiary"  of any person means another  person,  an amount of the
voting  securities,  other voting ownership or voting  partnership  interests of
which is  sufficient  to elect at least a majority of its Board of  Directors or
other governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests,  50% or more of
the equity  interests of which) is owned  directly or  indirectly  by such first
person;

     (e)  "knowledge"  of  any  person  which  is not an  individual  means  the
knowledge  of such  person's  executive  officers or senior  management  of such
person's  operating  divisions  and  segments,  in each  case  after  reasonable
inquiry;

     (f) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

     (g) "RSI SEC  Documents"  means all  required  reports,  schedules,  forms,
statements and other  documents  (including  exhibits and all other  information
incorporated  therein)  filed with the SEC by RSI since June 28,  1997,  and the
Form S-4 as filed prior to the date of Amendment No. 2;

     (h) "JPFI SEC  Documents"  means all required  reports,  schedules,  forms,
statements and other  documents  (including  exhibits and all other  information
incorporated  therein)  filed with the SEC by JPFI since June 28, 1997,  and the
Form S-4 as filed prior to the date of Amendment No. 2;

     (i) "To RSI's  knowledge"  shall mean the  actual  knowledge,  without  any
inquiry or investigation whatsoever,  of Mark Van Stekelenburg,  RSI's Chairman,
CEO and President, Robert J. Harter Jr., RSI's Senior Vice President and General
Counsel,  Richard J. Martin,  RSI's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, and Christopher Mellon, RSI's Vice President and Controller. "To JPFI's
knowledge" shall mean the actual knowledge, without any inquiry or investigation
whatsoever,  of Jim Miller,  JPFI's  Chairman of the Board,  President  and CEO,
David  Abramson,  JPFI's Senior Vice President and General  Counsel,  Lewis Hay,
III,  JPFI's  Senior Vice  President and Chief  Financial  Officer and George T.
Megas, JPFI's Vice President-Finance; and

     (j) "Form S-4"  means the  registration  statement  on Form S-4 to be filed
with the SEC by JPFI in connection with the issuance of JPFI Common Stock in the
Merger.

     SECTION 8.4. Interpretation.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to
an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section
of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement  unless otherwise  indicated.  Whenever the
words  "include",  "includes" or "including"  are used in this  Agreement,  they
shall be deemed to be  followed  by the words  "without  limitation".  The words
"hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this
Agreement  shall refer to this  Agreement  as a whole and not to any  particular
provision of this Agreement.  All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the
defined  meanings  when  used  in any  certificate  or  other  document  made or
delivered  pursuant hereto unless  otherwise  defined  therein.  The definitions
contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural
forms of such terms and to the  masculine  as well as to the feminine and neuter
genders of such term. Any agreement,  instrument or statute  defined or referred
to herein or in any  agreement  or  instrument  that is referred to herein means
such agreement,  instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or
supplemented,  including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or
consent and (in the case of  statutes) by  succession  of  comparable  successor
statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments  incorporated
therein.  References  to a  person  are  also to its  permitted  successors  and
assigns.

     SECTION 8.5.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts,  all of which shall be considered  one and the same  agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties.

     SECTION 8.6. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
(including  the  documents  and  instruments  referred  to  herein),  the Option
Agreements,  the  Support  Agreement  and  the  Confidentiality  Agreements  (a)
constitute  the  entire  agreement,  and  supersede  all  prior  agreements  and
understandings,  both written and oral,  between the parties with respect to the
subject  matter of this  Agreement and (b) except for the  provisions of Section
5.7,  are not  intended  to confer  upon any person  other than the  parties any
rights or remedies.

     SECTION  8.7.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed  by, and
construed in accordance  with, the laws of the State of Delaware,  regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable  principles of conflict of
laws thereof.

     SECTION  8.8.  Assignment.  Neither this  Agreement  nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned,  in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise by either of the parties  hereto  without
the prior written consent of the other party. Any assignment in violation of the
preceding sentence shall be void.  Subject to the preceding two sentences,  this
Agreement will be binding upon,  inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by,
the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

     SECTION  8.9.  Consent  to  Jurisdiction.  Each of the  parties  hereto (a)
consents to submit  itself to the  personal  jurisdiction  of any federal  court
located in the State of  Delaware or any  Delaware  state court in the event any
dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions  contemplated by
this  Agreement,  (b) agrees  that it will not  attempt  to deny or defeat  such
personal  jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court,
and (c) agrees that it will not bring any action  relating to this  Agreement or
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than a
federal court sitting in the State of Delaware or a Delaware state court.

     SECTION 8.10 Headings, Etc. The headings and table of contents contained in
this  Agreement are for reference  purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     SECTION  8.11.  Severability.  If any  term  or  other  provision  of  this
Agreement is invalid,  illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law
or public policy,  all other  conditions and provisions of this Agreement  shall
nevertheless  remain in full force and effect,  insofar as the  foregoing can be
accomplished  without materially  affecting the economic benefits anticipated by
the parties to this Agreement.  Upon such  determination  that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto
shall  negotiate  in good  faith to modify  this  Agreement  so as to effect the
original  intent of the parties as closely as  possible  to the  fullest  extent
permitted  by  applicable  law in an  acceptable  manner  to the  end  that  the
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, JPFI and RSI have caused this Agreement to be signed by
their respective  officers  thereunto duly authorized,  all as of the date first
written above.


JP FOODSERVICE, INC.

     
        LOGO
By
Name: James L. Miller
Title: Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer


RYKOFF-SEXTON, INC.


        LOGO

By
Name: Mark Van Stekelenburg
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


HUDSON ACQUISITION CORP.



       LOGO
By
Name: James L. Miller
Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer

     Amendment No. 2 to the Merger Agreement  contains the following  additional
provisions, which are part of the Merger Agreement.

     18.   Deemed Disclosure.

     (a) The parties hereto agree that the matters set forth on the Schedules to
this  Amendment (i) shall be, and hereby are,  deemed to have been  disclosed in
such sections of the RSI Disclosure  Schedule with respect to which such matters
are  relevant,  in  each  case  as of the  date  of the  Merger  Agreement,  and
accordingly  such  disclosures  shall be, and hereby  are,  deemed to modify the
representations  and warranties of RSI in the Merger  Agreement as of such date;
(ii)  shall not be  asserted  by JPFI as a breach of the Merger  Agreement;  and
(iii) shall not be  asserted  by JPFI as the cause of a failure to be  satisfied
any condition set forth in the Merger Agreement.

     (b) Section 4.1 of the RSI  Disclosure  Schedule shall be amended by adding
Schedule I hereto thereto.  Section 4.1 of the JPFI Disclosure Schedule shall be
amended by adding Schedule V hereto thereto.

     (c) The  introduction  to the JPFI and RSI  Disclosure  Schedules  shall be
amended by adding the following sentence:

     "All  information  set forth in the  agreements,  documents and instruments
referred to herein shall be deemed disclosed in the following schedules as fully
and completely as if set forth herein.  Any information  disclosed in any of the
following  schedules shall be deemed disclosed and  incorporated  into any other
schedule to the Merger Agreement where such disclosure would be relevant."

     19. Filings.  As soon as practicable  following the date of this Amendment,
RSI and JPFI shall prepare and file with the SEC an amendment to the Joint Proxy
Statement, and JPFI shall prepare and file with the SEC an amendment to the Form
S-4, in which the Joint Proxy  Statement will be included.  The parties will use
their  best  efforts  to make  such  filings  within 10 days of the date of this
Amendment.  Each of RSI and JPFI  shall  use best  efforts  to have the Form S-4
declared  effective  under the Securities  Act as promptly as practicable  after
such filing.

     20.  Release.  (a) Each of JPFI and Merger Sub hereby waives,  and releases
and  discharges  RSI, and its  stockholders,  affiliates,  successors,  assigns,
officers,   directors,  agents,   representatives  and  employees  (collectively
"Representatives")  of RSI  from,  any claim for  damages  (whether  for loss of
benefit  of  the  bargain,  costs  or  expenses  or  otherwise),  other  claims,
liabilities, damages and causes of action, in each case to the extent related to
or based on (i) any breach or alleged  breach of the Merger  Agreement  prior to
the date of this Amendment,  or (ii) this Amendment,  the subject matter thereof
or any matter set forth on the Schedules to this Agreement.  This paragraph does
not limit  JPFI's or Merger  Sub's right to  terminate  the Merger  Agreement in
accordance  with its terms as amended hereby based on any such breach or alleged
breach.

     (b) RSI and its affiliates  hereby waive,  and release and discharge  JPFI,
Merger Sub and the  Representatives  of each of them from, any claim for damages
(whether  for loss of benefit of the bargain,  costs or expenses or  otherwise),
other  claims,  liabilities,  damages and causes of action,  in each case to the
extent  related to or based on (i) any  breach or  alleged  breach of the Merger
Agreement  prior to the date of this  Amendment,  or (ii)  this  Amendment,  the
subject  matter  thereof  or any  matter  set  forth  on the  Schedules  to this
Agreement.  This  paragraph  does not limit RSI's right to terminate  the Merger
Agreement  in  accordance  with its terms as  amended  hereby  based on any such
breach or alleged breach.

     21.  Disclaimer of Projections.  Each of RSI and JPFI acknowledges that any
financial projections that may have been or are hereafter delivered to the other
party (the  "Financial  Projections")  reflect a number of estimates  and highly
subjective   assumptions  and  judgments   concerning   anticipated  results  of
operations.  These  assumptions and judgments may or may not prove to be correct
and there can be no assurance that any projected  results are attainable or will
be realized.  Each of JPFI and RSI  expressly  disclaims any  representation  or
warranty,  express  or  implied,  as to  the  accuracy  or  completeness  of the
Financial  Projections  and  each of RSI and JPFI  acknowledges  that it has not
relied and will not rely on the Financial  Projections,  in connection  with its
evaluation of the  transactions  contemplated by the Merger  Agreement and shall
have no right to terminate this Agreement or to not consummate the Merger on the
basis of RSI's or JPFI's failure to achieve any Financial Projections.


     22.   Authority.

     (a) RSI has all requisite  corporate power and authority to enter into this
Amendment.  The execution and delivery of this Amendment and the consummation by
RSI of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby has been duly  authorized  by all
necessary  corporate action on the part of RSI, including without limitation the
due  approval  of this  Amendment  by the  Board  of  Directors  of RSI (for the
purposes  contemplated  by Section  3.1(h) of the Agreement and otherwise) and a
majority  of the ML  Directors.  This  Amendment  has  been  duly  executed  and
delivered by RSI and,  assuming the due  authorization,  execution  and delivery
thereof by each of JPFI and Merger Sub, constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of RSI, enforceable against RSI in accordance with its terms.

     (b) Each of JPFI and  Merger  Sub has all  requisite  corporate  power  and
authority  to enter into this  Amendment.  The  execution  and  delivery of this
Amendment  and  the  consummation  by  each  of  JPFI  and  Merger  Sub  of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary
corporate action on the part of each of JPFI and Merger Sub,  including  without
limitation  the due approval of this Amendment by the Board of Directors of JPFI
(for  the  purposes   contemplated  by  Section  3.2(h)  of  the  Agreement  and
otherwise).  This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each of JPFI
and Merger Sub, and assuming due  authorization,  execution and delivery thereof
by RSI,  constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each of JPFI and
Merger Sub,  enforceable  against each of JPFI and Merger Sub in accordance with
its terms.

     23.  Governing Law. This  Amendment  shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware,  regardless of the laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of laws thereof.

     24.   Counterparts.   This  Amendment  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts,  all of which shall be considered  one and the same  agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties.

     25.  Merger  Agreement  Confirmed.  Except as  amended  hereby,  the Merger
Agreement  is ratified  and  confirmed  in all  respects.  All  representations,
warranties,  covenants  or  agreements  of the  parties  set forth in the Merger
Agreement,  as amended  hereby,  shall be deemed to have been made June 30, 1997
and as of the date hereof,  except as otherwise  expressly  provided  therein or
herein, and RSI and JPFI hereby waive any right to terminate,  or not consummate
the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement according to its original
terms and agree that any such rights shall arise only out of the  provisions  of
the Merger Agreement as amended hereby.

     26. Notice of Breaches.  JPFI and RSI shall give prompt  written  notice to
the other  party to the  extent it has  knowledge  of breach by it or such other
party of the covenants and agreements set forth in Section 4.1(a) or 4.1(b).

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit B


                     AMENDED AND RESTATED SUPPORT AGREEMENT



                  AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT,  dated as of June 30, 1997, by
and among JP FOODSERVICE,  INC., a Delaware  corporation  ("JPFI") and the other
persons whose names are set forth on the signature  pages hereto  (collectively,
the "Stockholders").

                  WHEREAS,  the parties hereto have previously entered into, and
Rykoff-Sexton,  Inc., a Delaware corporation  ("Rykoff-Sexton"),  has previously
acknowledged,  a Support  Agreement,  dated as of June 30,  1997 (the  "Original
Support Agreement"); and

                  WHEREAS,  concurrently  with the execution and delivery of the
Original  Support   Agreement,   JPFI,  Hudson  Acquisition  Corp.,  a  Delaware
corporation   and  a   wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  JPFI  ("Merger  Sub")  and
Rykoff-Sexton,  entered  into an  Agreement  and  Plan of  Merger  (the  "Merger
Agreement"; capitalized terms used without definition herein having the meanings
ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement);

                  WHEREAS,  the  Stockholders  are the beneficial  owners of the
number of shares of Rykoff  Common  Stock set forth in  Schedule  I hereto  (the
"Subject Shares"); and

                  WHEREAS, approval of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders
of Rykoff is a condition to the consummation of the Merger; and

                  WHEREAS,  as a  condition  to its  entering  into  the  Merger
Agreement,  JPFI has required that the Stockholders  agree, and the Stockholders
have agreed, to enter into the Original Support Agreement; and

                   WHEREAS,  the parties to the Original Support Agreement,  and
Rykoff-Sexton, wish to amend and restate such Original Support Agreement, as set
forth herein;

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

                  Section 1.  Agreement  to Vote.  (a) Each  Stockholder  hereby
agrees to attend the Rykoff Stockholders  Meeting, in person or by proxy, and to
vote (or cause to be voted) all Subject Shares,  and any other voting securities
of Rykoff, whether issued heretofore or hereafter, that such Stockholder owns or
has the right to vote, for approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the
Merger.  Such  agreement  to  vote  shall  apply  also  to  any  adjournment  or
adjournments  of the Rykoff  Stockholders  Meeting,  and to any other meeting of
stockholders at which any item of business referred to in the preceding sentence
is presented for approval.

                  (b) To the extent  inconsistent with the foregoing  provisions
of this Section 1, each Stockholder  hereby revokes any and all previous proxies
with respect to such Stockholder's Subject Shares or any other voting securities
of Rykoff.


                  Section 2. No Solicitation.  No Stockholder shall, directly or
indirectly,  solicit or encourage (including by way of furnishing  information),
or authorize any individual, corporation or other entity to solicit or encourage
(including by way of furnishing information), from any third party any inquiries
or proposals relating to, or conduct  negotiations or discussions with any third
party with respect to, or take any other action to  facilitate  any inquiries or
the making of any proposal that constitutes,  or that may reasonably be expected
to lead to, any  proposal or offer  relating to the  disposition  of business or
assets of Rykoff or JPFI or their respective subsidiaries, or the acquisition of
the voting securities of Rykoff or JPFI or their respective subsidiaries, or the
merger  or   consolidation  of  Rykoff  or  JPFI  or  any  of  their  respective
subsidiaries  with or to any  corporation or other entity other than as provided
in the Merger Agreement, the Option Agreements or the Support Agreement (and the
Stockholders  shall promptly notify JPFI of all of the relevant details relating
to all inquiries and proposals which such  Stockholders  may receive relating to
any such matters).

                  Section 3.  Securities Act Covenants and Representations. Each
Stockholder hereby agrees and represents to JPFI as follows:

                  (a) Such Stockholder has been advised that the offering,  sale
and  delivery of JPFI  Common  Stock  pursuant to the Merger will be  registered
under  the  Securities  Act  on a  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-4.  Such
Stockholder has also been advised,  however, that to the extent such Stockholder
is  considered  an  "affiliate"  of Rykoff at the time the Merger  Agreement  is
submitted to a vote of the stockholders of Rykoff any public offering or sale by
such Stockholder of any shares of JPFI Common Stock received by such Stockholder
in  the  Merger  will,  under  current  law,  require  either  (i)  the  further
registration  under the  Securities Act of any shares of JPFI Common Stock to be
sold by such  Stockholder,  (ii) compliance with Rule 145 promulgated by the SEC
under the Securities  Act or (iii) the  availability  of another  exemption from
such registration under the Securities Act.

                  (b) Such  Stockholder  has read this  Agreement and the Merger
Agreement and has discussed their requirements and other applicable  limitations
upon such Stockholder's ability to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares
of JPFI Common Stock, to the extent such Stockholder  believed  necessary,  with
such Stockholder's counsel or counsel for Rykoff.

                  (c) Such  Stockholder  also  understands  that  stop  transfer
instructions  will be given to JPFI's transfer agent with respect to JPFI Common
Stock and that a legend will be placed on the  certificates  for the JPFI Common
Stock issued to such Stockholder,  or any substitutions  therefor, to the extent
such  Stockholder  is considered an "affiliate" of Rykoff at the time the Merger
Agreement is submitted to a vote of the stockholders of Rykoff.

                  Section  4.  Pooling  Covenants  and   Representations.   Each
Stockholder  hereby agrees and represents to JPFI that such Stockholder will not
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any securities of Rykoff or of any shares
of JPFI Common Stock received by such  Stockholder in the Merger or other shares
of  capital  stock of JPFI  during  the  period  beginning  30 days prior to the
Effective  Time and ending at such time as results  covering at least 30 days of
combined  operations of Rykoff and JPFI have been published by JPFI, in the form
of a quarterly earnings report, an effective  registration  statement filed with
the SEC,  a report to the SEC on Form  10-K,  10-Q or 8-K,  or any other  public
filing or announcement which includes the combined results of operations, except
for  transfers or other  dispositions  that,  taking into account the actions of
other affiliates of Rykoff, will not prevent JPFI from accounting for the Merger
as a pooling of interests.

                  Section  5.   Further   Assurances.   Each  of  JPFI  and  the
Stockholders  shall execute and deliver such  additional  instruments  and other
documents and shall take such further actions as may be necessary or appropriate
to  effectuate,  carry out and  comply  with all of its  obligations  under this
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, none of JPFI or any
of the  Stockholders  shall enter into any agreement or  arrangement  (or alter,
amend or terminate any existing  agreement or  arrangement) if such action would
materially  impair the ability of any party to  effectuate,  carry out or comply
with all the terms of this Agreement.

