SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE INC
8-K, 1998-09-24
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                           The Securities Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)      September 18, 1998
                                                  ------------------------------

                            SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



          Texas                   1-10291                     75-1393176
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State of incorporation)  (Commission File Number)  (IRS Employer Identification
                                                                  No.)




402 West I-30,        Garland, Texas                                75043
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                          (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code              (972) 226-6000
                                                   ---------------------------



                 ----------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


                                        1

<PAGE>



Item 5.           Other Events

         This  Form 8-K is being  filed  hereby  to  effect  the  filing  of the
exhibits attached hereto.

Item 7.           Financial Statements and Exhibits

                  (a)      Financial Statements - Not applicable.

                  (b)      Pro Forma Financial Information - Not applicable.

                  (c)      Exhibits

                           Exhibit 2.1     Agreement  and Plan  of Merger, dated
September 18, 1998, by and among Spaghetti  Warehouse, Inc., Spaghetti Warehouse
Acquisition, Inc. and Consolidated Restaurant Companies, Inc.

                           Exhibit 10.1    Escrow Agreement, dated September 18,
1998,  by  and  between  Spaghetti   Warehouse,  Inc.,  Consolidated  Restaurant
Companies, Inc. and Texas Bank.


                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                           Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc.
                                           (Registrant)



Date:    September 24, 1998                By:      /s/ Robert R. Hawk
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Robert R. Hawk, President and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer


                                        2






                                   Exhibit 2.1



<PAGE>



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                            dated September 18, 1998

                                  by and among

                            SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE, INC.

                                       and

                     SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE ACQUISITION, INC.,

                                       and

                    CONSOLIDATED RESTAURANT COMPANIES, INC.,














<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                                                               Page

ARTICLE I - CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.................................................................................-1-

ARTICLE II - THE MERGER.........................................................................................-6-

         Section  2.1   The Merger..............................................................................-6-
         Section  2.2   Closing.................................................................................-6-
         Section  2.3   Effective Time of the Merger............................................................-6-
         Section  2.4   Effects of the Merger...................................................................-6-

ARTICLE III - EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
         CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.....................................................-7-

         Section  3.1   Effect of Merger on Capital Stock.......................................................-7-
         Section  3.2   Conversion of Securities................................................................-7-
         Section  3.3   Payment for Shares......................................................................-8-
         Section  3.4   Stock Transfer Books....................................................................-9-
         Section  3.5   Stock Plans.............................................................................-9-
         Section  3.6   Dissenting Shares...................................................................... -10-
         Section  3.7   Further Assurances..................................................................... -10-

ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT.......................................................... -11-

         Section  4.1   Organization and Qualification......................................................... -11-
         Section  4.2   Information Supplied................................................................... -11-
         Section  4.3   Execution and Delivery................................................................. -11-
         Section  4.4   Non-Contravention...................................................................... -11-
         Section  4.5   Statutory Approvals.................................................................... -12-
         Section  4.6   Ownership of Company Common Stock...................................................... -12-

ARTICLE V - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SUB.............................................................. -12-

         Section  5.1   Organization and Standing.............................................................. -12-
         Section  5.2   Capital Structure...................................................................... -12-
         Section  5.3   Authority; Non-Contravention........................................................... -13-

ARTICLE VI - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY..................................................... -13-

         Section  6.1   Organization and Qualification......................................................... -13-
         Section  6.2   Subsidiaries........................................................................... -13-
         Section  6.3   Capitalization......................................................................... -14-
         Section  6.4   Authority; Non-Contravention; Statutory Approvals; Compliance.......................... -15-
         Section  6.5   Reports and Financial Statements....................................................... -17-






                                       -i-

<PAGE>



         Section  6.6    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.................................................... -18-
         Section  6.7   Real Property.......................................................................... -18-
         Section  6.8   Company Equipment...................................................................... -20-
         Section  6.9   Contracts and Commitments.............................................................. -20-
         Section  6.10   Intellectual Property................................................................. -22-
         Section  6.11   Litigation............................................................................ -23-
         Section  6.12   Employee Matters...................................................................... -23-
         Section  6.13   Collective Bargaining Agreements; Compensation;
                           Employee Agreements................................................................. -24-
         Section  6.14   Labor Matters......................................................................... -25-
         Section  6.15   Environmental Matters................................................................. -26-
         Section  6.16   Vote Required......................................................................... -26-
         Section  6.17   Insurance............................................................................. -26-
         Section  6.18   State Takeover Statutes; Absence of Supermajority Provision........................... -27-
         Section  6.19   Tax Matters........................................................................... -27-

ARTICLE VII - COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS........................................................ -28-

         Section  7.1   Ordinary Course of Business............................................................ -28-
         Section  7.2   Dividends.............................................................................. -28-
         Section  7.3   Issuance of Securities................................................................. -29-
         Section  7.4   Charter Documents...................................................................... -29-
         Section  7.5   Capital Expenditures................................................................... -29-
         Section  7.6   No Dispositions........................................................................ -29-
         Section  7.7   Intellectual Property.................................................................. -29-
         Section  7.8   Liabilities and Obligations............................................................ -30-
         Section  7.9   Indebtedness .......................................................................... -30-
         Section  7.10   Compensation, Benefits................................................................ -31-
         Section  7.11   Collective Bargaining................................................................. -31-
         Section  7.12   Loans and Advances.................................................................... -31-
         Section  7.13   Accounting............................................................................ -31-
         Section  7.14   Lease and Purchase Options............................................................ -31-
         Section  7.15   Insurance............................................................................. -31-
         Section  7.16   Permits............................................................................... -31-
         Section  7.17   Non-contravention..................................................................... -32-
         Section  7.18   Payments to Suppliers and Vendors..................................................... -32-

ARTICLE VIII - ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS........................................................................... -32-

         Section  8.1   Cooperation, Notification.............................................................. -32-
         Section  8.2   Third-Party Consents................................................................... -32-
         Section  8.3   Access to Information.................................................................. -33-
         Section  8.4   Regulatory Matters..................................................................... -33-
         Section  8.5   Shareholder Approval; Proxy Materials.................................................. -34-
         Section  8.6   Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.................................... -34-



                                      -ii-

<PAGE>



         Section  8.7   Disclosure Schedule.................................................................... -37-
         Section  8.8   Public Announcements................................................................... -37-
         Section  8.9   Stock Option, Stock Purchase and Bonus Plans........................................... -37-
         Section  8.10   No Solicitations...................................................................... -38-
         Section  8.11   No Withdrawal of Recommendation....................................................... -39-
         Section  8.12   Expenses.............................................................................. -39-
         Section  8.13   Inventory............................................................................. -39-
         Section  8.14   Covenant to Satisfy Conditions........................................................ -39-
         Section  8.15   Strategic Consultations............................................................... -40-
         Section  8.16   Guaranty of Equity of Sub............................................................. -40-
         Section  8.17   Employee Benefit Matters; Severance................................................... -40-

ARTICLE IX - CONDITIONS........................................................................................ -40-

         Section  9.1   Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger............................. -40-
         Section  9.2   Conditions to Obligation of Parent to Effect Merger.................................... -41-
         Section  9.3   Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the Merger........................... -42-

ARTICLE X - TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.................................................................. -43-

         Section  10.1   Termination........................................................................... -43-
         Section  10.2   Termination In Connection with Certain Financing Events............................... -44-
         Section  10.3   Effect of Termination................................................................. -46-
         Section  10.4   Payment of Expenses and Termination Fee............................................... -46-
         Section  10.5   Amendment............................................................................. -47-
         Section  10.6   Extension; Waiver..................................................................... -47-

ARTICLE XI - GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................................................ -47-

         Section  11.1   Non-survival of Representations and Warranties........................................ -47-
         Section  11.2   Brokers............................................................................... -47-
         Section  11.3   Notices .............................................................................. -48-
         Section  11.4   Interpretation........................................................................ -49-
         Section  11.5   Miscellaneous......................................................................... -49-
         Section  11.6   Counterparts; Effect.................................................................. -49-
         Section  11.7   Parties in Interest................................................................... -49-
         Section  11.8   Further Assurances.................................................................... -50-
         Section  11.9   Governing Law......................................................................... -50-

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A - Articles of Incorporation
Exhibit B - AMRESCO Letter
Exhibit C - USRP Letter
Exhibit D - Escrow Agreement

</TABLE>





                                      -iii-

<PAGE>



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 18, 1998 (this
"Agreement"),  is made and  entered  into by and among  Consolidated  Restaurant
Companies,  Inc., a  corporation  formed under the laws of the State of Delaware
("Parent"),  Spaghetti Warehouse  Acquisition,  Inc., a corporation formed under
the  laws of the  State of Texas  ("Sub"),  and  Spaghetti  Warehouse,  Inc.,  a
corporation formed under the laws of the State of Texas (the "Company").

         WHEREAS,  the  respective  Boards of Directors  of Parent,  Sub and the
Company have  approved,  and the Company has declared  advisable and in the best
interests of its  shareholders,  the  acquisition  of the Company by Parent,  by
means of the merger (the  "Merger") of the Sub with and into the  Company,  upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

         WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the Merger
and agreed to  recommend  to the  shareholders  of the Company that they vote in
favor of the Merger;

         WHEREAS,  pursuant to the Merger,  each issued and outstanding share of
Company  Common Stock not owned  directly or indirectly by Parent or the Company
will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined
herein); and

         WHEREAS,   Parent,   Sub  and  the  Company   desire  to  make  certain
representations,  warranties,  covenants and  agreements in connection  with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the consummation thereof,

         NOW,   THEREFORE,   in   consideration   of  the   foregoing   and  the
representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements  herein  contained,  the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

         "Articles of Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

         "Certificates" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b).

         "Closing"  and  "Closing  Date"  shall  have  the  meaning set forth in
Section 2.2.

         "Company Benefit Plans"  shall have the  meaning set forth  in  Section
6.12(a).

         "Company Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of the Company.






                                       -1-

<PAGE>



         "Company  Disclosure  Schedule" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory sentence of Article VI.

         "Company Financial Statements"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth  in
Section 6.5(d).

         "Company  Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a Material Adverse Effect
with respect to the Company.

         "Company  Preferred  Stock" shall mean the preferred  stock,  par value
$0.01 per share, of the Company.

         "Company  Required  Consents"  shall  mean  all  required   third-party
consents or other approvals necessary for (a) the execution and delivery by each
of the parties,  as appropriate,  of this Agreement and (b) the  consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby.

         "Company Required Statutory Approvals" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 6.4(c).

         "Company SEC Reports"  shall have  the  meaning set  forth  in  Section
6.5(b).

         "Company Shareholders' Approval"  shall have the  meaning set forth  in
Section 6.4(a)(i).

         "Confidentiality  Agreement"  shall mean that  certain  confidentiality
agreement, dated as of June 15, 1998, by and between Parent and the Company.

         "Constituent Corporations" shall have  the meaning set forth in Section
2.1.

         "Dissenting Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.

         "Effective Time" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

         "Exchange Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

         "Environmental  Claims" shall mean, with respect to any person, (A) any
and all administrative,  regulatory, or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand
letters, directives,  claims, liens,  investigations,  proceedings or notices of
noncompliance or violation in writing by or from any person or entity (including
any  Governmental  Authority),  whether  pending or threatened,  or (B) any oral
information provided by a Governmental Authority that written action of the type
described in the foregoing clause is in process or is threatened, which (in case
of  either  (A)  or  (B))  alleges  potential  liability   (including,   without
limitation,  potential liability for enforcement,  investigatory  costs, cleanup
costs,  governmental  response costs,  removal costs,  remedial  costs,  natural
resources damages,  property damages,  personal injuries,  or penalties) arising
out of, based on or resulting  from (a) the  presence,  or Release or threatened
Release  into the  environment,  of any  Hazardous  Materials  at any  location,
whether  or  not  owned,  operated,  leased  or  managed  by  such  person,  (b)
circumstances forming the basis of any violation,  or alleged violation,  of any






                                       -2-

<PAGE>


Environmental  Law or (c) any and all claims by any third party seeking damages,
contribution,  indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief
resulting from the presence or Release of any Hazardous Materials.

         "Environmental  Laws"  shall mean all  federal,  state and local  laws,
rules,  regulations  and guidances  relating to pollution or protection of human
health or the environment (including,  without limitation,  ambient air, surface
water,  groundwater,  land surface or  subsurface  strata),  including,  without
limitation,  laws,  rules,  regulations  and  guidances  relating to Releases or
threatened  Releases  of  Hazardous  Materials  or  otherwise  relating  to  the
manufacture,   processing,  distribution,  use,  treatment,  storage,  disposal,
transport or handling of Hazardous Materials.

         "Environmental Permits" shall mean all applicable environmental, health
and safety permits and authorizations.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended.

         "Exchange Act" shall  mean the  Securities  Exchange Act  of  1934,  as
amended.

         "Financing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.16.

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles.

         "Governmental   Authority"  shall  mean  any  court,   governmental  or
regulatory  body (including a stock exchange or other  self-regulatory  body) or
authority, domestic or foreign.

         "Hazardous  Materials"  shall  mean  (a)  any  petroleum  or  petroleum
products or by-products,  radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or
could become friable,  urea  formaldehyde  foam insulation,  and transformers or
other  equipment  that  contain  dielectric  fluid  containing   polychlorinated
biphenyls,  (b) any chemicals,  materials or substances which are now defined as
or included in the  definition of "hazardous  substances,"  "hazardous  wastes,"
"hazardous  materials,"  "extremely  hazardous  wastes,"  "restricted  hazardous
wastes,"  "toxic  substances,"  "toxic  pollutants," or words of similar import,
under any Environmental Law and (c) any other chemical,  material,  substance or
waste,  exposure  to which is now  prohibited,  limited or  regulated  under any
Environmental Law in a jurisdiction in which such person operates.

         "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act
of 1976, as amended.

         "Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.6.

         "Indemnified Liabilities" shall  have the meaning  set forth in Section
8.6.

         "In reasonable probability" shall mean more likely than not to occur.




                                       -3-

<PAGE>



         "Material  Adverse  Effect" or "Material  Adverse  Change" means,  with
respect to any party,  any change,  occurrence  or effect  (direct or indirect),
other than as a result of changes in general conditions, including economical or
political  developments,  applicable  to the  industry  as a whole in which  the
Company operates,  on the business,  operations,  properties (including tangible
properties),   condition  (financial  or  otherwise),   assets,  obligations  or
liabilities  (whether  absolute,  contingent  or otherwise and whether due or to
become due) of such party and its subsidiaries  taken as a whole that reasonably
could be expected to exceed $500,000.

         "Material" or "materially" or words of like effect shall refer to items
capable of  producing a monetary  effect of at least  $500,000 on the  business,
operations,  properties (including intangible properties),  condition (financial
or otherwise),  assets, obligations or liabilities (whether absolute, contingent
or  otherwise  and whether due or to become due) of the  relevant  party and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         "Merger Consideration" shall have the  meaning set forth in Section 3.2
(a).

         "Options" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.

         "Option Consideration" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.

         "Parent  Common Stock" shall mean the common stock,  par value $.01 per
share, of Parent.

         "Parent  Material  Adverse Effect" shall mean a Material Adverse Effect
with respect to Parent.

         "Parent Required Statutory Approvals"  shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 4.5(c).

         "Paying Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

         "Payment Fund" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

         "Proxy Materials" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 6.4(c).

         "Release" shall mean any release, spill, emission,  leaking, injection,
deposit,  disposal,  discharge,   dispersal,  leaching  or  migration  into  the
atmosphere, soil, subsurface, surface water, groundwater or property.

         "Rights  Plan" shall mean that certain  Rights  Agreement,  dated as of
February 2, 1995, between the Company and Chemical Bank.

         "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.




                                       -4-

<PAGE>



         "Shares" shall mean the shares of Company Common Stock.

         "Stock Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.

         "Sub  Common  Stock"  shall mean the common  stock,  par value $.01 per
share, of Sub.

         "Sub Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to Sub.

         "Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any person, any corporation or
other entity (including partnerships and other business associations) in which a
person directly or indirectly owns at least a majority of the outstanding voting
securities  or  other  equity  interests   having  the  power,   under  ordinary
circumstances,  to elect a majority of the directors, or otherwise to direct the
management and policies, of such corporation or other entity.

         "Superior  Takeover  Proposal"  with  respect to a party means any bona
fide Takeover Proposal to acquire, directly or indirectly, in a transaction or a
series of related transactions, for consideration consisting of cash, securities
or a  combination  thereof,  662/3%  of the  common  stock  of that  party  then
outstanding  or all or  substantially  all of the  assets of that party on terms
that  the  Board  of  Directors  of that  party  determines  in its  good  faith
reasonable  judgment (after  consultation with a financial advisor of nationally
recognized  reputation) to be more favorable to that party's  shareholders  than
the Merger.

        "Surviving Corporation" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

         "Takeover Proposal," with respect to a party, shall mean (i) any tender
or  exchange  offer,  proposal  for a merger,  consolidation  or other  business
combination involving such party or any of its material  Subsidiaries,  (ii) any
proposal or offer to acquire from a party in any manner, directly or indirectly,
any  equity or voting  securities  of that  party in excess of 15% of the equity
voting  securities of that party or any Subsidiary  thereof or a material amount
of the assets of that party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) any
proposal  or offer to  acquire  from the  shareholders  of that  party by tender
offer, exchange offer or otherwise more than 15% of the outstanding common stock
of that party; provided,  however, that a "Takeover Proposal" shall not mean the
Merger or any alternative transaction between the Company and Parent that may be
proposed as contemplated hereby.

         "Taxes" shall mean any federal,  state, county, local or foreign taxes,
charges, fees, levies or other assessments,  including,  without limitation, all
net income, gross income, sales and use, ad valorem,  transfer,  gains, profits,
excise,  franchise,  real and personal property, gross receipts,  capital stock,
production, business and occupation,  disability,  employment, payroll, license,
estimated,  stamp,  custom  duties,  severance or  withholding  taxes or charges
imposed by any  governmental  entity,  and includes  any interest and  penalties
(civil or criminal) on or additions to any such taxes, charges,  fees, levies or
other   assessments,   and  any  expenses   incurred  in  connection   with  the
determination,  settlement  or  litigation  of  any  liability  for  any  of the
foregoing.







                                       -5-

<PAGE>



         "Tax  Return"  shall  mean any  report,  return  or  other  information
required  to be  supplied  to a  governmental  entity  with  respect  to  Taxes,
including, where permitted or required, combined or consolidated returns for any
group of entities that  includes  Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  on the one
hand, or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the other hand.

