PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS LP
SC 13D/A, 1997-09-15
EATING PLACES
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<PAGE>   1

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                           ----------------------

                                SCHEDULE 13D

                      UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

                               AMENDMENT NO. 4

                      Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          (NAME OF SUBJECT COMPANY)

          Depositary Units Representing Limited Partners' Interests
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       (TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)

                                 714063 10 4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (CUSIP NUMBER OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)

                              Donald F. Wiseman
                      Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P.
                        6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 800
                             Memphis, TN  38119
                                (901)766-6400

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON
              AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS)

                             September 11, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (DATE OF EVENT WHICH REQUIRES FILING OF THIS STATEMENT)


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






<PAGE>   2
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         Perkins Restaurants, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  /X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         Minnesota
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  -0-
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               5,043,000
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        -0-
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        5,043,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,043,000 (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         HC        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 2 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   3
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         The Restaurant Company, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  /X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  -0-
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               5,043,000
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        -0-
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        5,043,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,043,000 (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         HC        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 3 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   4
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         Donald N. Smith
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  /X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  -0-
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               5,043,000
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        -0-
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        5,043,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,043,000 (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 4 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   5
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         Harrah's Operating Company, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  /X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  -0-
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               5,043,000
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        -0-
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        5,043,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,043,000 (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         CO        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 5 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   6
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  /X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         New York
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  -0-
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               5,043,000
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        -0-
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        5,043,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,043,000 (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IC, CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 6 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   7
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         The Equitable Companies Incorporated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  /X/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  -0-
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               5,043,000
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        -0-
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        5,043,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,043,000 (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         HC, CO        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 7 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   8
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         AXA-UAP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         HC, CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 8 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   9
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         FINAXA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         HC, CO        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 9 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   10
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         AXA Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IC        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 10 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   11
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 11 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   12
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IC        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 12 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   13
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         Alpha Assurances Vie Mutuelle
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IC        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 13 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   14
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         Claude Bebear, as AXA Voting Trustee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IN        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 14 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   15
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         Patrice Garnier, as AXA Voting Trustee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 15 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   16
                                    


CUSIP No.:   714063 10 4             13D         
          ----------------                       
================================================================================
1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
       S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         Henri de Clermont-Tonnerre, as AXA Voting Trustee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP               (a)  / /
                                                                      (b)  / /
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4      SOURCE OF FUNDS

         OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED            / /
       PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7      SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF              
SHARES                  (See Item 5)
BENEFICIALLY     ---------------------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY         8      SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH      
REPORTING               (See Item 5)
PERSON WITH      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER    
    
                        (See Item 5)
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                 10     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                        (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

         5,043,000 (See Item 5) (Not to be construed as an admission of
         beneficial ownership)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
       CERTAIN SHARES                                        / /
        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         48.6% (See Item 5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         IN        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           

                                                            Page 16 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>   17


     Pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) of Regulation 13D-G of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act")
the undersigned hereby amend their Schedule 13D statement dated October 24,
1986, as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3
thereto (as so amended, the "Schedule 13D"), relating to depositary units
representing limited partners' interests (the "Units") of Perkins Family
Restaurants, L.P. (the "Issuer").  Unless otherwise indicated, all capitalized
terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to
such terms in the Schedule 13D.

ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

     Approximately $75 million will be required to effect the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement (as defined below).  The source of such
funds is expected to be from borrowings by TRC or its affiliates.

ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

     On September 11, 1997, TRC and the Issuer entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which TRC would acquire the
Units of the Issuer that are not already owned by TRC through an all cash merger
(the "Merger").  Pursuant to the Merger, the public holders of Units would
receive $14.00 per Unit in cash.  The Merger is conditioned upon an affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Units voting on the Merger
other than Units held by TRC or its affiliates.

     The Merger also is subject to TRC's obtaining adequate financing for the
purchase price on terms acceptable to TRC.  The Merger is also subject to the
other terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, which is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.5 and is incorporated herein by this reference.  Under the
Merger Agreement, the Issuer will pay in November, 1997 a distribution of
$0.325 per Unit to Unitholders of record as of September 30, 1997 and will then
cease paying distributions through the Effective Time.  All references herein to
the Merger and the Merger Agreement are qualified by reference to the full text
of the Merger Agreement.

     The board of directors of the general partner of the Issuer has received
the opinion of Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. that the consideration to be
received by the public holders of Units is fair to such holders from a
financial point of view.

     The purpose of the Merger is for TRC to acquire all of the Units not
already owned by TRC or its affiliates.  As a result of the Merger, the Units
would cease to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Issuer would
cease to be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.  TRC anticipates that the Merger would be completed
before the end of the 1997 calendar year.

     The press release dated September 11, 1997 announcing the Merger Agreement
is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and is incorporated herein by this reference.


                                                            Page 17 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>   18



ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

     (a) PRI is the direct owner of 5,043,000 Units.  PRI is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of TRC.  Smith, HOC and Equitable Life are the owners (directly or
indirectly) of 33.2%, 33.2% and 28.1%, respectively, of the outstanding capital
stock of TRC.  By virtue of such ownership in TRC, Smith, HOC and Equitable
Life may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over all of the 
Units owned directly by PRI.

     Because of EQ's ownership interest in Equitable Life, EQ may be deemed,
for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Act, to beneficially own indirectly the
Units that may be deemed to be beneficially owned indirectly by Equitable Life.