                  Section  6.  Representations  and  Warranties  of  JPFI.  JPFI
represents and warrants to each  Stockholder as follows:  Each of this Agreement
and the Merger  Agreement  has been  approved by the Board of Directors of JPFI,
representing  all  necessary  corporate  action on the part of JPFI  other  than
approval  of the Merger  Agreement  by the  stockholders  of JPFI.  Each of this
Agreement  and the Merger  Agreement  has been duly  executed and delivered by a
duly authorized officer of JPFI. Each of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of JPFI,  enforceable  against JPFI in
accordance  with its terms,  except as may be limited by applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  and  other  similar  laws  of  general
application  which may affect the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and
by general equitable principles. JPFI covenants and agrees that, effective as of
the Effective Time, JPFI shall assume the rights and obligations of Rykoff under
that certain  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  dated as of May 17, 1996, by and
among  Rykoff  and the  other  persons  whose  signatures  are set  forth on the
signature  pages  thereto  pursuant  to  an  agreement  in  form  and  substance
satisfactory to JPFI and such other persons.

                  Section 7.  Representations  and  Warranties of  Stockholders.
Each  Stockholder  represents  and warrants to JPFI that this  Agreement (i) has
been duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered  by such  Stockholder  and (ii)
constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement of such  Stockholder,  enforceable
against such Stockholder in accordance with its terms,  except as may be limited
by  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  and other
similar  laws of  general  application  which  may  affect  the  enforcement  of
creditors'  rights  generally  and by general  equitable  principles.  Each such
Stockholder is the record and  beneficial  owner of the Subject Shares set forth
opposite its  respective  name on Schedule I. The Subject  Shares listed next to
the name of such Stockholder on Schedule I hereto are the only voting securities
of Rykoff owned  (beneficially  or of record) by such  Stockholder.  Neither the
execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation by such Stockholder
of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby will violate (a) the  certificate  of
incorporation,  by-laws, partnership agreement or other organizational document,
as applicable,  of any such Stockholder,  or (b) any provisions of any law, rule
or  regulation  applicable to such  Stockholder  or any contract or agreement to
which such Stockholder is a party,  other than such violations  described in the
foregoing clause (b) as would not prevent or materially delay the performance by
such  Stockholder  of its  obligations  hereunder  or impose  any  liability  or
obligation on JPFI. Each  Stockholder  agrees that, at or prior to the Effective
Time, it shall represent to Rykoff and JPFI or their respective  counsel that as
of the  Effective  Time it has no plan or intention  to (other than  incident or
pursuant to an Extraordinary  Transaction)  sell,  exchange or otherwise dispose
of, or enter  into an  agreement  (a "Sales  Agreement")  to sell,  exchange  or
otherwise  dispose of,  shares of JPFI Common Stock  during the two-year  period
immediately following the Effective Time, and moreover that it is not subject to
or obligated to enter into any agreement to sell,  exchange or otherwise dispose
of shares of JPFI Common Stock, if any resulting  sale,  exchange or disposition
would (when taken in combination with actions by other Stockholders and assuming
all Sales Agreements are consummated) cause the Stockholders in the aggregate to
retain  ownership for federal income tax purposes of less than the lesser of (i)
25% of the shares of JPFI  Common  Stock  received  by the  Stockholders  in the
aggregate  in the  Merger or (ii) the  Shortfall  Percent  of the shares of JPFI
Common Stock  issued in the Merger to  stockholders  of Rykoff.  For purposes of
these representations, the phrase "sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of" shall
include entry into transactions whereby a Stockholder gives up substantially all
the benefits  and burdens of  ownership in JPFI Common Stock or which  otherwise
constitute  a  transfer  of  ownership  of such  stock for  federal  income  tax
purposes.  "Shortfall Percent" shall mean the greater of zero or that percentage
which, when added to the following  percentage,  shall equal 45%: 100% minus the
sum of (i) the per- cent of shares of JPFI Common  Stock  issuable in the Merger
to  stockholders  of Rykoff that is issuable  to the  Stockholders  and (ii) the
percent of shares of JPFI Common Stock issuable in the Merger to stockholders of
Rykoff that is issuable to any other persons that can be identified  immediately
prior to the Effective  Time as holding 5% or more of the total number of shares
of Rykoff Common Stock  outstanding at such time (for which purposes shares held
by a family of mutual funds shall,  to the extent  possible,  be identified with
separate funds within such family and, to the extent so separately identifiable,
treated as separate stockholders). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Stockholder
shall be required to provide the representations  described herein if, as result
of a change in law (including, without limitation, a change pursuant to Treasury
regulations that may be applied, by election or otherwise,  to the Merger),  the
facts  intended  to be  reached  by  such  representation  are  not a  necessary
condition  for  qualification  of the Merger  under  Section 368 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                  For purposes of this Section 7, an "Extraordinary Transaction"
means a merger, consolidation or other business combination,  tender or exchange
offer,  share  exchange,   restructuring,   recapitalization  or  other  similar
transaction  involving JPFI, so long as any such  transaction is not arranged as
part of an overall  plan to which such  Stockholder  is a party and  pursuant to
which the Merger is also being consummated.

                  Section 8.  Effectiveness  and Termination.  It is a condition
precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement that the Merger Agreement shall
have been executed and  delivered and be in full force and effect.  In the event
the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms,  this Agreement
shall  automatically  terminate and be of no further force or effect.  Upon such
termination,  except  for any rights any party may have in respect of any breach
by any other  party of its or his  obligations  hereunder,  none of the  parties
hereto shall have any further obligation or liability hereunder.

                  Section 9.  Miscellaneous.

                  (a)  Notices,  Etc. All  notices,  requests,  demands or other
communications  required by or otherwise with respect to this Agreement shall be
in  writing  and  shall be deemed  to have  been  duly  given to any party  when
delivered  personally  (by courier  service or  otherwise),  when  delivered  by
telecopy and confirmed by return  telecopy,  or seven days after being mailed by
first-class mail,  postage prepaid in each case to the applicable  addresses set
forth below:

                  If to JPFI:

                           9830 Patuxent Woods Drive
                           Columbia, Maryland 21046
                           Attn:  David M. Abramson, Esq.
                           Telecopy:  (410) 312-7149

                           with a copy to:

                           Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
                           51 West 52nd Street
                           New York, New York 10019
                           Attn:  Edward D. Herlihy, Esq.
                           Telecopy:  (212) 403-2000

                  If to any Stockholder:

                           Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.
                           225 Liberty Street
                           New York, New York 10080-6123
                           Attn:  James V. Caruso
                           Telecopy:  (212) 236-7364

                           with a copy to:

                           Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
                           World Financial Center
                           North Tower
                           250 Vesey Street
                           New York, New York 10281-1323
                           Attn:  Marcia L. Tu, Esq.
                           Telecopy:  (212) 449-3207

                           and a copy to:

                           Shearman & Sterling
                           599 Lexington Avenue
                           New York, New York 10022
                           Attn:  Bonnie Greaves, Esq.
                           Telecopy:  (212) 848-7179

                  If to Rykoff:

                           Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
                           1050 Warrenville Road
                           Lisle, Illinois
                           Telecopy No. (717) 830-7112
                           Attention:  Robert J. Harter, Jr., Esq.

                           with a copy to:

                           Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                           77 West Wacker
                           Chicago, Illinois 10022
                           Telecopy No.:  (312) 782-8585
                           Attention:  Elizabeth Kitslaar, Esq.

                           or to such other  address  as such  party  shall have
                           designated by notice so given to each other party.

                  (b)  Amendments,  Waivers,  Etc.  This  Agreement  may not be
amended,  changed, supplemented,  waived or  otherwise  modified  or  terminated
except by an instrument in writing signed by JPFI, each of the Stockholders and
Rykoff.

                  (c)  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall be binding
upon and shall  inure to the  benefit of and be  enforceable  by the parties and
their respective  successors and assigns,  including  without  limitation in the
case of any  corporate  party  hereto  any  corporate  successor  by  merger  or
otherwise, and in the case of any individual party hereto any trustee, executor,
heir,  legatee or personal  representative  succeeding  to the ownership of such
party's  Subject  Shares  or  other   securities   subject  to  this  Agreement.
Notwithstanding  any transfer of Subject  Shares,  the  transferor  shall remain
liable  for the  performance  of all  obligations  under this  Agreement  of the
transferor.

                  (d)  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  embodies  the entire
agreement and  understanding  among the parties  relating to the subject  matter
hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and  understandings  relating to such
subject matter,  including  without  limitation the Original Support  Agreement.
There are no  representations,  warranties  or covenants  by the parties  hereto
relating to such  subject  matter other than those  expressly  set forth in this
Agreement.

                  (e)  Severability.  If  any  term  of  this  Agreement  or the
application  thereof  to any  party or  circumstance  shall be held  invalid  or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application
of such term to the other parties or circumstances shall not be affected thereby
and shall be  enforced to the  greatest  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,
provided  that in such event the  parties  shall  negotiate  in good faith in an
attempt to agree to another  provision (in lieu of the term or application  held
to be  invalid or  unenforceable)  that will be valid and  enforceable  and will
carry out the parties' intentions hereunder.

                  (f) Specific  Performance.  The parties acknowledge that money
damages are not an adequate remedy for violations of this Agreement and that any
party may, in its sole  discretion,  apply to a court of competent  jurisdiction
for specific  performance  or  injunctive or such other relief as such court may
deem just and proper in order to enforce this Agreement or prevent any violation
hereof and, to the extent  permitted by  applicable  law,  each party waives any
objection to the imposition of such relief.

                  (g)  Remedies  Cumulative.  All  rights,  powers and  remedies
provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or
in equity shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning
of the exercise of any thereof by any party shall not preclude the  simultaneous
or later exercise of any other such right, power or remedy by such party.

                  (h) No Waiver. The failure of any party hereto to exercise any
right,  power or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise  available in
respect  hereof at law or in equity,  or to insist upon  compliance by any other
party hereto with its obligations  hereunder,  and any custom or practice of the
parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by such
party of its right to exercise  any such or other  right,  power or remedy or to
demand such compliance.

                  (i) No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is not
intended to be for the benefit of and shall not be enforceable by any person or
entity who or which is not a party hereto.

                  (j) Jurisdiction. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the
exclusive  jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware or the
United States District Court for the Southern  District of New York or any court
of the State of New York located in the City of New York in any action,  suit or
proceeding  arising in connection with this Agreement,  and agrees that any such
action,  suit or proceeding  shall be brought only in such court (and waives any
objection  based  on  forum  non  conveniens  or any  other  objection  to venue
therein); provided, however, that such consent to jurisdiction is solely for the
purpose  referred  to in this  paragraph  (j) and  shall  not be  deemed to be a
general  submission  to the  jurisdiction  of said  Courts  or in the  States of
Delaware  or New York other than for such  purposes.  Each party  hereto  hereby
waives any right to a trial by jury in connection with any such action,  suit or
proceeding.

                  (k) Governing Law. This  Agreement and all disputes  hereunder
shall be governed by and construed  and enforced in accordance  with the General
Corporation  Law of the State of  Delaware to the fullest  extent  possible  and
otherwise  by the  internal  laws of the  State of New York  without  regard  to
principles of conflicts of law.

                  (l) Name,  Captions,  Gender. The name assigned this Agreement
and the section  captions used herein are for  convenience of reference only and
shall not affect the interpretation or construction hereof. Whenever the context
may require, any pronoun used herein shall include the corresponding  masculine,
feminine or neuter forms.

                  (m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of  counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an  original,  but all of
which together shall constitute one instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of
a number of copies each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, the
parties hereto.

                  (n) Limitation on Liability.  No Stockholder shall have any
liability hereunder for any actions or omissions of any other Stockholder.

                  (o)  Expenses.  JPFI  and  Rykoff  shall  each  bear  its  own
expenses,  and Rykoff shall bear the  reasonable  expenses of the  Stockholders,
incurred in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  except  that  in  the  event  of a  dispute  concerning  the  terms  or
enforcement of this Agreement, the prevailing party in any such dispute shall be
entitled to reimbursement of reasonable  legal fees and  disbursements  from the
other party or parties to such dispute.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this 
Agreement as of the date first above written.


JP FOODSERVICE, INC.



By: /s/ James L. Miller
- ----------------------------------------
Name: James L. Miller,
Title: Chairman, President and
       Chief Executive Officer


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:

MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION
PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. B-IV, L.P., 
    as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:

MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. B-IV, L.P., as Investment General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., 
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


ML IBK POSITIONS, INC.


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:

MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., 
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION
PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, L.P.,
    as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., 
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:

ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, L.P.,
    as Investment General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., 
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P.

By: ML Employees LBO Managers, Inc.,
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:


MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch MBP Inc., 
    as General Partner


By: /s/ Matthias B. Bowman
- ----------------------------------------
Name: Matthias B. Bowman
Title:

                  Rykoff hereby consents to the entry by each  Stockholder  into
this Agreement,  and the consummation of the transactions expressly contemplated
hereby,  in each  case for  purposes  of  Section  3.1(a)  of the  that  certain
Standstill Agreement (the "Standstill Agreement"),  dated as of May 17, 1996, by
and between RSI and the ML Entities (as defined therein).  Rykoff represents and
warrants to JPFI that the entry by each Stockholder into this Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions  expressly  contemplated  hereby, each has been
previously  approved by the  affirmative  vote of a majority  of the  Continuing
Directors  (as defined in the  Standstill  Agreement)  of Rykoff at a meeting at
which a Continuing Director Quorum (as defined in the Standstill  Agreement) was
present.  Rykoff  also  hereby  acknowledges  and  consents  to its  obligations
pursuant to Section 9(o) hereof.

RYKOFF-SEXTON, INC.




By: /s/ Mark Van Stekelenburg
- ------------------------------
Name: Mark Van Stekelenburg
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>
                                    Exhibit C


                              STANDSTILL AGREEMENT

         STANDSTILL  AGREEMENT (the  "Agreement"),  dated as of May 17, 1996, by
and between  RYKOFF-SEXTON,  INC., a Delaware  corporation  ("RSI"),  on the one
hand,   and  the  other  Persons  set  forth  on  the  signature   pages  hereto
(collectively, the "ML Entities"), on the other hand.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, RSI, USF Acquisition  Corporation,  a Delaware corporation and
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of RSI  ("Merger  Sub"),  and US  Foodservice  Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated February 2, 1996 (the "Merger  Agreement";  capitalized  terms used
without  definition  herein having the meanings  ascribed  thereto in the Merger
Agreement);

         WHEREAS,  as a result of the Merger,  the ML Entities will beneficially
own  approximately  36.4% of the  issued  and  outstanding  RSI  Common  Shares,
depending upon the Exchange Ratio; and

         WHEREAS,  pursuant to the  Agreement  dated as of February 2, 1996 (the
"ML Agreement") between RSI, on the one hand, and the ML Entities,  on the other
hand,  RSI and the ML Entities have agreed that at the Effective Time they shall
enter into a Standstill Agreement in the form of this Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,   in  consideration  of  the  mutual  representations,
warranties,  covenants and agreements set forth herein,  RSI and the ML Entities
hereby agree as follows:



<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE I


                                   DEFINITIONS

         For purposes of this Agreement,  the following terms have the following
meanings:

         (a)  "Additional  Percentage"  shall  mean (w) 2% of the  Total  Voting
Power, in the event that the ML Entities and their  Affiliates  beneficially own
Voting Securities representing in the aggregate at least 30% of the Total Voting
Power;  (x) 3% of the Total Voting Power,  in the event that the ML Entities and
their  Affiliates   beneficially  own  Voting  Securities  representing  in  the
aggregate less than 30%, but at least 22%, of the Total Voting Power;  (y) 4% of
the Total Voting Power,  in the event that the ML Entities and their  Affiliates
beneficially own Voting Securities  representing in the aggregate less than 22%,
but at least 16%,  of the Total  Voting  Power;  and (z) 5% of the Total  Voting
Power, in the event that the ML Entities and their  Affiliates  beneficially own
Voting Securities representing in the aggregate less than 16%, but at least 10%,
of the Total Voting Power.

                  (b) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the  "Exchange  Act");
provided,  however,  that any  corporation  in which an ML  Entity or any of its
Affiliates  owns less than a majority of the  securities  entitled  generally to
vote for the election of directors  shall not be considered an Affiliate of such
ML Entity or such Affiliate  unless such ML Entity or such  Affiliate  otherwise
controls such corporation.

                  (c) "Beneficial  ownership" and "beneficially  own" shall have
the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

                  (d)  "Continuing  Director" and "Continuing  Director  Quorum"
shall  have  the  meanings  set  forth in  Article  Thirteenth  of the  Restated
Certificate  of  Incorporation  of RSI, as amended from time to time;  provided,
however,  that no ML  Director  shall  constitute  a  Continuing  Director or be
counted in determining the presence of a Continuing Director Quorum.

                  (e) "Control" shall mean, with respect to a Person or a Group,
(i) beneficial  ownership by such Person or Group of securities  entitling it to
exercise in the  aggregate  more than 50 percent of the votes in any election of
directors or other governing body of the entity in question;  or (ii) possession
by such  Person or Group of the power,  directly or  indirectly,  (x) to elect a
majority of the board of directors (or equivalent  governing body) of the entity
in question or (y) in case of a  non-corporate  entity,  to manage or govern the
business, operations or investments of any such non-corporate entity.

                  (f)  "Group"  shall have the meaning  comprehended  by Section
13(d)(3) of the  Exchange  Act;  provided  that,  solely for purposes of Section
3.1(a)(iv) of this Agreement, the ML Entities shall not by themselves constitute
a "Group."

                  (g)      "Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act.

                  (h) "ML Representative"  means any natural person who has been
chosen in  writing,  with  notice  thereof to RSI,  by the ML  Entities  holding
beneficial  ownership  of Voting  Securities  representing  in the  aggregate  a
majority of the Total Voting  Power held by the ML Entities,  Matthias B. Bowman
being hereby designated as the initial ML Representative.

                  (i)  "Schedule  13D Filer"  means any  Person or Group  which,
based on its direct or indirect  beneficial  ownership of any Voting Securities,
is, or after the acquisition of such beneficial  ownership would be, required to
file a statement  on  Schedule  13D with the SEC in  accordance  with Rule 13d-1
under the Exchange Act, but shall not include any Schedule 13G Filer.