         "TBCA" shall mean the Texas Business Corporation Act, as amended.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE MERGER

                  Section  2.1 The  Merger.  Upon the terms and  subject  to the
conditions  set forth in this  Agreement,  and in accordance  with the TBCA, Sub
shall be  merged  with  and  into the  Company  at the  Effective  Time.  At the
Effective  Time,  the  separate  corporate  existence of Sub shall cease and the
Company shall  continue as the surviving  corporation  and a direct wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent (Sub and the Company are sometimes  hereinafter referred to
as  "Constituent  Corporations"  and,  as the context  requires,  the Company is
sometimes  hereinafter  referred to as the "Surviving  Corporation"),  and shall
continue under the name Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc.

                  Section 2.2  Closing.  Unless this  Agreement  shall have been
terminated and the transactions  herein  contemplated  shall have been abandoned
pursuant  to  Article  X , and  subject  to the  satisfaction  or  waiver of the
conditions  set forth in Article IX, the  closing of the Merger (the  "Closing")
shall  take  place  at the  offices  of  Jenkens  &  Gilchrist,  a  Professional
Corporation,  1445 Ross Avenue,  Suite 3200,  Dallas,  Texas 75202 at 10:00 a.m.
local time, on the later to occur of (i) 90 days from the date of this Agreement
or (ii) the second business day after  satisfaction  and/or waiver of all of the
conditions  set forth in Article IX (the "Closing  Date"),  unless another date,
time or place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.

                  Section  2.3  Effective  Time  of  the  Merger.   The  parties
acknowledge  that it is their mutual desire and intent to consummate  the Merger
as soon as practicable after the date hereof. Accordingly, the parties shall use
all commercially reasonable best efforts to bring about the satisfaction as soon
as practicable  of all the  conditions  specified in Article IX and otherwise to
effect the consummation of the Merger as soon as practicable. Subject to Section
2.2  and the  other  terms  hereof,  as soon  as  practicable  after  all of the
conditions  set forth in  Article IX shall have been  satisfied  or waived,  the
parties  hereto  will (i) file  articles of merger  (the  "Articles  of Merger")
executed in  accordance  with the relevant  provisions of the TBCA and (ii) make
all other filings or recordings required under the TBCA. The Merger shall become
effective  at such  time as the  Articles  of  Merger  are duly  filed  with the
Secretary  of State of Texas or at such other time as Sub and the Company  shall
agree shall be specified in the Articles of Merger (the "Effective Time").

                  Section  2.4   Effects of the Merger.

                  (a) The  Merger  shall  have the  effects  as set forth in the
applicable provisions of the TBCA.



                                       -6-

<PAGE>



                  (b) The  directors  and the  officers  of Sub shall,  from and
after the Effective Time, be the initial directors and officers of the Surviving
Corporation  until their  successors  have been duly  elected or  appointed  and
qualified,  or until their earlier  death,  resignation or removal in accordance
with the Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

                  (c) The Articles of Incorporation  of the Company,  as amended
and  restated at the  Effective  Time to read in their  entirety as set forth in
Exhibit  A hereto,  shall be the  Articles  of  Incorporation  of the  Surviving
Corporation following the Effective Time, until duly amended.

                  (d) The Bylaws of Sub as in effect prior to the Effective Time
shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving  Corporation  following the Effective Time,
until duly amended.

                                   ARTICLE III

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

                  Section  3.1  Effect  of  Merger  on  Capital  Stock.  At  the
Effective  Time,  by virtue of the Merger and  without any action on the part of
Parent,  Sub or any  holder of  Shares of  Company  Common  Stock,  or shares of
capital stock of Sub:

                  (a) Capital  Stock of Sub.  Each share of the capital stock of
Sub issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time shall be
converted  into and  become  one fully  paid and  nonassessable  share of Common
Stock,  par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving  Corporation  (the "Exchange
Value").

                  (b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and  Parent-Owned/Sub-Owned
Stock.  Each Share of Company Common Stock and all other shares of capital stock
of the Company  that are owned by the  Company and all shares of Company  Common
Stock and other  shares of capital  stock of the Company  owned by Parent or Sub
shall be canceled  and  retired  and shall  cease to exist and no  consideration
shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor.

                  Section 3.2 Conversion of Securities.  At the Effective  Time,
by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent,  Sub,  the
Company or the holders of any equity interests therein:

                  (a) Subject to the other  provisions of this Section 3.2, each
Share of Company Common Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the
Effective Time (excluding shares owned, directly or indirectly,  by the Company,
any of the Company's Subsidiaries,  or by Parent, Sub or any other Subsidiary of
Parent and  Dissenting  Shares (as defined in Section  3.6)) shall be  converted
into the right to  receive,  upon  surrender  and  exchange  of the  Certificate
representing  such Share of Company Common Stock,  the per share amount of $8.00
(the "Merger Consideration").  Such Merger Consideration shall be payable to the
holders of Company Common Stock in cash, without any interest thereon.






                                       -7-

<PAGE>



                  (b) All such shares of Company Common Stock, when converted as
provided  in  Section   3.2(a),   no  longer  shall  be  outstanding  and  shall
automatically  be  canceled  and  retired  and shall  cease to  exist,  and each
Certificate  previously  evidencing such Shares shall thereafter  represent only
the right to  receive  the Merger  Consideration.  The  holders of  Certificates
previously evidencing Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall cease to have any rights with  respect to the Company  Common Stock except
as otherwise  provided  herein or by law and, upon the surrender of Certificates
in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3, shall only represent the right
to receive for their  Shares,  the Merger  Consideration,  without any  interest
thereon.

                  Section  3.3   Payment for Shares.

                  (a)  Paying  Agent.  Prior to the  Effective  Time,  Sub shall
appoint a United  States  bank or trust  company  reasonably  acceptable  to the
Company to act as exchange and paying agent (the "Paying Agent") for the payment
of the Merger  Consideration,  and Sub shall deposit with the Paying Agent, in a
separate  fund  established  for the benefit of the holders of shares of Company
Common  Stock,  for payment in  accordance  with this Article  III,  through the
Paying  Agent  (the  "Payment  Fund"),  immediately  available  funds in amounts
necessary to make the payments  pursuant to Section  3.2(a) and this Section 3.3
to holders  (other than the Company or Parent,  Sub or any other  Subsidiary  of
Parent, or holders of Dissenting  Shares) of the Shares of Company Common Stock.
The Paying Agent shall,  pursuant to  irrevocable  instructions,  pay the Merger
Consideration. Such cash will be invested by the Paying Agent in U.S. government
securities  maturing in 30 days or less or mutual  funds that  invest  solely in
U.S. government securities and all interest which is earned thereon prior to the
time the cash is fully paid to the  shareholders  of the  Company  shall be paid
over by the Paying Agent to Sub in  accordance  with the terms of the  agreement
with the  Paying  Agent six  months  after the  Closing  Date (if not  otherwise
required to satisfy obligations owing to the shareholders of the Company).

         If for any reason (including  losses) the Payment Fund is inadequate to
pay the  amounts to those  holders of Shares of  Company  Common  Stock that are
entitled  thereto under this Section 3.3,  Parent shall take all steps necessary
to deposit in trust additional cash with the Paying Agent sufficient to make all
payments  required  under this Agreement and Parent shall in any event be liable
for payment  thereof.  The Payment Fund shall not be used for any purpose except
as expressly provided in this Agreement.

                  (b)  Payment  Procedures.  As soon as  reasonably  practicable
after the Effective Time, Parent shall instruct the Paying Agent to mail to each
holder of record (other than the Company or Parent,  Sub or any other Subsidiary
of Parent) of a Certificate  or  Certificates  which,  immediately  prior to the
Effective  Time,  evidenced  outstanding  Shares of  Company  Common  Stock (the
"Certificates"),  (i) a form of letter of transmittal  (which shall specify that
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall
pass,  only upon proper delivery of the  Certificates  to the Paying Agent,  and
shall be in such form and have such other  provisions  as Parent may  reasonably
specify)  and  (ii)  instructions  for use in  effecting  the  surrender  of the
Certificates in exchange for payment of the Merger Consideration. Upon surrender






                                       -8-

<PAGE>


of a Certificate for  cancellation to the Paying Agent together with such letter
of  transmittal,  duly executed,  and such other  customary  documents as may be
required pursuant to such instructions,  the holder of such Certificate shall be
entitled to receive the Merger Consideration, and the Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be canceled.  No interest shall be paid or accrued on the Merger
Consideration payable upon the surrender of any Certificate. If payment is to be
made to a person other than the person in whose name the surrendered Certificate
is  registered,  it shall be a  condition  of payment  that the  Certificate  so
surrendered  shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer
and that the person  requesting  such  payment  shall pay any  transfer or other
taxes  required by reason of the payment to a person  other than the  registered
holder of the surrendered  Certificate or established to the satisfaction of the
Surviving  Corporation  that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.  Until
surrendered  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of this  Section  3.3,  each
Certificate (other than Certificates representing Shares owned by the Company or
Parent, Sub or any other Subsidiary of Parent) shall be deemed at any time after
the  Effective  Time to represent for all purposes only the right to receive the
Merger Consideration.

                  (c) Termination of Payment Fund; Interest.  Any portion of the
Payment Fund that remains  undistributed  to the holders of Company Common Stock
for six months after the  Effective  Time shall be  delivered  to the  Surviving
Corporation,  upon demand,  and any holders of Company Common Stock who have not
theretofore complied with this Article III and the instructions set forth in the
letter of  transmittal  mailed to such  holder  after the  Effective  Time shall
thereafter  look only to the  Surviving  Corporation  for  payment of the Merger
Consideration to which they are entitled. All interest accrued in respect of the
Payment  Fund shall inure to the benefit of and be paid from time to time to the
Surviving Corporation.

                  (d) No  Liability.  None of Parent,  Sub,  the  Company or the
Surviving  Corporation shall be liable to any holder of Shares of Company Common
Stock for any consideration from the Payment Fund delivered to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

                  Section 3.4 Stock Transfer  Books.  At the Effective Time, the
stock  transfer  books of the  Company  shall be closed  and  there  shall be no
further  registration of transfers of Shares of Company Common Stock  thereafter
on the records of the Company.  On or after the Effective Time, any Certificates
presented to the Paying  Agent or Parent for any reason shall be converted  into
the Merger Consideration as provided in this Article III.

                  Section  3.5   Stock Plans.

                  (a) Stock Plans of the Company.  At the Effective  Time,  each
holder of a then outstanding option or right to purchase or receive Shares under
any of the  Company's  stock  option  plans,  stock  purchase  plan or  deferred
compensation  plan  or  arrangements  (collectively,   the  "Stock  Plans"),  or
otherwise set forth on Schedule 6.3 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule (whether
or not vested or exercisable) (collectively,  the "Options") shall be terminated
and automatically  converted into the right to receive for each Share subject to
such Option an amount  (subject  to any  applicable  withholding  tax) of Merger






                                       -9-

<PAGE>


Consideration equal to the difference between the amount per share actually paid
in the Merger and the per share exercise price of such Option to the extent such
difference is a positive number (such amount being  hereinafter  referred to as,
the "Option Consideration");  provided, however, that with respect to any person
subject to Section  16(a) of the Exchange  Act, any such amount shall be paid as
soon as practicable  after the first date payment can be made without  liability
to such person under  Section  16(b) of the Exchange Act  (although  the Options
will in each case be terminated at or prior to the Effective  Time). The receipt
by each Option holder of their Option  Consideration  shall constitute a release
of any and all rights the holder had or may have had in respect of such  Option.
Prior to the Effective  Time, the Company shall obtain  (without  paying amounts
per share that are greater than the relevant Option Consideration) all necessary
consents or releases  from holders of Options under the Stock Plans and take all
such other lawful  action as may be  reasonably  necessary to give effect to the
transactions  contemplated  by this Section 3.5. The Stock Plans shall terminate
as of the Effective Time, and the provisions in the Company Benefit Plans of the
Company or any  Subsidiary  thereof shall be canceled as of the Effective  Time.
Prior to the  Effective  Time,  the  Company  shall  take all  action  necessary
(including causing the Board of Directors of the Company to take such actions as
are allowed by the Stock  Plans) to (i) ensure  that,  following  the  Effective
Time,  no  participant  in the  Stock  Plans or any  other  plans,  programs  or
arrangements shall have any right thereunder to acquire equity securities of the
Company, the Surviving  Corporation or any Subsidiary thereof and (ii) terminate
all such plans,  programs and arrangements.  The total number of Options subject
to the provisions of this Section 3.5 on the date hereof (assuming full vesting)
is (i) under the  Company's  stock option plans,  461,343 at a weighted  average
exercise price of $5.28, (ii) under the Company's  employee stock purchase plan,
56,345, and (iii) under the Company's deferred compensation plan, 25,459.

                  Section  3.6  Dissenting  Shares.  Notwithstanding  any  other
provisions  of this  Agreement to the contrary,  shares of Company  Common Stock
outstanding  immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Time and  which  are held by
shareholders  who  shall  have not  voted in favor of the  Merger  or  consented
thereto in writing and who shall have  demanded  properly an appraisal  for such
shares  in  accordance  with  Article  5.11  of  the  TBCA  (collectively,   the
"Dissenting  Shares")  shall not be  converted  into or  represent  the right to
receive the Merger Consideration. Such shareholders instead shall be entitled to
receive  payment of the appraised  value of such shares of Company  Common Stock
held by them in accordance with the provisions of such Article 5.11 of the TBCA,
except that all Dissenting  Shares held by shareholders who shall have failed to
perfect or who  effectively  shall have withdrawn or otherwise lost their rights
to appraisal  of such shares of Company  Common Stock under such Article 5.11 of
the TBCA  shall  thereupon  be deemed to have  been  converted  into and to have
become exchangeable, as of the Effective Time, for the right to receive, without
any interest  thereon,  the Merger  Consideration  upon  surrender in the manner
provided in Section 3.3, of the  Certificate or  Certificates  that  immediately
prior to the Effective Time, evidenced such shares of Company Common Stock.

                  Section 3.7  Further  Assurances.  At and after the  Effective
Time, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation will be authorized
to execute and  deliver,  in the name and on behalf of the  Company or Sub,  any
deeds, bills of sale,  assignments or assurances and to take and do, in the name
and on behalf of the  Company  or Sub,  any other  actions  and  things to vest,
perfect or conform of record or otherwise in the Surviving  Corporation  any and







                                      -10-

<PAGE>


all right, title and interest in, to and under any of the rights,  properties or
assets  acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving  Corporation as a result of,
or in connection with, the Merger.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT

         Parent represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

                  Section  4.1  Organization  and  Qualification.  Parent  is  a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to
enter  into  this  Agreement  and,  subject  to the  Parent  Required  Statutory
Approvals,  to consummate the transactions  contemplated thereby. Parent and Sub
have  heretofore  made  available to the Company  complete and correct copies of
their Bylaws and  Certificate of  Incorporation  and Articles of  Incorporation,
respectively.

                  Section  4.2  Information  Supplied.  None of the  information
supplied or to be supplied by Parent or Sub for  inclusion or  incorporation  by
reference  in the Proxy  Statement  will,  at the date it is first mailed to the
Company's shareholders or at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or  necessary  in  order  to  make  the  statements  therein,  in  light  of the
circumstances  under which they are made, not misleading.  If, at any time prior
to the Effective  Time, any event with respect to Parent or Sub, or with respect
to information  supplied by Parent or Sub for inclusion in the Proxy  Statement,
shall  occur  which  is  required  to be  described  in an  amendment  of,  or a
supplement  to, any of such  documents,  such event shall be so described to the
Company.

                  Section 4.3 Execution and  Delivery.  This  Agreement has been
duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and Sub and,  assuming the due
authorization,  execution and delivery  hereof by the Company,  constitutes  the
valid and binding obligation of Parent and Sub,  enforceable  against Parent and
Sub in  accordance  with its terms,  except as would be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  fraudulent conveyance or other similar
laws affecting the  enforcement of creditors'  rights  generally and except that
the availability of equitable remedies,  including specific performance,  may be
subject to the discretion of any court before which any proceeding  therefor may
be brought.

                  Section 4.4  Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery of
this  Agreement  by  Parent  and  Sub  do  not,  and  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby will not (subject, in the cases of
items (ii) and (iii) below,  to Parent and/or Sub obtaining the Parent  Required
Statutory Approvals),  result in any violation by Parent and Sub or any of their
Subsidiaries under any provisions of:

                  (a) the Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of
Incorporation of Parent and Sub, respectively;






                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                  (b) any statute, law, ordinance,  rule, regulation,  judgment,
decree,  order or injunction of any Governmental  Authority applicable to Parent
and Sub or any of their respective properties or assets;

                  (c) any  note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  deed  of  trust,
license,  franchise,  permit,  concession,  contract, lease or other instrument,
obligation  or  agreement  of any kind to which  Parent  and Sub or any of their
Subsidiaries  is now a party or by which it or any of its  properties  or assets
may be bound or affected;

excluding from the foregoing  clauses (a), (b) and (c) such  violations as would
not, in the aggregate,  in reasonable probability have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.

                  Section  4.5  Statutory  Approvals.  Except  for (i) filing by
Parent and Sub of a pre- merger  Notification  Report form under the HSR Act and
(ii) the filing of the  Articles of Merger with the  Secretary of State of Texas
with respect to the Merger as provided in the TBCA,  no  declaration,  filing or
registration  with, or notice to or  authorization,  consent or approval of, any
Governmental  Authority  is  necessary  on the  part  of  Parent  of Sub for the
execution and delivery of this  Agreement by Parent and Sub or the  consummation
by Parent  and Sub of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  the  failure  to
obtain,  make or give  which  would  in  reasonable  probability  have a  Parent
Material Adverse Effect (the "Parent Required  Statutory  Approvals"),  it being
understood that references in this Agreement to "obtaining" such Parent Required
Statutory   Approvals   shall  mean   making  such   declarations,   filings  or
registrations;  giving such notice;  obtaining  such consents or approvals;  and
having such waiting periods expire as are necessary to avoid a violation of law.

                  Section 4.6 Ownership of Company Common Stock. Parent does not
"beneficially  own" (as such term is defined in Rule  13d-3  under the  Exchange
Act) any shares of Company Common Stock,  and no entity or person  "beneficially
owning" any capital  stock in Parent  "beneficially  owns" any shares of Company
Common Stock.