     Because of AXA-UAP's ownership interest in EQ, and the AXA Voting
Trustees' power to vote the EQ shares placed in the AXA Voting Trust, each of
AXA-UAP and the AXA Voting Trustees may be deemed, for purposes of Rule 13d-3
under the Act, to beneficially own indirectly the Units that EQ may be deemed
to beneficially own indirectly.  Because of the direct and indirect ownership
interest in AXA-UAP of Finaxa and the Mutuelles AXA, each of Finaxa and the
Mutuelles AXA may be deemed, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Act to
beneficially own indirectly the Units that AXA-UAP may be deemed to
beneficially own indirectly.  AXA-UAP, Finaxa, the Mutuelles AXA, and the AXA
Voting Trustees expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of any of the Units.

ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR
        RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

     The information set forth in Item 4 is incorporated herein by reference.
Reference is made to the full text of the Merger Agreement which is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.5 and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 7.MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>

EXHIBIT NO.:          DESCRIPTION:
  <S>                 <C>
  99.4                Press Release dated September 11, 1997.

  99.5                Agreement and Plan of Merger dated September 11, 1997.
</TABLE>

                                                            Page 18 of 20 Pages



<PAGE>   19


                                  SIGNATURE

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated: September     , 1997

PERKINS RESTAURANTS, INC.


By: /s/ Donald N. Smith
- ------------------------------------------
Name: Donald N. Smith
Title: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

THE RESTAURANT COMPANY, INC.

By: /s/ Donald N. Smith
- ------------------------------------------
Name: Donald N. Smith
Title: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 /s/ Donald N. Smith
- ------------------------------------------
       DONALD N. SMITH

HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY, INC.


By: /s/ Charles L. Atwood
- ------------------------------------------
Name: Charles L. Atwood
Title: Vice President and Treasurer


THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE
SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES


By: /s/ Alvin H. Fenichel
- ------------------------------------------
Name: Alvin H. Fenichel
Title: Senior Vice President and Controller



                                                            Page 19 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>   20



THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED


By:
   ------------------------------------------
Name: Alvin H. Fenichel
Title: Senior Vice President and Controller


AXA-UAP
FINAXA
AXA ASSURANCES I.A.R.D. MUTUELLE
AXA ASSURANCES VIE MUTUELLE
AXA COURTAGE ASSURANCE MUTUELLE
ALPHA ASSURANCES VIE MUTUELLE
CLAUDE BEBEAR, AS AXA VOTING TRUSTEE
PATRICE GARNIER, AS AXA VOTING TRUSTEE
HENRI DE CLERMONT-TONNERRE, AS AXA VOTING TRUSTEE

Signed on behalf of each of the above



By:
   ------------------------------------------   
Name: Alvin H. Fenichel
Title: Attorney-in-fact





                                                        Page 20 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  Contact:  Steve McClellan
                                                         Chief Financial Officer
                                                                  1-888-279-4542


                        PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS SIGNS
                           MERGER AGREEMENT WITH TRC

MEMPHIS, TN, September 11, 1997 --- Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P., announced
today that it entered into a definitive merger agreement with The Restaurant
Company (TRC) under which TRC will acquire through a merger all of the
approximately 52 percent of the outstanding units of limited partnership now
owned by public investors for $14.00 per unit in cash.  The price payable under
the merger agreement represents an increase of $1.00 per unit from TRC's
earlier $13.00 per unit cash proposal.

The Board of Directors of Perkins Management Company, the general partner of
Perkins Family Restaurants, has received the opinion of Morgan Keegan &
Company, Inc. that the $14.00 per unit payable in the merger is fair to the
public unit holders from a financial point of view.

The Restaurant Company owns Perkins Management Company and also owns the
remaining 48 percent of the outstanding units of limited partnership interest.
The proposed transaction is subject to the affirmative vote of a majority of
the units held by public unitholders casting votes and the obtaining of
adequate financing.  Under the merger agreement, Perkins will pay a final
distribution of $.325 per unit on November 14, 1997 to unitholders of record on
September 30, 1997.

Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership whose units
are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, operates and franchises 474 Perkins
Family Restaurants and Bakeries in 33 states and four Canadian provinces.
Additional information on the company is available on the Worldwide Web at
http://www.perkinsrestaurants.com.


                                 #      #     #


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.5













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


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                     Among

                             THE RESTAURANT COMPANY

                           PERKINS ACQUISITION CORP.

                                      and

                        PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS, L.P.

                         Dated as of September 11, 1997


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





<PAGE>   2


                              TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  THE MERGER

SECTION 1.01  The Merger.................................................. ... 2
SECTION 1.02  Effective Time; Closing......................................... 2
SECTION 1.03  Effect of the Merger............................................ 2
SECTION 1.04  Agreement of Limited Partnership................................ 2
SECTION 1.05  Conversion of Securities; Merger Consideration.................. 2
SECTION 1.06  Surrender of Units.............................................. 3
SECTION 1.07  Restricted Limited Partnership Unit Plan........................ 4
SECTION 1.08  Redemption...................................................... 4


                                   ARTICLE II

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PERKINS

SECTION 2.01  Organization and Qualification.................................. 5
SECTION 2.02  Capitalization.................................................. 5
SECTION 2.03  Authority Relative to this Agreement............................ 6
SECTION 2.04  No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents...................... 6
SECTION 2.05  Compliance...................................................... 7
SECTION 2.06  Litigation...................................................... 7
SECTION 2.07  SEC Filings; Financial Statements............................... 7
SECTION 2.08  Proxy Statement................................................. 7
SECTION 2.09  Brokers......................................................... 8
SECTION 2.10  Fairness Opinion................................................ 8


                                  ARTICLE III

              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERGERCO. AND TRC

SECTION 3.01  Corporate Organization.......................................... 8
SECTION 3.02  Authority Relative to this Agreement............................ 8
SECTION 3.03  No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents...................... 9
SECTION 3.04  Proxy Statement................................................. 9
SECTION 3.05  Brokers......................................................... 9