                  (j)  "Schedule  13G Filer"  means any  Person or Group  which,
based on its direct or indirect  beneficial  ownership of any Voting Securities,
is, or after the acquisition of such beneficial  ownership would be, required to
file a statement  on  Schedule  13D with the SEC in  accordance  with Rule 13d-1
under the  Exchange  Act,  but which in lieu of such filing may  instead  file a
short-form statement on Schedule 13G in accordance with such Rule.

                  (k)  "Standstill  Percentage"  means 36.4% of the Total Voting
Power;  provided that in the event that the percentage of the Total Voting Power
represented  by the  shares of Voting  Securities  beneficially  owned by the ML
Entities  and their  Affiliates  from time to time is less than 36.4%,  then the
Standstill  Percentage shall be automatically reduced to the percentage of Total
Voting Power  represented by shares of Voting Securities  beneficially  owned by
the ML Entities and their Affiliates from time to time;  provided further,  that
(x) following any such  reduction in the Standstill  Percentage,  the Standstill
Percentage  shall not  thereafter  be subject  to any  increase  (other  than as
provided for in the following  clause (y)),  and (y) if the  percentage of Total
Voting Power  represented by shares of Voting Securities  beneficially  owned by
the ML Entities and their  Affiliates is increased as a result of any RSI Action
(as defined in Section 3.1(a)(i) of this Agreement),  the Standstill  Percentage
shall be automatically increased to reflect such RSI Action.

                  (l) "Total  Voting Power"  means,  at any time,  the aggregate
number of votes which may be cast by holders of outstanding Voting Securities.

                  (m)  "Transfer"   means  sell,   transfer,   assign,   pledge,
hypothecate, give away or in any manner dispose of any Voting Securities.

                  (n) "Voting  Securities"  means the RSI Common  Shares and any
other  securities  (including  voting  preferred  stock) issued by RSI which are
entitled  to vote  generally  for the  election  of  directors  of RSI,  whether
currently  outstanding or hereafter  issued (other than  securities  having such
powers only upon the occurrence of a contingency).
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                              BOARD REPRESENTATION


     2.1 Initial Board Representation.  At the Effective Time, RSI will (a) take
such action as may be  necessary  to increase the size of the Board of Directors
of RSI (the "Board of  Directors")  to 12, and (b) use its best  efforts to fill
four of the vacancies  thereby  created in the three  classes of directors  with
directors  designated  by the ML  Representative  (each,  a "ML  Director"  and,
collectively, the "ML Directors") in accordance with Article Thirteenth of RSI's
Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation.  Of the four initial ML directors,  one
shall be  appointed  to Class A (current  term  expiring in 1996),  one shall be
appointed to Class B (current  term expiring in 1998) and two shall be appointed
to Class C (current terms expiring in 1997).  The ML Entities  acknowledge  that
any designees of ML Directors who are not employees of either an ML Entity which
is controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. or an Affiliate of an ML Entity which
is controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. must be reasonably  acceptable to the
Continuing Directors of RSI.

     2.2 Continuing Board Representation.  Until such time as the ML Entities no
longer beneficially own Voting Securities representing in the aggregate at least
10% of the Total Voting Power, RSI covenants and agrees as follows:

                  (a) except as  contemplated  by this Agreement or as otherwise
agreed to by a majority of the ML  Directors,  RSI will not take or recommend to
its  stockholders  any action  which would (i) cause the Board of  Directors  to
consist of any number of  directors  other than twelve  directors  divided  into
three  classes of four  directors  each or (ii) result in any  amendment  to the
By-Laws of RSI or the By-Laws or  Regulations  of any  Subsidiary (as defined in
Section  2.3(b)  hereof)  in effect on the date  hereof  that  would  impose any
qualifications to the eligibility of directors of RSI or any Subsidiary to serve
on any  committee  of the  Board  of  Directors,  any  Subsidiary  Board  or any
committee of any Subsidiary Board, except as may be required by applicable law;

                  (b) so  long  as  the  ML  Entities  beneficially  own  Voting
Securities representing in the aggregate at least 34% of the Total Voting Power,
RSI will use its best efforts to cause the Nominating  Committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Nominating  Committee") (or if the Nominating Committee makes no
such  recommendation,  the Board of  Directors) to recommend for election in the
applicable year in which the respective  class term expires,  one ML Director in
Class A, one ML  Director  in Class B and two ML  Directors  in Class C, in each
case as designated by the ML Representative; provided, that if despite such best
efforts,  any such ML Director is not elected by the  stockholders  of RSI,  RSI
shall have no further  obligations  under this Section 2.2(b) for the applicable
year;

                  (c) in the event that the ML Entities  beneficially own Voting
Securities representing in the aggregate less than 34%, but at least 27%, of the
Total  Voting  Power,  RSI will use its best  efforts  to cause  the  Nominating
Committee (or if the  Nominating  Committee  makes no such  recommendation,  the
Board of Directors) to recommend  for election in the  applicable  year in which
the respective  class term expires,  one ML Director in Class A, one ML Director
in Class B and one ML Director in Class C, in each case as  designated by the ML
Representative;  provided,  that if  despite  such  best  efforts,  any  such ML
Director is not elected by the  stockholders  of RSI,  RSI shall have no further
obligations under this Section 2.2(c) for the applicable year;

                  (d) in the event that the ML Entities  beneficially own Voting
Securities representing in the aggregate less than 27%, but at least 16%, of the
Total  Voting  Power,  RSI will use its best  efforts  to cause  the  Nominating
Committee (or if the  Nominating  Committee  makes no such  recommendation,  the
Board of Directors) to recommend  for election in the  applicable  year in which
the  respective  class  term  expires,  one ML  Director  in  Class A and one ML
Director  in  Class  B or  Class  C,  in  each  case  as  designated  by  the ML
Representative;  provided,  that if  despite  such  best  efforts,  any  such ML
Director is not elected by the  stockholders  of RSI,  RSI shall have no further
obligations under this Section 2.2(d) for the applicable year; and

                  (e) in the event that the ML Entities  beneficially own Voting
Securities representing in the aggregate less than 16%, but at least 10%, of the
Total  Voting  Power,  RSI will use its best  efforts  to cause  the  Nominating
Committee (or if the  Nominating  Committee  makes no such  recommendation,  the
Board of Directors) to recommend  for election in the  applicable  year in which
the respective class term expires, one ML Director in Class A; provided, that if
despite such best efforts,  such ML Director is not elected by the  stockholders
of RSI, RSI shall have no further  obligations under this Section 2.2(e) for the
applicable year.

         2.3 Committee  Representation;  Subsidiary  Board  Representation.  (a)
Until such time as the ML Entities no longer  beneficially own Voting Securities
representing  in the  aggregate at least 16% of the Total Voting  Power,  to the
extent that, and for so long as, any of the ML Directors is qualified  under the
then-current  rules  and  regulations  of the New  York  Stock  Exchange  ("NYSE
Rules"),  the rules and regulations  under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended,  relating to the  qualification  of employee stock benefit  plans,  the
rules and  regulations  under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act,  including Rule
16b-3 thereunder or any successor rule, and RSI's Bylaws, RSI shall use its best
efforts to cause the Board of Directors to designate  one of the ML Directors to
serve on each of the  committees  of the Board of  Directors to the same extent,
and on the same basis, as the other members of the Board of Directors; provided,
however, that subject to the foregoing director qualification  requirements,  in
the event  that,  and for so long as,  the ML  Entities  own  Voting  Securities
representing in the aggregate at least 10% of the Total Voting Power,  RSI shall
use its best efforts to cause the Board of Directors to designate  one of the ML
Directors to serve on the Nominating  Committee and the  Management  Development
Compensation  and Stock  Option  Committee of the Board of Directors to the same
extent, and on the same basis, as the other members of the Board of Directors.

                  (b) Until such time as the ML Entities no longer  beneficially
own Voting  Securities  representing  in the aggregate at least 10% of the Total
Voting  Power,  to the extent  that (I) any  Continuing  Director  who is not an
officer or  employee  of RSI  ("Outside  Director")  is also a  director  of any
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of RSI  ("Subsidiary"),  and (II) the ML Directors are
qualified under the Bylaws or Regulations of the relevant Subsidiary,  RSI shall
cause to be included (i) on the board of  directors of such  Subsidiary a number
of ML Directors  equal to the product of (x) the number of Continuing  Directors
on the board of directors of such Subsidiary (a "Subsidiary Board"),  multiplied
by (y) a  quotient,  the  numerator  of which  shall be the  total  number of ML
Directors  which RSI is required to use its best efforts to cause the Nominating
Committee to recommend for election pursuant to Section 2.2(b),  2.2(c),  2.2(d)
or 2.2(e),  as the case may be, and the  denominator  of which  shall be twelve,
provided that if the product calculated above is less than 1, then to the extent
that any  Outside  Director is also a director  of any such  Subsidiary,  one ML
Director  designated by the ML  Representative  shall be entitled to sit on such
Subsidiary Board so long as the ML Entities  beneficially own Voting  Securities
representing at least 10% of the Total Voting Power;  and (ii) on each committee
of each Subsidiary Board, if an ML Director is entitled to sit on any Subsidiary
Board, one ML Director designated by the ML Representative, subject to the rules
and regulations  described in Section 2.3(a) and qualification  under the Bylaws
or Regulations of the relevant Subsidiary.

         2.4 Removal of Directors;  Vacancies.  The ML Representative shall have
the right, with cause, to request the removal from the Board of Directors of any
ML Director.  Any such removal shall be subject to the applicable  provisions of
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of RSI (including, without
limitation,  any stockholder vote requirement),  as well as applicable statutory
provisions;  provided that RSI will use its best efforts to cause the Continuing
Directors to vote,  subject to Section 2.6, in favor of such requested  removal.
In the event that any ML Director for any reason  ceases to serve as a member of
the Board of Directors  during his or her term of office and at such time the ML
Representative  would have the right to a  designation  hereunder if an election
for the resulting vacancy were to be held, (a) the director to fill such vacancy
("ML Director Vacancy") shall be designated by the ML Representative and, if not
an employee of an ML Entity which is  controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. or
an Affiliate of an ML Entity which is  controlled  by Merrill  Lynch & Co, Inc.,
shall be reasonably  acceptable to the Continuing Directors of RSI, and (b) such
ML Director  Vacancy  shall be filled in accordance  with Article  Thirteenth of
RSI's Restated Certificate of Incorporation.  In the event that, and for so long
as, any ML  Director  is a member of the  Nominating  Committee  of the Board of
Directors,  the ML Entities  shall cause the ML Directors to take such action as
may be  necessary  and to vote in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of the
Continuing Directors to fill any vacancies in the Board of Directors (other than
an ML Director Vacancy).

         2.5 Resignation. In the event that the percentage of Total Voting Power
represented by the Voting Securities  beneficially owned in the aggregate by the
ML  Entities  at any time  decreases  below the  minimum  percentage  thresholds
specified in Sections 2.2(b),  (c), (d) or (e) or Sections 2.3(a) or (b), the ML
Entities  shall cause such number of ML  Directors  to resign as is necessary to
adjust the number of  remaining ML Directors to the number (if any) to which the
ML Entities would have been entitled  under such Sections if the  nominations to
the Board of Directors or Subsidiary  Board or the  selections for committees of
the Board of Directors or Subsidiary Board were made at such time; provided that
in the event of any such decrease below any such minimum  percentage  threshold,
any subsequent  increase in the percentage of the Total Voting Power represented
in the aggregate by the Voting Securities  beneficially owned by the ML Entities
above such  minimum  percentage  threshold  shall not entitle the ML Entities to
have any  additional ML Directors  named or elected to the Board of Directors or
any committee thereof or any Subsidiary Board or any committee thereof.

         2.6 Charter and Bylaws;  Fiduciary  Duties.  The obligations of RSI set
forth in this  Article  II are  subject to  compliance  with the  provisions  of
Article  Thirteenth of RSI's  Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  and RSI's
Bylaws,  and the fiduciary  duties of the Board of Directors and the  Nominating
Committee  to RSI's  stockholders.  Nothing  contained  in this Article II shall
require RSI to violate any such  provisions or to require any director of RSI to
breach any such fiduciary duty.

         2.7 No Voting Trust. This Agreement does not create or constitute,  and
shall not be construed  as creating or  constituting,  a voting trust  agreement
under the Delaware General  Corporation Law or any other applicable  corporation
law.

         2.8  Notification  of  Nominations.  The rights of the ML Entities,  ML
Directors and ML Representative and the obligations of RSI under this Article II
shall be subject to compliance with Article III, Section 3a of RSI's Bylaws.

         2.9 No Duty to Designate;  Reduction of Board  Representation.  Nothing
contained in this Article II shall be construed as requiring  the ML Entities to
designate any ML Directors or, once  designated  and elected,  to require any ML
Director to  continue  to serve in office if such ML Director  elects to resign.
Until such time as the ML Entities no longer  beneficially own Voting Securities
representing  in the  aggregate at least 10% of the Total Voting  Power,  in the
event of any vacancy  created by the resignation or removal of an ML Director or
the failure of the ML Representative  to designate an ML Director,  other than a
vacancy  created by the  resignation  or removal of an ML  Director  pursuant to
Section 2.5 hereof, upon the written request of the ML Representative, RSI shall
take  such  action  as may be  necessary  to  reduce  the  size of the  Board of
Directors to a number equal to (x) 12 (or such lesser number as exists following
one or more  previous  reductions  of the  size of the  Board  pursuant  to this
Section  2.9)  minus  (y)  the  number  of  such   vacancies,   and  thereafter,
notwithstanding  any other  provisions of this Article II, the ML Entities shall
have no right to designate any ML Directors to the extent of such reduction.

         2.10  Effect of  Change in  Control.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the
contrary  contained in this Agreement,  the rights under this Article II are for
the benefit of, and shall only extend to, those ML Entities which are controlled
by Merrill  Lynch & Co.,  Inc. In the event of any  transaction,  including  any
Transfer of any securities or partnership interests,  resulting in Merrill Lynch
& Co., Inc. no longer controlling such ML Entity, such ML Entity shall no longer
have any rights under this Article II and shall not be deemed to be an ML Entity
for purposes of this Article II, but shall remain bound by the other  provisions
of this Agreement.
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                     STANDSTILL RESTRICTIONS; VOTING MATTERS


         3.1  Standstill  Restrictions.  (a) During the term of this  Agreement,
each of the ML Entities  covenants and agrees that without the prior affirmative
vote  of a  majority  of the  Continuing  Directors  at a  meeting  at  which  a
Continuing Director Quorum is present,  the ML Entities shall not, and shall not
permit any of their respective Affiliates to, directly or indirectly:


                        (i) acquire, propose to acquire (or publicly announce or
         otherwise  disclose  an  intention  to propose to  acquire) or offer to
         acquire, by purchase or otherwise, any Voting Securities, if the effect
         of such  acquisition  would be to increase  the  outstanding  number of
         shares of Voting Securities then beneficially  owned by the ML Entities
         and their Affiliates, in the aggregate, to an amount representing Total
         Voting Power in excess of the Standstill Percentage; provided that this
         Section  3.1(a)(i)  shall not be applicable,  and no ML Entity shall be
         obligated to dispose of Voting Securities,  if the aggregate percentage
         of the Total Voting Power represented by Voting Securities beneficially
         owned by the ML Entities is increased  as a result of corporate  action
         taken solely by RSI and not caused by any action taken by any ML Entity
         or any Affiliate of any ML Entity ("RSI Action");

                       (ii) propose (or publicly announce or otherwise  disclose
         an intention to propose),  solicit,  offer,  seek to effect,  negotiate
         with or provide  any  confidential  information  relating to RSI or its
         business to any other  Person  with  respect to, any tender or exchange
         offer, merger,  consolidation,  share exchange,  business  combination,
         restructuring,  recapitalization or similar transaction  involving RSI;
         provided,  that  nothing  set forth in this  Section  3.1(a)(ii)  shall
         prohibit ML Entities from soliciting,  offering,  seeking to effect and
         negotiating  with any  Person  with  respect  to  Transfers  of  Voting
         Securities  otherwise  permitted  by  Article  IV  of  this  Agreement;
         provided further,  that in so doing the ML Entities shall not (x) issue
         any press release or otherwise make any public  statements  (other than
         statements   made  in  response  to  any  request  by  any  Person  for
         confirmation  by any ML  Entity  or any  Affiliate  of an ML  Entity of
         information  contained  in any  statement  on  Schedule  13D  under the
         Exchange Act) with respect to such action other than in accordance with
         Section 9.14 hereof  (provided that the ML Entities may, and may permit
         their  Affiliates  to, make any statement  required by applicable  law,
         including  without  limitation,  the  amendment  of  any  statement  on
         Schedule 13D under the Exchange  Act), or (y) provide any  confidential
         information relating to RSI or its business to any such Person.

                      (iii)   make,   or  in  any  way   participate   in,   any
         "solicitation"  of "proxies" to vote (as such terms are defined in Rule
         14a-1 under the Exchange Act),  solicit any consent with respect to the
         voting  of any  Voting  Securities  or  become a  "participant"  in any
         "election  contest"  (as such terms are  defined or used in Rule 14a-11
         under the Exchange Act) with respect to RSI;

                       (iv)   except   to  the   extent   contemplated   by  the
         Registration Rights Agreement,  form, participate in or join any Person
         or Group with respect to any Voting  Securities  (except an arrangement
         solely  among  any or all of the  ML  Entities),  or  otherwise  act in
         concert with any third Person (other than an ML Entity) for the purpose
         of (x) acquiring  any Voting  Securities or (y) holding or disposing of
         Voting Securities for any purpose otherwise  prohibited by this Section
         3.1(a);

                        (v) deposit any Voting Securities into a voting trust or
         subject any Voting  Securities  to any  arrangement  or agreement  with
         respect to the voting thereof (except for this Agreement and except for
         any such arrangement solely among any or all of the ML Entities);

                       (vi) initiate,  propose or otherwise solicit stockholders
         for the approval of one or more  stockholder  proposals with respect to
         RSI as  described  in Rule 14a-8 under the  Exchange  Act, or induce or
         attempt  to  induce  any  other  Person  to  initiate  any  stockholder
         proposal;

                      (vii)  except as  specifically  provided for in Article II
         hereof or as contemplated  by Section 3.1(e),  seek election to or seek
         to  place a  representative  on the  Board  of  Directors,  or seek the
         removal  of any  member of the  Board of  Directors  (other  than an ML
         Director);

                     (viii) call or seek to have called any  meeting of the 
         stockholders of RSI for any purpose otherwise prohibited by this
         Section 3.1(a);

                       (ix) take any other action to seek to control RSI;

                        (x) demand, request or propose to amend, waive or 
         terminate the provisions of this Section 3.1(a); or

                       (xi) agree to do any of the foregoing, or advise, assist,
         encourage  or persuade  any third party to take any action with respect
         to any of the foregoing.

