MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC
8-K, 1996-12-18
DAIRY PRODUCTS
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                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549
                                               
                            -------------------


                                  FORM 8-K
                          CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
                       TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                            
                               -------------




    Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  December 3, 1996

                         THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                  Delaware
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

            0-19075                                    75-2217488
- ------------------------------               ------------------------------
   (Commission File Number)                         (I.R.S. Employer
                                                   Identification No.)

         5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1500
            (formerly Suite 1800)
                Dallas, Texas                               75225-6522
- ---------------------------------------------          --------------------
   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                 (Zip Code)

                               (214) 360-4700
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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     ITEM 2.   Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

               On December 3, 1996, The Morningstar Group Inc., a Delaware
     corporation (the "Company"), acquired (the "Acquisition") all of the
     issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Presto Food
     Products, Inc., a California corporation ("Presto"), from the
     shareholders of Presto (the "Presto Shareholders") for $133,500,000
     pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of
     October 20, 1996, by and among the Company, Presto and the Presto
     Shareholders.  The consideration paid at closing to the Presto
     Shareholders pursuant to the Agreement consisted of cash in the
     aggregate amount of approximately $104,000,000 (of which $10,000,000
     was placed in escrow as security for the post-closing indemnification
     obligations of the Presto Shareholders) and assumed liabilities of
     $29,500,000.  The consideration paid pursuant to the Agreement was
     determined through arm's length negotiation between the parties.

               The cash consideration paid pursuant to the Agreement was
     funded with borrowings under a Credit Agreement, dated as of December
     2, 1996, among the Company, certain Lenders identified therein and
     NationsBank of Texas, N.A., a national banking association, as a
     Lender, as Swing Line Lender, and as Agent for itself and the other
     Lenders.

               The foregoing summary is subject to the full text of the
     Stock Purchase Agreement referenced in Exhibit 2.1 below and the
     Credit Agreement referenced in Exhibit 2.2 below.

     ITEM 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
     Exhibits.

               (a)  Financial Statements of Business Acquired.
                    -----------------------------------------
                    It is impracticable to file the financial statements of
     Presto Food Products, Inc. required by this Item 7(a) at this time
     because such statements are not available.  Such statements will be
     filed pursuant to Item 7(a)(4) of Form 8-K as soon as practicable, but
     not later than February 17, 1997, the first business day 60 days after
     the due date of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
































     
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               (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information.
                    -------------------------------
                    It is impracticable to file the pro forma financial
     information required by this Item 7(b) at this time because such
     information is not available.  Such information will be filed pursuant
     to Item 7(b)(2) of Form 8-K as soon as practicable, but not later than
     February 17, 1997, the first business day 60 days after the due date
     of this Current Report on Form 8-K. 

               (c)  Exhibits.
                    --------
                    Exhibit 2.1 - Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October
                    20, 1996, among The Morningstar Group Inc., Presto Food
                    Products, Inc. and the shareholders of Presto signatory
                    thereto.

                    Exhibit 2.2 - Credit Agreement, dated December 2, 1996,
                    among The Morningstar Group Inc., NationsBank of Texas,
                    N.A. and the Lenders party thereto.

                    Exhibit 10.1 - Employment Agreement, dated October 1,
                    1996, between The Morningstar Group Inc. and C. Dean
                    Metropoulos.



















































     
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                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                   THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC.
                                   (Registrant)

     Date:     December 18, 1996   By:  /s/ Joseph B. Armes                
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Joseph B. Armes
                                        Vice President and
                                        General Counsel




























































     
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               The registrant hereby agrees to supplementally furnish to
     the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, copies of all
     schedules to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 20,
     1996, among The Morningstar Group Inc., Presto Food Products, Inc. and
     the shareholders of Presto signatory thereto, as listed below:

          SCHEDULES

          2.10      Individuals With Knowledge
          3.1       Corporate Existence, Qualification and Power of Presto
          3.2       Authorization of Agreement by Presto
          3.3       Ownership of Presto Securities, Power to Convey and
                    Absence of Conflicts
          3.4       Capitalization
          3.5       Ability to Conduct the Business
          3.6       Financial Statements
          3.7       Subsequent Events to June 30, 1996
          3.8       Presto Inventories
          3.9       Undisclosed Liabilities
          3.11      Title to, Use and Condition of, the Presto Fixed Assets
          3.12      Presto Realty
          3.13      Presto Leases
          3.14      Presto Intellectual Property
          3.15      Necessary Property
          3.16      Customer Contracts, Other Contracts and Commitments
          3.17      No Breach of Statute, Decree, or Order
          3.18      Litigation
          3.19      Presto Accounts Receivable
          3.20      Certain Relationships
          3.21      Benefit Plans
          3.22      Environmental Matters
          3.23      Labor Relations; Employees
          3.25      Insurance
          3.26      Dividends
          3.30      Financial Institution Relationships







































     
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          3.31      Spousal Consents
          3.32      Customers and Suppliers
          4.4       Financing
          5.1       Operation of Business

                                   THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC.