<PAGE>   3

                                 ARTICLE IV

                            ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

SECTION 4.01  Meeting of Unitholders..........................................10
SECTION 4.02  Proxy Statement and Schedule 13E-3..............................10
SECTION 4.03  Further Action; Reasonable Best Efforts.........................10
SECTION 4.04  Public Announcements............................................11
SECTION 4.05  Financing.......................................................11
SECTION 4.06  Updated Fairness Opinion........................................11
SECTION 4.07  Distributions...................................................11
SECTION 4.08  Capital Contributions...........................................11


                                   ARTICLE V

                            CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER


SECTION 5.01  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect 
              the Merger......................................................12
SECTION 5.02  Additional Conditions to Obligations of TRC and MergerCo.
              to Effect the Merger............................................12
SECTION 5.03  Additional Conditions to Obligation of Perkins to effect 
              the Merger......................................................13

                                  ARTICLE VI

                      TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION 6.01  Termination.....................................................13
SECTION 6.02  Effect of Termination...........................................14
SECTION 6.03  Fees and Expenses...............................................14
SECTION 6.04  Amendment.......................................................14
SECTION 6.05  Waiver..........................................................14

                                 ARTICLE VII

                              GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 7.01  Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties 
              and Agreements..................................................15
SECTION 7.02  Notices.........................................................15
SECTION 7.03  Certain Definitions.............................................15
SECTION 7.04  Severability....................................................16
SECTION 7.05  Entire Agreement; Assignment....................................16


<PAGE>   4

SECTION 7.06  Parties in Interest.............................................17
SECTION 7.07  Specific Performance............................................17
SECTION 7.08  Governing Law...................................................17
SECTION 7.09  Headings........................................................17
SECTION 7.10  Counterparts....................................................17



<PAGE>   5


     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 11, 1997 (this
"Agreement") among The Restaurant Company, a Delaware corporation ("TRC"),
Perkins Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Perkins Management Company, Inc. ("MergerCo."), and Perkins Family
Restaurants, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Perkins").
        
     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Perkins Management
Company, Inc. ("PMC" or in its capacity as the sole general partner of Perkins,
the "General Partner"),  at a meeting duly called and held on September 11,
1997, has (A) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby (the "Transactions") are fair to and in the best interests of holders
(other than TRC, its affiliates and the employees, officers and directors of
TRC and its affiliates) of depositary units ("Units") representing limited
partners' interests in Perkins (the "Public Unitholders"), (B) approved and
adopted this Agreement and the Transactions, including the merger of MergerCo.
with and into Perkins (the "Merger") in accordance with the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL") and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited
Partnership Act ("DRULPA") and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein, and (C) recommended that the Public Unitholders approve and adopt
this Agreement and the Transactions; and

     WHEREAS, Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. ("Morgan Keegan") has delivered to
the Board a written opinion that the consideration to be received by the Public
Unitholders pursuant to the Merger is fair to the Public Unitholders from a
financial point of view (the "Morgan Keegan Opinion"); and

     WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of MergerCo. and TRC have each determined
that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, are in the best
interests of the stockholders of MergerCo. and TRC; and

     WHEREAS, in order to protect the interests of the Public Unitholders, the
Board has determined that the Merger and this Agreement require the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the Units that are held by the Public
Unitholders (the "Public Units") actually voting on the Merger ("Public
Unitholder Approval");

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, TRC,
MergerCo. and the General Partner, on behalf of Perkins, hereby agree as
follows:




<PAGE>   6
                                   ARTICLE I
                                  THE MERGER


     SECTION 1.01  The Merger.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions 
set forth in Article V, and in accordance with Section 263 of the DGCL and
Section 17-211 of the DRULPA, at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined)
MergerCo. shall be merged with and into Perkins.  As a result of the Merger, the
separate corporate existence of MergerCo. shall cease and Perkins shall continue
as the surviving partnership after the Merger (the "Surviving Partnership").
        
     SECTION 1.02  Effective Time;  Closing.  As promptly as practicable after 
the  satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions set forth in
Article V, the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing
a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
(the "Certificate of Merger"), in such form as is required by, and executed in
accordance with the relevant provisions of, the DGCL and the DRULPA (the date
and time of such filing being the "Effective Time").  Prior to such filing, a
closing shall be held at the offices of Mayer, Brown & Platt, 190 South LaSalle
Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60603, or such other place as the parties shall
agree, for the purpose of confirming the satisfaction or waiver, as the case may
be, of the conditions set forth in Article V (the "Closing").
        
     SECTION 1.03  Effect of the Merger.  At the Effective Time, the effect of 
the Merger shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of the DGCL and
DRULPA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto,
at the Effective Time all the property, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of MergerCo. and Perkins shall vest in the Surviving Partnership, and
all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of
MergerCo. and Perkins shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations,
restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Surviving Partnership.
        
     SECTION 1.04  Agreement of Limited Partnership.  The Agreement of Limited 
Partnership of Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P. (the "Partnership Agreement")
shall be the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Surviving Partnership and
thereafter may be amended as provided in the Partnership Agreement or by law. 
This Agreement shall effect no amendment or other change whatsoever to the
Partnership Agreement.
        