                  (b) Each of the ML  Entities  agrees  that it will  notify RSI
promptly if any  inquiries or proposals  are  received  by, any  information  is
exchanged with respect to, or any  negotiations  or discussions are initiated or
continued  with,  any ML Entity or, to the  knowledge  of any officer of Merrill
Lynch Capital Partners, Inc. or ML IBK Positions,  Inc., any of their respective
Affiliates,  regarding any matter described in Section 3.1(a) hereof;  provided,
however,  that  the  foregoing  obligation  is  subject  to any  confidentiality
policies of any such  Affiliate of any ML Entity.  The ML Entities and RSI shall
mutually  agree upon an  appropriate  response to be made to any such  proposals
received  by any ML  Entity,  or,  to the  knowledge  of any such  officer,  any
Affiliate of such ML Entity or any such officer.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1(a),  Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated  ("Merrill Lynch") and its Affiliates
(other than the ML  Entities)  may effect or recommend  transactions,  either as
principal  or as agent on behalf of third  parties,  in the  ordinary  course of
Merrill Lynch's business or the business of such Affiliates,  in, relating to or
involving Voting  Securities,  including,  without  limitation,  transactions in
which  Merrill  Lynch or such  Affiliates  are acting as an  investment  banking
organization  providing advisory services,  an investment advisor, an investment
company, a broker or dealer in securities,  as an underwriter or placement agent
of  securities,  a  market  maker,  a  specialist,  an  arbitrageur  or a  block
positioner;  provided, however, that (i) in no event shall Merrill Lynch and its
Affiliates (other than the ML Entities) acquire  beneficial  ownership of Voting
Securities   representing  Total  Voting  Power  in  excess  of  the  Additional
Percentage;  and (ii) for purposes of this Section  3.1(c),  transactions in the
ordinary course of Merrill Lynch's or its Affiliates' business shall in no event
be deemed to include any  activities or  transactions  which have the purpose or
effect of seeking to control or influence the management, policies or affairs of
RSI, including, without limitation,  through advising any Person with respect to
any  unsolicited bid for control of, or any other offer for securities of or any
business  combination  involving,  RSI;  provided,  however,  that this  Section
3.1(c)(ii)  shall not prohibit or restrict  Merrill Lynch from  performing  such
obligations as may be required by law or the rules or other  requirements of any
regulatory authority.

                  (d) The ML  Entities  shall  not be  deemed  to have  breached
Section  3.1(a)(i) of this Agreement if (i) the ML Entities or their  Affiliates
inadvertently  and in good faith  acquire  Voting  Securities so as to cause the
Total Voting Power  represented by the Voting Securities  beneficially  owned by
the ML Entities and their  Affiliates to exceed the Standstill  Percentage,  and
(ii) the ML Entities as soon as practicable divest a sufficient number of shares
of Voting Securities  beneficially owned by the ML Entities and their Affiliates
so as to result in the Total Voting Power  represented by the Voting  Securities
beneficially  owned by the ML Entities  and their  Affiliates  to be equal to or
less than the Standstill Percentage.

                  (e) Nothing  contained  in this Article III shall be deemed to
restrict the manner in which the ML Directors may  participate in  deliberations
or  discussions of the Board of Directors or individual  consultations  with the
Chairman of the Board or any other members of the Board of Directors, so long as
such actions do not otherwise violate any provision of Section 3.1(a).

         3.2 Voting.  Until such time as the ML Entities no longer  beneficially
own Voting  Securities  representing  in the aggregate at least 10% of the Total
Voting  Power,  the ML Entities  will take all such action as may be required so
that all Voting Securities owned by the ML Entities and their  Affiliates,  as a
group,  are (i) voted (in person or by proxy) for RSI's nominees to the Board of
Directors,  in accordance with the  recommendation  of the Nominating  Committee
(or, if the  Nominating  Committee  makes no such  recommendation,  the Board of
Directors),  provided that if the ML Representative has requested representation
on the Nominating Committee,  RSI shall have performed its obligations described
in the  proviso  to  Section  2.3(a)  hereof,  provided  further  that if the ML
Entities have a reasonable,  good faith objection to any one (and only one) such
nominee for  election  to the Board of  Directors  at any annual  meeting of RSI
stockholders  (other than any nominee who was a member of the Board of Directors
as of the  date of the  Merger  Agreement),  based  on such  nominee's  personal
qualifications  to serve as a member of the Board of  Directors  ("Objectionable
Nominee"),  the ML Entities may abstain from,  or vote against,  the election of
such  Objectionable  Nominee  at such  meeting,  but  only if (x) the  board  of
directors of the general partner of such ML Entity determines in good faith that
such action is required to fulfill its fiduciary  duties to the limited partners
of such ML Entity under  applicable law based upon the advice of outside counsel
(who may be such general partner's regularly engaged outside counsel) and (y) at
least two Business Days in advance of the date of mailing of the proxy statement
for such annual meeting of RSI stockholders, one or more ML Directors objects to
the proposed nomination of the Objectionable Nominee in writing to RSI or orally
during a meeting of the Board of Directors or the Nominating Committee, and (ii)
on all other  matters to be voted on by holders of Voting  Securities,  actually
voted (in person or by proxy) by the ML Entities.  Each of the ML Entities shall
be present,  in person or by proxy, at all duly held meetings of stockholders of
RSI so that all Voting Securities held by the ML Entities may be counted for the
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at such meetings.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                        TRANSFERS; RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL



<PAGE>



     4.1 Transfers of Voting Securities. None of the ML Entities shall, directly
or indirectly, Transfer any Voting Securities except:


                  (a)      to RSI;

                  (b) pursuant to a merger or  consolidation  of RSI or pursuant
to a plan of liquidation of RSI, which has been approved by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office;  provided
that at the time of such approval the number of ML Directors then serving on the
Board of  Directors  shall not  exceed  the  number  contemplated  by Article II
hereof;

                  (c)  provided  that the rights of the ML  Entities  under this
Agreement shall not transfer to the transferee of such securities, pursuant to a
bona fide  public  offering  registered  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended (the "Securities  Act"), in which the ML Entities shall use commercially
reasonable  efforts  to  (i)  effect  as  wide a  distribution  of  such  Voting
Securities  as is reasonably  practicable,  and (ii) prevent any Person or Group
from  acquiring  pursuant  to  such  offering  beneficial  ownership  of  Voting
Securities or securities convertible into Voting Securities  representing in the
aggregate 5% or more of the Total Voting Power;

                  (d)  provided  that the rights of the ML  Entities  under this
Agreement shall not transfer to the transferee of such  securities,  pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

                  (e)  provided  that the rights of the ML  Entities  under this
Agreement shall not transfer to the transferee of such securities, pursuant to a
pro  rata  distribution   (including  any  such  distribution  pursuant  to  any
liquidation or dissolution of any ML Entity) by any ML Entity to its partners or
stockholders if no successor or  distributee,  as the case may be, and no Person
that  controls  such  successor  or  distributee,  acquires  from any ML  Entity
beneficial ownership of Voting Securities representing more than 3% of the Total
Voting Power in such distribution (in each case other than any distributee which
is an Affiliate of an ML Entity  provided that such Affiliate  shall  thereafter
promptly   distribute  all  such  Voting  Securities  to  its  own  partners  or
stockholders  and such partners or stockholders do not thereby acquire from such
Affiliate beneficial ownership of Voting Securities representing more than 3% of
the Total Voting Power in such distribution).

                  (f)  provided  that the rights of the ML  Entities  under this
Agreement shall not transfer to the transferee of such securities, (i) Transfers
of Voting  Securities  to any Person or Group which is a Schedule  13D Filer and
which,  after giving  effect to such  Transfer,  would  beneficially  own Voting
Securities representing in the aggregate less than 5% of the Total Voting Power,
and (ii)  Transfers  to any  Person or Group  which is a  Schedule  13G Filer of
Voting  Securities  representing  in the  aggregate  less  than 10% of the Total
Voting Power;

                  (g) provided that (i) the rights of the ML Entities under this
Agreement shall not transfer to the transferee of such securities,  and (ii) the
Transfer is made on or after  January 1, 2000 in  connection  with the  required
dissolution  of any ML Entity,  Transfers of Voting  Securities to any Person or
Group (A) which,  after giving effect to such Transfer  would  beneficially  own
Voting Securities representing in the aggregate less than the greater of (x) 15%
of the Total Voting Power or (y) such other percentage of the Total Voting Power
as  would  make  such  Person  or  Group  an  "Acquiring   Person"  under  RSI's
shareholders'  rights plan or (B)  approved by the prior  affirmative  vote of a
majority of the Continuing Directors at a meeting at which a Continuing Director
Quorum is present;

                  (h)  pursuant  to a tender  offer or  exchange  offer that the
Board of Directors, by action taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors then in office,  has determined not to oppose;
or

                  (i)      in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2.

         4.2 Right of First  Refusal.  Except as otherwise  permitted by Section
4.1,  if any  ML  Entity  or ML  Entities  (each  a  "Selling  ML  Entity"  and,
collectively,  the "Selling ML  Entities")  shall receive an offer from, or have
entered into any  agreement or  understanding  with, a third party or parties to
purchase or otherwise  acquire  Voting  Securities  from such Selling ML Entity,
such  Selling ML Entity shall have the right,  provided  that the rights of such
Selling ML Entity under this Agreement shall not transfer to such third party or
parties,  to Transfer the amount of Voting  Securities  which are the subject of
such offer by, or agreement or  understanding  with, such third party or parties
if, prior to such Transfer,  RSI shall have been given the  opportunity,  in the
following manner, to purchase such Voting Securities:

                  (a) The Selling ML Entities  shall give notice (the  "Transfer
Notice") to RSI in writing of such proposed  Transfer  specifying  the amount of
Voting  Securities  proposed  to be  sold or  transferred,  the  proposed  price
therefor  (the  "Transfer  Consideration"),  the identity of the offeror and the
other material terms upon which such Transfer is proposed to be made.

                  (b) RSI shall have the right,  exercisable  by written  notice
given by RSI to the Selling ML Entities within 15 Business Days after receipt of
the Transfer Notice, to purchase from such Selling ML Entities all, but not less
than all, the Voting Securities specified in such Transfer Notice for cash in an
amount equivalent to the Transfer Consideration.

                  (c) If the  Transfer  Consideration  specified in the Transfer
Notice includes any property other than cash, such Transfer  Consideration shall
be deemed to be the amount of any cash  included in the  Transfer  Consideration
plus the value (as jointly  determined  by a  nationally  recognized  investment
banking  firm  selected by each party) of such other  property  included in such
Transfer Consideration. For this purpose, the parties shall use their reasonable
best efforts to cause any  determination of the value of any such other property
included in the Transfer Consideration to be made within ten Business Days after
the date of delivery of the Transfer  Notice.  If the firms  selected by RSI and
the  Selling  ML  Entities  are unable to agree upon the value of any such other
property within such ten Business Day period, such firms shall promptly select a
third nationally recognized investment banking firm whose determination shall be
conclusive.

                  (d) If RSI exercises its right of first refusal hereunder, the
closing of the  purchase  of the Voting  Securities  with  respect to which such
right has been exercised  shall take place within 60 days after RSI gives notice
of such exercise, which period of time shall be extended as necessary (but in no
event  for a period  of time  longer  than 60 days  after the end of such 60 day
period)  in order to  comply  with  applicable  securities  and  other  laws and
regulations or any listing  agreement to which RSI is a party.  Upon exercise of
its right of first  refusal,  RSI shall be legally  obligated to consummate  the
purchase contemplated  thereby,  shall use its reasonable best efforts to secure
all approvals required in connection  therewith,  and shall be liable in damages
to the Selling ML Entities  if for any reason,  including  the failure to obtain
any requisite  approvals,  the purchase is not consummated;  provided,  however,
that if RSI does not obtain  any  required  approval  of its  stockholders  with
respect to such  purchase,  (i) RSI shall have no  liability  to the  Selling ML
Entities with respect to the failure of such purchase to be consummated and (ii)
the Voting  Securities  with respect to which such right was exercised shall not
thereafter  be subject to the right of first  refusal  under  this  Section  4.2
unless to the extent that RSI specifies a designee to purchase Voting Securities
pursuant to Section 4.2(f) hereof and such designee  consummates its purchase of
Voting  Securities within the time remaining in the time period during which RSI
was to have consummated its purchase of such Voting Securities.

                  (e) If RSI  does not  exercise  its  right  of  first  refusal
hereunder  within the time specified for such exercise,  the Selling ML Entities
shall be free,  during the period of 60 days  following  the  expiration of such
time for exercise  (which period of time may be extended as necessary (but in no
event  for a period  of time  longer  than 60 days  after the end of such 60 day
period)  in order to  comply  with  applicable  securities  and  other  laws and
regulations), to Transfer the Voting Securities specified in the Transfer Notice
to the offeror  specified in the Transfer  Notice on the terms  described in the
Transfer Notice and at a price not less than the Transfer Consideration.  If the
Selling ML Entities  fail to Transfer  the Voting  Securities  specified  in the
Transfer  Notice in such  manner  within  such  period,  the  Voting  Securities
specified in the Transfer Notice shall again be subject to the terms of Sections
4.1 and 4.2 hereof.

                  (f) If RSI elects to  exercise  any of its  rights  under this
Section 4.2, RSI may specify, prior to closing such purchase,  another Person as
its designee to purchase the Voting Securities to which such notice of intention
to  exercise  such  rights  relates.  If RSI  designates  another  Person as the
purchaser  pursuant to this  Section  4.2,  RSI shall be legally  obligated,  in
accordance  with Section 4.2(d) above, to complete such purchase if its designee
fails to do so.


                                    ARTICLE V

                        Legends and Stop Transfer Orders



<PAGE>



     5.1 Legend.  All certificates  evidencing  Voting  Securities  beneficially
owned by any of the ML Entities shall bear the following legend:

     "The  securities  represented  by  this  certificate  are  subject  to  the
     restrictions  on  disposition  and to the other  provisions of a Standstill
     Agreement dated as of May __, 1996 among Rykoff-Sexton, Inc., Merrill Lynch
     Capital Partners,  Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Appreciation Partnership No.
     B-XVIII,  L.P., Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1994, ML Offshore LBO Partnership
     No.  B-XVIII,  ML IBK Positions,  Inc.,  MLCP  Associates L.P. No. II, MLCP
     Associates  L.P. No. IV,  Merrill  Lynch KECALP L.P.  1991,  Merrill  Lynch
     Capital   Appreciation   Partnership  No.  XIII,   L.P.,  ML  Offshore  LBO
     Partnership  No. XIII, ML Employees LBO  Partnership  No. I, L.P.,  Merrill
     Lynch  KECALP L.P.  1987,  Merchant  Banking  L.P.  No. II.  Copies of such
     Agreement are on file at the respective offices of such parties."

         5.2 Stop Transfer  Orders.  The ML Entities each hereby  consent to the
entry of stop  transfer  orders  with the  transfer  agents  of any such  Voting
Securities against the transfer of such legended certificates  representing such
Voting Securities except in compliance with this Agreement.

         5.3  Removal  or  Modification  of  Legend.  RSI  agrees  that upon any
Transfer of the securities  represented by such  certificates made in compliance
with the provisions of this  Agreement,  it will,  upon the  presentation to its
transfer agent of the  certificates  containing such legend,  remove such legend
from the certificates being sold or registered.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                         Representations and Warranties



<PAGE>



     6.1  Representations  and  Warranties  of the ML  Entities.  Each of the ML
Entities severally and not jointly represent and warrant to RSI as follows:


     (a) Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc. and ML IBK Positions,Inc. are each
corporations  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware.  Merrill Lynch Capital  Appreciation  Partnership
No.  B-XVIII,  L.P.,  MLCP  Associates L.P. No. II, MLCP Associates L.P. No. IV,
Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1991,  Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P.  1994,  Merrill Lynch
Capital  Appreciation  Partnership No. XIII,  L.P., ML Employees LBO Partnership
No. I, L.P., Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1987 and Merchant Banking L.P. No. II are
each limited partnerships, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware. ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. B-XVIII
and ML Offshore LBO  Partnership  No. XIII are each limited  partnerships,  duly
organized,  validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of the Cayman
Islands.

     (b) Assuming  that (i) the ML Entities  Shares (as defined  below) are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and, immediately prior
to  their  receipt  by the ML  Entities,  are free  and  clear  of all  security
interests,  liens,  claims,  proxies,  charges,  encumbrances and options of any
nature  whatsoever  created by any Person  other than an ML Entity  (other  than
those created by this Agreement,  the Registration  Rights Agreement and the Tax
Agreement),  and (ii) the issuance of the ML Entities  Shares to the ML Entities
is properly  recorded in the stock ledger of RSI, then, upon the issuance of the
ML Entities  Shares to the ML Entities  pursuant to Sections  4.1 and 4.2 of the
Merger  Agreement,  each of the ML Entities  will be the  beneficial  and record
owner of RSI Common  Shares in the  respective  amounts  set forth in Schedule I
attached  hereto  (the "ML  Entities  Shares"),  free and clear of all  security
interests,  liens,  claims,  proxies,  charges,  encumbrances and options of any
nature whatsoever,  and there will be no outstanding options, warrants or rights
to purchase or acquire, or agreements relating to, any of the ML Entities Shares
(other than those created by this Agreement,  the Registration  Rights Agreement
and the Tax Agreement).

     (c) Except for the ML Entities Shares and 2,100 shares of Voting Securities
owned  by  Merrill  Lynch,  neither  any of the ML  Entities,  nor any of  their
Affiliates,  owns beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly,  any Voting
Securities  or  any  options,  warrants  or  rights  of  any  nature  (including
conversion and exchange  rights) to acquire  beneficial  ownership of any Voting
Securities.

     (d) Each of the ML Entities  has full legal right,  power and  authority to
enter into and perform this Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by each of the ML Entities.  This Agreement constitutes a
legally valid and binding  agreement of each of the ML Entities,  enforceable in
accordance  with its terms,  except that such  enforceability  may be subject to
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  receivership,   reorganization,  moratorium  or  other
similar  laws  relating to  creditors'  rights now or hereafter in effect and by
general equitable principles.