     Date:     December 18, 1996   By:  /s/ Joseph B. Armes                
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Joseph B. Armes
                                        Vice President and
                                        General Counsel






























































     
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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
          Exhibit
          -------
          2.1  -    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 20, 1996, among
                    The Morningstar Group Inc., Presto Food Products, Inc.
                    and the shareholders of Presto signatory thereto.

          2.2  -    Credit Agreement, dated December 2, 1996, among The
                    Morningstar Group Inc., NationsBank of Texas, N.A. and
                    the Lenders party thereto.

          10.1 -    Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, between
                    The Morningstar Group Inc. and C. Dean Metropoulos.
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<PAGE>


                                                                EXHIBIT 2.1







                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                      among

                           PRESTO FOOD PRODUCTS, INC.;

                              PRESTO SHAREHOLDERS;

                                       and


                           THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC.

                                October 20, 1996
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                   Page No.

     SECTION I  PURCHASE AND SALE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.1  Purchase and Sale of Presto Shares  . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.2  Cash Payment at Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.3  Allocation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2
          1.4  Adjustment of Closing Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2

     SECTION II  DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4

     SECTION III  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PRESTO
                  AND THE SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9
          3.1  Corporate Existence, Qualification and Power of Presto     9
          3.2  Authorization of Agreement by Presto  . . . . . . . . .   10
          3.3  Ownership of Presto Securities, Power to
               Convey and Absence of Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
          3.4  Capitalization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
          3.5  Ability to Conduct the Business . . . . . . . . . . . .   12
          3.6  Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12
          3.7  Subsequent Events to June 30, 1996  . . . . . . . . . .   13
          3.8  Presto Inventories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
          3.9  Undisclosed Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   16
          3.10  Tax Returns and Audit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   16
          3.11  Title to, Use and Condition of, the
                Presto Fixed Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
          3.12  Presto Realty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
          3.13  Presto Leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
          3.14  Presto Intellectual Property . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
          3.15  Necessary Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   19
          3.16  Customer Contracts, Other Contracts and Commitments  .   20
          3.17  No Breach of Statute, Decree, or Order . . . . . . . .   22
          3.18  Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
          3.19  Presto Accounts Receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
          3.20  Certain Relationships  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
          3.21  Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
          3.22  Environmental Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
          3.23  Labor Relations; Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
          3.24  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.25  Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.26  Dividends  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.27  No Pending Transactions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
          3.28  Minute Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.29  Broker's Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.30  Financial Institution Relationships  . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.31  Spousal Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.32  Customers and Suppliers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          3.33  Product Actions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          3.34  Compliance With Law; Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
























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          3.35  Material Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          3.36  Presto Transportation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31

     SECTION IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER . . . . . . .   32
          4.1  Corporate Status  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          4.2  Authorization of Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          4.3  Broker's Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          4.4  Financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          4.5  Investment Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33

     SECTION V  COVENANTS OF PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . .   33
          5.1  Operation of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          5.2  Preservation of Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          5.3  Full Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          5.4  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
          5.5  Books, Records, and Financial Statements  . . . . . . .   36
          5.6  Presto Transportation Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.7  Waiver of Any Prior Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.8  Environmental Audit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.9  Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.10  No Inconsistent Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          5.11  Acquisition Proposals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          5.12  Cooperation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          5.13  Satisfaction of Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          5.14  Notice of Material Adverse Changes . . . . . . . . . .   38

     SECTION VI  ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES . . . . . . . . .   39
          6.1  Section 338 Election. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   39
          6.2  Cooperation and News Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
          6.3  Confidential Treatment and Return of Documents  . . . .   41
          6.4  Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
          6.5  Shareholder Access to Records . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
          6.6  Consents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
          6.7  No WARN Notice  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
          6.8  401(k) Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
          6.9  Covenant Not to Compete; Confidentiality  . . . . . . .   43
          6.10  Non-Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
          6.11  No Breach by Presto  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44