     SECTION 1.05  Conversion of Securities; Merger Consideration.  At the 
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of 
TRC, MergerCo. or the holders of any of the following securities:
        
     (a)   Each Public Unit and each Unit held by any person other than TRC or
  its direct or indirect subsidiaries, including any Units that are then
  outstanding but subject to restriction and held by participants in the Unit 
  Plan (as hereinafter defined), shall, upon



                                      2
<PAGE>   7

      surrender in the manner provided in Section 1.06 of the depositary
      receipt that formerly evidenced such Unit (each a "Receipt"), be canceled
      and shall be converted automatically into the right to receive an amount
      equal to $14 per Unit in cash (the "Merger Consideration") payable,
      without interest, to the holder of such Unit;

           (b)   Each general or limited partnership interest of Perkins owned 
      by TRC or any direct or indirect subsidiary of TRC immediately prior to
      the Effective Time shall remain a general or limited partnership interest
      of the Surviving Partnership and no payment or distribution shall be made
      with respect thereto;
        
           (c)   Each Unit held in the treasury of Perkins immediately prior 
      to the Effective Time shall be canceled and retired and no payment shall
      be made with respect thereto; and
        
           (d)   Each share of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of 
      MergerCo. issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
      shall be converted into and exchanged for one Unit in the Surviving
      Partnership.
        
           SECTION 1.06 Surrender of Units.  (a) Prior to the Effective Time, 
TRC shall designate a bank or trust company to act as agent (the "Paying Agent")
for the holders of Units to receive the funds to which they shall become
entitled pursuant to Section 1.05(a). Promptly after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Partnership shall cause to be mailed to each person who was, at the
Effective Time, a holder of record of Units entitled to receive the Merger
Consideration pursuant to Section 1.05(a) a form of letter of transmittal (which
shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
Receipts shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Receipts to the Paying
Agent) and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Receipts
pursuant to such letter of transmittal.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a
Receipt, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly
executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents
as may be required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Receipt
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration for
each Unit formerly evidenced by such Receipt, and such Receipt shall then be
canceled.  No interest shall accrue or be paid on the Merger Consideration
payable upon the surrender of any Receipt for the benefit of the holder of such
Receipt.  If payment of the Merger Consideration is to be made to a person other
than the person in whose name the surrendered Receipt is registered on the books
of the depositary, it shall be a condition of payment that the Receipt so
surrendered shall be endorsed properly or otherwise be in proper form for
transfer and that the person requesting such payment shall have paid all
transfer and other taxes required by reason of the payment of the Merger
Consideration to a person other than the registered holder of the Receipt
surrendered or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Surviving
Partnership that such taxes either have been paid or are not applicable.
        



                                      3
<PAGE>   8


           (b)   When and as needed, TRC, MergerCo. or Perkins shall deposit, 
or cause to be deposited, in trust with the Paying Agent the Merger
Consideration to which the holders of Units shall be entitled at the Effective
Time pursuant to Section 1.05(a) hereof.
        
           (c)   The Merger Consideration shall be invested by the Paying Agent;
provided, that such investments shall be limited to direct obligations of the
United States of America, obligations for which the full faith and credit of
the United States of America is pledged to provide for the payment of principal
and interest, commercial paper rated of the highest quality by Moody's
Investors Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's, or certificates of deposit
issued by a commercial bank having at least $1,000,000,000 in assets; and
provided, further, that no loss on investment made pursuant to this Section
1.06(c) shall relieve TRC or MergerCo. of its obligation to pay the Merger
Consideration pursuant to Section 1.05(a).

           (d)   At any time following the sixth month after the Effective 
Time,  the Surviving Partnership shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent
to deliver to it any funds which had been made available to the Paying Agent and
not disbursed to holders of Units (including, without limitation, all interest
and other income received by the Paying Agent in respect of all funds made
available to it), and thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look to the
Surviving Partnership (subject to abandoned property, escheat and other similar
laws) only as general creditors thereof with respect to any Merger Consideration
that may be payable upon due surrender of the Receipts held by them. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Surviving Partnership nor the Paying
Agent shall be liable to any holder of a Unit for any Merger Consideration
delivered in respect of such Unit to a public official pursuant to any abandoned
property, escheat or other similar law.
        
           (e)   After the close of business on the day of the Effective Time, 
there shall be no further registration of transfers of Units on the records of
the depositary for the Units.  From and after the Effective Time, the holders of
Units outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have
any rights with respect to such Units except as otherwise provided herein or by
applicable law.
        
           SECTION 1.07  Restricted Limited Partnership Unit Plan.  After the 
date of this Agreement, Perkins shall not issue any Units pursuant to its
Restricted Limited Partnership Unit Plan of October 22, 1987 (the "Unit Plan")
and shall terminate the Unit Plan, effective as of the Effective Date.
        
           SECTION 1.08  Redemption. Immediately after the Effective Time, the 
Surviving Partnership shall redeem, for $14 per Unit, all Units received by PMC
in connection with the conversion of MergerCo.'s common stock in the Merger.
        




                                      4
<PAGE>   9
                                  ARTICLE II


                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PERKINS

       Perkins hereby represents and warrants to MergerCo. and TRC that:

       SECTION 2.01 Organization and Qualification.  Perkins and each 
partnership controlling, controlled by or under common control with Perkins (an
"Affiliated Partnership"), including, without limitation, Perkins Restaurants
Operating Company, L.P. ("PROC"), is a partnership duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under Delaware law and has the requisite power and
authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except
where the failure to be so organized, existing or in good standing or to have
such power, authority and governmental approvals would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).  Each of
Perkins and its Affiliated Partnerships is duly qualified to do business, is in
good standing and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all
jurisdictions where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by
it or the nature of its business makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified or licensed and in good
standing that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.  When used in connection with Perkins or any Affiliated
Partnership, the term "Material Adverse Effect" means any change or effect that
is or is reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the business, operations,
properties, condition (financial or otherwise), assets or liabilities
(including, without limitation, contingent liabilities), results of operations
or prospects of Perkins and its Affiliated Partnerships taken as a whole.  A
true and complete list of all Affiliated Partnerships, together with the
jurisdiction of organization of each Affiliated Partnership and the percentage
of ownership in each Affiliated Partnership owned by Perkins, is set forth in
Section 2.01 of the Disclosure Schedule to this Agreement previously delivered
by Perkins to TRC (the "Disclosure Schedule").  Except as disclosed in such
Section 2.01, Perkins does not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar
interest in, or any interest convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for, any equity or similar interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint
venture or other business association or entity.
        