     (e) The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by the ML Entities does
not conflict with or  constitute a violation of or default under the  respective
certificates  of  incorporation,   partnership  agreements  or  certificates  of
partnership (or comparable  documents) of any of the ML Entities or any statute,
law,  regulation,  order or decree applicable to any of the ML Entities,  or any
contract,  commitments,  agreement,  arrangement  or  restriction of any kind to
which any of the ML Entities  are a party or by which any of the ML Entities are
bound,  other than such violations as would not prevent or materially  delay the
performance by such ML Entity of its obligations  hereunder or otherwise subject
RSI to any claim or liability.

     (f) Schedule II hereto sets forth a true, accurate and complete list of the
percentage ownership interests of each partner or securityholder (without naming
them) in each ML Entity  listed  thereon.  Schedule III hereto sets forth,  with
respect to each ML Entity listed thereon,  the latest  dissolution date for such
ML Entity under the terms of its partnership agreement.

     6.2  Representations  and  Warranties  of RSI.  RSI hereby  represents  and
warrants to the ML Entities as follows:

     (a) RSI is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing  and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     (b) RSI has full legal right, power and authority to enter into and perform
this Agreement and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by RSI have been
duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate  action on  behalf  of RSI.  This
Agreement  constitutes a legally valid and binding agreement of RSI, enforceable
in accordance with its terms,  except that such enforceability may be subject to
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  receivership,   reorganization,  moratorium  or  other
similar laws  relating to creditors'  rights now or hereafter in effect,  and by
general equitable principles.

     (c)  Neither  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this   Agreement  nor  the
consummation by RSI of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby conflicts with or
constitutes  a  violation  of or  default  under  the  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation or By-laws of RSI, any statute,  law, regulation,  order or decree
applicable  to RSI,  or any  contract,  commitment,  agreement,  arrangement  or
restriction of any kind to which RSI is a party or by which RSI is bound,  other
than such violations as would not prevent or materially delay the performance by
RSI of its obligations hereunder or otherwise subject any ML Entity to any claim
or liability.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                               Further Assurances

         Each party shall execute and deliver such  additional  instruments  and
other  documents  and shall take such  further  actions as may be  necessary  or
appropriate  to effectuate,  carry out and comply with all of their  obligations
under this Agreement.  If reasonably  requested by RSI, each ML Entity agrees to
execute a letter  to RSI  confirming  that the  beneficial  ownership  of Voting
Securities  by the ML Entities and their  Affiliates  does not  represent in the
aggregate  Total Voting Power in excess of the  Standstill  Percentage as of the
date of such letter.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   Termination

         Unless earlier  terminated by written  agreement of the parties hereto,
this Agreement  shall  terminate on the earlier of (i) the tenth  anniversary of
the  Effective  Date  and  (ii) the date on  which  the ML  Entities  and  their
Affiliates beneficially own Voting Securities representing in the aggregate less
than 10% of the  Total  Voting  Power;  provided,  that if,  prior to the  tenth
anniversary of the Effective  Date, (x) the ML Entities shall  beneficially  own
Voting Securities  representing in the aggregate 10% or more of the Total Voting
Power, or (y) the ML Entities and their Affiliates shall beneficially own Voting
Securities  representing  in the  aggregate 5% or more of the Total Voting Power
which causes them to be a Schedule 13D Filer, this Agreement shall automatically
be reinstated.  Any  termination  of this Agreement as provided  herein shall be
without  prejudice  to the rights of any party  arising out of the breach by any
other party of any  provisions of this  Agreement  which  occurred  prior to the
termination.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  Miscellaneous



<PAGE>



         9.1   Notices,   Etc.   All   notices,   requests,   demands  or  other
communications  required by or otherwise with respect to this Agreement shall be
in  writing  and  shall be deemed  to have  been  duly  given to any party  when
delivered  personally  (by courier  service or  otherwise),  when  delivered  by
telecopy and confirmed by return  telecopy,  or seven days after being mailed by
first-class mail,  postage prepaid in each case to the applicable  addresses set
forth below:


         If to RSI:

                  Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
                  1050 Warrenville Road
                  Lisle, Illinois  60532-5201
                  Attn:  Mark Van Stekelenburg, Chairman,
                             President and Chief Executive
                             Officer
                  Telecopy:  (708) 971-6588

                  with a copy to:

                  Elizabeth C. Kitslaar, Esq.
                  Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                  77 West Wacker
                  Chicago, Illinois  60601-1692
                  Telecopy:  (312) 782-8585

         If to the ML Entities:

                  Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.
                  225 Liberty Street
                  New York, New York  10080-6123
                  Attn: James V. Caruso
                  Telecopy: (212) 236-7364

                  with a copy to:

                  Marcia L. Tu, Esq.
                  Merrill Lynch & Co.
                  World Financial Center
                  North Tower
                  250 Vesey Street
                  New York, New York  10281-1323
                  Telecopy: (212) 449-3207

                  with a copy to:

                  Bonnie Greaves, Esq.
                  Shearman & Sterling
                  599 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, New York  10022
                  Telecopy:  (212) 848-7179

or to such other address as such party shall have  designated by notice so given
to each other party.

         9.2  Amendments,  Waivers,  Etc.  This  Agreement  may not be  amended,
changed,  supplemented,  waived or otherwise modified or terminated except by an
instrument  in writing  signed by the  holders of a majority in number of the ML
Entities  Shares and by RSI  following  approval  thereof  by a majority  of the
Continuing Directors.

         9.3  Successors  and  Assigns.  Except as  otherwise  provided  herein,
including,  without  limitation,  Section 2.10,  this Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall  inure to the  benefit of and be  enforceable  by the parties and
their  respective  Affiliates  and  their  respective  successors  and  assigns,
including  without  limitation  in the case of any  corporate  party  hereto any
corporate successor by merger or otherwise. Except as otherwise provided herein,
this Agreement shall not be assignable.

         9.4 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding  among the  parties  relating  to the  subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes  all prior  agreements  and  understandings  relating to such subject
matter.  There are no  representations,  warranties  or covenants by the parties
hereto  relating to such subject matter other than those  expressly set forth in
this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the ML Agreement.

         9.5 Specific  Performance.  The parties  acknowledge that money damages
are not an adequate  remedy for  violations of this Agreement and that any party
may, in its sole  discretion,  apply to a court of  competent  jurisdiction  for
specific  performance  or injunctive or such other relief as such court may deem
just and proper in order to enforce  this  Agreement  or prevent  any  violation
hereof and, to the extent  permitted by  applicable  law,  each party waives any
objection to the imposition of such relief.

         9.6 Remedies Cumulative. All rights, powers and remedies provided under
this  Agreement  or otherwise  available  in respect  hereof at law or in equity
shall be cumulative  and not  alternative,  and the exercise or beginning of the
exercise of any  thereof by any party shall not  preclude  the  simultaneous  or
later exercise of any other such right, power or remedy by such party.

         9.7 No Waiver.  The failure of any party  hereto to exercise any right,
power or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise  available in respect
hereof at law or in equity,  or to insist  upon  compliance  by any other  party
hereto with its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the parties
at variance with the terms hereof,  shall not  constitute a waiver by such party
of its right to exercise any such or other  right,  power or remedy or to demand
such compliance.

         9.8  No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to be
for the benefit of and shall not be enforceable by any Person who or which is
not a party hereto.

         9.9  Jurisdiction.   Each  party  hereby  irrevocably  submits  to  the
exclusive  jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware in any
action, suit or proceeding arising in connection with this Agreement, and agrees
that any such  action,  suit or  proceeding  shall be brought only in such court
(and waives any objection  based on forum non conveniens or any other  objection
to venue  therein);  provided,  however,  that such consent to  jurisdiction  is
solely for the purpose  referred to in this  Section 9.9 and shall not be deemed
to be a general  submission to the jurisdiction of said court or in the State of
Delaware other than for such purposes. Each party hereto hereby waives any right
to a trial by jury in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding.

         9.10  Governing Law. This Agreement and all disputes hereunder shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State
of Delaware.

         9.11  Name, Captions. The name assigned to this Agreement and the 
section captions used herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not
affect the interpretation or construction hereof.

         9.12  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in any number of
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall  constitute one  instrument.  Each  counterpart  may consist of a
number of copies each signed by less than all, but  together  signed by all, the
parties hereto.

         9.13 Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall bear their own expenses
incurred in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  except  that  in  the  event  of a  dispute  concerning  the  terms  or
enforcement of this Agreement, the prevailing party in any such dispute shall be
entitled to reimbursement of reasonable  legal fees and  disbursements  from the
other party or parties to such dispute.

         9.14  Press  Releases.  The  initial  press  release  relating  to this
Agreement  shall  be a  joint  press  release  and,  thereafter,  RSI and the ML
Representative shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or
otherwise  making any public  statements  with  respect to this  Agreement,  and
neither  RSI nor any ML Entity  shall  issue any such press  release or make any
such  public  statement  without the consent  (which  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld)  of the  other  (the ML  Representative  acting  on  behalf  of the ML
Entities for such purpose),  except to the extent  required by applicable law or
the rules and  requirements  of the New York Stock  Exchange,  in which case the
issuing  party shall use its  reasonably  best efforts to consult with the other
party (the ML Representative in case of the ML Entities) before issuing any such
release or making any such public statement.


<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.


RYKOFF-SEXTON, INC.


By: /s/ Mark Van Stekelenburg
        Mark Van Stekelenburg
        Chairman, President and
        Chief Executive Officer


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President



MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION
PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. B-IV, L.P.,
    as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., 
    as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. B-IV, L.P.,
    as Investment General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
    as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


ML IBK POSITIONS, INC.


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
    as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President

MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
    as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION
PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, L.P.,
    as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., 
    as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President

ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, L.P., 
    as Investment General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
    as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P.

By: ML Employees LBO Managers, Inc., 
    as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President

MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch MBP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE I
                                 SHARE OWNERSHIP

<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>


                  Name of Stockholder                                    RSI Common Shares

MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO.                           4,357,505
B-XVIII, L.P.


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994                                                  67,879


ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII                                      2,192,382


ML IBK POSITIONS, INC.                                                       1,440,181


MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II                                                     52,257


MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV                                                     13,575


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991                                                 189,793


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO.                           1,620,103
XIII, L.P.


ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII                                            41,188


ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P.                                        40,273


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987                                                  30,434


MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II                                                    30,434
 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE II

                              PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIPS


DISTRIBUTION TO ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII
DISTRIBUTION OF 100% OF US FOODSERVICE COMMON SHARES
JANUARY 1996


<TABLE>
                                                                                                                     EXCHANGE
                                                                                                                  US FOODSERVICE
                                                                                      % OF                          SHARES FOR
                                                                                 US FOODSERVICE  US FOODSERVICE   1.457 SHARES OF
                                           CAPITAL      ORIGINAL   DISTRIBUTION      SHARES       REVERSE STOCK    RYKOFF-SEXTON
                PARTNERS                 CONTRIBUTION  PERCENTAGE    OF SHARES     OUTSTANDING    SPLIT OF .396    COMMON STOCK
- - ---------------------------------------  ------------  ----------  ------------  --------------  --------------   ---------------

<S>                                       <C>            <C>        <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>
MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL                     $17,120,179    71.82%     2,728,888        12.22%         1,080,640        1,574,492
  APRECIATION COMPANY LIMITED II
 
MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION          6,480,221    27.18%     1,032,921         4.63%           409,037          595,967
  LIMITED PARTNERSHIP II (SPECIAL LP)
 
MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC                 0     0.00%             0         0.00%                 0                0
 
INVESTMENT GENERAL PARTNER                    238,290     1.00%        37,983         0.17%            15,041           21,915
 
ADMINISTRATIVE GENERAL PARTNER                    100     0.00%            16         0.00%                 6                9
                                          -----------   ------      ---------        -----          ---------        ---------
 
             TOTAL                        $23,838,790   100.00%     3,799,808        17.02%         1,504,724        2,192,383
                                          ===========   ======      =========        =====          =========        =========
</TABLE>




<PAGE>



SECOND TIER DISTRIBUTION TO SHAREHOLDERS OF MERRILL LYNCH
CAPITAL APPRECIATION COMPANY LIMITED II FROM ML OFFSHORE
LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII AS A RESULT OF THE DISTRIBUTION
OF 100% OF US FOODSERVICE COMMON SHARES
JANUARY 1996


<TABLE>

                                                                             EXCHANGE
                                                                          US FOODSERVICE
                                                % OF                        SHARES FOR
                   %      DISTRIBUTION     US FOODSERVICE  US FOOSERVICE  1.457 SHARES OF
                OF TOTAL       OF              SHARES      REVERSE STOCK   RYKOFF-SEXTON
 #     SHARES    SHARES      SHARES          OUTSTANDING   SPLIT OF .396   COMMON STOCK
- - ---   --------  --------  ------------     --------------  -------------  ---------------

<S>     <C>      <C>       <C>                 <C>          <C>             <C>
 1       7,513    43.85%   1,196,645*           5.36%         473,872         690,432
 2       5,009    29.24%     797,817*           3.57%         315,936         460,319
 3       1,373     8.01%     218,687            0.98%          86,600         126,176
 4         501     2.92%      79,798            0.36%          31,600          46,041
 5       1,036     6.05%     165,011            0.74%          65,344          95,206
 6         440     2.57%      70,082            0.31%          27,752          40,435
 7         402     2.35%      64,029            0.29%          25,355          36,942
 8         176     1.03%      28,033            0.13%          11,101          16,174
 9         201     1.17%      32,015            0.14%          12,678          18,472
10         240     1.40%      38,226            0.17%          15,138          22,056
11         198     1.16%      31,537            0.14%          12,489          18,196
12          44     0.26%       7,008            0.03%           2,775           4,043
        ------   -------   ---------       ---------       ----------       ---------
 
        17,133   100.00%   2,728,888           12.22%       1,080,640       1,574,492
        ======   ======    =========       =========       ==========       =========
 
<FN>
*  REPRESENTS OVER 1% OF O/S STOCK.  (2 INVESTORS)
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


SECOND TIER DISTRIBUTION TO PARTNERS OF MERRILL LYNCH
CAPITAL APPRECIATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP II (SPECIAL LP)
FROM ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII AS A RESULT OF
THE DISTRIBUTION OF 100% OF US FOODSERVICE COMMON SHARES
JANUARY 1996


<TABLE>
                                                                                   EXCHANGE
          CAPITAL                                                               US FOODSERVICE
        ACCOUNT FOR     PERCENT                       % OF                        SHARES FOR
          B-XVIII      OF TOTAL  DISTRIBUTION    US FOODSERVICE  US FOOSERVICE  1.457 SHARES OF
        INVESTMENT      CAPITAL       OF             SHARES      REVERSE STOCK   RYKOFF-SEXTON
 #        @ 1/1/95      ACCOUNT     SHARES         OUTSTANDING   SPLIT OF .396   COMMON STOCK
- - ---   ---------------  ----------------------    --------------  -------------  ---------------

 <S>  <C>              <C>        <C>                 <C>           <C>             <C>
 1    $2,039,980.00     31.43%      324,678*          1.45%         128,571         187,328
 2       917,990.00     14.14%      146,105           0.65%          57,858          84,299
 3       506,995.00      7.81%       80,692           0.36%          31,954          46,557
 4       917,990.00     14.14%      146,105           0.65%          57,858          84,299
 5       463,995.00      7.15%       73,848           0.33%          29,244          42,609
 6       407,996.00      6.29%       64,936           0.29%          25,715          37,467
 7     1,003,990.00     15.47%      159,792           0.72%          63,278          92,196
 8             0.00      0.00%            0           0.00%               0               0
 9       230,998.00      3.56%       36,765           0.16%          14,559          21,212
      -------------    --------------------      ----------------------------------------------
      $6,489,934.00    100.00%    1,032,921           4.63%         409,037         595,967
      =============    ======     =========      =========        =========        ========

<FN>
*  REPRESENTS OVER 1% OF O/S STOCK.  (1 INVESTOR)
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND I & II
& OTHER MERRILL LYNCH ENTITIES
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT POSITION IN COMMON STOCK OF
US FOODSERVICE, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1995




<TABLE>

                                                                          Ownership of
 #   Partnership/Corporation                                              Common Shares
- - ---  ----------------------------------------------------------------     -------------

<S>                                                                     <C>
 1.  Merrill Lynch Capital Appreciation Partnership No. XIII, L.P.       2,807,941.6552

 2.  ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. XIII                                   71,387.8790

 3.  Merrill Lynch Capital Appreciation Partnership No. B-XVIII, L.P.    7,552,369.5000

 4.  ML Offshore LBO Partnership No. B-XVIII                             3,799,808.0000

 5.  ML IBK Positions, Inc.*                                             2,496,102.7370

 6.  ML Employees LBO Partnership No. I, L.P.                               69,802.2183

 7.  MLCP Associates L.P. No II                                             90,572.5000

 8.  MLCP Associates L.P. No IV                                             23,529.0000

 9.  Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1987                                         52,748.5393

10.  Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1991                                        328,947.0000

11.  Merrill Lynch KECALP L.P. 1994                                        117,647.0000

12.  Merchant Banking L.P. No II                                            52,748.5393
                                                                        ---------------

     Total                                                              17,463,604.5681
                                                                        ===============

<FN>
     * - Merrill Lynch itself.
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P.
DISTRIBUTION OF 100% OF US FOODSERVICE COMMON SHARES
JANUARY 1996


<TABLE>

                                                                                  US FOODSERVICE
                                                       % OF                         SHARES FOR
          TOTAL            %       DISTRIBUTION  US FOODSERVICE   US FOODSERVICE  1,457 SHARES OF
         CAPITAL          OF            OF           SHARES        REVERSE STOCK   RYKOFF-SEXTON
 #      COMMITMENT     OWNERSHIP      SHARES       OUTSTANDING     SPLIT OF .396   COMMON STOCK
- - ---   -------------  ------------  ------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------------