     SECTION VII  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS  . . . .   44
          7.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties . . . . .   45
          7.2  No Material Adverse Change in Business or Properties  .   45
          7.3  Compliance with Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          7.4  Opinions of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          7.5  Waiting Period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
          7.6  Consent to Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
          7.7  Absence of Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.8  Consents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.9  Changes in Syndication Markets  . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.10  Material Adverse Change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
























                                       ii
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          7.11  Escrow Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.12  Performance Share Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          7.13  Permits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49

     SECTION VIII  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF
                   PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties . . . . .   50
          8.2  Compliance with Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.3  Waiting Period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.4  Consent to Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          8.5  Absence of Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50

     SECTION IX  CLOSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51
          9.1  The Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51
          9.2  Procedures at Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51

     SECTION X TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
          10.1  Methods of Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
          10.2  Procedure Upon Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
          10.3  Survival of Action for Breach  . . . . . . . . . . . .   54
          10.4  Additional Termination Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . .   54

     SECTION XI  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY  . . . .   55
          11.1  Shareholders' Agreement to Indemnify . . . . . . . . .   55
          11.2  Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify . . . . . . . . . . . .   57
          11.3  Limitations on Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   58
          11.4  Additional Limitations on Liability
                of Shareholders.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   58
          11.5  Indemnification of Third-Party Claims  . . . . . . . .   59
          11.6  Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   60
          11.7  No Indemnification Claims Against Presto . . . . . . .   60
          11.8  Survival of Representations, Warranties
                and Covenants.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61
          11.9  Minority Shareholders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
          11.10  Exclusive Remedy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62

     SECTION XII  MISCELLANEOUS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
          12.1  Survival of Representations and Warranties . . . . . .   62
          12.2  Payment of Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.3  Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.4  Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.5  Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.6  Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
          12.7  Binding Effect and Assignment  . . . . . . . . . . . .   64
          12.8  Rights of the Parties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.9  Execution in Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.10  Specific Performance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.11  Transfer Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65
          12.12  Certain Tax Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66
          12.13  Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66
























                                       iii
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          12.14  Paragraph Headings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66
          12.15  Construction and Representation by Counsel  . . . . .   66
          12.16  Third-Party Benefits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66







































































                                       iv
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                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

          This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made as of October
     20, 1996, by and among (i) The Morningstar Group Inc., a Delaware
     corporation ("Buyer"); (ii) Presto Food Products, Inc., a California
     corporation ("Presto") and (iii) those holders of Presto capital stock
     whose names appear on the signature pages of this Agreement
     ("Shareholders").  Certain capitalized terms used herein have the
     meanings set forth in Section II hereof.

          In consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants,
     representations and warranties contained herein, the parties hereby
     agree as follows:

                                    SECTION I
                                PURCHASE AND SALE
                                -----------------
          1.1  Purchase and Sale of Presto Shares.  On the terms and
               ----------------------------------
     subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Shareholders agree to
     sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer at the Closing,
     and Buyer agrees to purchase and acquire from the Shareholders, all of
     the right, title and interest of the Shareholders in and to the issued
     and outstanding shares of Presto capital stock (the "Presto Shares")
     free and clear of all Liens (as hereinafter defined).

          1.2  Cash Payment at Closing.  At the Closing subject to the
               -----------------------
     terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (i)
     Buyer will pay to the Shareholders  the aggregate Unadjusted Closing
     Payment which amount shall be subject to adjustment as provided in
     Paragraph 1.4 (as adjusted, the "Closing Payment") minus Ten Million
     Dollars ($10,000,000) (the "Escrow Amount"); and (ii) Buyer will
     deposit with the escrow agent under the Escrow Agreement the Escrow
     Amount. 

          As used herein, the term "Unadjusted Closing Payment" shall mean
     One Hundred Twenty Million Six Hundred Thousand ($120,600,000)
     Dollars, minus the aggregate of all obligations of Presto as of the
     Closing for borrowed money evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes,
     letters of credit (to the extent drawn upon) or other similar
     instruments other than amounts outstanding under Presto's revolving
     line of credit, all interest, charges, fees, expenses and penalties
     including prepayment penalties on or due as a result of any voluntary
     prepayments on the foregoing items calculated as of the Closing. The
     sum of One Hundred Twenty Million Six Hundred Thousand ($120,600,000)
     Dollars has been arrived at by the parties by reducing the amount of
     One Hundred Thirty Three Million Five Hundred Thousand ($133,500,000)
     Dollars, by the sum of (i) the amount accrued at June 30, 1996 on the
     Supplemental Balance Sheet (hereinafter defined) of Presto 
























                                        1
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     for deferred compensation and (ii) Ten Million ($10,000,000) Dollars,
     the last amount being dealt with in paragraph 1.4, below.