       SECTION 2.02 Capitalization.  As of the date hereof, (i) 10,487,495 
Units are issued and outstanding, (ii) 5,043,000 Units are held by Perkins
Restaurants, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of TRC, (iii) 5,268,410 Units are
held by the Public Unitholders and (iv)  176,085 Units are held by employees of
TRC and its affiliates.  Perkins owns a 99% limited partner's interest in PROC,
the entity through which the operations of Perkins are conducted.  PMC, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Perkins Restaurants, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of TRC,
is the sole general partner of Perkins and PROC.  PMC owns a 1% general
partner's interest in each partnership.  Except as set forth in Section 4.08,
there are no options, warrants or rights, agreements, arrangements or
commitments of any character relating to the issued or
        


                                      5
<PAGE>   10

unissued Units of Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership or obligating Perkins
or any Affiliated Partnership to issue or sell any Units, or other partnership
interests in, Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership.  Except as set forth in
Section 1.08, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Perkins or
any Affiliated Partnership to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Units
or any partnership interests of any Affiliated Partnership.

       SECTION 2.03 Authority Relative to this Agreement.  The General Partner 
has all necessary partnership power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement on behalf of Perkins.   The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the General Partner, on behalf of Perkins, and the consummation by Perkins
and the General Partner of the Transactions have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary partnership action and no other partnership
proceedings on the part of Perkins or the General Partner are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (other than, with
respect to the Merger, (i) the approval and adoption of this Agreement by a
Majority Interest (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), (ii) Public
Unitholder Approval as required by the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) the
filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the DGCL
and DRULPA).  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by
the General Partner, on behalf of Perkins, and, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery by MergerCo. and TRC, constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of Perkins, enforceable against Perkins in accordance with
its terms.
        
       SECTION 2.04 No Conflict;  Required Filings and Consents.  (a) The 
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the General Partner, on behalf of
Perkins, do not, and the performance of this Agreement by Perkins will not, (i)
conflict with or violate the organizational documents of Perkins or any
Affiliated Partnership, (ii) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation,
order, judgment or decree applicable to Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership or
by which any property or asset of Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership is bound
or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
or give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien or other encumbrance on any
property or asset of Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership pursuant to, any
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit,
franchise or other instrument or obligation to which Perkins or any Affiliated
Partnership is a party or by which Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership or any
of their respective properties is bound or affected except, in the case of this
clause (iii), for breaches, defaults, rights, liens and encumbrances which would
not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.
        
       (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the General Partner,
on behalf of  Perkins, do not, and the performance of this Agreement by Perkins
will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing
with or notification to, any governmental or regulatory authority, domestic or
foreign, except (i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the  Hart-




                                      6
<PAGE>   11

Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"),
state securities or "blue sky" laws ("Blue Sky Laws") and state takeover laws,
and filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the
DGCL and the DRULPA and (ii) where failure to obtain such consents, approvals,
authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not
prevent or delay consummation of the Merger, or otherwise prevent Perkins from
performing its obligations under this Agreement, and would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
        
       SECTION 2.05 Compliance.  Neither Perkins nor any Affiliated 
Partnership is in conflict with, or in default or violation of, (i) any law,
rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Perkins or any
Affiliated Partnership or by which any property or asset of Perkins or any
Affiliated Partnership is bound or affected, or (ii) any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation to which Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership is a
party or by which Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership or any property or asset
of Perkins or any Affiliated Partnership is bound or affected, except for any
such conflicts, defaults or violations that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
        
       SECTION 2.06 Litigation.  Except as set forth in the SEC Filings (as 
hereinafter defined) or Section 2.06 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no
actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending or threatened
against, relating to, involving or otherwise affecting Perkins or any Affiliated
Partnership or any of their respective properties or assets before any court,
governmental agency, commission, or administrative or regulatory authority
which, if adversely decided, in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse
Effect or would affect the consummation of the Transactions.
        
       SECTION 2.07 SEC Filings;  Financial Statements.  As of their 
respective dates, none of the reports, statements and registration statements
filed by Perkins with the SEC since  January 1, 1994 (including, without
limitation, Perkins' (i) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996, and (ii) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1997 (the "SEC Filings")
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.  The financial statements of Perkins included in the SEC
Filings present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and
cash flows of Perkins as of the dates or for the periods indicated therein in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis (except as otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes
thereto), subject, in the case of unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments.
        
       SECTION 2.08 Proxy Statement.  The proxy statement to be sent to the 
holders of Units (such proxy statement, as amended or supplemented, being
referred to herein as the
        




                                      7
<PAGE>   12

"Proxy Statement"), shall not, at the date the Proxy Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the holders of Units, at
the time of the Unitholders' Meeting (as hereinafter defined) and at the
Effective Time, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading or necessary to correct any statement
in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies for
the Unitholders' Meeting which shall have become false or misleading.  The
Proxy Statement shall comply in all material respects as to form with the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

       SECTION 2.09 Brokers.  No broker, finder or investment banker (other 
than   Morgan Keegan) is entitled to any brokage, finder's or other fee or
commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by
or on behalf of Perkins. Perkins has heretofore furnished to TRC a complete and
correct copy of all agreements between Perkins and Morgan Keegan pursuant to
which such firm would be entitled to any payment relating to the Transactions.
        