                                    ARTICLE V

                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SUB

         In addition to those warranties and representations of Sub contained in
Article IV hereof, Sub represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

                  Section 5.1  Organization  and Standing.  Sub is a corporation
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
State of Texas.  Sub was  organized  solely  for the  purpose of  acquiring  the
Company and engaging in the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and has
not engaged in any business since it was incorporated which is not in connection
with the Merger and this Agreement.







                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                  Section 5.2 Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of
Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock,  par value $0.01 per share, all of
which are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable,  free of
preemptive  rights and are owned by Parent  free and clear of all liens,  claims
and encumbrances.

                  Section  5.3   Authority;   Non-Contravention.   Sub  has  all
requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
Merger  and the  other  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The  execution  and
delivery of this  Agreement by Sub, the  performance  by Sub of its  obligations
hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly  authorized  by its  Board  of  Directors  of Sub and  Parent  as its  sole
shareholder,  and,  except for the corporate  filings  required by state law, no
other  corporate  proceedings on the part of Sub are necessary to authorize this
Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

         Except as set forth in the Company disclosure  schedule attached hereto
(the "Company  Disclosure  Schedule"),  the Company  represents  and warrants to
Parent as follows:

                  Section 6.1 Organization and  Qualification.  The Company is a
corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing and in good standing,  under the
laws of the  State  of  Texas,  and  each  of the  Company's  Subsidiaries  is a
corporation or limited partnership duly organized,  validly existing and in good
standing,  under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.  Each of the Company
and its  Subsidiaries  has all requisite  corporate power and authority,  and is
duly authorized by all necessary  regulatory approvals and orders, to own, lease
and operate its assets and  properties and to carry on its business as it is now
being  conducted,  and is duly  qualified and in good standing to do business in
each  jurisdiction  in which the  nature of its  business  or the  ownership  or
leasing of its assets and properties makes such qualification  necessary,  other
than  such  failure  which,  individually  or in  the  aggregate,  would  not in
reasonable  probability have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The minute books
of the Company and of each Subsidiary  thereof,  as heretofore made available to
Parent, are correct and complete in all material respects.

                  Section  6.2   Subsidiaries.

                  (a) Schedule 6.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies
each  Subsidiary of the Company and sets forth,  for each such  Subsidiary,  its
capital structure, place of organization and the other jurisdictions in which it
is qualified to do business. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock or other  equity  interests  of each  Subsidiary  of the  Company  are (i)
validly  issued,  fully  paid,  and,  in the case of each  Subsidiary  that is a
corporation,  nonassessable,  (ii) free of  statutory  rights  and  (iii)  owned
directly  or  indirectly  by the  Company  free and clear of any liens,  claims,
encumbrances,  security interests,  equities,  charges and options of any nature
whatsoever,  and  there  are  no  outstanding  subscriptions,   options,  calls,






                                      -13-

<PAGE>


contracts,   voting  trusts,  proxies  or  other  commitments,   understandings,
restrictions,   arrangements,   rights  or  warrants,  including  any  right  of
conversion  or exchange  under any  outstanding  security,  instrument  or other
agreement, obligating any such Subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to
be issued,  delivered or sold,  additional  shares of its capital stock or other
equity  interests  or  obligating  it to grant,  extend  or enter  into any such
agreement or commitment.

                  (b)  Except  as  described  in  Schedule  6.2 of  the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule,  the Company does not (i) own,  beneficially or of record,
any  shares  of  any  other  corporation  or  entity  or  any  interests  in any
partnership or limited liability  companies or (ii) participate in any manner in
any joint  ventures,  corporate  alliance  agreements  or  corporate  partnering
agreements.  Except for the Company's interest in each Subsidiary of the Company
identified  on Schedule  6.2 of the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither the
Company nor any such Subsidiary of the Company has an interest in, or is subject
to, any agreement,  obligation or commitment to make any equity investment in or
loan or advance to any other person or entity.

                  Section  6.3   Capitalization.

                  (a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the
Company  consists of  20,000,000  shares of Company  Common Stock and  1,000,000
shares of Company Preferred Stock.

                  (b) As of  the  close  of  business  on  September  15,  1998,
5,662,085  shares of Company  Common  Stock were issued and  outstanding  and no
shares of Company  Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.  As of the close
of business on September 15, 1998,  1,057,341 shares of Company Common Stock and
no shares of Company Preferred Stock were held by the Company in its treasury or
owned by any of the Company's Subsidiaries.

                  (c) All of the issued and  outstanding  shares of the  capital
stock of the Company are validly issued,  fully paid,  nonassessable and free of
preemptive  rights, and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights or
any applicable law.

                  (d) At the  close of  business  on  September  15,  1998,  (i)
461,343  shares of Company  Common Stock were reserved for issuance  pursuant to
outstanding  options  under the  employee  and  director  stock  option plans as
described in Schedule 6.3 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  and (ii) 221,319
shares of Company  Common Stock were  reserved for future awards under the stock
option plans as described in Schedule 6.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

                  (e) At the close of business on September 15, 1998, (i) 56,345
shares of Company  Common  Stock were  reserved  for  issuance  pursuant  to the
employee  stock  purchase  plan as  described  in  Schedule  6.3 of the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule,  and (ii)  25,459  shares of  Company  Common  Stock  were
reserved for issuance pursuant to the deferred compensation plan as described in
Schedule 6.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.






                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                  (f)  Except  as  described  in  Schedule  6.3 of  the  Company
Disclosure Schedule,  there are no outstanding  subscriptions,  options,  calls,
contracts,  voting  trusts,  proxies  or  other  understandings,   restrictions,
arrangements,  rights or warrants, including any right of conversion or exchange
under any outstanding  security,  instrument or other agreement,  obligating the
Company to issue,  deliver or sell,  or cause to be issued,  delivered  or sold,
additional  shares of the capital stock of the Company or obligating the Company
to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or commitment.

                  (g) The Merger shall be an "Approved Acquisition" as that term
is defined in the Rights Plan, so that the entering into of this Agreement,  the
Merger  and the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby and  thereby  will not
result in the grant of any rights to any person  under the Rights Plan or enable
or require any rights thereunder to be exercised, distributed or triggered.

                  Section   6.4    Authority;    Non-Contravention;    Statutory
Approvals; Compliance.

                  (a)      Authority.

                  (i) The Board of Directors  of the Company has  approved  this
         Agreement  and the Merger.  The Board of  Directors  of the Company has
         approved and declared the Merger fair to and  advisable and in the best
         interests  of the  shareholders  of the Company and has  determined  to
         recommend to such  shareholders  that they vote in favor of the Merger.
         The Company has all  requisite  power and  authority to enter into this
         Agreement  and,  subject to approval by the Company's  shareholders  in
         accordance with the TBCA (the "Company Shareholders' Approval") and the
         Company Required  Statutory  Approvals,  to consummate the transactions
         contemplated hereby.

                  (ii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and, subject
         to obtaining the Company  Shareholders'  Approval,  the consummation by
         the  Company of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  have been duly
         authorized  by  all  necessary  corporate  action  on the  part  of the
         Company.

                  (iii) This  Agreement  has been duly and validly  executed and
         delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution
         and  delivery  hereof  by  Parent  and Sub,  constitutes  the valid and
         binding obligation of the Company,  enforceable  against the Company in
         accordance  with its terms,  except as would be  limited by  applicable
         bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  fraudulent conveyance or other
         similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'  rights  generally
         and except  that the  availability  of  equitable  remedies,  including
         specific  performance,  may be subject to the  discretion  of any court
         before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

                  (b)  Non-Contravention.  The  execution  and  delivery of this
Agreement  by the  Company  do not,  and the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby will not, (subject,  in the cases of items (ii)
and (iii)  below,  to the  Company  obtaining  the  Company  Required  Statutory






                                      -15-

<PAGE>


Approvals and Company Required Consents,  respectively)  result in any violation
by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  under any provisions of or result in
termination, cancellation or modification of, or constitute a default under:

                  (i)  the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or similar govern-
         ing documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (ii) any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation,  judgment,
         decree, order or injunction of any Governmental Authority applicable to
         the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their  respective
         properties or assets;

                  (iii)  any note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  deed of trust,
         license,  franchise,  permit,  concession,  contract,  lease  or  other
         instrument, obligation or agreement of any kind to which the Company or
         any of its  Subsidiaries  is now a party  or by  which it or any of its
         properties or assets may be bound or affected;

excluding   from  the  foregoing   clauses  (ii)  and  (iii)  such   violations,
accelerations,  terminations,  modifications  or  defaults  as would not, in the
aggregate, in reasonable probability have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c) Statutory Approvals.  Except for (i) filing by the Company
of a pre-merger Notification Report form under the HSR Act, (ii) the filing with
the SEC of (A) a preliminary and definitive  proxy statement with respect to the
Merger in  accordance  with  Regulation  14A under the  Exchange Act (the "Proxy
Materials")  and (B) such reports under Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act as may
be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated
hereby and (iii) the filing of the  Articles  of Merger  with the  Secretary  of
State  of  Texas  with  respect  to the  Merger  as  provided  in the  TBCA  and
appropriate documents with the relevant authorities in other states in which the
Company is qualified  to do business,  no  declaration,  filing or  registration
with, or notice to or  authorization,  consent or approval of, any  Governmental
Authority is necessary for the  execution and delivery of this  Agreement by the
Company,  the  consummation  by the  Company  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  the  failure  to  obtain,  make  or  give  which  would  in  reasonable
probability  have a Company  Material  Adverse  Effect  (the  "Company  Required
Statutory Approvals"),  it being understood that references in this Agreement to
"obtaining"  such Company  Required  Statutory  Approvals shall mean making such
declarations,  filings or  registrations;  giving such  notice;  obtaining  such
consents or approvals;  and having such waiting  periods expire as are necessary
to avoid a violation of law.

                  (d)      Compliance.

                  (i) Except as disclosed  in the Company SEC  Reports,  neither
         the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in  violation  of or under
         investigation with respect to, or has been given notice or been charged
         with any  violation  of, any law,  statute,  order,  rule,  regulation,
         ordinance or judgment  (including,  without limitation,  any applicable
         environmental   law,  ordinance  or  regulation)  of  any  Governmental
         Authority,   except  for  violations   that  would  not  in  reasonable
         probability have a Company Material Adverse Effect.






                                      -16-

<PAGE>



                  (ii)  The  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  have  all  permits,
         licenses,  franchises and other governmental  authorizations,  consents
         and approvals (all of which are in full force and effect) necessary, to
         conduct  their  respective  businesses as currently  conducted,  except
         those the failure to obtain which would not in  reasonable  probability
         have a Company Material  Adverse Effect,  except those violations which
         would not in reasonable  probability  have a Company  Material  Adverse
         Effect.  No violations  exist or, to the best knowledge of the Company,
         have been  reported in respect of such permits,  licenses,  franchises,
         authorizations,  consents and approvals,  except those violations which
         would not in reasonable  probability  have a Company  Material  Adverse
         Effect. To the best knowledge of the Company,  the consummation of this
         Agreement will not require the transfer,  modification  or amendment of
         any  material   permits,   licenses   (other  than  liquor   licenses),
         franchises, authorizations, consents and approvals.

                  Section  6.5   Reports and Financial Statements.

                  (a) Since June 28,  1998,  the filings  required to be made by
the Company and its  Subsidiaries  under the  Securities Act or the Exchange Act
have  been  filed  with the SEC as  required  by each  such  law or  regulation,
including  all  forms,  statements,   reports,  agreements  and  all  documents,
exhibits,  amendments and supplements  appertaining thereto, and the Company and
its  Subsidiaries  have complied in all material  respects  with all  applicable
requirements of the appropriate act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

                  (b) The  Company  has  made  available  to  Parent  a true and
complete copy of each report,  schedule,  registration  statement and definitive
proxy  statement  filed by the  Company  with the SEC  since  June 28,  1998 and
through the date hereof  (such  documents as filed,  and any and all  amendments
thereto,  together  with the draft (dated  September  11, 1998) of the Company's
Form 10-K provided to Parent by the Company, the "Company SEC Reports").

                  (c) The Company SEC Reports,  including without limitation any
financial  statements or schedules included therein,  at the time filed, and all
forms,  reports or other  documents  filed by the Company with the SEC after the
date  hereof,  did not and will not contain any untrue  statement  of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.

                  (d)  The  audited   consolidated   financial   statements  and
unaudited  interim  financial  statements of the Company included in the Company
SEC  Reports  (collectively,  the  "Company  Financial  Statements")  have  been
prepared,  and the  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  and  unaudited
interim financial statements of the Company as included in all forms, reports or
other  documents  filed with the SEC after the date  hereof  will be prepared in
accordance  with GAAP applied on a consistent  basis (except as may be indicated
therein or in the notes thereto and except with respect to unaudited  statements
as permitted by Form 10-Q),  are accurate and correct in all material  respects,
and fairly  present in all  material  respects  the  financial  position  of the
Company as of the respective dates thereof or the results of operations and cash







                                      -17-

<PAGE>


flows for the respective periods then ended, as the case may be, subject, in the
case of the unaudited interim financial statements,  to normal,  recurring audit
adjustments.

                  (e) True,  accurate  and  complete  copies of the  Articles of
Incorporation  and Bylaws of the Company and of each Subsidiary  thereof,  as in
effect on the date hereof, have been delivered to Parent.

                  Section  6.6    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.

                  (a) Except as set forth in the Company SEC Reports or Schedule
6.6(a) of the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  from June 28, 1998 through the date
hereof, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has conducted its business only
in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with past practice and there has
not been (i) any declaration,  setting aside or payment of any dividend (whether
in cash, stock or property) with respect to any of the Company's  capital stock,
(ii) (A) any granting by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any executive
officer  of  the  Company  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  of  any  increase  in
compensation,  except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with prior
practice or as was required under employment agreements in effect as of June 28,
1998,  (B) any  granting by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  to any such
executive officer of any increase in severance or termination pay, except as was
required under employment,  severance or termination  agreements in effect as of
June 28, 1998, or (C) any entry by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  into
any  employment,  severance or  termination  agreement  with any such  executive
officer,  (iii) any  damage,  destruction  or loss,  whether  or not  covered by
insurance,  that would in reasonable probability have a Company Material Adverse
Effect; (iv) any mortgage or pledge of any of its property,  business or assets,
tangible or intangible;  (v) any sale,  transfer,  lease or disposal of any of a
material amount of its assets, except for transactions in the ordinary course of
business,  or  cancellation  or  compromise of any material debt or claim (other
than  accounts  receivable  compromised  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business
consistent with its prior practice),  or waiver or release of any right,  except
for such rights the loss of which,  in any one case or in the  aggregate,  would
not in reasonable  probability  have, a Company  Material  Adverse Effect;  (vi)
receipt of any notice or threat of termination  of any contract,  lease or other
agreement or any damage,  destruction or loss (not covered by insurance)  which,
in any case or in the aggregate,  would in reasonable probability have a Company
Material  Adverse  Effect;  (vii) the issuance of any shares of capital stock or
voting securities of the Company,  any phantom stock, options or other rights to
acquire from the Company any capital stock,  voting securities  convertible into
or  exchangeable  for capital stock or voting  securities of the Company (except
pursuant to warrants, options and other rights outstanding on the date hereof in
accordance with the terms of such  agreements as of the date hereof);  or (viii)
any other fact or condition  exists that would in reasonable  probability have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.

                  (b) Neither the  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any
material  liabilities or obligations (whether absolute,  accrued,  contingent or
otherwise) except liabilities, obligations or contingencies (i) that are accrued
or reserved against in the consolidated  financial  statements of the Company or
reflected in the notes  thereto for the year ended June 28,  1998,  or (ii) that
were incurred after June 28, 1998 in the ordinary course of business.






                                      -18-

<PAGE>



                  Section  6.7   Real Property.

                  (a)  Set  forth  in  Schedule  6.7 of the  Company  Disclosure
Schedule is a complete  list of all real property that the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  currently owns or has owned in the past two years. The Company (or
such Subsidiary) has good and indefeasible title in fee simple to such currently
owned real  property and to all  buildings and  improvements  thereon,  free and
clear of any mortgages,  liens, claims, charges,  pledges, security interests or
other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.

                  (b) With  respect  to any  deeds,  title  insurance  policies,
surveys,  mortgages,  agreements and other documents  granting to the Company or
such Subsidiary title to or an interest in or otherwise  affecting any such real
property,  (i) no breach or event of default on the part of the  Company or such
Subsidiary,  (ii) no material breach or event of default,  to the best knowledge
of the Company, on the part of any other party thereto, and (iii) no event that,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such breach
or event of default on the part of the  Company  or such  Subsidiary  or, to the
best  knowledge  of the  Company,  on the part of any other party  thereto,  has
occurred and is continuing.

                  (c) Schedule 6.7 of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a
complete and accurate list of all real  property  leases to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party  (collectively,  the "Leases") (including all
amendments  thereof and  modifications  thereto),  including the address of each
property,  the name and address of each landlord or tenant,  if applicable,  the
expiration  date of each  Lease,  whether  an  option  to renew or an  option to
purchase has been exercised or is available,  and whether the obligations of the
Company or any Subsidiary  thereunder  have been  guaranteed by any other party.
The Company's or Subsidiary's  interests in and to all Leases are free and clear
of all mortgages,  liens, claims, charges,  pledges, security interests or other
encumbrances of any nature whatsoever including, without limitation,  subleases,
chattel  mortgages,   mechanics'  and  materialmen's  liens,  conditional  sales
contracts,   collateral  security  arrangements  and  other  interest  retention
arrangements.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of any
default by the Company or such Subsidiary under any of the Leases, and there are
no  facts  or  conditions  that  would,  with  notice  or lapse of time or both,
constitute a default by the Company or such Subsidiary  under any of the Leases.
To the best  knowledge of the Company,  none of the  landlords  under any of the
Leases is in default.

                  (d) The  buildings  and  improvements  owned or  leased by the
Company  or any  Subsidiary  on any real  property  owned by the  Company or any
Subsidiary  and on any  Lease,  and the  operation  and  maintenance  thereof as
operated and  maintained,  do not (i)  contravene  any zoning or building Law or
ordinance or other  administrative  regulation  or (ii) violate any  restrictive
covenant or any applicable Law. To the best knowledge of the Company, all of the
plants,  buildings  and  structures  located on any real  property  owned by the
Company or any Subsidiary or on any Lease are in a state of good maintenance and
repair  (normal  wear  and  tear  excepted)  suitable  in all  respects  for the
operation of the Company's business.