          1.3  Allocation.  The  Unadjusted Closing Payments for the
               ----------
     individual Shareholders (subject to the terms and conditions set forth
     in this Agreement)  shall be allocated among the Shareholders based on
     their relative ownership of Presto Shares (irrespective of the series
     of such Presto shares) and made  by wire transfer of immediately
     available funds to such accounts as the Shareholders shall have
     designated in writing at least two days prior to the Closing Date.

          1.4    Adjustment of Closing Payment. 
                 -----------------------------
               (a)  The Unadjusted Closing Payment shall be adjusted
     following the Closing as follows:

                    (i)  If the amount of the Net Equity of Presto
               (determined in accordance with Paragraph 1.4(b)) as of the
               Closing Date is less than $25,027,000, the Unadjusted
               Closing Payment shall be decreased by an amount equal to
               such difference;  or

                    (ii)  If the amount of the Net Equity of Presto as of
               the Closing Date is greater than $25,027,000, the Unadjusted
               Closing Payment shall be increased by an amount equal to
               such difference.

                    (iii) The sum of Ten Million ($10,000,000) Dollars
               shall be added to the amount  calculated in accordance with 
               sub-part (i) or (ii), as  applicable.  Any amounts due
               pursuant to the adjustment described in this Paragraph 1.4
               shall be paid by the appropriate party by wire transfer of
               immediately available funds within three business days of
               receiving demand therefor following calculation.

               (b)  As used herein, the term "Net Equity" shall mean the
          total assets minus the  total liabilities of Presto calculated in
          a manner consistent with the Supplemental Balance Sheet described
          in Paragraph 3.6 herein.  The term "Net Equity Statement" shall
          mean the statement of Net Equity of Presto to be prepared by
          Buyer as of the Closing Date in accordance with this Paragraph
          1.4 and to be delivered to  the Principal Shareholders  as
          promptly as practical and in any event within  30 days after the
          Closing.  The Net Equity Statement (i) shall be prepared by  
          Buyer in accordance with  United States generally accepted
          accounting principles ("GAAP") applied in a manner



























                                        2
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<PAGE>
     

          consistent with the application of those principles in the
          Supplemental Balance Sheet and (ii) shall present fairly the net
          equity of Presto as of the date thereof; provided, however, that 
          an appropriate accrual shall be included for any investment
          banking, brokers, finders, legal,  accounting or other fees
          arising from the transaction contemplated by this Agreement
          ("Transaction Fees") to the extent any such fees are unpaid at
          Closing and are the obligation of Presto. All such Transaction
          Fees paid or unpaid before Closing and all sums paid under the
          Performance Shares Plan in excess of the amount accrued for
          deferred compensation in the Supplemental Balance Sheet shall be
          appropriately expensed in the income statement and properly
          recorded as a reduction in the Net Equity calculated under
          paragraph 1.4.  The Presto Inventory shall be determined based on
          a physical inventory of all raw materials, work-in-progress and
          finished goods inventories owned by Presto  taken as of a date
          mutually agreeable  to  Principal Shareholders and Buyer, and
          observed by Buyer and Principal Shareholders or their
          representatives (the "Physical Inventory") and priced
          consistently with Presto's historical practices.   Principal
          Shareholders shall have the opportunity to examine the work
          papers, schedules and other documents prepared by   Buyer in
          connection with  the preparation of the Net Equity Statement. 
          The Net Equity Statement shall be final and binding on the
          parties unless, within 30 days after delivery to  the Principal
          Shareholders notice is given by  Principal Shareholders of the
          Principal Shareholders' objection setting forth in reasonable
          detail the Principal Shareholders' basis for objection.  If
          notice of objection is given, the parties shall consult with each
          other with respect to the objection. If the parties are unable to
          reach agreement within 15 days after the notice of objection has
          been given, the dispute shall be referred to for resolution to
          Coopers & Lybrand, LLP (the "Accountants") as promptly as
          practicable.   Each party hereto represents that it has no
          material relationship with Coopers & Lybrand, LLP. The
          Accountants will make a determination as to each of the items in
          dispute, which determination will be (i) in writing, (ii)
          furnished to each of the parties hereto as promptly as
          practicable after the items in dispute have been referred to the
          Accountants, (iii) made in accordance with this Agreement, and
          (iv) conclusive and binding  upon each of the parties hereto. The
          fees and expenses of the Accountants will be shared equally by
          Buyer and the Shareholders.  Each of Buyer and the Shareholders
          will use reasonable efforts to cause the Accountants to render
          their decision as soon as reasonably practicable, including
          without limitation by promptly complying with all reasonable




