       SECTION 2.10  Fairness Opinion.  The Board has received from Morgan 
Keegan the Morgan Keegan Opinion.


                                 ARTICLE III

              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERGERCO. AND TRC


       MergerCo. and TRC hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to
Perkins that:

       SECTION 3.01  Corporate Organization.  Each of MergerCo. and TRC is a 
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has the requisite power and authority and all
necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to
be so organized, existing or in good standing or to have such power, authority
and governmental approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
TRC Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).  When used in connection with
MergerCo. or TRC, the term "TRC Material Adverse Effect" means any change or
effect that is reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the business,
operations, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), assets or
liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities), results of
operations or prospects of MergerCo. or TRC and their respective subsidiaries
taken as a whole.
        
       SECTION 3.02 Authority Relative to this Agreement.  Each of MergerCo. 
and TRC has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement, to
        

                                      8
<PAGE>   13

perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Transactions.  The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by MergerCo. and TRC and the
consummation by MergerCo. and TRC of the Transactions have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of MergerCo. or TRC are necessary to authorize this
Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (other than, with respect to the
Merger, the filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required
by the DGCL and DRULPA).  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by MergerCo. and TRC and, assuming the due authorization, execution
and delivery by Perkins, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
each of MergerCo. and TRC enforceable against each of MergerCo. and TRC in
accordance with its terms.

       SECTION 3.03 No Conflict;  Required Filings and Consents.  (a) The 
execution and delivery of this Agreement by MergerCo. and TRC do not, and the
performance of this Agreement by MergerCo. and TRC will not, (i) conflict with
or violate the articles of incorporation or by-laws or similar organizational
documents of either MergerCo. or TRC, (ii) conflict with or violate any law,
rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to MergerCo. or TRC or by
which any property or asset of either of them is bound or affected, or (iii)
result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event which with notice
or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any
rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in
the creation of a lien or other encumbrance on any property or asset of
MergerCo. or TRC pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation
to which MergerCo. or TRC is a party or by which MergerCo. or TRC or any
property or asset of either of them is bound or affected, except for any such
breaches, defaults or other occurrences which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a TRC Material Adverse Effect.
        
       (b)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by MergerCo. and TRC do
not, and the performance of this Agreement by MergerCo. and TRC will not,
require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or
notification to, any governmental or regulatory authority, domestic or foreign,
except (i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, the HSR
Act, Blue Sky Laws and state takeover laws and filing  and recordation of
appropriate merger documents as required by the DGCL and the DRULPA and (ii)
where failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or
to make such filings or notifications, would not prevent or delay consummation
of the Merger, or otherwise prevent MergerCo. or TRC from performing their
respective obligations under this Agreement.

       SECTION 3.04 Proxy Statement.  The information supplied by TRC for 
inclusion in the Proxy Statement will not, on the date the Proxy Statement (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the holders of Units, at
the time of the Unitholders' meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any
statement which, at such time and in light of the circumstances under which it
is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omits to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the
        




                                      9
<PAGE>   14

statements therein not false or misleading or necessary to correct any
statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of
proxies in connection with the Unitholders' Meeting which shall have become
false or misleading.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, MergerCo. and TRC make no
representation or warranty with respect to any information supplied by Perkins
or any of its representatives which is contained in any of the foregoing
documents.

       SECTION 3.05 Brokers.  No broker, finder or investment banker (other 
than Smith Barney, Inc.) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or
commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by
or on behalf of MergerCo. or TRC.
        
                                  ARTICLE IV

                            ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS


       SECTION 4.01  Meeting of Unitholders.  (a) The General Partner shall, 
in accordance with applicable law and the Partnership Agreement, (i) duly call,
give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the holders of Units as soon as
practicable following the date hereof for the purpose of considering and taking
action on this Agreement and the Transactions (the "Unitholders' Meeting") and
(ii) subject to its fiduciary duties under applicable law, (A) include in the
Proxy Statement the recommendation of the General Partner that the Public
Unitholders approve and adopt this Agreement and the Transactions and (B) use
its reasonable best efforts to obtain such approval and adoption.  At the
Unitholders' Meeting, TRC shall, if Public Unitholder Approval is obtained,
cause all Units and general partners' interests then owned by it and its direct
and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries to be voted in favor of the approval and
adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions.
        
       SECTION 4.02  Proxy Statement and Schedule 13E-3.  (a) Perkins shall 
file the Proxy Statement with the SEC under the Exchange Act, and shall use its
reasonable best efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC.  TRC and
Perkins shall cooperate with each other in the preparation of the Proxy
Statement, and each of Perkins, TRC and MergerCo. agrees to use its reasonable
best efforts, after consultation with the other parties hereto, to respond
promptly to all comments of and requests by the SEC and to cause the Proxy
Statement and all required amendments and supplements thereto to be mailed to
the holders of Units at the earliest practicable time.
        
       (b) TRC and Perkins shall together prepare and file with the SEC a
Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 (the "Schedule 13E-3") under the
Exchange Act at the time of filings made in connection with the Proxy
Statement, and shall file with the SEC appropriate amendments to the Schedule
13E-3.  The Schedule 13E-3 will comply as to form in all material respects with
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.






                                      10
<PAGE>   15


       SECTION 4.03 Further Action; Reasonable Best Efforts.  Upon the terms 
and subject to the conditions hereof, each of the parties hereto shall use its
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action,
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
Transactions, including, without limitation, making and facilitating a prompt
filing under the HSR Act and using its reasonable best efforts to obtain all
licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and
orders of governmental authorities and parties to contracts with Perkins and its
Affiliated Partnerships as are necessary for the consummation of the
Transactions and to fulfill the conditions to the Merger. In case at any time
after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and directors of each
party to this Agreement shall use their reasonable best efforts to take all such
action.
        