                                      -19-

<PAGE>



                  (e)  There is no  pending  or,  to the best  knowledge  of the
Company,  threatened  condemnation,  eminent domain or similar  proceeding  with
respect to, or that could affect,  any real property owned by the Company or any
Subsidiary or any Lease.

                  Section 6.8 Company Equipment. The Company or its Subsidiaries
have good and valid title to the  equipment  used in its  business.  To the best
knowledge of the Company, taken as a whole, such equipment is in good and normal
operating  condition  and repair and  adequate for the uses to which it is being
put by the Company and such Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
has received any  notification  from any  governmental  or regulatory  authority
within the last five years that the Company or such  Subsidiary  is in violation
of any  health,  sanitation,  fire,  safety,  zoning,  building  or  other  law,
ordinance  or  regulation  in respect of such  equipment  or  operations,  which
violation has not been appropriately and completely resolved.

                  Section  6.9   Contracts and Commitments.

                  (a) All  contracts,  agreements  and  commitments to which the
Company or any  Subsidiary is a party or is bound (and which provide for payment
by the Company or any  Subsidiary or receipt by the Company or any Subsidiary of
more than  $100,000  over the life of the  contract,  agreement or commitment or
which are  otherwise  material to the Company and the  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole) are listed in Schedule 6.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

                  (b) Neither the  Company nor any  Subsidiary  is a party to or
bound by any  agreements,  contracts or commitments  which  individually or when
aggregated with all related  agreements,  contracts or commitments,  provide for
the grant of any  preferential  rights to purchase or lease any of the Company's
or any Subsidiary's assets.

                  (c) The Company has delivered or made  available to Parent and
Sub true and complete copies of each written  agreement,  contract or commitment
listed in Schedule 6.9 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  as well as true and
accurate summaries of any oral agreement listed thereon.

                  (d)  The  enforceability  of  the  agreements,  contracts  and
commitments  referred to in this Section 6.9 will not be affected in any respect
by the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement or the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (e) No purchase contracts or commitments of the Company or any
Subsidiary are in excess of the normal,  ordinary and usual  requirements of the
Company or any Subsidiary, or to the best knowledge of the Company, were entered
into at prices in excess of those  available  in the  industry  in arm's  length
transactions on the respective dates thereof.

                  (f)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  6.9(f),  neither  the
Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any outstanding agreements,
arrangements  or  contracts  with  any of its  officers,  directors,  employees,
agents,  consultants,  advisors or sales  representatives  (or any affiliates of
such persons)  that (i) are  cancelable by it only upon notice of longer than 30







                                      -20-

<PAGE>



days and with the  imposition of a liability,  penalty or premium,  (ii) require
non-cancelable  payment by the Company or any  Subsidiary  of over  $50,000,  or
(iii) provide for any bonus or other payment based on the sale of the Company or
any portion thereof.

                  (g)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  6.9(f),  neither  the
Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any  employment  agreement,
consulting  agreement or any other  agreement  that  contains any  provision for
severance or termination  pay  liabilities or  obligations  (including,  without
limitation, change of control or "golden parachute" provisions).

                  (h) Neither the  Company nor any  Subsidiary  is a party to or
bound by:

                  (i)  any  material  mortgage,   indenture,  note,  installment
         obligation  or  other  instrument,  agreement  or  arrangement  for  or
         relating to any borrowing of money by the Company or any Subsidiary;

                  (ii) any guaranty,  direct or indirect,  by the Company or any
         Subsidiary  of any material  obligation  for  borrowings  or otherwise,
         excluding  endorsements  made for collection in the ordinary  course of
         business;

                  (iii)  any   obligation  to  make   payments,   contingent  or
         otherwise,  of over $100,000 in the aggregate  arising out of any prior
         acquisition of the business,  assets or stock of other  persons,  other
         than with respect to  acquisitions  of food or supplies in the ordinary
         course of business;

                  (iv) any collective bargaining agreement with any labor union;

                  (v) except as set forth in Schedule  6.9(h)(v),  any agreement
         containing  noncompetition or other limitations restricting the conduct
         of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary; and

                  (vi) except as set forth in  Schedule  6.2,  any  partnership,
         joint venture or similar agreement.

                  (i) Neither the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  is bound by any
agreement or  arrangement  for the sale of any of the assets or capital stock of
the Company or the Subsidiaries or for the grant of any  preferential  rights to
purchase any of the assets or capital stock of the Company or the Subsidiaries.

                  (j) With  respect to each  contract  and  agreement  listed in
Schedule 6.9 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  except as set forth therein,
(i) each of such  contracts and  agreements is valid,  binding and in full force
and effect and is enforceable by the Company (or its Subsidiary, as the case may
be)  in  accordance   with  its  terms,   subject  to  bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization  and other laws and judicial  decisions of general  applicability
relating to or affecting  creditors' rights and to general principles of equity;






                                      -21-

<PAGE>


(ii) there have been no  cancellations or threatened  cancellations  thereof nor
are there any outstanding disputes thereunder;  (iii) neither the Company or any
Subsidiary,  nor, to the best  knowledge of the  Company,  any other party is in
breach of any  material  provision  thereof;  and (iv)  there does not exist any
default  under,  or any event or  condition  which  with the giving of notice or
passage of time or both would become a breach or default under, the terms of any
such contract or agreement on the part of the Company or any  Subsidiary  or, to
the best knowledge of the Company, on the part of any other party thereto.

                  Section  6.10   Intellectual Property.

                  (a) Schedule 6.10 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule contains
an accurate and complete  list of all U.S. and Canadian (i) patents,  trademarks
(registered or unregistered),  trade names, assumed names, registered copyrights
and all applications  therefor,  owned or filed by the Company or any Subsidiary
and used in or materially  necessary  for the conduct of the Company's  business
and, with respect to registered  trademarks and trade names,  contains a list of
all  jurisdictions  in which such trademarks are registered and all registration
numbers;  (ii) all licenses  (including,  but not limited to, liquor  licenses),
permits and other agreements relating thereto; and (iii) all agreements relating
to technology (other than software licenses), recipes (including but not limited
to current recipes in use, previously developed recipes not currently in use and
recipes currently under development), know-how or processes used in or necessary
for the conduct of the business of the Company's  business  which the Company or
any Subsidiary is licensed or authorized to use by others. The Company has valid
licenses to all software currently being used by the Company.

                  (b)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  6.10,  such  patents,
trademarks  (registered or unregistered),  copyrights,  licenses and permits are
(i)  valid,  subsisting  and  enforceable,  and  (ii)  except  for  unregistered
trademarks and  copyrights,  duly recorded in the names of the persons set forth
in Schedule 6.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

                  (c) The  persons  set forth in  Schedule  6.10 of the  Company
Disclosure  Schedule  have the full  right,  free  from  any  liens,  mortgages,
security  interests,  charges or  encumbrances,  to use the patents,  trademarks
(registered or  unregistered),  copyrights and  applications  therefor set forth
beside their names,  and the Company and/or its Subsidiaries has the full right,
free from any liens, mortgages,  security interests, charges or encumbrances, to
use the trade names, assumed names, technology,  recipes, know-how,  inventions,
works and processes referred to in such lists and all trade secrets required for
the  conduct  of the  Company's  business  in the  jurisdictions  in which  such
business is conducted,  and the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby will not alter or impair any such rights.

                  (d) Except as set forth in  Schedule  6.10(d),  no claims have
been  asserted  in writing  delivered  to the Company or any  Subsidiary  by any
person  against the Company or any  Subsidiary  with  respect to the  ownership,
validity,  enforceability,  misappropriation or use of any product or service of
the Company's business or such patents,  trademarks (registered or unregistered,
or of any  confusingly  similar or dilative  trademarks),  trade names,  assumed







                                      -22-

<PAGE>



names,  copyrights,   applications  therefor,  technology,   recipes,  know-how,
processes  or trade  secrets or  challenging  or  questioning  the  validity  or
effectiveness of any such license, permits or agreement.

                  (e) To the best  knowledge  of the  Company,  the use or other
exploitation  of any  product  or service of the  Company or any  Subsidiary  or
patents,  trademarks  (registered or unregistered),  trade names, assumed names,
copyrights,  applications therefor, recipes, technology, know-how, processes and
trade secrets by the Company or any  Subsidiary  does not infringe the rights of
any person.

                  (f) To the best  knowledge of the Company,  no other person is
infringing  the rights of the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  with  respect to the
patents,  trademarks  (registered or unregistered),  trade names, assumed names,
copyrights,   and  applications   therefor,   recipes,   technology,   know-how,
inventions, works, processes or trade secrets described in this section.

                  (g) Since the  Company has no  operations  outside of the U.S.
and Canada (and has had no  operations  outside the U.S.  and Canada in the last
five  years),  the scope of the  representations  contained in this Section 6.10
cover the U.S. and Canada only.

                  Section  6.11  Litigation.  Except as set forth in the Company
SEC Reports, there are no claims, suits, actions or proceedings,  pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor are there, to the knowledge of the
Company,  any investigations or reviews pending or threatened against,  relating
to or affecting  the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or the business or any
property or rights thereof or judgments, decrees,  injunctions,  rules or orders
of any court, governmental department,  commission,  agency,  instrumentality or
authority  or  any   arbitrator   applicable  to  the  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  that,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  would  in  reasonable
probability have a Company  Material Adverse Effect.  The Company is not subject
to any continuing court or agency order,  writ,  injunction or decree applicable
specifically  to its  business,  operations or assets or its  employees,  nor in
default with respect to any order,  writ,  injunction  or decree of any court or
agency with respect to its assets,  business,  operations  or  employees,  which
order,  writ,  injunction  or decree or default  with respect  thereto  would in
reasonable probability have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

                  Section  6.12   Employee Matters.

                  (a) Benefit  Plans.  Schedule  6.12 of the Company  Disclosure
Schedule sets forth as of the date of this Agreement, all of the pension, profit
sharing,  stock option, stock purchase,  stock bonus,  employee stock ownership,
incentive,   bonus,  life,  health,   disability  or  accident  plans,  deferred
compensation   plans,   and  other  employee   compensation  or  benefit  plans,
agreements,   practices,   policies,   customs,   contracts,   arrangements   or
commitments,  including,  without  limitation,  changes in control or  severance
agreements,  holiday, vacation or other similar plans, programs or arrangements,
employee benefit plans (within the meaning of section 3(3) of ERISA),  and labor
union  agreements  under or with  respect  to which the  Company  or any  person
("ERISA  Affiliate") who would be treated as being a "single  employer" with the
Company under Section 414 of the Code, has any liability or obligation,  whether







                                      -23-

<PAGE>


current, contingent,  secondary or otherwise (collectively, the "Company Benefit
Plans"  and  individually,  a  "Company  Benefit  Plan"),  and the  Company  has
furnished to Parent and Sub complete  copies of all of the  foregoing as amended
and in  effect  on the date  hereof,  including,  where  applicable,  any  trust
agreements,  insurance contracts or other funding mediums related to any Company
Benefit Plan. With respect to all Company Benefit Plans,  except as set forth in
Schedule 6.12, except as set forth in the Company SEC Reports and except, in the
case  of  clauses  (ii)  through  (x),  as  would  not,  individually  or in the
aggregate, in reasonable probability have a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i)
none of the Company Benefit Plans is a "multi-employer  plan" within the meaning
of ERISA;  (ii) none of the Company  Benefit Plans promises or provides  retiree
medical or life insurance  benefits to any person,  except as otherwise required
by law; (iii) each Company  Benefit Plan intended to be qualified  under Section
401(a)  of the Code has  received  a  favorable  determination  letter  from the
Internal  Revenue Service that it is so qualified and nothing has occurred since
the date of such  letter  that could in  reasonable  probability  be expected to
affect the  qualified  status of such Company  Benefit  Plan;  (iv) each Company
Benefit Plan has been operated in all respects in accordance  with its terms and
the  requirements  of  applicable  law;  (v)  neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has incurred any direct or indirect liability under, arising out of
or by operation of Title IV of ERISA in connection  with the  termination of, or
withdrawal   from,  any  Company  Benefit  Plan  or  other  retirement  plan  or
arrangement, and no fact or event exists that could in reasonable probability be
expected to give rise to any such  liability;  (vi) the Company and each Company
Benefit Plan is in compliance  with the provisions of ERISA and the Code insofar
as ERISA and the Code are  applicable to such Company  Benefit Plan,  except for
such  noncompliance  as  would  not in  reasonable  probability  have a  Company
Material  Adverse  Effect;  (vii)  there has not  occurred  with  respect to any
Company Benefit Plan any  "Prohibited  Transaction" as defined in either Section
406 of ERISA or Section  4975 of the Code;  (viii)  that has not  occurred  with
respect to any Company Benefit Plan any "Reportable Event" as defined in Section
4043 of ERISA; (ix) neither (A) the Company or a director,  officer, employee or
agent of the  Company or its  Subsidiaries  have,  with  respect to any  Company
Benefit Plan,  nor (B) any Company  Benefit Plan or trust created  thereunder or
trustee or administrator thereof have, engaged in any kind of conduct that would
result in any  penalties  under Section  502(i) of ERISA or any liability  under
Section  409 of  ERISA  that  would in  reasonable  probability  have a  Company
Material  Adverse  Effect;  and (x) each Company  Benefit Plan maintained by the
Company  specifically  provides  that it may be  terminated  at any  time by its
sponsoring  employer (subject,  in the case of any Company Benefit Plan which is
subject to Title IV of ERISA,  to the provisions of Section 4041 of ERISA),  and
there are no  circumstances  or  conditions  that exist prior to the Merger that
would prevent the applicability of these provisions.  The aggregate  accumulated
benefit  obligations of any Company Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA do
not exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Company Benefit Plan. The
Company  has  furnished  Parent  with true and  complete  copies of the  Company
Benefit Plans.

                  Section  6.13  Collective Bargaining Agreements; Compensation;
Employee Agreements.

                  (a) Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  has in effect any
collective  bargaining  agreement  and  neither  is  currently  engaged  in  any
bargaining with any labor union.






                                      -24-

<PAGE>



                  (b) To the best  knowledge of the  Company,  no petition is on
file with the National Labor  Relations Board submitted by a labor union seeking
to  represent  any of the  employees  of the Company or any  Subsidiary  and the
Company is not aware of any attempts to organize the employees of the Company or
any Subsidiary by any labor union.

                  (c)  Schedule  6.13 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule  sets
forth a complete and accurate list showing the names,  the rate of  compensation
and the portions thereof  attributable to salary and bonuses,  respectively,  as
well as the location of all officers of the Company and its  Subsidiaries and of
all employees of or consultants  to the Company or any Subsidiary  that received
annual base  salary and cash bonus  totaling in excess of $50,000 for the fiscal
year ended June 28, 1998.

                  (d) There are no  covenants,  agreements  or  restrictions  to
which the Company or any  Subsidiary  is a party,  including  but not limited to
employee noncompete agreements,  prohibiting, limiting or in any way restricting
any current employee listed in Schedule 6.13 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule
from engaging in any type of business activity in any location.

                  Section  6.14   Labor Matters.

                  (a) The Company and its  Subsidiaries  have  complied  and are
presently   complying  with  all  applicable  laws  respecting   employment  and
employment practices,  terms and conditions of employment,  and wages and hours,
except  for any  noncompliance  that in the  aggregate  would not in  reasonable
probability have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

                  (b) Except as set froth in Schedule 6.14(g),  there is no open
and unresolved  unfair labor practice charge or complaint against the Company or
any Subsidiary  for which the Company or any Subsidiary has received  service of
process or other  appropriate  notice or, to the best  knowledge of the Company,
pending  (without  having  been  so  served  or  noticed)  being  considered  or
threatened before the National Labor Relations Board.

                  (c) There is no open and unresolved  grievance or any open and
unresolved  arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining
agreements  for which the  Company or any  Subsidiary  has  received  service of
process or other  appropriate  notice and, to the best knowledge of the Company,
no such grievance or arbitration  proceeding is pending  (without having been so
served or noticed) or is being considered or threatened.

                  (d) There is no basis for any charge,  complaint  or grievance
described in this Section 6.14, and, to the best knowledge of the Company,  none
is being considered.

                  (e) There is no labor  strike,  slowdown or work  stoppage for
which the Company or any  Subsidiary  has  received  service of process or other
appropriate  notice or, to the best knowledge of the Company,  pending  (without
having  been so served or  noticed)  or  threatened  against  the Company or any
Subsidiary.






                                      -25-

<PAGE>



                  (f) Neither the  Company nor any  Subsidiary  has been a party
within the past two years to any proceedings before the National Labor Relations
Board,  and neither is a party to any arbitration  proceeding  arising out of or
under collective bargaining agreements.

                  (g) Except as set forth in Schedule  6.14(g)  there is no open
and  unresolved  charge or complaint for which the Company or any Subsidiary has
received  service  of  process  or  other  appropriate  notice  or,  to the best
knowledge of the Company,  which is being  considered or threatened  against the
Company or any Subsidiary before the Equal Employment  Opportunity Commission or
any state,  local,  federal or foreign agency  responsible for the prevention of
unlawful employment practices.

                  (h) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice
of the intent of any federal, state, local or foreign agency responsible for the
enforcement  of labor or  employment  laws to  conduct  an  investigation  of or
relating to the Company or any  Subsidiary,  and, to the best  knowledge  of the
Company, no such investigation is in progress.

                  (i) There are no current Affirmative Action Plans to which the
Company or any  Subsidiary is a party and, to the best knowledge of the Company,
there are no current or pending audits  contemplated  against the Company or any
Subsidiary by the Office of Federal  Compliance  Programs  pursuant to Executive
Order 11246.

                  Section 6.15 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in the
Company SEC Reports and except as would not,  individually  or in the aggregate,
in  reasonable  probability  have a Company  Material  Adverse  Effect,  (i) the
Company  and each of its  Subsidiaries  are in  compliance  with all  applicable
Environmental Laws and the terms and conditions of all applicable  Environmental
Permits,  (ii) there are no  Environmental  Claims against the Company or any of
its  Subsidiaries,   and  (iii)  no  Hazardous  Materials  have  been  released,
discharged  or  disposed  of on any of the  properties  owned or occupied by the
Company  or  its   Subsidiaries   in  any  manner  or  quantity  which  requires
investigation,  assessment,  monitoring,  remediation or cleanup under currently
applicable Environmental Laws.