                                        3
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<PAGE>
     

          requests by the Accountants for information, books, records and
          similar items. 

                                   SECTION II
                                   DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------
          As used herein, the following terms shall have the following
     meanings: 

          2.1  "Attributed" is defined in paragraph 3.3.

          2.2  "Closing" and "Closing Date" are defined in paragraph 9.1.

          2.3  "Closing Payment" is defined in paragraph 1.2.

          2.4  "Environmental Costs and Liabilities" means any and all
     losses, liabilities, obligations, damages, fines, penalties,
     judgments, actions, claims, costs and expenses (including, without
     limitation, fees, disbursements and expenses of legal counsel,
     experts, engineers and consultants and the costs of investigation and
     feasibility studies, remediation, removal or similar cleanup activity)
     arising from or under any Environmental Law. 

          2.5  "Environmental Law" means any applicable federal, state,
     local, or foreign law (including common law), statute, code,
     ordinance, rule regulation or other legally binding requirement
     relating to the environment, natural resources, public or employee
     health and safety, the transportation or disposal of Hazardous
     Materials, now  in effect  and includes, but is not limited to the
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
     ("CERCLA"), 42 U.S.C. Section  9601 et seq.; Comprehensive
                                         -- ---
     Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Information System
     ("CERCLIS") ; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C.
     Section 1801 et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42
                  -- ---
     U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section
                         -- ---
     1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 33 U.S.C Section 2601 et seq., the
          -- ---                                            -- ---
     Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq., the
                                                          -- ---
     Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. Section
     136 et seq., the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. Section 2701 et
         -- ---                                                         --
      seq. and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section
      ---
     651 et seq., as such laws have been amended or supplemented, and the
         -- ---
     regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, currently in effect and all
     analogous state or local statutes.

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




















                                        4
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          2.7  "Governmental Entity" means any domestic or foreign court,
     government, governmental agency, authority, entity or instrumentality.

          2.8  "Hazardous Material" shall mean (i) any substance defined as
     "hazardous" in CERCLA; (ii) any substance or matter which results in
     liability to any person or entity from discharge of or exposure to
     such substance or matter under any statutory provision in effect on
     the date of this Agreement; (iii) any substance or matter which is
     subject to a federal, state or local agency order or requirement for
     removal, treatment or remediation on the date hereof; (iv) petroleum,
     petroleum by-products, crude oil or any fraction thereof,
     (v) "hazardous materials" as defined in Section 25501(j) of the
     California Health and Safety Code, as amended, (vi) any substance,
     material or waste that is regulated by any Governmental Entity having
     jurisdiction over Presto or its operations as "hazardous," "extremely
     hazardous," "contaminant," "toxic," or words of similar import, and
     (vii) asbestos, urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls. 

          2.9  "Intellectual Property" means domestic and foreign letters
     patent, patents, patent applications, patent licenses, software
     licenses and know-how licenses, trade names, trademarks, registered
     copyrights, service marks, trademark registrations and applications,
     service mark registrations and applications and copyright
     registrations and applications, all trade secrets, technical
     knowledge, know-how and other confidential proprietary information and
     related goodwill.

          2.10  The word "knowledge"  means , with respect to an individual
     Shareholder , the conscious awareness of such individual or,  if the
     Shareholder is a trust, of the trustees thereof; with respect to
     Presto, the conscious awareness of those individuals who are listed on
     Schedule 2.10.

          2.11  "Law" means any domestic or foreign statute, law,
     ordinance, rule or regulation.

          2.12  "Liabilities" means any direct or indirect indebtedness,
     guaranty, endorsement, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, cost, expense,
     obligation or responsibility, whether fixed or contingent, known or
     unknown, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, secured
     or unsecured.