       SECTION 4.04 Public Announcements.  TRC and Perkins shall consult with 
each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public
statements with respect to this Agreement or any Transaction and shall not issue
any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation, except as may be required by law.
        
       SECTION 4.05 Financing.  TRC shall use its reasonable best efforts to 
obtain financing for aggregate funds sufficient to satisfy the obligations of
TRC, PMC, Perkins and MergerCo. hereunder, including, without limitation, the
obligation to pay the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 1.05(a) and to
pay all related fees and expenses payable by TRC, PMC, Perkins and MergerCo. in
connection with the Merger and the other Transactions (the "Financing"). 
Perkins shall use its reasonable best efforts to facilitate the Financing and at
the Closing shall be the borrower thereunder at TRC's request.
        
       SECTION 4.06 Updated Fairness Opinion.  The Parties shall use their 
reasonable best efforts to obtain from Morgan Keegan a written fairness opinion,
dated as of the date of the Proxy Statement, and otherwise substantially the
same as the Morgan Keegan Opinion (the "Updated Morgan Keegan Opinion").
        
       SECTION 4.07 Distributions.  Perkins shall make a final cash 
distribution of $0.325 per Unit to Unitholders of record, as of September 30,
1997, for the third quarter of Perkins' fiscal year, payable on or before
November 20, 1997, and between the date of such distribution and the Effective
Time shall cease making distributions.
        
       SECTION 4.08 Capital Contributions.  In order to prevent a "termination" 
of the partnership for federal income tax purposes, TRC or one of its affiliates
agrees to contribute cash to Perkins in the amount of $4.410 million to acquire
newly issued Units of Perkins prior to the Effective Time and shall be entitled
to contribute any amount necessary to pay any costs incurred by Perkins or the
Affiliated Partnerships in connection with the repayment of their existing
indebtedness or any other transaction connected with the Merger; provided,
however, that if the
        




                                      11
<PAGE>   16

Merger is for any reason not consummated, such capital contribution may be
withdrawn and shall be repaid by Perkins promptly upon notice from TRC or such
affiliate.  Any expense paid by TRC or its affiliates pursuant to this Section
4.08 shall be specially allocated to the party paying such expense in order to
satisfy the "substantial economic effect" requirement of Section 704(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                                  ARTICLE V
                           CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

       SECTION 5.01 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.
The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject 
to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following 
conditions:

       (a) This Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, shall
      have been approved and adopted by a Majority Interest (as defined in the
      Partnership Agreement) and by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
      Public Units actually voting on the Merger;

       (b) No governmental authority or other agency or commission or court
      of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
      enforced or entered any law, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
      injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
      which is then in effect and has the effect of making the acquisition of
      Units by MergerCo. or TRC or any affiliate of either of them illegal or
      otherwise restricting, preventing or prohibiting consummation of the
      Transactions;

       (c) Any waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger
      under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated; and

       (d) Morgan Keegan shall have provided and not withdrawn the Updated 
      Morgan Keegan Opinion.

       SECTION 5.02 Additional Conditions to Obligations of TRC and MergerCo.
to Effect the Merger.  The obligations of TRC and MergerCo. to effect the 
Merger are further subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following 
conditions:

       (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties 
      of Perkins contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
      material respects when made and on and as of the Effective Time, except
      for changes contemplated by this Agreement, with the same force and effect
      as if made on and as of the Effective Time,
        




                                      12
<PAGE>   17

      except for any representation or warranty made or given as of a specified
      time, which shall have been true and correct in all material respects as
      of such time;

       (b) Agreements and Covenants.  Perkins shall have performed or
      complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants
      required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or
      prior to the Effective Time;

       (c) No Material Adverse Effect.  Since the date of this Agreement,
      no event shall have occurred or shall be reasonably expected to occur
      which has, or is reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

       (d) Litigation, etc.  There shall be no pending or threatened
      actions or proceedings by any person against Perkins or its Affiliated
      Partnerships, TRC, the General Partner, MergerCo., or any of their
      subsidiaries or any director, officer or employee thereof challenging or
      in any way or in any manner seeking to restrict or prohibit the Merger or
      any other Transaction or seeking to obtain any damages against any person
      as a result of the Merger or any other Transaction; and

       (e) Financing.  The Financing shall be available on terms
      satisfactory to TRC.

       SECTION 5.03 Additional Conditions to Obligation of Perkins to effect the
Merger.  The obligation of Perkins to effect the Merger is further subject to 
the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
        
       (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
      warranties of TRC and MergerCo. contained in this Agreement shall be true
      and correct in all material respects when made and on and as of the
      Effective Time, except for changes contemplated by this Agreement, with
      the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Effective Time,
      except for any representation or warranty made or given as of a specified
      time, which shall have been true and correct in all material respects as
      of such time; and

       (b) Agreements and Covenants.  TRC and MergerCo. shall have
      performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and
      covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
      them on or prior to the Effective Time.