                  Section 6.16 Vote  Required.  The approval of the Agreement by
the holders of at least  two-thirds of the outstanding  shares of Company Common
Stock (the "Company Shareholders'  Approval") is the only vote of holders of any
class or series of the  capital  stock of the Company  required to approve  this
Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

                  Section   6.17   Insurance.   The  Company  and  each  of  its
Subsidiaries is, and has been continuously  since June 28, 1998, insured in such
amounts  and  against  such  risks and losses  (the  related  insurance  polices
hereinafter  referred to as the  "Insurance  Policies") as are (i) customary for
companies conducting the respective  businesses conducted by the Company and its
Subsidiaries during such time period and (ii) sufficient for compliance with all
requirements  of law and of all agreements  with respect to the operation of the
business of the  Company.  Neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has






                                      -26-

<PAGE>


received any notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any Insurance
Policy. All Insurance Policies of the Company and its Subsidiaries are valid and
enforceable policies.

                  Section 6.18 State Takeover Statutes; Absence of Supermajority
Provision.  The Company  has taken all action to assure  that no state  takeover
statute or similar statute or regulation shall apply to the Merger or any of the
other transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Except for the Company  Shareholders'
Approval, no other shareholder action on the part of the Company is required for
approval of the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
No  provisions  of the Company's  Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws or other
governing  instruments  of its  Subsidiaries  or the terms of the Rights Plan or
other takeover defense  mechanism of the Company would,  directly or indirectly,
restrict or impair the ability of Parent to vote,  or  otherwise to exercise the
rights of a  shareholder  with  respect  to,  securities  of the Company and its
Subsidiaries  that may be  acquired  or  controlled  by  Parent  or  permit  any
shareholder  to acquire  securities  of the Company on a basis not  available to
Parent in the event that Parent were to acquire securities of the Company.

                  Section  6.19   Tax Matters.

                  (a) For purposes of this  Agreement,  "Tax  Return"  means any
report, statement,  form, return or other document or information required to be
supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes.

                  (b) All Tax  Returns  required  to be filed on or  before  the
Closing Date by the Company or any Subsidiary  have been or will be filed within
the  time  prescribed  by Law  (including  extensions  of time  approved  by the
appropriate  taxing authority).  The Tax Returns so filed are complete,  correct
and  accurate  representations  of the Tax  liabilities  of the  Company and its
Subsidiaries  and such Tax Returns  accurately set forth or will  accurately set
forth all items to the extent  required  to be  reflected  or  included  in such
returns.

                  (c) The Company and it  Subsidiaries  have timely paid or made
adequate  provision in the Company's  balance sheet for the payment of all Taxes
due on such Tax Returns that have been filed or will be filed for periods ending
on or before the date of the balance sheet.

                  (d)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  6.19(d),  there is no
action,  suit,  investigation,  proceeding,  audit or claim that has been served
against or otherwise  noticed to the Company or any Subsidiary,  or, to the best
knowledge  of the  Company,  pending or proposed  against or with respect to the
Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Tax. There are no material liens for
Taxes upon any of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary.

                  (e) The Company and its  Subsidiaries  have  withheld and paid
all Taxes  required to have been  withheld and paid in  connection  with amounts
paid or  owing  to any  employee,  creditor,  independent  contractor,  or other
person.






                                      -27-

<PAGE>



                  (f) Neither the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  have waived any
statute of  limitations  in respect of Taxes or agreed to any  extension of time
with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.

                  (g) Neither the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  has in effect a
consent under Section 341(f) of the Code concerning collapsible corporations.

                  (h)  Neither  the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  has  made any
payment,  or  become  obligated  to make any  payment,  or become a party to any
agreement that could obligate it to make any payment that will not be deductible
under  section 280G of the Code or will be subject to Tax under  section 4999 of
the Code.

                  (i) There has never been a Tax sharing or allocation agreement
in place  between the Company or any  Subsidiary  or any other Person other than
those,  if any, with respect to which the applicable  statute of limitations has
run.

                  (j) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is liable for a Tax
incurred by any other  corporation that was a member of a consolidated  group of
corporations  (within the meaning of Treasury  regulation  section  1.1502) that
included the Company or any Subsidiary.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                    COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

         After  the date  hereof  and  prior to the  Effective  Time or  earlier
termination  of  this  Agreement,   the  Company  shall,  and  shall  cause  its
Subsidiaries to, comply with the provisions of this Article VII.

                  Section 7.1 Ordinary  Course of Business.  The Company  shall,
and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, conduct their respective  businesses in the
usual,  regular  and  ordinary  course  in  substantially  the  same  manner  as
heretofore  conducted  and use  all  commercially  reasonable  best  efforts  to
preserve their  respective  business  organizations  and goodwill,  preserve the
goodwill and relationships  with customers,  suppliers,  distributors and others
having  business  dealings  with them and,  subject  to  prudent  management  of
workforce  needs and ongoing  programs  currently in force,  keep  available the
services of their present officers and employees.

                  Section  7.2   Dividends.  The Company shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

                  (a) declare or pay any  dividends or make other  distributions
in  respect  of any of their  capital  stock  other  than to the  Company or its
Subsidiaries.






                                      -28-

<PAGE>



                  (b) split, combine or reclassify any of their capital stock or
issue or authorize or propose the  issuance of any other  securities  in respect
of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of their capital stock; or

                  (c)  redeem,  repurchase  or  otherwise  acquire any shares of
their capital stock, other than

                  (i)      intercompany acquisitions of capital stock, or

                  (ii) in connection with the administration of employee benefit
         and dividend  reinvestment plans as in effect on the date hereof in the
         ordinary course of the operation of such plans.

                  Section 7.3 Issuance of Securities. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue,  agree to issue,  deliver or
sell, or authorize or propose the  issuance,  delivery or sale of, any shares of
their  capital  stock  or  any  class  or any  securities  convertible  into  or
exchangeable for, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares
or convertible or exchangeable securities except for:

                  (a) the  issuance of common stock or other  securities  by the
Company  pursuant to the plans and  arrangements  listed in Schedule  6.3 of the
Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  in  each  case  in the  ordinary  course  of the
operation of such plans and arrangements in accordance with their current terms,

                  (b) shares  issued in  conversion,  exchange  or  exercise  of
existing  outstanding  securities  of the  Company  in  connection  with  rights
currently existing under such outstanding securities, or

                  (c)  issuances  by a wholly  owned  Subsidiary  of its capital
stock to the Company.

                  Section 7.4 Charter Documents.  The Company shall not amend or
propose to amend its Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws in any way adverse to
Parent.

                  Section  7.5 Capital  Expenditures.  Except as required by law
and except for those  expenditures  specifically  set forth in Schedule 7.5, the
Company  shall not,  nor shall it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  make any
capital  expenditures,  except  for  normal  extensions  to or  replacements  of
properties or in the ordinary course of business  consistent with prior practice
not in excess of $100,000 in the  aggregate;  or merge or  consolidate  with any
other person or acquire,  except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent
with prior practice, a material amount of assets of any other person.







                                      -29-

<PAGE>



                  Section 7.6 No  Dispositions.  Except as described in Schedule
7.6 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  the Company  shall not,  nor shall it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease,  license,  encumber or otherwise
dispose of any assets  that are  material,  except for normal  extensions  to or
replacements  or  dispositions  of properties in the ordinary course of business
consistent with prior practice.

                  Section 7.7 Intellectual  Property. The Company shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  dispose of or permit to lapse any
right to use any patent,  trademark,  assumed name,  service  mark,  trade name,
copyright,  license or  application  therefor  or dispose of or  disclose to any
person other than  representatives  of Parent and Sub any trade secret,  recipe,
formula,  process or know-how not theretofore a matter of public  knowledge that
is currently  used or in  reasonable  probability  will be used in the Company's
business.

                  Section  7.8   Liabilities and Obligations.

                  (a) The  Company  shall  not,  nor shall it permit  any of its
Subsidiaries to,  voluntarily incur any liabilities or obligations of any nature
whatsoever (whether absolute,  accrued,  contingent or otherwise and whether due
or to become due),  except for (i)  liabilities or  obligations  incurred in the
usual,  regular and ordinary course of business in substantially the same manner
as  heretofore  conducted  and  (ii)  liabilities  or  obligations  incurred  in
connection with the construction and operation of the Company's  restaurant that
is being constructed at the following  location:  4201 South Padre Island Drive,
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 (the "New Restaurant").

                  (b) The  Company  shall  not,  nor shall it permit  any of its
Subsidiaries to, pay, discharge or satisfy any claim, encumbrance,  liability or
obligation (whether absolute,  accrued,  contingent or otherwise and whether due
or to  become  due),  other  than the  payment,  discharge  or  satisfaction  of
liabilities  and  obligations  in the  usual,  regular  and  ordinary  course of
business in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted.

                  Section  7.9   Indebtedness.

                  (a) The  Company  shall  not,  nor shall it permit  any of its
Subsidiaries  to,  incur  or  guarantee  any  indebtedness  (including  any debt
borrowed or guaranteed or otherwise assumed, including,  without limitation, the
issuance of debt securities), except for:

                  (i)  short-term indebtedness  in the  ordinary course of busi-
         ness consistent with past practice,

                  (ii) long-term indebtedness in connection with the refinancing
         of existing  indebtedness  either at its stated  maturity or at a lower
         cost of funds,

                  (iii)  borrowings or letters of credit under  existing  credit
facilities, or






                                      -30-

<PAGE>



                  (iv)   borrowings   or  letters  of  credit,   not  to  exceed
         $2,500,000,  required to finance  construction and/or finish out of the
         New Restaurant.

                  (b) The  Company  shall  not,  nor shall it permit  any of its
Subsidiaries  to,  cancel  any  aggregate  amount of  indebtedness  in excess of
$10,000 or waive any claims or rights of value in excess of $10,000.

                  (c) The  Company  shall  not,  nor shall it permit  any of its
Subsidiaries  to, increase or change any assumptions  underlying,  or methods of
calculating, any bad debt, contingency or other reserves.

                  Section 7.10 Compensation, Benefits. Except as may be required
by  applicable  law or  the  provisions  of  any  Company  Benefit  Plan,  or as
contemplated by this  Agreement,  the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any
of its  Subsidiaries  to,  (without the consent of Sub, which may be withheld in
its sole  discretion)  enter into,  adopt or amend or increase  the amount of or
accelerate  the  payment or vesting of any benefit or amount  payable  under any
Company Benefit Plan or any other contract, agreement, commitment,  arrangement,
plan or policy maintained by, contributed to or entered into by the Company,  as
the case may be, or their respective  Subsidiaries,  or increase,  or enter into
any contract,  agreement,  commitment or  arrangement to increase in any manner,
the compensation or fringe benefits,  or otherwise to extend,  expand or enhance
the  engagement,  employment or any related  rights of any director,  officer or
other employee of the Company, or its respective Subsidiaries, except for normal
increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that,
in  the  aggregate,  do  not  result  in a  material  increase  in  benefits  or
compensation  expense  to  Parent or the  Company,  as the case may be, or their
respective  Subsidiaries,  or enter into or amend any employment,  severance, or
special pay  arrangement  with respect to the termination of employment or other
similar contract, agreement or arrangement with any director or officer or other
employee  other than in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice.

                  Section 7.11 Collective Bargaining. The Company shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any collective bargaining
or labor agreement.

                  Section 7.12 Loans and  Advances.  The Company  shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  pay,  loan or advance  any amount
(except  for  the  payment  of  salary  and  benefits)  to any of the  officers,
directors or  shareholders  of the Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of
their respective affiliates.

                  Section 7.13  Accounting.  The Company shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, make any  material  changes in its or their
accounting methods, except as required by law, rule, regulation or GAAP.







                                      -31-

<PAGE>



                  Section 7.14 Lease and  Purchase  Options.  The Company  shall
not, nor shall it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to permit the  expiration of,
any Lease option or option to purchase any property.

                  Section 7.15 Insurance. The Company shall, and shall cause its
Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially  responsible  insurance companies (or
through  self-insurance  not  inconsistent  with  such  party's  past  practice)
insurance in such amounts and against such risks and losses as are customary for
companies engaged in the same industry and such other businesses as conducted by
such party and its Subsidiaries.

                  Section  7.16  Permits.  The  Company  shall use  commercially
reasonable  best  efforts to maintain in effect all  existing  material  permits
pursuant to which the Company operates.

                  Section  7.17  Non-contravention.  The Company  shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  omit to do any act, or permit any
act or omission to act, which may cause a breach of any contract,  commitment or
obligation of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company,  or any breach of
any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company herein.

                  Section 7.18  Payments to Suppliers  and Vendors.  The Company
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, pre-pay any party for
amounts not yet due (except in the ordinary course of the Company's business and
consistent with past practice), or pay any party in a non-timely manner.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

                  Section 8.1 Cooperation,  Notification.  After the date hereof
and prior to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, Parent
shall,  and shall cause its  Subsidiaries  to, and the Company shall,  and shall
cause its Subsidiaries to:

                  (a) confer on a regular  and  frequent  basis with one or more
representatives  of the other party to discuss matters pertinent to the proposed
business combination,

                  (b) promptly notify the other party of any significant changes
in  its  business,  properties,  assets,  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),
prospects or results of operations,

                  (c) advise the other party of any change or event that has had
or, to the  knowledge  of such party,  would in  reasonable  probability  have a
Parent  Material  Adverse  Effect,  a Sub Material  Adverse  Effect or a Company
Material Adverse Effect, and

                  (d) consult  with each other prior to making any filings  with
any  state  or  federal  court,   administrative  agency,  commission  or  other






                                      -32-

<PAGE>


Governmental  Authority in connection  with this Agreement and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby, and promptly after each such filing provide the other with
a copy thereof.

                  Section  8.2  Third-Party  Consents.  Each of  Parent  and the
Company  shall,  and  shall  cause its  Subsidiaries  to,  use all  commercially
reasonable  best  efforts  to  obtain  all  third-party  consents  necessary  to
consummate the Merger, and specifically regarding the Leases, each of Parent and
the Company agree to use commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain prior to
the Closing all consents and landlord  approvals  necessary,  in the  reasonable
determination  of Parent,  to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby,
including,  without  limitation,  estoppel  certificates,  consents to leasehold
mortgage,  memoranda of leases and renewal  options.  All  consents  shall be in
writing and in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to Parent. Each party
shall promptly  notify the other party of any failure or prospective  failure to
obtain any such consents and, if requested by the other party,  shall provide to
the other party  copies of all such  consents,  as the case may be,  obtained by
such party.

                  Section  8.3   Access to Information.

                  (a) Upon reasonable notice, the Company shall, and shall cause
its Subsidiaries to, afford to the officers,  directors,  accountants,  counsel,
investment bankers, financial advisors, consultants and other representatives of
Parent (collectively,  the "Parent Personnel")  reasonable access, during normal
business hours  throughout the period prior to the Effective Time, to all of its
properties,  books,  contracts,  commitments  and  records,  including,  but not
limited to, Tax Returns,  but excluding (i) that  information that is restricted
by applicable confidentiality and secrecy agreements, (ii) that information that
a party may be  restricted  from  disclosing  under  applicable  law,  (iii) the
corporate  proceedings of the Company in considering the Merger or other similar
transactions in the past, and, during such period,  the Company shall, and shall
cause its Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to the other:

                  (i) a copy of each report,  schedule and other  document filed
         by it or any of its  Subsidiaries  with the SEC and any other  document
         pertaining  to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  filed  with any
         Governmental Authority that is not filed as an exhibit to an SEC filing
         or described in an SEC filing, and

                  (ii) all  information  concerning  itself,  its  Subsidiaries,
         directors,  officers  and  shareholders  and  such  matters  as  may be
         reasonably   requested  by  Parent  in  connection  with  any  filings,
         applications or approvals required or contemplated by this Agreement.

In the event that any of the Parent Personnel desires to formally inspect any of
the Company's restaurants,  such Parent Personnel shall provide reasonable prior
notice  (which may be oral) to the Company of such  desire and shall  reasonably
cooperate  with the  Company  in  making  such  inspections  and  tours so as to
minimize  the  disruptive  effect  thereof  on the  operations  of the  affected
restaurants.







                                      -33-

<PAGE>



                  Section  8.4   Regulatory Matters.

                  (a) HSR Filings.  Each party hereto shall, in cooperation with
the other,  file or cause to be filed with the Federal Trade  Commission and the
Department of Justice any notifications required to be filed by their respective
"ultimate  parent  entities"  under the HSR Act,  and the rules and  regulations
promulgated  thereunder with respect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.
Each party hereto shall notify the other  immediately upon receiving any request
for  additional  information  from either of such  agencies with respect to such
filings and shall respond promptly to any such requests.

                  (b)      Other Regulatory Approvals.

                  (i) Each party hereto shall cooperate and use its commercially
         reasonable  best  efforts  promptly to prepare  and file all  necessary
         permits,  consents,  approvals and  authorizations  of all Governmental
         Authorities and all other persons  necessary or advisable to consummate
         the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  including,  without
         limitation, the Company Required Statutory Approvals.

                  (ii)  Parent  shall  have the right to review  and  approve in
         advance all characterizations of the information relating to Parent, on
         the one hand,  and the  Company  shall  have the  right to  review  and
         approve in advance all characterizations of the information relating to
         the Company,  on the other hand,  in either  case,  which appear in any
         filing made in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated by this
         Agreement or the Merger.

                  (iii) The Company and Parent shall each consult with the other
         with  respect  to the  obtaining  of all such  necessary  or  advisable
         permits,   consents,   approvals  and  authorizations  of  Governmental
         Authorities.

                  Section  8.5   Shareholder Approval; Proxy Materials.

                  (a) The  Company  and  Parent  will,  as  soon as  practicable
following the execution of the Agreement,  prepare and file the Proxy  Statement
with the SEC. The Company will use all  commercially  reasonable best efforts to
respond to all SEC comments with respect to the Proxy Statement and to cause the
Proxy  Statement  to be mailed to the  Company's  shareholders  at the  earliest
practicable date.

                  (b) The Company and Sub will, as soon as practicable following
the execution of this  Agreement,  duly call,  give notice of,  convene and hold
meetings  of the Sub's and the  Company's  shareholders,  respectively,  for the
purpose of approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. At
the  Company's  shareholders  meeting,  Parent  shall cause all of the shares of
Company  Common  Stock  then owned by Parent and Sub to be voted in favor of the
Merger.






                                      -34-

<PAGE>



                  (c)   Cooperation.   Parent  shall  furnish  all   information
concerning  itself, Sub and its other Subsidiaries that is required or customary
for inclusion in the Proxy Materials.