          2.13  "Liens" means any title defects or obligations, mortgages,
     liens, claims, charges, pledges, or other incumbrances of any nature
     whatsoever, including without limitation licenses, leases, chattel or
     other mortgages, collateral security arrangements, pledges, title
     imperfections, defect or objection liens, security interests,
     conditional and installment sales


























                                        5
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     agreements, charges, easements, encroachments or restrictions, of any
     kind and other title or interest retention arrangements, reservations
     or limitations of any nature.

          2.14  "Minority Shareholders" means any and all Shareholders
     other than the Principal Shareholders.

          2.15  "Net Equity" is defined in Paragraph 1.4.

          2.16  "Person" means an individual or a legal entity, including,
     without limitation, a corporation, trust, partnership, limited
     liability company, other association or  governmental agency.

          2.17  "Presto Accounts Receivable" means the accounts receivable
     of Presto arising from the Presto Business as set forth on the
     Supplemental Balance Sheet or arising since the date thereof.

          2.18  "Presto Assets" means the Presto Fixed Assets, Presto
     Inventories, Presto Intellectual Property, Presto Realty, Presto
     Leases, and Presto Cash and Presto Accounts Receivable.

          2.19  "Presto Business"  means the full range of business
     activities conducted by Presto as of the date hereof and during the
     period from the date hereof through the Closing Date.

          2.20  "Presto Cash" means all of the cash and cash equivalents
     which have accrued to the account of Presto, including, but not
     limited to cash on hand, cash on deposit, treasury bills, money market
     certificates, bonds or similar instruments, and useable prepaids and
     advances.

          2.21  "Presto Customer Contracts" means all contracts, written or
     oral, between  Presto and any Person for the provision by Presto of
     products and/or  services related to the Presto Business received at
     or prior to the Closing Date as to which Presto has not completed
     performance as  of the Closing Date. 

          2.22  "Presto Fixed Assets" means all of the machinery and
     equipment, hardware, computers, office equipment, furnishings,
     fixtures, supplies, leasehold improvements, and other fixed assets
     (other than Presto Realty) of any kind situated on Presto's premises
     and owned by Presto and utilized in any manner by Presto in connection
     with the Presto Business.

          2.23  "Presto Intellectual Property" means all of the rights of
     Presto to any Intellectual Property.




























                                        6
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          2.24  "Presto Inventories" means the  all raw materials,
     components, work-in-progress, finished products,  and packaging
     materials  owned by Presto and sold by Presto in connection with the
     Presto Business, wherever located.

          2.25  "Presto Leases"  means all of the leases of  equipment used
     by Presto (Presto as lessee) in the Presto Business.

          2.26  "Presto Realty" means all land, and the facilities and
     improvements situated thereon, owned or leased by Presto (in whole or
     in part, singly or jointly).

          2.27  "Presto Shares" means all of the issued and outstanding
     capital stock of  Presto.

          2.28  "Principal Shareholders" means Bruce Coffey and Martha M.
     Coffey, individually and as trustees of the Bruce and Martha Coffey
     Family Trust; and  Alan G. Stanford and Janet M. Stanford, 
     individually and as trustees of the  Alan and Janet Stanford Family
     Trust.

          2.29  "Taxes"  shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, levies, or
     other similar assessments or liabilities, including without limitation
     (a) income, gross receipts, ad valorem, premium, excise, real
     property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, withholding,
     employment, payroll, and franchise taxes imposed by the United States
     of America, or by any state, local, or foreign government, or any
     subdivision, agency, or other similar person of the United States or
     any such government; and (b) any interest, fines, penalties,
     assessments, or additions to taxes resulting from, attributable to, or
     incurred in connection with any Tax or any contest, dispute, or refund
     thereof.

          2.30  "Tax Returns" shall mean any report, return, or statement
     required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with
     Taxes.

                                   SECTION III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------
                         OF PRESTO AND THE SHAREHOLDERS
                         ------------------------------
          The Principal Shareholders, jointly and severally, and Presto
     hereby make the following representations and warranties to Buyer,
     each of which shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and,
     except as is otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, will be true as
     of the Closing Date and shall be unaffected by any investigation
     heretofore or hereafter made by Buyer.  Each Minority Shareholder,
     severally, makes the representations and warranties in Paragraphs 3.3
     which shall be true as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date.
