                                  ARTICLE VI

                      TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

       SECTION 6.01 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and the 
Merger and the other Transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Effective Time,
        



                                      13
<PAGE>   18

notwithstanding any requisite approval and adoption of this Agreement and the
Transactions by the Public Unitholders:

       (a) By mutual written consent duly authorized by the Boards of
      Directors of MergerCo., TRC and the General Partner; or

       (b) By either TRC or Perkins if (i) the Effective Time shall not
      have occurred on or before February 28, 1998; provided, however, that the
      right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 6.01(b) shall not be
      available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this
      Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the
      Effective Time to occur on or before such date or (ii) any court of
      competent jurisdiction or other governmental authority shall have issued
      an order, decree or ruling or taken any action restraining, enjoining or
      otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other
      action shall have become final and nonappealable; or

       (c) By Perkins if the Board shall have determined that it has a
      fiduciary duty to withdraw its approval or recommendation of this
      Agreement, the Merger or any other Transaction.

       (d) By TRC if the Board shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner
      adverse to TRC its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the
      Merger.

       SECTION 6.02 Effect of Termination.  In the event of the termination of 
this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become
void, and there shall be no liability on the part of any party hereto except as
set forth in Sections 6.03 and 7.01; provided, however, that neither anything
herein nor the termination of this Agreement shall relieve any party from
liability for any breach hereof.
        
       SECTION 6.03 Fees and Expenses.  All fees, costs and expenses incurred 
in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the
party bearing such cost.
        
       SECTION 6.04 Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by the parties 
hereto by action taken by or on behalf of the Boards of Directors of TRC,
MergerCo. and the General Partner at any time prior to the Effective Time;
provided, however, that after the approval and adoption of this Agreement and
the Transactions by the Public Unitholders, no amendment may be made which would
reduce the amount or change the type of consideration to which each Public
Unitholder shall be entitled upon consummation of the Merger.  This Agreement
may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties
hereto.
        
       SECTION 6.05 Waiver.  At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party 
hereto may (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other
act of any other party hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations
and warranties contained herein or in any
        





                                      14
<PAGE>   19

document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any
agreement or condition contained herein.  Any such extension or waiver shall be
valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties
to be bound thereby.


                                 ARTICLE VII


                              GENERAL PROVISIONS

       SECTION 7.01  Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and 
Agreements.  The representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement 
shall terminate at the Effective Time or upon the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 6.01, as the case may be, except that the agreements set
forth in Article I and Section 4.08 shall survive the Effective Time
indefinitely and those set forth in Section 6.02 and Section 6.03 shall survive
termination indefinitely.
        
       SECTION 7.02  Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other 
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be
deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by cable,
telecopy, telegram or telex or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid,
return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses
(or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in
accordance with this Section 7.02):
        
       if to TRC or MergerCo.:

       Michael P. Donahoe
       The Restaurant Company
       One Pierce Place
       Suite 100E
       Itasca, IL 60143
       Facsimile: (630) 250-0382

       if to Perkins:

       Steven R. McClellan
       Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P.
       6075 Poplar Avenue
       Memphis, TN 38119
       Facsimile: (901) 766-6482

       SECTION 7.03 Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the 
term:





                                      15
<PAGE>   20





           (a)  "affiliate" of a specified person means a person who directly 
      or indirectly  through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled
      by, or is under common control with, such specified person;
        
           (b)  "beneficial owner" with respect to any Units means a person who 
      shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such Units (i) which such
      person or any of its affiliates or associates (as such term is defined in
      Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act) beneficially owns, directly
      or indirectly, (ii) which such person or any of its affiliates or
      associates has, directly or indirectly, (A) the right to acquire (whether
      such right is exercisable immediately or subject only to the passage of
      time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the
      exercise of consideration rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or
      otherwise, or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement
      or understanding or (iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or
      indirectly, by any other persons with whom such person or any of its
      affiliates or associates or person with whom such person or any of its
      affiliates or associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding
      for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any Units;
        
           (c)  "business day" means any day on which the principal offices of
      the SEC in Washington D.C. are open to accept filings, or, in the case of
      determining a date when any payment is due, any day on which banks are not
      required or authorized to close in the City of New York;
        

           (d)  "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under 
      common  control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly or as
      trustee or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
      management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of
      voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or credit
      arrangement or otherwise;
        

           (e) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited
      partnership, syndicate, person (including, without limitation, a "person"
      as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or
      entity or government, political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of
      a government; and
        



                                      16
<PAGE>   21



           (f) "subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" of Perkins, MergerCo., TRC, the
      Surviving Partnership or any other person means an affiliate controlled
      by such person, directly or indirectly, through one or more
      intermediaries.

           SECTION 7.04 Severability.  If any term or other provision of this 
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law,
or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse
to any party.  Upon such determination that any term or other provision is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in
order that the Transactions be consummated as originally contemplated to the
fullest extent possible.
        





                                      17
<PAGE>   22



       SECTION 7.05 Entire Agreement; Assignment.  This Agreement constitutes 
the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral,
among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. 
This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise, except
that TRC and MergerCo. may assign all or any of their rights and obligations
hereunder to any affiliate of TRC provided that no such assignment shall relieve
the assigning party of its obligations hereunder if such assignee does not
perform such obligations.
        
       SECTION 7.06 Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon 
and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other
person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason
of this Agreement, other than Article I (which, solely from and after the
Effective Time, is intended to be for the benefit of the Public Unitholders).
        
       SECTION 7.07 Specific Performance.  The parties hereto agree that 
irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other
remedy at law or equity.
        
       SECTION 7.08 Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and 
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of  Delaware applicable to
contracts executed in and to be performed in that State.
        
       SECTION 7.09 Headings.  The descriptive headings contained in this 
Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
        
       SECTION 7.10 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
        





                                      18
<PAGE>   23


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, TRC, MergerCo. and Perkins have caused this Agreement
to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized.

                                         THE RESTAURANT COMPANY

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




                                         PERKINS ACQUISITION CORP.

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




                                         PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS, L.P.
 
                                         By: PERKINS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.
                                             its General Partner

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


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