<S>   <C>               <C>         <C>              <C>          <C>              <C>
 1    $ 90,000,000       25.42%       706,745*        3.16%          279,869          407,769
 2      30,000,000        8.47%       235,582*        1.05%           93,290          135,924
 3      29,500,000        8.33%       231,655*        1.04%           91,735          133,658
 4      25,000,000        7.06%       196,318         0.88%           77,742          113,270
 5      25,000,000        7.06%       196,318         0.88%           77,742          113,270
 6      19,000,000        5.37%       149,202         0.67%           59,084           86,085
 7      15,000,000        4.24%       117,791         0.53%           46,645           67,962
 8      10,000,000        2.82%        78,527         0.35%           31,097           45,308
 9      10,000,000        2.82%        78,527         0.35%           31,097           45,308
10      10,000,000        2.82%        78,527         0.35%           31,097           45,308
11      10,000,000        2.82%        78,527         0.35%           31,097           45,308
12       6,000,000        1.69%        47,116         0.21%           18,658           27,185
13       5,000,000        1.41%        39,264         0.18%           15,549           22,655
14       5,000,000        1.41%        39,264         0.18%           15,549           22,655
15       5,000,000        1.41%        39,264         0.18%           15,549           22,655
16       5,000,000        1.41%        39,264         0.18%           15,549           22,655
17       5,000,000        1.41%        39,264         0.18%           15,549           22,655
18       5,000,000        1.41%        39,264         0.18%           15,549           22,655
19       4,000,000        1.13%        31,411         0.14%           12,439           18,124
20       4,000,000        1.13%        31,411         0.14%           12,439           18,124
21       4,000,000        1.13%        31,411         0.14%           12,439           18,124
22       3,000,000        0.85%        23,558         0.11%            9,329           13,592
23       3,000,000        0.85%        23,558         0.11%            9,329           13,592
24       3,000,000        0.85%        23,558         0.11%            9,329           13,592
25       3,000,000        0.85%        23,558         0.11%            9,329           13,592
26       3,000,000        0.85%        23,558         0.11%            9,329           13,592
27       2,500,000        0.71%        19,632         0.09%            7,774           11,327
28       2,500,000        0.71%        19,632         0.09%            7,774           11,327
29       2,500,000        0.71%        19,632         0.09%            7,774           11,327
30       2,000,000        0.56%        15,705         0.07%            6,219            9,061
31       2,000,000        0.56%        15,705         0.07%            6,219            9,061
32       2,000,000        0.56%        15,705         0.07%            6,219            9,061
33       2,000,000        0.56%        15,705         0.07%            6,219            9,061
34       2,000,000        0.56%        15,705         0.07%            6,219            9,061
      ------------      -------     ---------        ------       ----------       ----------
      $354,000,000      100.00%     2,779,863        12.45%       $1,100,826       $1,603,903
      ------------      =======     ---------        ------       ----------       ----------
         3,575,758                     28,079         0.13%           11,119           16,201
      ------------                  ---------        ------       ----------       ----------
      $357,575,758                  2,807,942        12.57%        1,111,945        1,620,104
      ============      =======     =========        ======       ==========       ==========             

<FN>
* REPRESENTS OVER 1% OF O/S STOCK.  (3 INVESTORS)
</FN>
</TABLE>




<PAGE>


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P.
DISTRIBUTION OF 100% OF US FOODSERVICE COMMON SHARES
JANUARY 1996



<TABLE>

                                                                                      EXCHANGE
                                                                                   US FOODSERVICE
                                                       % OF                          SHARES FOR
      CAPITAL ACCOUNT      %        DISTRIBUTION   US FOODSERVICE  US FOODSERVICE  1,457 SHARES OF
        BALANCE AT         OF            OF           SHARES       REVERSE STOCK    RYKOFF-SEXTON
 #    JANUARY 1, 1995   OWNERSHIP      SHARES       OUTSTANDING    SPLIT OF .396    COMMON STOCK
- - ---   ---------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  --------------  ---------------

<S>     <C>              <C>         <C>              <C>           <C>               <C>
 1.     $2,267,896         4.50%       336,522*        1.51%          133,262           194,163
 2.      3,469,299         6.89%       514,792*        2.31%          203,856           297,016
 3.      1,120,249         2.22%       166,228         0.74%           65,826            95,908
 4.      2,655,143         5.27%       393,983*        1.76%          156,017           227,317
 5.      2,601,973         5.16%       386,093*        1.73%          152,893           222,765
 6.      2,857,970         5.67%       424,079*        1.90%          167,935           244,681
 7.      2,601,974         5.16%       386,094*        1.73%          152,893           222,765
 8.      2,036,418         4.04%       302,174*        1.35%          119,661           174,346
 9.      1,642,568         3.26%       243,732*        1.09%           96,518           140,627
 10.     3,917,840         7.78%       581,348*        2.60%          230,214           335,422
 11.     2,381,643         4.73%       353,400*        1.58%          139,946           203,901
 12.     1,896,530         3.76%       281,416*        1.26%          111,441           162,370
 13.     2,168,310         4.30%       321,744*        1.44%          127,411           185,638
 14.     1,295,989         2.57%       192,305         0.86%           76,153           110,955
 15.     2,083,124         4.13%       309,104*        1.38%          122,405           178,344
 16.     1,036,791         2.06%       153,844         0.69%           60,922            88,763
 17.       619,206         1.23%        91,881         0.41%           36,385            53,013
 18.       518,396         1.03%        76,922         0.34%           30,461            44,382
 19.       952,658         1.89%       141,360         0.63%           55,979            81,561
 20.       412,805         0.82%        61,254         0.27%           24,257            35,342
 21.       758,611         1.51%       112,566         0.50%           44,576            64,947
 22.       471,962         0.94%        70,032         0.31%           27,733            40,407
 23.       758,611         1.51%       112,566         0.50%           44,576            64,947
 24.       952,658         1.89%       141,360         0.63%           55,979            81,561
 25.       518,396         1.03%        76,922         0.34%           30,461            44,382
 26.       867,325         1.72%       128,698         0.58%           50,964            74,255
 27.       758,611         1.51%       112,566         0.50%           44,576            64,947
 28.       412,805         0.82%        61,254         0.27%           24,257            35,342
 29.       518,396         1.03%        76,922         0.34%           30,461            44,382
 30.       518,396         1.03%        76,922         0.34%           30,461            44,382
 31.       518,396         1.03%        76,922         0.34%           30,461            44,382
 32.       833,248         1.65%       123,641         0.55%           48,962            71,338
 33.       606,890         1.20%        90,053         0.40%           35,661            51,958
 34.       311,037         0.62%        46,153         0.21%           18,277            26,630
 35.       259,197         0.51%        38,461         0.17%           15,231            22,192
 36.       226,789         0.45%        33,652         0.15%           13,326            19,416
 37.       259,197         0.51%        38,461         0.17%           15,231            22,192
 38.       259,197         0.51%        38,461         0.17%           15,231            22,192
 39.       433,660         0.86%        64,349         0.29%           25,482            37,127
 40.       259,197         0.51%        38,461         0.17%           15,231            22,192
 41.       207,358         0.41%        30,769         0.14%           12,185            17,754
 42.       207,358         0.41%        30,769         0.14%           12,185            17,754
 43.       207,358         0.41%        30,769         0.14%           12,185            17,754
 44.       124,471         0.25%        18,470         0.08%            7,314            10,656
 45.       239,418         0.48%        35,526         0.16%           14,068            20,497
 46.       155,518         0.31%        23,077         0.10%            9,138            13,314
 47.       129,599         0.26%        19,231         0.09%            7,615            11,095
 48.        77,760         0.15%        11,538         0.05%            4,569             6,657
        -----------      -------     ---------        ------        ---------         ---------
         50,388,201      100.00%     7,476,846        33.48%        2,960,831         4,313,931
        -----------      ======      ---------        =====         ---------         ---------
            508,971                     75,524         0.34%           29,908            43,576
        -----------                  ---------        ------        ---------         ---------
        $50,897,172                  7,552,370        33.82%        2,990,739         4,357,507
        ===========      ======      =========        =====         =========         =========

<FN>
* REPRESENTS OVER 1% OF O/S STOCK.  (13 INVESTORS)
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


<PAGE>

                                                        SCHEDULE III

                                                      DISSOLUTION DATES


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>   
 
                    Name of Stockholder                                                     Latest
                                                                                        Dissolution Date
 
MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P.                      December 31, 2003
 

MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994                                                        December 31, 2034
 

ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII                                               December 31, 2003
 

ML IBK POSITIONS, INC.                                                                      None.
 

MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II                                                           December 31, 2002
 

MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV                                                           December 31, 2006
 

MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991                                                        December 31, 2033
 

MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P.                         December 31, 2000
 

ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII                                                  December 31, 2000
 

ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P.                                              December 31, 2004
 

MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987                                                        December 31, 2029
 

MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II                                                          December 31, 2000
 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit D


                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


                  REGISTRATION  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT  dated  as of  May  17,  1996,
between  RYKOFF-SEXTON,  INC., a Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),  and the
other signatories hereto listed on the signature pages hereof.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS,  pursuant to an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  dated
February 2, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"),  between the Company, USF Acquisition
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Merger Sub") and a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company, and US Foodservice Inc., a Delaware corporation ("USF"), USF has
merged into Merger Sub on the date hereof,  and pursuant thereto shares of Class
A Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share,  and Class B Common Stock,  par value
$.01 per share, of USF ("USF Common Stock"),  held by the USF stockholders  have
been converted into shares of Common Stock,  of the par value of $.10 per share,
of the Company ("Common Stock"); and

                  WHEREAS,  pursuant  to an  Agreement  dated as of  February 2,
1996, as amended by Amendment  No. 1 to Agreement  dated as of April 8, 1996 (as
so  amended,  the "ML  Agreement"),  the  Company  has agreed to enter into this
Agreement  to  provide  certain  registration  rights to the  Shareholders  with
respect to such shares of Common Stock.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

     1.  Definitions.  Capitalized  terms used but not otherwise  defined herein
shall have the  meanings  assigned  to such terms in the Merger  Agreement.  For
purposes  of this  Agreement,  the  following  terms  shall  have the  following
meanings:

     "Affiliate" has the meaning specified in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

     "Blackout Period" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

     "Business  Day"  means a day on which the  principal  offices of the SEC in
Washington,  D.C. are open to accept  filings,  or in the case of  determining a
date on which any payment is due, a day other than  Saturday,  Sunday or any day
on which banks  located in New York City are  authorized  or obligated by law to
close.

     "Counsel  to the  Holders"  means  the  single  law firm  from time to time
representing the Holders, as appointed by the Holders of a majority in number of
the Registrable Securities.

     "Effective  Period" means,  with respect to any Holder, a period commencing
on the date of this Agreement and ending on the earlier of (i) the first date as
of which all Registrable  Securities cease to be Registrable Securities and (ii)
the date on which such Holder may sell Registrable Securities in accordance with
Rule 145(d)(3) under the Securities Act.

     "Equitable  Holder" means each of the  Equitable  Entities (as such term in
defined in the Merger Agreement) that is a holder of Registrable Securities.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "Holder"  means each  Shareholder,  and each Person who is an  Affiliate of
such Shareholder, that is a holder of Registrable Securities.

     "Initiating Holder" has the meaning specified in Section 3(a).

     "Inspectors" has the meaning specified in Section 7(l).

     "ML Holder"  means each of the ML Entities  (as such term in defined in the
Merger  Agreement),  and each  Affiliate of ML IBK  Positions,  Inc.,  that is a
holder of Registrable Securities.

     "NASD" means the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

     "Prospectus" means the prospectus  included in any Registration  Statement,
as amended or  supplemented  by any  prospectus  supplement  with respect to the
terms of the offering of any portion of the  Registrable  Securities  covered by
any  Registration  Statement and by all other  amendments and supplements to the
prospectus, including post-effective amendments and all material incorporated by
reference in such prospectus.

     "Records" has the meaning specified in Section 7(l).

     "Registrable  Securities"  means,  collectively,  (i) the  shares of Common
Stock  issued  to  the  Persons   signatory   hereto  pursuant  to  the  Merger,
(collectively, the "Shares") and (ii) any securities paid, issued or distributed
in respect of any Shares by way of stock dividend or distribution or stock split
or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, reorganization,
merger,  consolidation  or otherwise.  Securities  will cease to be  Registrable
Securities in accordance with Section 2 hereof.

     "Registration  Expenses" means any and all out-of-pocket  expenses incident
to the Company's  performance of or compliance with this  Agreement,  including,
without limitation,  (i) all SEC, NASD and securities exchange  registration and
filing fees,  (ii) all fees and expenses of complying  with state  securities or
blue sky laws (including  reasonable fees and  disbursements  of counsel for any
underwriters  in  connection  with blue sky  qualifications  of the  Registrable
Securities),  (iii) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses, (iv) all fees
and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  the  listing  of the  Registrable
Securities on any securities  exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to
Section 7(h), (v) the fees and  disbursements  of counsel for the Company and of
its independent public accountants, (vi) the reasonable fees and expenses of any
special  experts  retained  by the  Company  in  connection  with the  requested
registration,  (vii) the reasonable  fees and expenses of Counsel to the Holders
and (viii) out-of-pocket expenses of underwriters customarily paid by the issuer
to the extent  provided for in any  underwriting  agreement,  but  excluding (x)
underwriting discounts and commissions,  transfer taxes, if any, and documentary
stamp taxes, if any, and (y) any fees or disbursements of counsel to the Holders
or any Holder (other than Counsel to the Holders).

     "Registration  Statement" means any  registration  statement of the Company
referred  to in  Section  3 or  4,  including  any  Prospectus,  amendments  and
supplements  to  any  such  registration  statement,   including  post-effective
amendments,  and all exhibits and all material  incorporated by reference in any
such registration statement.

     "Registration  Hold  Period"  means a Section 7(e) Period or a Section 7(m)
Period.

     "Related  Securities"  means  any  securities  of the  Company  similar  or
identical to any of the Registrable Securities,  including,  without limitation,
Common Stock and all options,  warrants, rights and other securities convertible
into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock.

     "Requesting Holder" has the meaning specified in Section 3(a).

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     "Section 7(e) Period" has the meaning specified in Section 7(e).

     "Section 7(m) Period" has the meaning specified in Section 7(m).

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     "Shareholder"  means each of the  Persons  other than the  Company  who are
parties to this Agreement;  provided, however, that for purposes of Section 3 of
this Agreement, Frank H. Bevevino shall be a Shareholder only as of such date he
ceases to be an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

     "Shelf  Registration"  means  a  "shelf"   registration   statement  on  an
appropriate form pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor
rule that may be adopted by the SEC).

     "Underwritten   Registration  or  Underwritten   Offering"  shall  mean  an
underwritten  offering  in  which  securities  of the  Company  are  sold  to an
underwriter for reoffering to the public.

     "Warrantholders  Securities"  means the  securities  proposed to be sold by
those holders of the Company's Common Stock Purchase Warrants who exercise their
registration rights pursuant to Section 20.2 thereof.

     2.  Securities  Subject to This Agreement.  The securities  entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement are the Registrable  Securities.  For the purposes of
this  Agreement,   any  particular  Registrable  Securities  will  cease  to  be
Registrable  Securities when and to the extent that (i) a Registration Statement
covering  such  Registrable  Securities  has been declared  effective  under the
Securities Act and such  Registerable  Securities have been disposed of pursuant
to such effective Registration  Statement,  (ii) such Registrable Securities are
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in
force) under the Securities Act, (iii) such  Registrable  Securities  shall have
been otherwise transferred or disposed of, new certificates therefor not bearing
a legend  restricting  further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company
and, at such time,  subsequent  transfer or disposition of such securities shall
not  require   registration  or  qualification  of  such  securities  under  the
Securities  Act or any similar state law then in force or (iv) such  Registrable
Securities have ceased to be outstanding.

     3. Piggy-Back  Registration Rights.

     a. Whenever during the Effective Period the Company shall propose to file a
registration  statement under the Securities Act relating to the public offering
of Company  Common Stock for the Company's own account (other than pursuant to a
registration  statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor forms, or filed
in  connection  with an exchange  offer or an offering of  securities  solely to
existing  stockholders  or  employees  of the Company) or for the account of any
holder of Common Stock (the  "Initiating  Holder") and on a form and in a manner
that would permit registration of Registrable  Securities for sale to the public
under the Securities  Act, the Company shall (i) give written notice at least 20
Business  Days  prior  to the  filing  thereof  to each  Holder  of  Registrable
Securities  then  outstanding,  specifying  the  approximate  date on which  the
Company proposes to file such registration statement and advising such Holder of
its  right to have any or all of the  Registrable  Securities  then held by such
Holder  included  among the  securities  to be covered  thereby  and (ii) at the
written  request of any such Holder  given to the  Company  within 15 days after
such  Holder's  receipt of written  notice from the Company,  include  among the
securities  covered by such  registration  statement  the number of  Registrable
Securities  which such Holder  ("Requesting  Holder") shall have requested be so
included  (subject,  however,  to reduction in accordance  with paragraph (b) of
this Section).

     b. Each Holder of  Registrable  Securities  desiring to  participate  in an
offering  pursuant to Section 3(a) may include shares of Company Common Stock in
any  Registration  Statement  relating  to such  offering to the extent that the
inclusion of such shares of Company  Common Stock shall not reduce the number of
shares of  Company  Common  Stock to be offered  and sold by the  Company or any
Initiating Holder pursuant thereto. If the lead managing underwriter selected by
the Company for an  underwritten  offering  pursuant to Section 3(a)  determines
that marketing  factors  require a limitation on the number of shares of Company
Common  Stock to be offered  and sold by  Requesting  Holders in such  offering,
there shall be included  in the  offering  only that number of shares of Company
Common Stock, if any, that such lead managing underwriter reasonably and in good
faith believes will not jeopardize the success of the offering of all the shares
of Company Common Stock that the Company  desires to sell for its own account or
that the Initiating Holder desires to sell for its own account,  as the case may
be. In such event and provided the lead managing underwriter has so notified the
Company in writing,  the shares of Company  Common  Stock to be included in such
offering  shall  consist  of  (i)  first,  the  securities  the  Company  or the
Initiating  Holder,  as the case may be, proposes to sell, and (ii) second,  the
number,  if  any,  of  Registrable  Securities  and  Warrantholders   Securities
requested to be included in such registration  that, in the opinion of such lead
managing  underwriter  can be  sold  without  jeopardizing  the  success  of the
offering of all the securities that the Company or the Initiating Holder, as the
case may be, desires to sell for its own account, such amount to be allocated on
a pro rata basis among the holders of Registrable  Securities and Warrantholders
Securities  who have requested  their  securities to be so included based on the
number of Registrable Securities and Warrantholders  Securities that each holder
thereof has requested to be so included.

     c. Nothing in this Section 3 shall create any  liability on the part of the
Company to the Holders of  Registrable  Securities if the Company for any reason
should decide not to file a  registration  statement  proposed to be filed under
Section  3(a) or to  withdraw  such  registration  statement  subsequent  to its
filing,  regardless  of any  action  whatsoever  that a Holder  may have  taken,
whether as a result of the  issuance by the Company of any notice  hereunder  or
otherwise.

     d. A request by Holders to  include  Registrable  Securities  in a proposed
underwritten  offering  pursuant  to  Section  3(a)  shall not be deemed to be a
request for a demand registration pursuant to Section 4.