                                        7
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          3.1  Corporate Existence, Qualification and Power of Presto. 
               ------------------------------------------------------
     Presto is a corporation organized, existing and in good standing under
     the laws of the State of California.  Presto has the requisite
     corporate power and authority to own, lease and use its properties and
     to transact the Presto Business, and is licensed or qualified as a
     foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which such licensing or
     qualification is required and where the failure to be so licensed or
     qualified would have a material adverse effect on the Presto Business. 
     Schedule 3.1 contains a list of all jurisdictions in which Presto is
     licensed or qualified as a foreign corporation. Presto has the
     requisite corporate power to enter into and consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. On or before the Closing
     Date,  Presto will have furnished to Buyer true and correct copies of
     all resolutions, and/or other  documents and certificates authorizing
     the  execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Presto ,
     which resolutions, documents and certificates will constitute all
     action required by law or by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
     of Presto to authorize and approve the execution, delivery and
     performance of this Agreement. Except as described in Schedule 3.1, 
     Presto has no subsidiaries other than Presto Transportation Company,
     Inc. and no shares of any corporation or any ownership or other
     interest or investment either of record, beneficially or equitably, in
     any association partnership, joint venture or other legal entity.

          3.2  Authorization of Agreement by Presto.  The execution,
               ------------------------------------
     delivery and performance by Presto of this Agreement will not (i)
     conflict with, modify, breach or constitute grounds for the occurrence
     or declaration of a default (with or without notice or lapse of time,
     or both) under or allow another party a right to terminate any permit, 
     order, agreement, indenture, undertaking or other instrument to which
     Presto is a party or by which it or any of its assets may be bound or
     affected, except as described on Schedule 3.2, (ii) violate any
     provision of law or any regulation or any order, judgment, or decree
     of any court or other agency of government to which Presto is subject,
     (iii) violate any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-
     Laws of Presto, (iv) result in the creation or imposition of (or the
     obligation to create or impose) any Lien on any of the Presto's
     properties, or  (v), except as described on Schedule 3.2, result in
     the acceleration of any obligation material to the Presto Assets or
     the Presto Business.  No approval, authorization, consent or order or
     action of or filing with any  Governmental Entity is required to be
     obtained by either Presto or the Shareholders for the execution and
     delivery by Presto or the Shareholders of this Agreement or the
     consummation by them of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement except (i) for the consent or waiver to transfer the shares
     to Buyer from the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of
     California, (ii)

























                                        8
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     approval or  expiration of any waiting period in accordance with the
     provisions of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, of
     1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") and (iii) any other consents or
     approvals set forth on Schedule 3.2.

          3.3  Ownership of Presto Securities, Power to Convey and Absence
               -----------------------------------------------------------
     of Conflicts.  Set forth on Schedule 3.3 hereof is a complete list of
     ------------
     all the Shareholders of Presto Shares together with the amount of and
     series of common stock each such Shareholder owns and, if such
     Shareholder is not an individual, the form of entity of such
     Shareholder. Each Shareholder holds of record and beneficially the
     Presto Shares Attributed to such Stockholder on Schedule 3.3 hereto. 
     Each Shareholder represents and warrants to Buyer that such
     Shareholder has the right, power and authority to enter into this
     Agreement and to sell, convey, assign, transfer, and deliver at the
     Closing the Presto Shares shown on Schedule 3.3 hereto registered in
     the name of the respective Shareholder (herein "Attributed to" that
     Shareholder).  This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
     obligation of each Shareholder, enforceable against each Shareholder
     in accordance with its terms. On the Closing Date, each Shareholder
     shall deliver to Buyer good title to the Presto Shares Attributed to
     such Shareholder free and clear of  all Liens, (other than the
     restrictions on transfer generally imposed by applicable state and
     federal securities laws and except for a standard legend condition
     imposed by the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of
     California). 

          3.4  Capitalization.  The entire authorized capital stock of
               --------------
     Presto consists of 1,600,000 shares of Presto common stock, consisting
     of 100,000 shares of Series A Voting Common Stock and 1,500,000 shares
     of Series B Non-voting Common Stock, all of which are without par
     value.  As of the Closing Date there will be issued and outstanding
     1,306,561 shares of Presto Common Stock, consisting of 16,623 shares
     of the Series A Voting Common Stock and 1,289,938 shares of the Series
     B Non-voting Common Stock, all of which shares are duly authorized,
     validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued in
     violation of any preemptive or quasi-preemptive rights.  There are no
     shares of preferred stock or shares of any other series or class of
     common stock or shares of any other type of security either authorized
     or outstanding.  Presto does not have any right or obligation to
     purchase or redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Presto capital
     stock.  There (i) are no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions,
     conversion or other rights, agreements or commitments obligating
     Presto to issue any additional shares of capital stock or any other
     securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right
     to subscribe for any shares of capital stock of Presto, (ii) except as
     described on Schedule 3.4, are no restrictions on the transfer of any
     shares























                                        9
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     of capital stock of Presto and (iii) at the Closing, will be  no
     requirements of Presto or any Shareholder to vote any shares of
     capital stock of Presto. 