                  Section  8.6   Indemnification;   Directors'   and   Officers'
Insurance.

                  (a) The Company shall,  and from and after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person
who is now,  or has been at any time  prior to the date  hereof  or who  becomes
prior to the Effective Time, an officer or director of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified  Parties") against all losses,  claims,  damages,
costs,  expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees  and  expenses),  liabilities  or
judgments  or  amounts  that are paid in  settlement  with the  approval  of the
indemnifying party (which approval shall not be unreasonably  withheld) of or in
connection  with any  threatened or actual claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding or
investigation based in whole or in part on or arising in whole or in part out of
the fact that such  person is or was a director or officer of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries whether pertaining to any matter existing or occurring at or
prior to the Effective Time or any acts or omissions occurring or existing at or
prior to the Effective  Time and whether  asserted or claimed prior to, or at or
after, the Effective Time ("Indemnified Liabilities"), including all Indemnified
Liabilities based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of,
or pertaining to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in each
case subject to the limitations, terms and conditions set forth in the Company's
Articles of  Incorporation  and  Bylaws) as in effect on June 28,  1998  (unless
otherwise limited by the applicable provisions of the TBCA); provided,  however,
that the  procedure for  indemnification  (if not in conflict with the Company's
Articles of  Incorporation  and Bylaws,  as in effect on June 28,  1998,  or the
TBCA)  shall  be set  forth  below.  In  addition  to  the  foregoing  right  to
indemnification,  the Company and the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be,
shall  promptly pay all expenses upon receipt of evidence of the same in advance
of the final  disposition  of any such action or proceeding to each  Indemnified
Party  subject to the  limitations,  terms and the  conditions  set forth in the
Company's  current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as in effect on June 28,
1998 (unless  otherwise  limited by the applicable  provisions of the TBCA).  In
connection  with the  foregoing,  in the event  any such  claim,  action,  suit,
proceeding or investigation is brought against any Indemnified  Parties (whether
arising before or after the Effective  Time),  (i) the  Indemnified  Parties may
retain legal counsel  satisfactory  to them and reasonably  satisfactory  to the
Company (or to them and  reasonably  satisfactory  to the Surviving  Corporation
after the  Effective  Time) and the Company (or after the  Effective  Time,  the
Surviving  Corporation)  shall  pay all  reasonable  fees and  expenses  of such
counsel  for  the  Indemnified  Parties  promptly  as  statements  therefor  are
received,  and (ii) the  Company (or after the  Effective  Time,  the  Surviving
Corporation) will use all commercially  reasonable best efforts to assist in the
vigorous  defense  of any such  matter  (but  shall not be  required  to provide
additional  legal counsel),  provided that neither the Company nor the Surviving
Corporation  shall be  liable  for any  settlement  effected  without  its prior
written  consent  (which  consent  shall  not  unreasonably  be  withheld).  Any
Indemnified Party wishing to claim  indemnification under this Section 8.6, upon
learning of any such claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding or investigation,  shall
notify the Company (or after the  Effective  Time,  the  Surviving  Corporation)
(provided  that the  failure  so to notify  shall  relieve  the  Company  or the
Surviving Corporation,  as the case may be, from any liability which it may have
under this  Section 8.6 to the extent  such  failure  prejudices  the Company or






                                      -35-

<PAGE>


Surviving  Corporation's  position with respect to such claims). The Indemnified
Parties as a group may retain only one law firm to  represent  them with respect
to each such matter unless there is, under applicable  standards of professional
conduct, a conflict on any significant issue between the positions of any two or
more  Indemnified  Parties  in which  case  such  additional  counsel  as may be
required (as shall be reasonably  determined by the Indemnified  Parties and the
Company or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be) may be retained by the
Indemnified  Parties  at the cost  and  expense  of the  Company  (or  Surviving
Corporation).  The foregoing rights to indemnification  and the foregoing rights
to advances of expenses incurred in defense existing in favor of the Indemnified
Parties with respect to matters  occurring  through the  Effective  Time,  shall
survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect for not less than
six  years  from the  Effective  Time;  provided,  however,  that all  rights to
indemnification  in  respect of any  Indemnified  Liabilities  asserted  or made
within such period shall  continue  until the  disposition  of such  Indemnified
Liabilities.  Furthermore,  the provisions with respect to  indemnification  set
forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall not be
amended for a period of six years following the Effective Time if such amendment
would materially and adversely  affect the rights  thereunder of individuals who
at any time prior to the Effective Time were directors,  officers,  employees or
agents of the Company in respect of actions or  omissions  occurring at or prior
to the Effective Time. This agreement is intended to provide  protection that is
no greater than that afforded by the  Company's  Articles of  Incorporation  and
Bylaws,  as in  existence  on the date  hereof.  The  Company  (and,  after  the
Effective  Time,  the  Surviving  Corporation)  shall pay all  costs  (including
attorneys fees) incurred by any Indemnified Party in any lawsuit brought in good
faith to enforce the  provisions  of this Section  8.6, or to enforce  rights to
indemnification under the Company's (or Surviving Corporations,  as the case may
be) Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or under applicable law.

                  (b)  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,   with  respect  to  any
Indemnified  Party,  "Indemnified  Liabilities"  shall not  include  any  matter
arising  as a  result  of,  or in  connection  with,  any  breach  of any of the
representations and warranties set forth in Article VI hereof.

                  (c) For a period of six years after the  Effective  Time,  the
Surviving  Corporation  shall  cause to be  maintained  in  effect  the  current
policies of  directors'  and  officers'  liability  insurance  maintained by the
Company  and its  Subsidiaries  (provided  that the  Surviving  Corporation  may
substitute  therefor  policies  of  at  least  the  same  coverage  and  amounts
containing terms and conditions  which are no less  advantageous in any material
respect to the Indemnified Parties),  with respect to matters arising before and
omissions  occurring or existing at or prior to the Effective Time including the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (d) The Surviving  Corporation shall perform and discharge its
obligations under this Section 8.6 and its indemnification obligations under the
Surviving   Corporation's   Articles  of  Incorporation  and  Bylaws  and  under
applicable law.

                  (e) The provisions of this Section 8.6 are for the benefit of,
and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified  Party, his heirs and his personal
representatives  as if such  Indemnified  Party were a party hereto and shall be
binding on all  successors  and assigns of Sub,  the  Company and the  Surviving







                                      -36-

<PAGE>


Corporation;  provided,  however,  that neither Parent nor its affiliates  shall
bring any action  against any  Indemnified  Parties on their own account for any
breaches of the representations and warranties set forth in Article VI hereof.

                  (f)   Notwithstanding   anything  in  this  Agreement  to  the
contrary, in no circumstance shall Parent be obligated to contribute capital (or
otherwise fund) the Surviving  Corporation's  indemnification  obligations under
this  Section  8.6,  it being the intent of the  parties  to look  solely to the
assets of the Surviving Corporation therefor.

                  Section  8.7   Disclosure Schedule.

                  (a) On or  prior to the date of this  Agreement,  the  Company
shall have delivered to Parent the Company Disclosure Schedule.

                  (b) The Company Disclosure  Schedule when so delivered,  shall
constitute  an integral part of this  Agreement and each schedule  therein shall
modify or otherwise affect all of the representations,  warranties, covenants or
agreements of the Company contained herein.  The Company,  acting reasonably and
in good faith, will supplement and/or amend the Company  Disclosure  Schedule to
reflect  changes in facts  occurring after the date hereof which, if existing on
the  date of this  Agreement,  would  have  been  required  to be set  forth  or
described in the Company Disclosure  Schedule.  Parent and Sub shall be entitled
to treat any such  supplemental  disclosures  by the  Company as a breach of the
appropriate  representation  or warranty,  whether or not the event or condition
giving rise to such supplemental  disclosure occurred on or prior to the date of
this Agreement, unless such supplementation is a result of any of the activities
not prohibited by Article VII of this Agreement.

                  (c) Any and all  statements,  representations,  warranties  or
disclosures set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to have
been made on and as of the date of this Agreement and, again, at the Closing.

                  Section  8.8 Public  Announcements.  The  Company,  on the one
hand, and Parent and Sub, on the other hand,  shall cooperate with each other in
the  development  and  distribution  of  all  news  releases  and  other  public
information   disclosures   with  respect  to  this  Agreement  or  any  of  the
transactions  contemplated hereby and shall not issue any public announcement or
statement  with  respect  thereto  prior to  consultation  with the other party,
except  that each  party may  respond to  questions  from  shareholders  and may
respond to inquiries  from  financial  analysts and media  representatives  in a
manner consistent with its past practice and each party may make such disclosure
as may be required by applicable law or by  obligations  pursuant to any listing
agreement  with any  national  securities  exchange  or Nasdaq  National  Market
without prior  consultation  to the extent such  consultation  is not reasonably
practicable.  The parties agree that the initial press release or releases to be
issued in  connection  with the  execution of this  Agreement  shall be mutually
agreed upon prior to the issuance thereof.







                                      -37-

<PAGE>



                  Section 8.9 Stock Option,  Stock Purchase and Bonus Plans. The
following provisions shall apply to each stock option plan, stock purchase plan,
bonus plan,  deferred  compensation  plan and similar plans of the Company under
which the  delivery of Company  Common Stock is required to be used for purposes
of the payment of benefits, grant of awards or exercise of options, all of which
are described in Schedule 6.3 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule.  The Company
shall take such action as may be  necessary  so that (i) from and after the date
hereof,  except  as set  forth in  Schedule  6.3,  no  further  grants of stock,
options,  or other rights  shall be made under the Stock  Plans,  and (ii) on or
before the Effective Time each outstanding  option or restricted stock award (or
any other right to stock) that remains  unexercised  or unvested under the Stock
Plans as of the  Effective  Time shall be canceled at or prior to the  Effective
Time in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.5.

                  Section  8.10   No Solicitations.

                  (a) The Company  shall not,  and shall cause its  Subsidiaries
not to, permit any of its  representatives to, and shall use its best efforts to
cause  such  persons  not to,  directly  or  indirectly,  initiate,  solicit  or
encourage,  or take any action to facilitate the making of any inquiry, offer or
proposal that constitutes or in reasonable probability will lead to any Takeover
Proposal with respect to the Company.

                  (b) The Company  shall notify  Parent orally and in writing of
any such inquiries, offers or Takeover Proposals (including, without limitation,
the terms and  conditions  of any such  proposal  and the identity of the person
making it) within one business day of the receipt thereof.

                  (c) The  Company  shall  immediately  cease  and  cause  to be
terminated all existing activities,  discussions and negotiations,  if any, with
any other persons  conducted  heretofore  with respect to any Takeover  Proposal
regarding the Company,  and inform such other persons of its  obligation in this
Section 8.10.

                  (d)  Notwithstanding  anything  in  this  Section  8.10 to the
contrary:

                  (i) The Company may, prior to the vote of the  shareholders of
         the Company  for  approval  of the Merger  (and not  thereafter  if the
         Merger is  approved  thereby) in  response  to an  unsolicited  request
         therefor, furnish information, including non-public information, to any
         person or  "group"  (within  the  meaning of  Section  13(d)(3)  of the
         Exchange Act) pursuant to a confidentiality  agreement on substantially
         the same terms as  provided  in the  Confidentiality  Agreement  to the
         extent  and only to the  extent  that the  Board  of  Directors  of the
         Company  determines that the requester is offering a Superior  Takeover
         Proposal.

                  (ii) The Company may engage in  discussions  and  negotiations
         with  any  Person  or  group  that  has  made an  unsolicited  Takeover
         Proposal,  among other things,  to determine  whether such proposal (as
         opposed to any  further  negotiated  proposal)  is a Superior  Takeover
         Proposal and (ii) the Company may take and disclose to its shareholders
         a position  contemplated  by  Rule  14e-2(a)  following  the  Company's





                                      -38-

<PAGE>



         receipt of a Takeover  Proposal  that is in the form of a tender offer
         under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act.

                  (iii) The Company  may  withdraw,  adversely  modify or take a
         public  position   materially   inconsistent  with  its  recommendation
         referred to in Section  6.4(a) (which may include  making any statement
         required  by Rule  14e-2  under the  Exchange  Act) (a  "Recommendation
         Modification/Withdrawal")  if there exists a Takeover  Proposal and the
         Board of  Directors  of the  Company  determines  that it is a Superior
         Takeover Proposal.

                  (iv)   The   Company   may   make   a   "stop-look-and-listen"
         communication  with respect to a Takeover Proposal or this Agreement of
         the nature  contemplated  in, and  otherwise in compliance  with,  Rule
         14d-9  under the  Exchange  Act as a result  of  receiving  a  Takeover
         Proposal.

                  Section  8.11 No  Withdrawal  of  Recommendation.  Neither the
Board of Directors of the Company nor any  committee  thereof  shall,  except in
connection with the termination of this Agreement  pursuant to Section 10.1, (i)
withdraw or modify,  or propose to withdraw  or modify,  in a manner  adverse to
Parent or Sub the  approval or  recommendation  by the Board of Directors of the
Company or any such committee of this Agreement or the Merger or take any action
having  such  effect or (ii)  approve  or  recommend,  or  propose to approve or
recommend,  any  Takeover  Proposal  (other than a Superior  Takeover  Proposal,
subject to the rights and  obligations  of the parties  under  Sections 10.1 and
10.3).

                  Section 8.12 Expenses.  Subject to Section 10.4, all costs and
expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.

                  Section 8.13 Inventory. The Company agrees that, in aggregate,
at least $450,000 in food and beverage Inventory (valued on a cost basis) at the
Company's  restaurants will be part of the Company's assets to be transferred to
Sub at the  Closing  and  that,  during  the  period  between  the  date of this
Agreement and the Closing, the Company will continue to replenish such inventory
in good faith in  accordance  with the usual  practices  of the  business of the
Company. The Company agrees to allow Parent and Sub to take a physical inventory
of the food and beverage inventory within the week prior to the Closing Date (or
at another time shortly  before the Closing that is mutually  acceptable  to the
parties);  the Company may  designate one or more  representatives  to take such
physical inventory along with Parent's and/or Sub's representative(s).

                  Section  8.14   Covenant to Satisfy Conditions.

                  (a)  Each of  Parent,  Sub  and the  Company  shall  take  all
reasonable  actions  necessary,  to comply promptly with all legal  requirements
that may be imposed on it with respect to this Agreement.






                                      -39-

<PAGE>



                  (b)  Subject to the terms and  conditions  hereof,  and taking
into account the  circumstances  and giving due weight to the materiality of the
matter involved or the action required,  Parent,  Sub and the Company shall each
use their commercially  reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all
actions, and to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable
under  applicable  laws and  regulations  to consummate  and make  effective the
Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby (subject to the Company
Shareholders' Approval), including fully cooperating with the other in obtaining
the  Company   Required   Statutory   Approvals  and  all  other  approvals  and
authorizations  of  any  Governmental  Authorities  necessary  or  advisable  to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  Section 8.15 Strategic Consultations.  Between the date hereof
and the Effective  Time,  the Board of Directors and the officers of the Company
shall consult from time to time with members of the Board of Directors of Parent
with regard to the determination of the Company's strategic direction and shall,
when in the best interest of the Company,  adopt strategic  initiatives proposed
by such members of Parent's Board.

                  Section  8.16  Guaranty  of  Equity  of  Sub.  Subject  to the
fulfillment  of the  conditions  set  forth in  Section  9.1 and 9.2  (including
without  limitation  the  condition  that Parent  and/or Sub shall have received
transaction financing as specified in Section 9.2(h)),  Parent hereby guarantees
that, at the Effective  Time, Sub shall have, over and above the amount realized
from the financing as contemplated  by Section 9.2(h),  the amount of $5,000,000
in immediately  available funds available to it to allow Sub to fund the Payment
Fund under the terms of this Agreement.  Furthermore, Parent guarantees that Sub
shall have all funds necessary to satisfy  obligations,  if any,  arising on its
account under Section 10.4(a) hereof.

                  Section  8.17   Employee Benefit Matters; Severance.

                  (a)  Following  the  Closing,  Parent  shall,  to  the  extent
reasonably practicable, maintain the level of benefits provided to the employees
and all former employees of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  that is in effect
as of the date hereof (other than  benefits  under any Stock Plans) until Parent
shall  provide  benefits  to such  employees  and  former  employees  on a basis
consistent with the provision of benefits provided  otherwise to other employees
and former  employees  within the Parent system  (other than benefits  under any
stock  option  plans,  stock  purchase  plan or  deferred  compensation  plan or
arrangements of Parent or any affiliate of Parent within the Parent system).

                  (b) Parent shall  maintain and give effect to each  employment
severance  policy of the  Company  that is in effect as of the date  hereof with
respect to employees of the Company at the Closing  until the date on which such
employment  severance policy of the Company  terminates or expires in accordance
with its terms (which date is six months following the Effective Time).








                                      -40-

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   CONDITIONS

                  Section 9.1  Conditions  to Each Party's  Obligation to Effect
the Merger.  The  respective  obligations  of each party to effect the Merger or
cause the Merger to be effected shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior
to the Closing Date of the following conditions, except, to the extent permitted
by applicable  law, that such  conditions  may be waived in writing  pursuant to
Section 10.5:

                  (a) Shareholder Approval.  The Company Shareholders'  Approval
shall  have  been  obtained  on or  prior  to 90  days  after  the  date of this
Agreement.

                  (b) No  Injunction  or  Restraints.  No temporary  restraining
order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent  jurisdiction  preventing the  consummation  of the Merger shall be in
effect;  provided,  however,  that prior to invoking this condition,  each party
shall use all  commercially  reasonable  best  efforts to have any such  decree,
ruling, injunction or order vacated.

                  (c)  Statutory  Approvals.   The  Company  Required  Statutory
Approvals and the Parent Required  Statutory  Approvals shall have been obtained
at or prior to the Effective Time (or, in the case of the filings  required,  if
any,  under the HSR Act,  all  applicable  waiting  periods  and any  extensions
thereof shall have expired or otherwise been terminated).

                  Section  9.2  Conditions  to  Obligation  of  Parent to Effect
Merger.  The obligation of Parent to effect the Merger or cause the Merger to be
effected  shall  be  further  subject  to the  satisfaction,  on or prior to the
Closing Date, of the following conditions,  except as may be waived by Parent in
writing pursuant to Section 10.5:

                  (a)  Performance of  Obligations  of the Company.  The Company
shall have performed its agreements and covenants  contained in or  contemplated
by this  Agreement  required to be performed by it at or prior to the  Effective
Time, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 10.1(e).