     4. Demand Registration Rights.

     (a) Upon the  written  request  during the  Effective  Period of ML Holders
holding at least a majority in number of the Registrable  Securities held by the
ML Holders that the Company  effect the  registration  with the SEC under and in
accordance  with the  provisions of the Securities Act of all or part of such ML
Holder's or ML Holders'  Registrable  Securities  (which  written  request shall
specify the aggregate number of shares of Registrable Securities requested to be
registered and the means of distribution),  the Company will file a Registration
Statement  covering  such ML  Holder's  or ML  Holders'  Registrable  Securities
requested  to be  registered  within 30  Business  Days  after  receipt  of such
request;  provided,  however, that the Company shall not be required to take any
action pursuant to this Section 4:

     (1) if prior to the date of such  request the Company  shall have  effected
four registrations pursuant to this Section 4;

     (2) if the Company has effected a  registration  pursuant to this Section 4
within the 180-day period next preceding such request which permitted ML Holders
holding Registrable Securities to register Registrable Securities;

     (3) if the Company  shall at the time have  effective a Shelf  Registration
pursuant to which the ML Holder or ML Holders that requested  registration could
effect the disposition of such ML Holder's or ML Holders' Registrable Securities
in the manner requested;

     (4) if the  Registrable  Securities  which  the  Company  shall  have  been
requested  to  register  shall  have a then  current  market  value of less than
$50,000,000,  unless such registration request is for all remaining  Registrable
Securities held by the ML Holders; or

     (5) during the pendency of any Blackout Period;

provided,   however,  that  the  Company  shall  be  permitted  to  satisfy  its
obligations  under this  Section  4(a) by amending  (to the extent  permitted by
applicable   law)  within  10  Business   Days  after  a  written   request  for
registration,  any Registration  Statement previously filed by the Company under
the Securities Act so that such Registration Statement (as amended) shall permit
the  disposition  (in  accordance  with  the  intended  methods  of  disposition
specified as aforesaid) of all of the Registrable  Securities for which a demand
for  registration has been made under this Section 4(a). If the Company shall so
amend a  previously  filed  Registration  Statement,  it shall be deemed to have
effected a registration for purposes of this Section 4.

     b. The ML Holders  delivering  such request may distribute the  Registrable
Securities  covered by such request by means of an underwritten  offering or any
other means,  as determined by the ML Holders  holding a majority of Registrable
Securities so requested to be registered.

     c.  Except  for  a  Registration  Statement  subject  to  Section  4(d),  a
registration  requested  pursuant  to this  Section  4 shall not be deemed to be
effected for purposes of this Section 4 if it has not been declared effective by
the SEC or become  effective in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder.

     d. ML Holders  holding a majority in number of the  Registrable  Securities
held by ML Holders to be included in a Registration  Statement  pursuant to this
Section  4 may,  at any time  prior to the  effective  date of the  Registration
Statement  relating to such  registration,  revoke such  request by  providing a
written notice to the Company revoking such request. If a Registration Statement
is so revoked,  the ML Holders  holding  Registrable  Securities  requesting the
filing of such  Registration  Statement  shall reimburse the Company for all its
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the preparation, filing and processing of the
Registration Statement.

     e. The Company will not include any  securities  which are not  Registrable
Securities in any  Registration  Statement filed pursuant to a demand made under
this  Section 4 without the prior  written  consent of the ML Holders  holding a
majority in number of the Registrable  Securities held by ML Holders and covered
by such Registration Statement.

     5. Selection of Underwriters.  In connection with any underwritten offering
pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to a demand made pursuant to
Section 4, ML Holders holding a majority in number of the Registrable Securities
to be included in the  Registration  Statement  shall have the right to select a
lead managing underwriter or underwriters to administer the offering, which lead
managing  underwriter or  underwriters  shall be reasonably  satisfactory to the
Company;  provided,  however,  that the Company shall have the right to select a
co-managing  underwriter or  underwriters  for the offering,  which  co-managing
underwriter or underwriters  shall be reasonably  satisfactory to the ML Holders
holding a majority in number of the Registrable Securities held by ML Holders to
be included in the Registration Statement.

     6. Blackout Periods;  Holdback.  a. If the Company determines in good faith
that the  registration  and  distribution  of  Registrable  Securities (i) would
materially  impede,  delay,  interfere  with or otherwise  adversely  affect any
pending   financing,   registration   of  securities,   acquisition,   corporate
reorganization  or other significant  transaction  involving the Company or (ii)
would require disclosure of non-public material information that the Company has
a bona fide business  purpose for preserving as  confidential,  as determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith,  the Company shall promptly
give the Holders notice of such  determination and shall be entitled to postpone
the filing or effectiveness of a Registration  Statement for the shortest period
of time  reasonably  required,  but in any  event  not to  exceed  180 days with
respect to matters  covered by clause (i) above,  and not to exceed 90 days with
respect to matters covered by clause (ii) above (a "Blackout Period"); provided,
that a Blackout Period with respect to a registration of securities  proposed by
the Company may, at the election of the Company, commence on the date that is 30
days prior to the date the Company in good faith  estimates  will be the date of
filing of, and end no later than the date,  following the effective date of such
registration,  specified in the form of underwriting  agreement relating to such
registration during which the Company shall be prohibited from selling, offering
or  otherwise  disposing  of Common  Stock,  but in no event to exceed 180 days;
provided  further,  that the Company  shall not obtain any  deferral  under this
Section  6(a) more than  once in any  twelve-month  period,  other  than  normal
deferrals required prior to the public release of quarterly financial results of
the Company.  The Company shall promptly notify each Holder of the expiration or
earlier termination of a Blackout Period.

     b. Each  Holder from time to time of more than 1% of Company  Common  Stock
agrees by acquisition of the Registrable Securities,  if so requested in writing
by any managing  underwriter,  not to effect any public sale or  distribution of
such securities or Related Securities during the seven days prior to and the 120
days after the effective time of any  underwritten  registration  by the Company
(either for its own account, or for the benefit of the Holders of any securities
of the Company,  including Registrable Securities,  in each case as to which the
Holders are entitled to request to be included pursuant to Section 3) has become
effective or such period of time shorter  than 120 days that is  sufficient  and
appropriate,  in the opinion of the managing  underwriter,  in order to complete
the sale and distribution of securities included in such registration.

     7. Registration Procedures.  If and whenever the Company is required to use
reasonable  best efforts to effect or cause the  registration of any Registrable
Securities  under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement,  the Company
will:

                  a. prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with
         respect  to such  Registrable  Securities  on any  form for  which  the
         Company  then  qualifies  or which  counsel for the Company  shall deem
         appropriate,  and which  form  shall be  available  for the sale of the
         Registrable  Securities  in  accordance  with the  intended  methods of
         distribution  thereof  (including,  if so  requested  by  the  Holders,
         distributions  under Rule 415 under the  Securities  Act  pursuant to a
         Shelf Registration  Statement),  and use its reasonable best efforts to
         cause such Registration Statement to become and remain effective;

                  b. prepare and file with the SEC amendments and post-effective
         amendments  to  such  Registration   Statement   (including  any  Shelf
         Registration  referred  to in  Section  4(a)) and such  amendments  and
         supplements  to the Prospectus  used in connection  therewith as may be
         necessary to maintain the  effectiveness of such registration or as may
         be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the
         registration  form utilized by the Company or by the  Securities Act or
         rules and regulations  thereunder  necessary to keep such  Registration
         Statement  effective (i) in the case of a firm commitment  underwritten
         public offering,  until each underwriter has completed the distribution
         of all  securities  purchased  by it and (ii) in the case of any  other
         registration,  for up to 90 days (or  longer  period  in the event of a
         Registration  Hold  Period  during such  offering,  as provided in this
         Section  7) and cause the  Prospectus  as so  supplemented  to be filed
         pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to otherwise  comply
         with  the  provisions  of  the  Securities  Act  with  respect  to  the
         disposition of all securities  covered by such  Registration  Statement
         until the earlier of (x) such 90th day (or longer  period) and (y) such
         time  as  all  Registrable  Securities  covered  by  such  Registration
         Statement have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

                  c. furnish to each Holder of such Registrable  Securities such
         number of copies of such  Registration  Statement and of each amendment
         and  post-effective  amendment  thereto,  any  Prospectus or Prospectus
         supplement  and such other  documents  as such  Holder  may  reasonably
         request  in order to  facilitate  the  disposition  of the  Registrable
         Securities  by such Holder (the Company  hereby  consenting  to the use
         (subject to the  limitations  set forth in the last  paragraph  of this
         Section 7) of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement  thereto in
         connection with such disposition);

                  d. use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such
         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  which may be  reasonably  necessary or advisable to enable such
         Holder to  consummate  the  disposition  in such  jurisdictions  of the
         Registrable  Securities  owned by such Holder,  except that the Company
         shall not for any such  purpose be required to qualify  generally to do
         business as a foreign  corporation in any  jurisdiction  where, but for
         the  requirements of this Section 7(d), it would not be obligated to be
         so qualified,  to subject itself to taxation in any such  jurisdiction,
         or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

                  e.  notify  each  Holder  of any such  Registrable  Securities
         covered by such Registration  Statement,  at any time when a Prospectus
         relating  thereto is required to be delivered  under the Securities Act
         within  the  appropriate  period  mentioned  in  Section  7(b),  of the
         Company's   becoming  aware  that  the  Prospectus   included  in  such
         Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an 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  not
         misleading  in light of the  circumstances  then  existing  (the period
         during which the Holders are required to refrain from effecting  public
         sales or  distributions  in such case being  referred  to as a "Section
         7(e)  Period"),  and prepare  and  furnish to such Holder a  reasonable
         number of copies of an  amendment  to such  Registration  Statement  or
         related Prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered
         to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such Prospectus shall
         not include 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 not misleading in light of the  circumstances  then
         existing,  and the time during which such Registration  Statement shall
         remain  effective  pursuant  to Section  7(b) shall be  extended by the
         number of days in the Section 7(e) Period;

                  f.  notify each Holder of  Registrable  Securities covered by
         such Registration Statement at any time,

     (1)  when the  Prospectus or any  Prospectus  supplement or  post-effective
          amendment  has been  filed,  and,  with  respect  to the  Registration
          Statement or any  post-effective  amendment,  when the same has become
          effective;

     (2)  of any  request  by the  SEC  for  amendments  or  supplements  to the
          Registration   Statement   or  the   Prospectus   or  for   additional
          information;

     (3)  of the  issuance  by the SEC of any stop order of which the Company or
          its counsel is aware or should be aware  suspending the  effectiveness
          of the  Registration  Statement or any order  preventing  the use of a
          related   Prospectus,   or  the  initiation  or  any  threats  of  any
          proceedings for such purposes; and

     (4)  of the  receipt by the  Company  of any  written  notification  of the
          suspension of the  qualification of any of the Registrable  Securities
          for sale in any  jurisdiction  or the initiation or any threats of any
          proceeding for that purpose;

                  g.  otherwise use its  reasonable  best efforts to comply with
         all applicable  rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to
         its  stockholders  an  earnings   statement  which  shall  satisfy  the
         provisions of Section 11(a) of the  Securities  Act,  provided that the
         Company shall be deemed to have complied with this  paragraph if it has
         complied with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

                  h.  use  its  reasonable   best  efforts  to  cause  all  such
         Registrable  Securities  to be listed  on any  securities  exchange  or
         automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed, if
         such  Registrable  Securities  are not  already  so listed  and if such
         listing is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or automated
         quotation  system,  and to provide a transfer  agent and  registrar for
         such Registrable  Securities covered by such Registration  Statement no
         later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

                  i.  if the registration is an underwritten registration, enter
         into a customary underwriting agreement and in connection therewith:

     (1)  make such  representations and warranties to the underwriters in form,
          substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters
          in comparable underwritten offerings;

     (2)  obtain  opinions  of  counsel  to the  Company  (in  form,  scope  and
          substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to  the  managing  underwriters),
          addressed to the  underwriters,  and covering the matters  customarily
          covered in opinions requested in comparable underwritten offerings;

     (3)  obtain  "cold  comfort"  letters  and  bring-downs  thereof  from  the
          Company's  independent  certified public accountants  addressed to the
          underwriters,  such  letters  to be in  customary  form  and  covering
          matters of the type  customarily  covered in "cold comfort" letters by
          independent accountants in connection with underwritten offerings;

     (4)  if  requested,   provide   indemnification   in  accordance  with  the
          provisions  and  procedures  of Section 10 hereof to all parties to be
          indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

     (5)  deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested
          by the managing  underwriters  to evidence  compliance with clause (f)
          above and with any customary  conditions contained in the underwriting
          agreement.

                  j.  cooperate  with  the  Holders  of  Registrable  Securities
         covered by such Registration  Statement and the managing underwriter or
         underwriters  or agents,  if any, to facilitate the timely  preparation
         and  delivery of  certificates  (not bearing any  restrictive  legends)
         representing  the  securities  to  be  sold  under  such   Registration
         Statement,  and enable such securities to be in such  denominations and
         registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters or
         agents, if any, or such Holders may request;

                  k. if  reasonably  requested  by the managing  underwriter  or
         underwriters  or a  Holder  of  Registrable  Securities  being  sold in
         connection with an underwritten  offering,  incorporate in a Prospectus
         supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing
         underwriters and the Holders of a majority in number of the Registrable
         Securities  being sold agree should be included therein relating to the
         plan of  distribution  with  respect  to such  Registrable  Securities,
         including,   without  limitation,   information  with  respect  to  the
         principal   amount  of  Registrable   Securities  being  sold  to  such
         underwriters,   the  purchase   price  being  paid   therefor  by  such
         underwriters  and with  respect to any other terms of the  underwritten
         offering of the Registrable  Securities to be sold in such offering and
         make  all   required   filings  of  such   Prospectus   supplement   or
         post-effective amendment as promptly as practicable upon being notified
         of the matters to be  incorporated  in such  Prospectus  supplement  or
         post-effective amendment;

                  l. provide any Holder of  Registrable  Securities  included in
         such  Registration  Statement,  any  underwriter  participating  in any
         disposition  pursuant to such Registration  Statement and any attorney,
         accountant  or other agent  retained by any such Holder or  underwriter
         (collectively,  the "Inspectors")  with reasonable access during normal
         business hours to appropriate officers of the Company and the Company's
         subsidiaries  to ask  questions  and to obtain  information  reasonably
         requested by any such  Inspector and make  available for inspection all
         financial and other records and other information,  pertinent corporate
         documents and properties of any of the Company and its subsidiaries and
         affiliates  (collectively,  the  "Records"),  as  shall  be  reasonably
         necessary   to   enable   them  to   exercise   their   due   diligence
         responsibility;  provided,  however,  that the Records that the Company
         determines, in good faith, to be confidential and which it notifies the
         Inspectors  in writing are  confidential  shall not be disclosed to any
         Inspector  unless  such  Inspector  signs  or is  otherwise  bound by a
         confidentiality agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Company; and

                  m. in the event of the issuance of any stop order of which the
         Company  or its  counsel  is aware or  should be aware  suspending  the
         effectiveness of the Registration  Statement or of any order suspending
         or  preventing  the use of any related  Prospectus  or  suspending  the
         qualification   of  any   Registrable   Securities   included   in  the
         Registration  Statement for sale in any jurisdiction,  the Company will
         use its reasonable best efforts promptly to obtain its withdrawal;  and
         the period for which the Registration Statement shall be kept effective
         shall be  extended  by a number  of days  equal to the  number  of days
         between the issuance and withdrawal of any stop orders (a "Section 7(m)
         Period").

     The Company may require each Holder of  Registrable  Securities as to which
any  registration is being effected to furnish the Company with such information
regarding such Holder and pertinent to the disclosure  requirements  relating to
the registration and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from
time to time reasonably request.

     Each Holder of  Registrable  Securities  agrees  that,  upon receipt of any
notice from the Company of the  happening of any event of the kind  described in
Sections 7(e) or 7(m),  such Holder will  forthwith  discontinue  disposition of
Registrable  Securities  pursuant to the  Prospectus or  Registration  Statement
covering such  Registrable  Securities until such Holder's receipt of the copies
of the  supplemented or amended  Prospectus  contemplated by Section 7(e) or the
withdrawal of any stop order  contemplated  by Section 7(m), and, if so directed
by the Company,  such Holder will deliver to the Company all copies,  other than
permanent  file  copies  then in such  Holder's  possession,  of the  Prospectus
covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.

     8. Registration Expenses. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with all registrations of Registrable Securities pursuant to Sections
3 and 4, and each Holder shall pay (x) any fees or  disbursements  of counsel to
such  Holder  (other  than  Counsel  to the  Holders)  and (y) all  underwriting
discounts and commissions  and transfer  taxes,  if any, and  documentary  stamp
taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's  Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.

     9. Reports Under the Exchange Act. The Company agrees to:

     a. file with the SEC in a timely  manner all  reports  and other  documents
required of the Company under the Exchange Act; and

     b.  furnish to any Holder,  during the  Effective  Period,  forthwith  upon
request (A) a written  statement by the Company  that it has  complied  with the
current  public  information  and reporting  requirements  of Rule 144 under the
Securities  Act and the Exchange Act and (B) a copy of the most recent annual or
quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by
the Company with the SEC under the Exchange Act.