                  (b)  Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement  shall be true and correct
as of the  Closing  Date as if made on and as of the  Closing  Date,  except  as
otherwise contemplated by Section 10.1(g).

                  (c)  Closing  Certificates.   Parent  shall  have  received  a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company,  dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, to each such officer's
knowledge,  the conditions set forth in Sections  9.2(a),  (b), (d) and (g) have
been satisfied.






                                      -41-

<PAGE>



                  (d) Company  Material  Adverse Change.  Since the date hereof,
there  shall not have been any  changes or events  which have  resulted or would
result,  so far as can be  reasonably  foreseen,  in a net change to the Company
that has or in  reasonable  probability  will  have a Company  Material  Adverse
Effect.

                  (e)   Opinion  of   Jenkens  &   Gilchrist,   a   Professional
Corporation.  Parent shall have  received an opinion of Jenkens &  Gilchrist,  a
Professional  Corporation,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Parent,  addressed to Parent and dated the Closing  Date,  which  opinion may be
based on appropriate representations of the Company.

                  (f) Company Required  Consents.  The Company Required Consents
shall have been obtained except those that, if not received or obtained,  in the
aggregate  would not in  reasonable  probability  result  in a Company  Material
Adverse Effect.

                  (g) No Litigation.  There shall not be threatened,  instituted
or pending any suit,  action,  investigation,  inquiry or other proceeding by or
before any court or governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency or
commission  requesting  or looking  toward an order,  judgment  or decree  that,
individually  or in  the  aggregate,  would  in  reasonable  probability  have a
Material  Adverse Effect on the business,  operations,  condition  (financial or
otherwise), liabilities, assets or earnings of the Surviving Corporation.

                  (h)  Financing.  Subject  to the  qualifications  set forth in
Section  10.2,  Parent  and/or  Sub shall  have  obtained  secured  senior  debt
financing for the  transactions  contemplated  hereby in an aggregate amount not
less than $30,000,000, on terms which are reasonable and satisfactory to them.

                  (i) Termination of Unexercised  Rights Under Stock Plans. Each
outstanding  option or restricted stock award (or any other right to stock) that
remains unexercised or unvested under the Stock Plans shall have been terminated
under the provisions of Section 3.5.

                  (j) Documents. All documents to be delivered by the Company to
Parent and Sub at the Closing  shall be duly  executed and in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Parent and Sub.

                  (k)  Other.  Parent  and Sub shall  have  received  such other
documents  or  certificates  as Parent and Sub may  reasonably  have  requested,
including,  without  limitation,  certificates  of good standing with respect to
each of the Company and its Subsidiaries  from the appropriate  authority in its
jurisdiction of incorporation  and certificates of good standing with respect to
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries from the appropriate  authority in each
jurisdiction in which it is qualified to do business.






                                      -42-

<PAGE>



                  Section 9.3  Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect
the  Merger.  The  obligation  of the  Company to effect the Merger or cause the
Merger to be effected shall be further subject to the satisfaction,  on or prior
to the Closing Date, of the following conditions, except as may be waived by the
Company in writing pursuant to Section 10.5.

                  (a)  Performance of  Obligations of Parent.  Parent shall have
performed its  agreements  and covenants  contained in or  contemplated  by this
Agreement  required to be  performed  by it at or prior to the  Effective  Time,
except as otherwise contemplated by Section 10.1(d).

                  (b)  Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and
warranties  of  Parent  and Sub set  forth in this  Agreement  shall be true and
correct as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date,  except
as otherwise contemplated by Section 10.1(d).

                  (c) Closing  Certificates.  The Company  shall have received a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of
Parent, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, to such officers' knowledge,
the conditions set forth in Sections 9.3(a) and (b) have been satisfied.

                  (d) Opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P..  The Company shall have
received an opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., in form and substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to the  Company,  addressed  to the  Company and dated the Closing
Date,  which opinion may be based on appropriate  representations  of Parent and
Sub.

                  (e) Fairness  Opinion.  The opinion delivered and addressed to
the Board of Directors on the date hereof by NationsBanc  Montgomery  Securities
shall not have been withdrawn.

                  (f) Documents.  All documents to be delivered by Parent or Sub
to the Company at the Closing  shall be duly  executed and in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

                  (g)  Other.   The  Company  shall  have  received  such  other
documents  or  certificates  as  the  Company  may  reasonably  have  requested,
including,  without  limitation,  certificates  of good standing with respect to
each of Parent and Sub from the  appropriate  authority in its  jurisdiction  of
incorporation  and  certificates of good standing with respect to each of Parent
and Sub from  the  appropriate  authority  in each  jurisdiction  in which it is
qualified to do business.






                                      -43-

<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE X

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

                  Section 10.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger may be abandoned  at any time prior to the  Effective  Time,  whether
before or after approval of the matters  presented in connection with the Merger
by the shareholders of the Company contemplated by this Agreement:

                  (a)      by mutual written consent of the Company and Parent;

                  (b) by the  Company or Parent so long as the Company or Parent
(as  the  case  may  be) is not  then  in  material  breach  of its  obligations
hereunder,  if the Merger shall not have been  consummated on or before 100 days
after the date of this Agreement;  provided, however, that this Agreement may be
extended by written  notice of either  Parent or the Company to a date not later
than 130 days after the date of this  Agreement,  if the  Merger  shall not have
been  consummated  as a direct result of the  conditions  in Section  9.1(a) and
Section 9.1(c);  provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
Section  10.1 shall not be  available to the Company (or Parent) as the case may
be if its  failure to fulfill any  obligation  under this  Agreement  has been a
cause of or  resulted  in the  failure of the Merger to occur on or before  such
date;

                  (c)  by  either  the  Company  or  Parent  if  any   permanent
injunction or other order of a court or other competent authority preventing the
consummation of the Merger shall have become final and non-appealable;

                  (d) by the  Company  so long  as the  Company  is not  then in
material breach of its obligations hereunder,  if there has been a breach of any
representation,  warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Parent set forth
in this  Agreement  which  breach has not been  cured  within 20  calendar  days
following  receipt by the breaching party of notice of such breach,  unless such
breach could not,  individually  or in the  aggregate  with other  breaches,  in
reasonable  probability  materially  adversely affect the ability of the parties
hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

                  (e) by Parent so long as Parent is not then in material breach
of its  obligations  hereunder,  if there has been a breach of any  covenant  or
agreement  on the part of the Company set forth in this  Agreement  which breach
has not been cured within 20 calendar  days  following  receipt by the breaching
party of notice of such breach, unless such breach could not, individually or in
the  aggregate  with  other  breaches,  in  reasonable   probability  materially
adversely   affect  the  ability  of  the  parties   hereto  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby;

                  (f) by the  Company,  if (i) the  Board  of  Directors  of the
Company  shall have accepted a Superior  Takeover  Proposal and (ii) the Company
shall have paid the termination fee set forth in Section 10.4(b);






                                      -44-

<PAGE>



                  (g) by Parent or Sub if the amount of the Net Adverse  Effects
(as defined below) from breaches of the Company's representations and warranties
and statements identified by Parent or Sub prior to the Closing, if any, exceeds
$1,000,000.  "Net Adverse Effects" shall mean the net aggregate  adverse effects
on the  reasonably  determined  valuation by Parent of the business  operations,
properties   (including   intangible   properties),   condition   (financial  or
otherwise),  assets, obligations or liabilities (whether absolute, contingent or
otherwise and whether due or to become due) of the Company and its  Subsidiaries
or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

                  (h) by  Parent if (i) the Board of  Directors  of the  Company
makes a Recommendation Modification/Withdrawal or (ii) the Company enters into a
definitive  agreement  for a Superior  Takeover  Proposal or any other  Takeover
Proposal.

                  Section  10.2   Termination In Connection with Certain Financ-
ing Events.

                  (a) Parent has received the draft  funding  commitment  letter
from AMRESCO Commercial Finance,  Inc.  ("AMRESCO") attached hereto as Exhibit B
(the "AMRESCO Letter") and the proposal from U.S.  Restaurant  Properties,  Inc.
("USRP") attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "USRP Letter").

                  (b) Parent is herewith  depositing  the amount of $250,000 and
agrees to deposit an  additional  $250,000  on Day 60 (as  defined  below)  (the
aggregate  amount of such $500,000  being termed the "Escrow  Fund") into escrow
with Texas Bank for the  purposes of this Section  10.2 in  accordance  with the
terms  of the  Escrow  Agreement  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  D (the  "Escrow
Agreement").

                  (c) Parent shall use its commercially  reasonable best efforts
to  cause  AMRESCO  to (on or  prior  to the  30th  day  after  the date of this
Agreement  ("Day 30")) (i) remove  from the AMRESCO  Letter,  as  conditions  to
AMRESCO's funding commitment thereunder, the conditions that AMRESCO (1) receive
a satisfactory  valuation  report from its  appraisers  regarding the collateral
securing AMRESCO's loan, (2) receive all material required by it to complete its
due diligence and (3) find such  material to be in all things  satisfactory  and
then (ii)  execute  and  deliver  to  Parent  and Sub the  AMRESCO  Letter as so
modified (such events being termed the "AMRESCO Day 30 Events").

                  (d) Parent shall use its commercially  reasonable best efforts
to cause USRP to (on or prior to Day 30) (i)  remove  from the USRP  Letter,  as
conditions to USRP's funding,  the conditions that USRP (1) retain an inspection
and review period,  (2) receive all material  required by it to complete its due
diligence and (3) find such material to be in all things  satisfactory  and then
(ii)  execute  and deliver to Parent and Sub a funding  commitment  on the terms
outlined in the USRP Letter as so modified  (such  events being termed the "USRP
Day 30 Events").

                  (e) Parent shall use its commercially  reasonable best efforts
to cause  (on or prior to the 60th day after  the date of this  Agreement  ("Day
60"))  each of AMRESCO  and USRP to  deliver  to Parent  and Sub a firm  funding







                                      -45-

<PAGE>


commitment  (containing  the financial  terms of the AMRESCO Letter and the USRP
Letter,  respectively)  that is conditioned  only on (i) the delivery of closing
documentation and (ii) the accuracy,  in all material respects, of the Company's
representations and warranties hereunder (a "Firm Commitment").

                  (f) In  addition  to the  provisions  of  Section  10.1,  this
Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to
the Effective Time:

                  (i) by the Company,  at any time during the five business days
         immediately  following  Day 30, as long as the  Company  is not then in
         material breach of its obligations  hereunder and as long as the amount
         of  the  Net  Adverse   Effects   from   breaches   of  the   Company's
         representations   and  warranties   and  statements   does  not  exceed
         $1,000,000, if either the AMRESCO Day 30 Events have not occurred on or
         prior to the date of such  termination  or the USRP Day 30 Events  have
         not occurred on or prior to the date of such termination; and

                  (ii) by the Company, at any time during the five business days
         immediately  following  Day 60, as long as the  Company  is not then in
         material breach of its obligations  hereunder and as long as the amount
         of  the  Net  Adverse   Effects   from   breaches   of  the   Company's
         representations and warranties and statements do not exceed $1,000,000,
         if either AMRESCO or USRP has not delivered to Parent a Firm Commitment
         on or prior to the date of such termination.

                  Section   10.3  Effect  of   Termination.   In  the  event  of
termination  of this  Agreement  by either the  Company or Parent as provided in
Section 10.1 or Section 10.2,  this Agreement  shall  forthwith  become void and
there shall be no  liability  or  obligation  on the part of Parent,  Sub or the
Company or their  respective  affiliates,  officers,  directors or  shareholders
except (i) with  respect to the  provisions  of Section 10.4 or Section 3 of the
Escrow Agreement,  as applicable,  and (ii) that, subject to the last proviso of
Section 10.4(a),  no such termination shall relieve any party from liability for
any  willful   breach   hereof.   Parent  further  agrees  that  following  such
termination, it shall continue to be bound under all of the terms and conditions
contained in the Confidentiality Agreement.

                  Section 10.4 Payment of Expenses and Termination Fee.

                  (a) Damages  Payable Upon  Termination.  If this  Agreement is
terminated  pursuant to Section  10.1(d),  (e) or (g), then the breaching  party
shall  promptly  (but in no event later than five business days after receipt of
notice that the amount is due from the other party) pay to the other  party,  as
liquidated  damages,  an amount in cash equal to the out-of-pocket  expenses and
fees  incurred by the other  party  after the date hereof  arising out of, or in
connection  with or related to, the Merger or the  transactions  contemplated by
this  Agreement  not in  excess  of  $500,000  (the  "Out-of-Pocket  Expenses");
provided,  however,  that if this Agreement is terminated by a party as a result
of a willful breach of a representation,  warranty, covenant or agreement by the
other party, the non-breaching  party may pursue any remedies available to it at
law or in equity (subject,  however, to the last proviso of this Section 10.4(a)







                                      -46-

<PAGE>


and the arbitration  provisions of Section 11.10 hereof) and shall, in addition,
to the amount of Out-of-Pocket  Expenses set forth above, be entitled to recover
such additional amounts as such  non-breaching  party may be entitled to receive
at law or in equity  (subject,  however,  to the last  proviso  of this  Section
10.4(a) and the  arbitration  provisions  of Section  11.10  hereof);  provided,
further,  that the payment by Parent of any Out-of-  Pocket  Expenses  under the
terms of this Section  10.4(a) and any amounts  required  under Section 3 of the
Escrow  Agreement  shall  constitute  the Company's  sole and  exclusive  remedy
against  Parent  or Sub  for any  failure  by the  parties  (or  any  party)  to
consummate the Merger.

                  (b)  Termination  Fee. In the event that (x) this Agreement is
terminated by the Company  pursuant to Section  10.1(f),  (y) this  Agreement is
terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 10.1(h), or (z) the Company accepts any
Takeover  Proposal (or Superior  Takeover  Proposal) within two years after this
Agreement is terminated  by Parent  pursuant to Section  10.1(e),  then, in each
such  case,  the  Company  shall  pay  Parent a fee  equal to the sum of (i) One
Million  Five  Hundred   Thousand   Dollars   ($1,500,000)   and  (ii)  Parent's
Out-of-Pocket  Expenses,  which aggregate  amount (the "Section 10.4(b) Amount")
the parties  acknowledge is a reasonable  estimate (albeit a low estimate) as of
the date of this  Agreement of the direct,  indirect and  opportunity  costs and
expenses  that Parent will incur in preparing  for the Closing and which Section
10.4(b)  Amount shall be payable by wire  transfer of same day funds within five
business days after the date of such  termination  (or in the case of (z) above,
the  amount of  $1,500,000  shall be paid  within  five days  after the  Company
accepts any Takeover Proposal or Superior Takeover Proposal,  the Out-of- Pocket
Expenses having already been paid). The Company acknowledges that the agreements
contained  in this  Section  10.4(b)  are an integral  part of the  transactions
contemplated in this Agreement,  and that, without these agreements,  Parent and
Sub would not enter into this  Agreement;  accordingly,  if the Company fails to
promptly pay the Section  10.4(b)  Amount due  pursuant to this Section  10.4(b)
and,  in order to obtain  such  payment,  Parent or Sub  commences  an action in
arbitration  that  results in a judgment  against the  Company for such  Section
10.4(b)  Amount,  the  Company  shall  pay to  Parent  its  costs  and  expenses
(including  attorneys'  fees) in  connection  with such  action in  arbitration,
together  with  interest on the Section  10.4(b)  Amount at the rate of 8.0% per
annum. In the event Parent has received the Section 10.4(b) Amount, it shall not
(i) assert or pursue in any manner,  directly or indirectly,  any claim or cause
of action based in whole or in part upon alleged tortious or other  interference
with  rights  under this  Agreement  against any entity or person  submitting  a
Takeover  Proposal  or  (ii)  assert  or  pursue  in  any  manner,  directly  or
indirectly,  any  Claim or cause of action  against  the  Company  or any of its
officers  or  directors  based in whole  or in part  upon its or their  receipt,
consideration,  recommendation  or  approval  of a  Takeover  Proposal  for  the
Company's exercise of its right of termination.

                  Section  10.5  Amendment.  Subject  to  applicable  law,  this
Agreement may be amended,  modified or supplemented only by written agreement of
Parent, Sub and the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date with respect
to any of the terms contained herein.

                  Section  10.6  Extension;  Waiver.  At any  time  prior to the
Effective Time, the parties hereto,  may, to the extent legally allowed and only
if agreed to by all parties  hereto:  (i) extend the time for the performance of
any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto; (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations  and warranties  contained herein  or in any






                                      -47-

<PAGE>



document  delivered  pursuant hereto; and (iii) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions  contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party
hereto to any such  extension  or waiver  shall be valid  only if set forth in a
written  instrument  signed on behalf of such  party.  The  failure of any party
hereto to assert any of its rights  hereunder  shall not  constitute a waiver of
such rights.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS


                  Section 11.1 Non-survival of  Representations  and Warranties.
The  representations  and  warranties in this Agreement  shall  terminate at the
Effective  Time.  This Section 11.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of
the  parties  hereto  that  by its  terms  contemplates  performance  after  the
Effective Time.

                  Section  11.2   Brokers.

                  (a) The  Company  represents  and  warrants  that,  except for
NationsBanc  Montgomery  Securities,  no broker,  finder or  investment  bank is
entitled to any  brokerage,  finder's or other fee or  commission  in connection
with the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement  based upon  arrangements
made by or on behalf of the Company.

                  (b)  Parent   represents  and  warrants  that  except  for  an
arrangement with El Chico Management Co., L.P. (for which the Company shall have
no  responsibility  or  obligation),  no broker,  finder or  investment  bank is
entitled to any  brokerage,  finder's or other fee or  commission  in connection
with the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement  based upon  arrangements
made by or on behalf of Parent.

                  Section  11.3  Notices . All notices and other  communications
hereunder  shall be in  writing  and  shall be  deemed  given  (a) if  delivered
personally,  or (b) if sent by overnight  courier service (receipt  confirmed in
writing),   or  (c)  if  delivered  by  facsimile   transmission  (with  receipt
confirmed),  or (d) five (5) days after being mailed by  registered or certified
mail (return  receipt  requested) to the parties,  in each case to the following
addresses  (or at such other  address for a party as shall be  specified by like
notice):

                  (i)      if to the Company:

                           Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc.
                           402 West Interstate 30
                           Garland, Texas  75043
                           Attention:  Robert Bodnar, Chief Financial Officer
                           Fax:  (972) 203-9594







                                      -48-

<PAGE>



                           with a copy to:

                           Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation
                           1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 3200
                           Dallas, Texas 75202
                           Attention: Ronald J. Frappier, Esq.
                           Fax: (214) 855-4300

                  (ii)     if to Parent or Sub:

                           Consolidated Restaurant Companies, Inc.
                           5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1450
                           Dallas, Texas 75225
                           Attention: John R.W. Cracken
                           Fax: (214) 785-7086

                           with a copy to:

                           Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
                           1717 Main Street, Suite 3700
                           Dallas, Texas 75201
                           Attention: J. Gregory Holloway
                           Fax: (214) 659-4401

                  Section 11.4  Interpretation.  When  reference is made in this
Agreement  to  Articles,  Sections or Exhibits,  such  reference  shall be to an
Article,  Section  or  Exhibit  of this  Agreement,  as the case may be,  unless
otherwise  indicated.  The table of  contents  and  headings  contained  in this
Agreement  are for  reference  purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or  interpretation  of this  Agreement.  Whenever  the words  "include,"
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation."

                  Section  11.5   Miscellaneous.

                  (a) This Agreement, including the Company Disclosure Schedule,
the Escrow Agreement and the other documents and instruments referred to herein,
(i) constitutes the entire  agreement and supersedes all other prior  agreements
and  understandings,  both written and oral, among the parties,  or any of them,
with  respect  to the  subject  matter  hereof  other  than the  Confidentiality
Agreement,  (ii) shall not be assigned by  operation  of law or  otherwise,  and
(iii) shall be  governed by and  construed  in  accordance  with the laws of the
State of Texas applicable to contracts  executed in and to be fully performed in
such State,  without giving effect to its conflicts of laws  statutes,  rules or
principles.

                  (b) The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision of
this  Agreement  shall not affect the  validity or  enforceability  of any other






                                      -49-

<PAGE>


provision of this  Agreement,  which shall remain in full force and effect.  The
parties  hereto shall  negotiate in good faith to replace any  provision of this
Agreement so held invalid or  unenforceable  with a valid  provision  that is as
similar as possible in substance to the invalid or unenforceable provision.

                  Section  11.6  Counterparts;  Effect.  This  Agreement  may be
executed  in one or more  counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed to be an
original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                  Section  11.7  Parties in Interest.  This  Agreement  shall be
binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto,  and,  except
for rights of  Indemnified  Parties and their heirs and  representatives  as set
forth in Section 8.6, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended
to confer upon any person any rights or remedies of any nature  whatsoever under
or by reason of this Agreement.

                  Section  11.8  Further  Assurances.  Each party  hereto  shall
execute such further  documents and instruments and take such further actions as
may reasonably be requested by any other party hereto in order to consummate the
Merger in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  Section  11.9   Governing Law.

                  (a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND EN-
FORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS
CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES.

                  (b) Any  controversy  or claim  arising  out of or relating to
this Agreement,  or the breach thereof,  shall be settled by binding arbitration
administered  by the  American  Arbitration  Association  (the "AAA")  under its
Commercial Arbitration Rules ("Rules"),  and shall be held in Dallas, Texas. Any
dispute  submitted  for  arbitration  shall  be  referred  to a panel  of  three
arbitrators.  The party or parties submitting ("Submitting Party") the intention
to arbitrate (the "Submission") shall nominate one arbitrator. Within 30 days of
receipt  of the  Submission,  the  party or  parties  receiving  the  Submission
("Answering Party") shall nominate one arbitrator.  If the Answering Party fails
to timely nominate an arbitrator,  then the second arbitrator shall be appointed
by the AAA in  accordance  with  the  Rules.  If the  arbitrator  chosen  by the
Submitting  Party and the  arbitrator  chosen by or selected  for the  Answering
Party can agree upon a neutral arbitrator within fifteen (15) days of the choice
or selection of the Answering  Party's  arbitrator,  then such individual  shall
serve as the third arbitrator.  If no such agreement is reached, a third neutral
arbitrator  shall be  appointed  by the AAA in  accordance  with the Rules.  The
parties agree that they will consent to an expedited proceeding under the Rules,
to the full extent the AAA can accommodate such a request.  Any disputes arising
in respect to arbitration may be resolved, and judgment on the award rendered by
the arbitrators  may be entered,  only in a Texas State District Court in Dallas
County,  Texas.  The ruling of the  arbitrators  shall be binding and conclusive
upon Parent, Sub and the Company and any person with an interest in the matter.






                                      -50-

<PAGE>



                  (c) In any proceeding regarding  Indemnification  Matters, all
direct,  reasonable costs and expenses  (including AAA  administration  fees and
arbitrator  fees)  incurred  by the  parties  to the  proceeding  shall,  at the
conclusion of the proceeding, be paid by the party incurring same.








                                      -51-

<PAGE>




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

                                      SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE ACQUISITION,
                                      INC.



                                       By:   /s/ John R. W. Cracken
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             John R. W. Cracken,
                                             President


                                       CONSOLIDATED RESTAURANT
                                       COMPANIES, INC.




                                       By:   /s/ E. Gene Street
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             E. Gene Street,
                                             Chairman of the Board, Chief
                                             Executive Officer and President

                                       SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE, INC.



                                       By:   /s/ Robert R. Hawk
                                             -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Robert R. Hawk
                                             -----------------------------------
                                       Title:Chairman of the Board, Chief
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Executive Officer and President
                                             -----------------------------------







                                      -52-

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 10.1



<PAGE>


                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

         THE  UNDERSIGNED,   Spaghetti  Warehouse,  Inc.,  a  Texas  corporation
("Seller"),  and Consolidated Restaurant Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Buyer"),  collectively referred to as the "Undersigned", in order to designate
Texas Bank (the "Escrow Agent"),  as the escrow agent of the Undersigned for the
purposes and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, do hereby represent
and warrant to, and agree with each other and the Escrow Agent, as follows:

                              PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

         Buyer has agreed to acquire  all of the  outstanding  capital  stock of
Seller through a merger of Spaghetti Warehouse Acquisition, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Buyer  ("Acquisition  Sub"),  with and into Seller (the  "Merger")
pursuant to the terms of a Merger Agreement dated as of even date herewith among
Buyer,  Acquisition Sub and Seller (the "Merger Agreement"),  a copy of which is
attached  hereto as Exhibit  "A".  All  capitalized  terms  used  herein and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Merger Agreement.

         1. Appointment.  The Escrow Agent is hereby  appointed escrow agent for
the Undersigned with  respect to the  "Escrow Fund" as  that term is  herein de-
fined.

         2. The  Escrow  Fund.  Concurrently  with the  execution  and  delivery
hereof,  Buyer has  delivered to the Escrow Agent in  accordance  with the terms
hereof the amount of Two  Hundred  Fifty  Thousand  Dollars  ($250,000)  and has
agreed to deliver to the Escrow  Agent in  accordance  with the terms  hereof an
additional  amount of Two Hundred Fifty  Thousand  Dollars  ($250,000) on Day 60
(which  aggregate  amount,  together  with any and all  interest or other income
earned  thereon  during the term  hereof,  is  referred to herein as the "Escrow
Fund") and direct that it be held and  disposed of by the Escrow Agent as herein
provided.

         3. Payment of Amounts from Escrow.

         (a) In the event that (i) the AMRESCO Day 30 Events do not occur or the
USRP Day 30 Events do not occur and (ii) Seller  terminates the Merger Agreement
pursuant to Section 10.2(f)(i) of the Merger Agreement, Seller shall be entitled
to receive  $100,000 from the Escrow Fund and Buyer shall be entitled to receive
the remainder (including all interest) from the Escrow Fund.

         (b) In the event that (i) the AMRESCO Day 30 Events do not occur or the
USRP Day 30 Events do not occur and (ii) either AMRESCO or USRP fails to deliver
a Firm  Commitment to Parent and (iii) Seller  terminates  the Merger  Agreement
pursuant  to  Section  10.2(f)(ii)  of the  Merger  Agreement,  Seller  shall be
entitled to receive $100,000 from the Escrow Fund and Buyer shall be entitled to
receive the remainder (including all interest) from the Escrow Fund.




<PAGE>



         (c) In the event that (i) the AMRESCO Day 30 Events  occur and the USRP
Day 30 Events occur and (ii) AMRESCO or USRP fails to deliver a Firm  Commitment
to Parent and (iii) Seller  terminates the Merger Agreement  pursuant to Section
10.2(f)(ii)  of the  Merger  Agreement,  Seller  shall be  entitled  to  receive
$250,000  from the  Escrow  Fund and Buyer  shall be  entitled  to  receive  the
remainder (including all interest) from the Escrow Fund.

         (d) In  the  event  that  each  of  AMRESCO  and  USRP  deliver  a Firm
Commitment  to  Parent,  but  the  Merger  is not  consummated  (other  than  in
connection with the failure of any of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 of
the Merger  Agreement or any of the  conditions  (other than the  condition  set
forth in Section 9.2(h) of the Merger Agreement) set forth in Section 9.2 of the
Merger Agreement),  Seller shall be entitled to receive $500,000 from the Escrow
Fund and Buyer  shall be  entitled  to  receive  the  remainder  (including  all
interest) from the Escrow Fund.

         (e) In the event that the Merger is  consummated,  the entire amount of
the Escrow Fund shall be applied to the Payment Fund at the Effective  Time as a
credit against Buyer's obligations to fund the Payment Fund.

         (f) In all other circumstances involving termination of this Agreement,
the entire  Escrow  Fund shall be  returned  to Buyer  promptly  following  such
termination.

         (g) The payments from the Escrow Fund described in this Section 3 shall
(together with the remedy set forth in Section 10.4(a) of the Merger  Agreement)
be  Seller's  sole and  exclusive  remedy  against  Buyer for any failure by the
parties (or any party) to consummate the Merger.

         4.       Escrow Agent's Duties and Authority to Act.

         (a) The Escrow  Agent must  receive  written  and  signed  notice  (the
"Notice")  from Buyer,  Seller,  or both before the Escrow  Agent shall have any
obligation  hereunder to deliver all or any part of the Escrow Fund.  The Notice
shall request delivery of all or part of the Escrow Fund based on the occurrence
of an event  described in, and in accordance with the terms of Section 3 of this
Escrow  Agreement.  Upon  receipt of the Notice given by either Buyer or Seller,
the Escrow Agent shall as soon as reasonably  practicable thereafter send a copy
of the Notice to the other party by hand delivery signed for by the other party.
Within 48 hours of receipt  by the other  party of the  Notice  (the  "Objection
Period"),  the other party may indicate its  objection to the delivery of all or
part of the Escrow Fund  pursuant to the Notice  either  orally or in writing to
the Escrow  Agent.  If the other  party  fails to object  within  the  Objection
Period,  then the Escrow Agent is hereby  authorized and directed to deliver all
or part of the Escrow Fund as requested  in the Notice.  If the other party does
object within the Objection Period,  then the Escrow Agent shall deliver no part
of the Escrow Fund to either  party until  directed to do so by either a writing
signed by both  Buyer and  Seller  or the  final  order of a court of  competent
jurisdiction.  Upon  receipt of such a writing or order,  or upon receipt of the
Notice if signed by both Buyer and Seller, the Escrow Agent is hereby authorized
and directed to deliver the Escrow Fund as directed in such writing,  order,  or
Notice. The Escrow Agent shall as soon as reasonably  practicable deliver all or
part of the Escrow Fund to the appropriate  party pursuant to this Section 4(a).



<PAGE>


In the event of objection  to the Notice by either  Buyer or Seller  pursuant to
this  Section  4(a),  the party that  ultimately  receives  the  Escrow  Fund in
accordance  with this  Section  4(a) shall be entitled to receive from the other
party,  as a  reasonable  current  estimate  of the  damages to be incurred as a
result of the  delivery  to the Escrow  Agent of  improper  Notice or  objection
thereto and not as a penalty,  an amount equal to 14% per annum of the amount of
the Escrow Fund  prorated  for the number of days between the date of the Notice
and the date the Escrow Fund is delivered to the prevailing party.

         (b) The Escrow Agent is authorized  and directed by the  Undersigned to
withhold from the Escrow Fund,  prior to distribution of said funds and prior to
termination  of  this  Escrow  Agreement,   reasonable   amounts  sufficient  to
compensate  it for all costs and  expenses  imposed  upon it as a result  of, in
connection  with, or arising on account of this Escrow  Agreement or as a result
of  litigation  or  threatened  litigation  arising on  account  of this  Escrow
Agreement and to reimburse it for  reasonable  attorney's  fees,  disbursements,
expenses, costs and damages, if any, suffered or incurred hereunder.

         5.  Standards  of  Care.  The  Undersigned  agree  that  the  following
provisions  shall  control  with  respect to the  rights,  duties,  liabilities,
privileges and immunities of the Escrow Agent:

         (a) The Escrow Agent is not a party to, and is not bound by, or charged
with notice of, any agreement out of which this escrow may arise.

         (b) The Escrow Agent acts  hereunder as a depository  only,  and is not
responsible or liable in any manner whatever for the  sufficiency,  correctness,
genuineness  or  validity  of the  subject  matter  of the  escrow,  or any part
thereof,  or for the form or execution thereof, or for the identity or authority
of any person executing or depositing it.

         (c) The Escrow  Agent  shall be  protected  in acting  upon any written
notice, request, waiver, consent, certificate, receipt, authorization,  power of
attorney  or other  paper or  document  which  the  Escrow  Agent in good  faith
believes to be genuine and what it purports to be.

         (d) The Escrow Agent may consult with legal counsel in the event of any
dispute or question as to the  construction  of any of the provisions  hereof or
its  duties  hereunder,  and it shall  incur  no  liability  and  shall be fully
protected  in acting in  accordance  with the opinion and  instructions  of such
counsel.

         (e) The  Escrow  Agent  shall not be liable for  anything  it may do or
refrain from doing in connection with this Escrow Agreement unless caused by its
own negligence, willful misconduct or omission.

         6.  Investments.  Escrow  Agent  shall  invest the Escrow  Fund in U.S.
government  securities  or mutual  funds that invest  solely in U.S.  government
securities.




<PAGE>



         7.  Termination.  This Escrow Agreement shall terminate without further
action of any party  when all of the terms  hereof  have been  fully  performed,
whereupon Escrow Agent's obligations hereunder shall then terminate.

         8. Arbitration and Choice of Law. THE  INTERPRETATION,  PERFORMANCE AND
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ESCROW  AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE
OF TEXAS,  WITHOUT  REGARD TO THE  CONFLICTS  OF LAWS  PRINCIPLES  THEREOF.  Any
controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Escrow Agreement, or the
breach  thereof,  shall be settled by binding  arbitration  administered  by the
American  Arbitration  Association (the "AAA") under its Commercial  Arbitration
Rules ("Rules"),  and shall be held in Dallas,  Texas. Any dispute submitted for
arbitration  shall be  referred  to a panel of three  arbitrators.  The party or
parties  submitting   ("Submitting  Party")  the  intention  to  arbitrate  (the
"Submission")  shall nominate one  arbitrator.  Within 30 days of receipt of the
Submission,  the party or parties receiving the Submission  ("Answering  Party")
shall nominate one  arbitrator.  If the Answering Party fails to timely nominate
an  arbitrator,  then the second  arbitrator  shall be  appointed  by the AAA in
accordance with the Rules. If the arbitrator  chosen by the Submitting Party and
the  arbitrator  chosen by or selected for the Answering  Party can agree upon a
neutral  arbitrator  within  fifteen  days of the  choice  or  selection  of the
Answering  Party's  arbitrator,  then such  individual  shall serve as the third
arbitrator. If no such agreement is reached, a third neutral arbitrator shall be
appointed by the AAA in accordance  with the Rules.  The parties agree that they
will consent to an expedited  proceeding under the Rules, to the full extent the
AAA  can  accommodate  such a  request.  Any  disputes  arising  in  respect  to
arbitration  may  be  resolved,  and  judgment  on  the  award  rendered  by the
arbitrators  may be  entered,  only in a Texas  State  District  Court in Dallas
County,  Texas,  and  each of the  parties  hereto  irrevocably  submits  to the
jurisdiction  of such court for such  purposes.  The  ruling of the  arbitrators
shall be binding and conclusive  upon all parties hereto and any other person or
entity with an interest in the matter.

         9.  Notice.  Any notice  required or  permitted  hereunder  shall be in
writing and shall be  sufficiently  given if  personally  delivered or mailed by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

         If to Buyer:

                  Consolidated Restaurant Companies, Inc.
                  5956 Sherry Lane
                  Suite 1450
                  Dallas, Texas 75225
                  Attention:  John R.W. Cracken

                  Copy to:

                           Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
                           1717 Main Street, Suite 3700
                           Dallas, Texas 75201
                           Attn:  J. Gregory Holloway


<PAGE>





         If to Seller:

                  Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc.
                  402 West Interstate 30
                  Garland, Texas 75043
                  Attention:  Robert Bodnar, Chief Financial Officer

                  Copy to:

                 Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation
                           1445 Ross Avenue
                           Suite 3200
                           Dallas, Texas 75202
                           Attention: Ronald J. Frappier, Esq.

         If to the Escrow Agent:

                  Texas Bank
                  400 Fisk Avenue
                  P.O. Box 1429
                  Brownwood, Texas 76804

(or to such other  address as may be stated in written  notice  furnished by any
party to the other party),  and shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the
date so personally delivered or mailed.






<PAGE>




         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this  Escrow
Agreement to be executed as of this 18th day of September, 1998.

                                  CONSOLIDATED RESTAURANT COMPANIES,
                                  INC.



                                   By:    /s/ E. Gene Street
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          E. Gene Street, Chairman of the Board,
                                          Chief Executive Officer and President


                                   SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE, INC.



                                   By:    /s/ Robert R. Hawk
                                          --------------------------------------
                                   Print Name:Robert R. Hawk
                                              ----------------------------------
                                   Title:Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Officer and President
                                         ---------------------------------------


         The Escrow  Agent  hereby  acknowledges  receipt of the Escrow Fund and
accepts the same subject to the terms and conditions of this Escrow Agreement on
this 18th day of September, 1998.

                                   TEXAS BANK



                                   By:    /s/ C. Norman Tinkler
                                          --------------------------------------
                                   Print Name:C. Norman Tinkler
                                              ----------------------------------
                                   Title:President and CEO
                                         ---------------------------------------



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