     10. Indemnification; Contribution.

     a. Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors, agents,
trustees,  stockholders  and each Person who  controls  such Holder  (within the
meaning of Section 15 of the  Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act),
against  all  losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities  and  expenses  (including
reasonable attorneys' fees, disbursements and expenses, as incurred) incurred by
such party  pursuant to any actual or  threatened  action,  suit,  proceeding or
investigation  arising  out of or  based  upon  any  untrue  or  alleged  untrue
statement  of a material  fact  contained  in the  Registration  Statement,  any
Prospectus or preliminary  Prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement to any of
the  foregoing or 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  case of a  Prospectus  or a  preliminary  Prospectus,  in  light of the
circumstances then existing) not misleading,  except in each case insofar as the
same arise out of or are based upon any such untrue  statement or omission  made
in  reliance  on and  in  conformity  with  information  with  respect  to  such
indemnified  party furnished in writing to the Company by such indemnified party
or its counsel  expressly for use therein.  In connection  with an  underwritten
offering,  the Company will indemnify the underwriters thereof,  their officers,
directors,  agents,  trustees,  stockholders  and each Person who controls  such
underwriters  (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the
indemnification of the Holders of Registrable  Securities.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing  provisions of this Section  10(a),  the Company will not be liable to
any  Person  who  participates  as an  underwriter  in the  offering  or sale of
Registrable   Securities  or  any  other  Person,  if  any,  who  controls  such
underwriter  (within the meaning of Section 15 of the  Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act), under the indemnity agreement in this Section 10(a) for
any such loss,  claim,  damage,  liability  (or action or  proceeding in respect
thereof) or expense that arises out of such Person's  failure to send or deliver
a copy of the final  Prospectus to the Person  asserting an untrue  statement or
alleged  untrue  statement  or omission  or alleged  omission at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of the Registrable Securities to such Person if
such  statement  or omission  was  corrected  in such final  Prospectus  and the
Company has previously  furnished  copies thereof to such Holder or other Person
in accordance with this Agreement.

     b. Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities. In connection with
any  Registration  Statement filed pursuant  hereto,  each Holder of Registrable
Securities  to be covered  thereby  will  furnish to the Company in writing such
information  with respect to such Holder,  including  the name,  address and the
amount of Registrable  Securities held by such Holder, as the Company reasonably
requests for use in such  Registration  Statement or the related  Prospectus and
agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, all
other  Holders  or any  underwriter,  as the case may be,  and their  respective
directors,  officers,  agents,  trustees,  stockholders and controlling  Persons
(within  the  meaning of Section 15 of the  Securities  Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act),  against any losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees, disbursements and expenses, as incurred),
incurred  by such party  pursuant  to any  actual or  threatened  action,  suit,
proceeding or  investigation  arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged
untrue  statement of a material  fact  contained  in, or any omission or alleged
omission  of a  material  fact  required  to be  stated  in,  such  Registration
Statement,  Prospectus or preliminary  Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing or necessary to make the statements  therein (in case of
a Prospectus or preliminary  Prospectus,  in the light of the circumstances then
existing) not misleading,  but only to the extent that any such untrue statement
or  omission  is made in reliance on and in  conformity  with  information  with
respect to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder or its
counsel  specifically  for  inclusion  therein;  provided,   however,  that  the
liability of each Holder  hereunder  shall be limited to the  proportion  of any
such loss, claim,  damage,  liability or expense that is equal to the proportion
that the net  proceeds  from the sale of shares sold by such  Holder  under such
registration  statement  bears to the  total net  proceeds  from the sale of all
securities  sold  thereunder,  but not in any event to exceed  the net  proceeds
received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable  Securities covered by such
Registration Statement.

     c.  Conduct  of  Indemnification   Proceedings.   Any  Person  entitled  to
indemnification   hereunder   agrees  to  give  prompt  written  notice  to  the
indemnifying  party after the receipt by such  indemnified  party of any written
notice of the commencement of any action,  suit,  proceeding or investigation or
threat  thereof  made in  writing  for which  such  indemnified  party may claim
indemnification  or  contribution  pursuant  to this  Agreement  (provided  that
failure  to give such  notification  shall not  affect  the  obligations  of the
indemnifying  party  pursuant  to this  Section  10  except  to the  extent  the
indemnifying  party  shall  have been  actually  prejudiced  as a result of such
failure). In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party
and it shall notify the  indemnifying  party of the  commencement  thereof,  the
indemnifying  party shall be entitled to participate  therein and, to the extent
that it  shall  wish,  jointly  with  any  other  indemnifying  party  similarly
notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such indemnified  party,  and after notice from the  indemnifying  party to such
indemnified  party  of its  election  so to  assume  the  defense  thereof,  the
indemnifying  party  shall not be liable to such  indemnified  party under these
indemnification  provisions for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other
expenses,  in each case  subsequently  incurred by such  indemnified  party,  in
connection   with  the  defense   thereof   other  than   reasonable   costs  of
investigation,  unless in the reasonable  judgement of any  indemnified  party a
conflict  of  interest  is likely  to exist,  based on the  written  opinion  of
counsel,  between  such  indemnified  party  and any  other of such  indemnified
parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying  party shall
not be liable for the fees and  expenses  of (i) more than one  counsel  for all
Holders of Registrable  Securities who are  indemnified  parties,  selected by a
majority of the Holders of Registrable  Securities who are  indemnified  parties
(which choice shall be reasonably  satisfactory to the Company),  (ii) more than
one counsel for the  underwriters or (iii) more than one counsel for the Company
in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions. An
indemnifying  party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense
of a claim will not be  obligated  to pay the fees and expenses of more than one
counsel for all parties  indemnified by such indemnifying  party with respect to
such claims, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party based on
the written  opinion of counsel a conflict of interest  may exist  between  such
indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such
claim, in which event the indemnifying  party shall be obligated to pay the fees
and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels.  No indemnifying  party, in
defense of any such action,  suit,  proceeding or investigation,  shall,  except
with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment
or entry into any  settlement  which does not include as an  unconditional  term
thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such  indemnified  party of a
release  from all  liability  in respect to such  action,  suit,  proceeding  or
investigation to the extent the same is covered by the indemnity  obligation set
forth in this  Section 10. No  indemnified  party shall  consent to entry of any
judgment or enter into any settlement  without the consent of each  indemnifying
party.

     d.  Contribution.  If  the  indemnification  from  the  indemnifying  party
provided for in this Section 10 is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder
in respect of any losses, claims,  damages,  liabilities or expenses referred to
herein,  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,  liabilities and expenses in such
proportion as is appropriate  to reflect the relative fault of the  indemnifying
party and  indemnified  party in connection  with the actions which  resulted in
such losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities and expenses,  as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that the liability of each
Holder  hereunder  shall be limited to the  proportion of any such loss,  claim,
damage,  liability  or  expense  that is  equal to the  proportion  that the net
proceeds  from the sale of shares  sold by such Holder  under such  Registration
Statement  bears to the total net proceeds from the sale of all securities  sold
thereunder,  but not in any event to exceed the net  proceeds  received  by such
Holder  from the sale of  Registrable  Securities  covered by such  Registration
Statement.  The relative fault of such indemnifying  party and indemnified party
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
party, 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,  liabilities  and  expenses
referred  to above shall be deemed to include,  subject to the  limitations  set
forth in  Section  10(c),  any  legal  and other  fees and  expenses  reasonably
incurred by such  indemnified  party in  connection  with any  investigation  or
proceeding.

     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.

     If  indemnification  is available  under this Section 10, the  indemnifying
parties shall  indemnify each  indemnified  party to the full extent provided in
Section 10(a) or (b), as the case may be,  without  regard to the relative fault
of said  indemnifying  parties  or  indemnified  party  or any  other  equitable
consideration provided for in this Section 10(d).

     e. The  provisions of this Section 10 shall be in addition to any liability
which any indemnifying party may have to any indemnified party and shall survive
the termination of this Agreement.

     11.  Participation  in  Underwritten  Offerings.  No Holder of  Registrable
Securities may participate in any  underwritten  offering  pursuant to Section 3
hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's  securities on the
basis provided in any underwriting  arrangements  approved by the Company in its
reasonable discretion and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires,  powers
of attorney, custody agreements, indemnities,  underwriting agreements and other
documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

     12. Miscellaneous.  a. Remedies. The parties acknowledge that money damages
are not an adequate  remedy for  violations of this Agreement and that any party
may, in its sole  discretion,  apply to a court of  competent  jurisdiction  for
specific  performance  or injunctive or such other relief as such court may deem
just and proper in order to enforce  this  Agreement  or prevent  any  violation
hereof and, to the extent  permitted by  applicable  law,  each party waives any
objection to the imposition of such relief.

     b.  Amendments  and  Waivers.  Except as  otherwise  provided  herein,  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,
unless the Company  has  obtained  the written  consent of Holders of at least a
majority in number of the Registrable Securities then outstanding.

     c. Notices.  Any notice  required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient
if in writing,  and sent by facsimile  transmission and by courier service (with
proof of service), hand delivery or certified or registered mail (return receipt
requested and first-class postage prepaid), addressed as follows:

                                    (i)     if to an ML Holder to:

                                            Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.
                                            225 Liberty Street
                                            New York, NY 10080-6123
                                            Attn: James V. Caruso
                                            Telecopy: (212) 236-7364

                                            with a copy to:

                                            Marcia L. Tu, Esq.
                                            Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
                                            World Financial Center
                                            North Tower
                                            250 Vesey Street
                                            New York, NY 10281-1323
                                            Telecopy: (212) 449-3207

                                            with a copy to:

                                            Bonnie Greaves, Esq.
                                            Shearman & Sterling
                                            599 Lexington Avenue
                                            New York, NY 10022
                                            Telecopy: (212) 848-7179

                               (ii) if to an Equitable Holder to:

                                            Alliance Corporate Finance
                                            Group Incorporated
                                            1285 Avenue of the Americas
                                            19th Floor
                                            New York, NY 10019
                                            Attention: Corporate Finance
                                                       Department
                                            Telecopy: (212) 554-1032

                              (iii) if to Frank H. Bevevino to:

                                            Frank H. Bevevino
                                            US Foodservice Inc.
                                            Crosscreek Pointe
                                            1065 Highway 315, Suite 101
                                            Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
                                            Telecopy: (717) 822-0909

                               (iv) if to the Company to:

                                            Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
                                            1050 Warrenville Road
                                            Lisle, IL 60532-5201
                                            Attn: Mark Van Stekelenburg,
                                                  Chairman, President and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
                                            Telecopy: (708) 971-6588

                                 with copies to:

                                            Elizabeth C. Kitslaar, Esq.
                                            Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                                            77 West Wacker
                                            Chicago, IL 60601-1692
                                            Telecopy: (312) 782-8585

or to such other address as any party shall specify by written  notice so given,
and such  notice  shall  be  deemed  to have  been  delivered  as of the date so
telecommunicated, personally delivered or mailed.

     d. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto,  any Holder other than the  Shareholders and
any successors thereof; provided, however, that (i) any Holder shall have agreed
in writing to become a Holder under this  Agreement and to be bound by the terms
and  conditions  hereof and (ii) subject to clause (i),  this  Agreement and the
provisions of this  Agreement  that are for the benefit of the Holders shall not
be  assignable  by any Holder to any  Person  that is not so  permitted  to be a
Holder, and any such purported assignment shall be null and void.

     e.   Counterparts.   This   Agreement  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts,  all of which shall be considered  one and the same  agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties.

     f. Descriptive  Headings.  The descriptive heading used herein are inserted
for  convenience  of  reference  only and are not  intended  to be part of or to
affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     g.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

     h. Severability.  If any term of this Agreement or the application  thereof
to any party or  circumstance  shall be held  invalid  or  unenforceable  to any
extent,  the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such term to the
other  parties  or  circumstances  shall not be  affected  thereby  and shall be
enforced to the greatest extent  permitted by applicable  law,  provided that in
such event the parties  shall  negotiate in good faith in an attempt to agree to
another  provision  (in lieu of the term or  application  held to be  invalid or
unenforceable)  that  will be  valid  and  enforceable  and will  carry  out the
parties' intentions hereunder.

     i. Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding  among the  parties  relating  to the  subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes  all prior  agreements  and  understandings  relating to such subject
matter.  There are no  representations,  warranties  or covenants by the parties
hereto  relating to such subject matter other than those  expressly set forth in
this Agreement.


<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.

RYKOFF-SEXTON, INC.


By: /s/ Mark Van Stekelenburg
        Mark Van Stekelenburg
        Chairman, President and Chief
        Executive Officer


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION
PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. B-IV, L.P., as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP
NO. B-XVIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. B-IV, L.P., as Investment General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


ML IBK POSITIONS, INC.


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION
PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, L.P., as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. IV, L.P., as Investment General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P.

By: ML Employees LBO Managers, Inc., as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987

By: KECALP Inc., as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President



MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch MBP Inc., as General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
        James V. Caruso
        Vice President


THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE
SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES


By: /s/ U. Peter C. Gummeson
        U. Peter C. Gummeson
        Investment Officer


EQUITABLE DEAL FLOW FUND, L.P.

By: EQUITABLE MANAGED ASSETS, L.P., as General Partner

By: THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED
STATES, as General Partner


By: /s/ U. Peter C. Gummeson
        U. Peter C. Gummeson
        Investment Officer

EQUITABLE VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


By: /s/ U. Peter C. Gummeson
        U. Peter C. Gummeson
        Investment Officer


   /s/ Frank H. Bevevino
       Frank H. Bevevino

<PAGE>
                                    Exhibit E



                              ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT




                  This  Assumption  Agreement  is  dated  as of the  23rd day of
December, 1997. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings  assigned to such terms in the Amended and Restated Support  Agreement,
dated as of June 30, 1997 (the "Support Agreement"), among JP Foodservice, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("JPFI"), and the other persons whose names are set forth
on the signature pages thereto (collectively the "Stockholders").

                  WHEREAS, in conjunction with the Merger, JPFI wishes to assume
all of the obligations of Rykoff-Sexton  under the Registration Rights Agreement
dated  as of May 17,  1996  among  Rykoff-Sexton  and the  other  persons  whose
signatures  are set forth on the  signature  pages  thereto  (the  "Registration
Rights Agreement");

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  for the  execution by the
Stockholders  of  the  Support   Agreement  and  for  other  good  and  valuable
consideration,  the receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby  acknowledged,
effective at the Effective  Time, JPFI shall  unconditionally  assume and assure
all of Rykoff-Sexton's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  JPFI has executed this Assumption  Agreement as of the
date first written above.


                                                 JP FOODSERVICE, INC.


                                                 By:  /s/ David M. Abramson
                                                 Name:  David M. Abramson
                                                 Title:  Senior Vice President

<PAGE>
                                    Exhibit F

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

         The undersigned  hereby agree that the Statement on Schedule 13D, dated
as of December 31, 1997 (the "Schedule 13D"),  with respect to the common stock,
par value $.01 per share, of JP Foodservice, Inc. is, and any amendments thereto
shall be, filed on behalf of each of us pursuant to and in  accordance  with the
provisions of Rule 13d-1(f)(1) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and that this Agreement shall be included as an Exhibit to the Schedule
13D and each such amendment.  Each of the  undersigned  agrees to be responsible
for the timely filing of the Schedule 13D and any  amendments  thereto,  and for
the  completeness  and accuracy of the information  concerning  itself contained
therein.  Each of the  undersigned  further  agrees that Merrill  Lynch  Capital
Partners, Inc. may file the Schedule 13D, and any and all amendments thereto, on
its behalf. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of
which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
this 2nd day of January, 1998.


MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

By: /s/ Marcia L. Tu
Name: Marcia L. Tu
Title: Attorney-in-fact *

MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC.

By: /s/ Marcia L. Tu
Name: Marcia L. Tu
Title: Attorney-in-fact *

MERRILL LYNCH MBP INC.

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch MBP Inc., as
General Partner


By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

ML EMPLOYEES LBO MANAGERS, INC.

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P.

By: ML Employees LBO Managers, Inc.
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH LBO PARTNERS NO. IV, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. IV, L.P., as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. IV, L.P., as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH LBO PARTNERS NO. B-IV, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P.

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. B-IV, L.P., as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII

By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners
No. B-IV, L.P., as General Partner

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV

By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.,
as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

ML IBK POSITIONS, INC.

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

KECALP, INC.

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987

By: KECALP, Inc., as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991

By: KECALP, Inc., as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994

By: KECALP, Inc., as General Partner

By: /s/ James V. Caruso
Name: James V. Caruso
Title: Vice President

* (See Powers of Attorney Attached)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
\par                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
\par      TO PREPARE AND EXECUTE DOCUMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 AND 16 OF THE
\par                   SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED,
\par                     AND RULES THEREUNDER, BY AND ON BEHALF OF
\par
\par                             MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
\par
\par       KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
\par appoints MARCIA L. TU its true and lawfully attorney-in-fact to:
\par
\par       (1) to prepare and execute, for and on behalf of the undersigned, any and
\par all forms, schedules, reports and other documents relating to Merrill Lynch &
\par Co., Inc.'s direct or indirect ownership of securities that are required to be
\par filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
\par Section 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
\par rules thereunder (collectively, the "Exchange Act");
\par
\par       (2) do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned
\par which may be necessary or desirable to comply with the requirements of Sections
\par 13 and 16 of the Exchange Act including, but not limited to, executing documents
\par required by said sections of the Exchange Act and effecting the timely filing
\par thereof with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any other
\par authority; and
\par
\par       (3) take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the
\par foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to,
\par in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being
\par understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the
\par undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall
\par contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in his
\par discretion.
\par


<PAGE>

\par       The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power
\par and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever
\par requisite, necessary and proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights
\par and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as such
\par attorney-in-fact might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and
\par confirming all that such attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done
\par by virtue of this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.
\par The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in
\par such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the
\par undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Sections 13 or 16 of the Exchange
\par Act.
\par
\par       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to
\par be executed as of this 30th day of November 1994.
\par
\par                                     MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
\par
\par
\par
\par                                     By  /s/Barry S. Friedberg
\par                                        ----------------------------
\par                                           Barry S. Friedberg
\par                                           Executive Vice President
\par
\par
\par
<PAGE>

\par
\par
\par                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
\par      TO PREPARE AND EXECUTE DOCUMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 AND 16 OF THE
\par                   SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED,
\par                     AND RULES THEREUNDER, BY AND ON BEHALF OF
\par
\par                             MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC.
\par
\par       KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
\par appoints MARCIA L. TU its true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:
\par
\par       (1) to prepare and execute, for and on behalf of the undersigned, any and
\par all forms, schedules, reports and other documents relating to Merrill Lynch
\par Group, Inc.'s direct or indirect ownership of securities that are required to be
\par filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
\par Section 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
\par rules thereunder (collectively, the "Exchange Act");
\par
\par       (2) do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned
\par which may be necessary or desirable to comply with the requirements of Sections
\par 13 and 16 of the Exchange Act including, but not limited to, executing documents
\par required by said sections of the Exchange Act and effecting the timely filing
\par thereof with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any other
\par authority; and
\par
\par       (3) take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the
\par foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to,
\par in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being
\par understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the
\par undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall
\par contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in his
\par discretion.

<PAGE>

\par
\par       The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and
\par authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite,
\par necessary and proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers
\par herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as such attorney-in-fact
\par might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all
\par that such attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of
\par this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned
\par acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at
\par the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the undersigned's
\par responsibilities to comply with Sections 13 or 16 of the Exchange Act.
\par
\par       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to
\par be executed as of this 8th day of December 1994.
\par
\par
\par                                     MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC.
\par
\par
\par
\par                                     By:  /s/Rosemary T. Berkery
\par                                        ----------------------------
\par                                            Rosemary T. Berkery
\par                                            Vice President
\par
\par
\par
</TABLE>


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