          3.5  Ability to Conduct the Business.  Except a described in
               -------------------------------
     Schedule 3.5, Presto is not subject to or bound by any judgment,
     order, writ, injunction or decree of any court, of any governmental
     body or of any arbitrator, which will prevent the use by Presto after
     the Closing Date of those assets of Presto which are material to the
     conduct of the Presto Business, or to the conduct of operations
     material to the Presto Business, in each case in accordance with
     present practices.  Except as described on Schedule 3.5,  Presto is
     not a party to, bound by or a beneficiary of any agreement which will
     prevent the use after the Closing Date by Presto of any of those
     assets of Presto which are material to the conduct of the Presto
     Business or to the conduct of operations material to the Presto
     Business, in each case in accordance with past practices.  

          3.6  Financial Statements.  Attached hereto as Schedule 3.6 are
               --------------------
     true and correct copies of (i) the combined balance sheet for Presto
     and Presto Transportation, Inc. at December 31, 1995 (the "Balance
     Sheet"), (ii) the related statements of earnings, cash flow and
     changes in shareholders equity for the fiscal year then ended (the
     "Statement of Income"), (iii) a combined balance sheet of Presto and
     Presto Transportation, Inc. as of June 30, 1996 and related statements
     of earnings and cash flow of Presto for the six months ended  June 30,
     1996 ("Supplemental Balance Sheet and Statement of Income"); and (iv)
     combined balance sheets for Presto and Presto Transportation, Inc. as
     of December 31, 1994 and 1993 and related statements of earnings, cash
     flow and changes in shareholders equity  of  Presto and Presto
     Transportation, Inc. for  the fiscal years then ended  ("Additional
     Financial Statements").  The Balance Sheet, the Statement of Income,
     and the Additional Financial Statements have been certified by Price
     Waterhouse, LLP, certified public accountants, and (i) present fairly
     the financial position of Presto at such dates and the results of
     operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity of Presto
     for the periods covered therein; (ii) have been prepared in accordance
     with GAAP applied consistently during such periods except as disclosed
     therein; and (iii) are derived from and reconcilable to Presto's books
     and records.   The Supplemental Balance Sheet and Statement of Income
     have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently  applied,
     except that they do not include notes and supplemental statements, and
     they contain all adjustments which are solely of a normal recurring
     nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Presto
     at June 30, 1996 and the results of its operations for the six months
     ending June 30, 1996 and are derived from and reconcilable to Presto's
     books and records.

























                                       10
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          3.7  Subsequent Events to June 30, 1996.  Except as set forth on
               ----------------------------------
     Schedule 3.7, since June 30, 1996,  neither Presto nor any subsidiary
     of Presto has:

               (i)  incurred any liabilities, other than liabilities
          incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
          practice or discharged or satisfied any lien or encumbrance, or
          paid any liabilities, other than in the ordinary course of
          business consistent with past practice, or failed to pay or
          discharge when due any liabilities of which the failure to pay or
          discharge has caused or  is reasonably likely to cause any
          material damage or risk of material loss to it or any of  Presto
          assets or properties;

               (ii)  sold, encumbered, assigned or transferred any assets
          or properties which are reflected on the Supplemental Balance
          Sheet except for the sale of Presto Inventories in the ordinary
          course of business consistent with past practice;

               (iii)  created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed any
          indebtedness for money borrowed, or mortgaged, pledged or
          subjected any of the Presto Assets to any mortgage, lien, pledge,
          security interest, conditional sales contract or other
          encumbrance of any nature whatsoever (excluding sellers liens
          arising under the California Commercial Code  in the normal
          course of business);

               (iv)  made or suffered any amendment or termination of any
          material agreement, contract, commitment,  or lease to which it
          is a party or by which it is bound, or canceled, modified or
          waived any substantial debts or claims held by it or waived any
          rights of substantial value, whether or not in the ordinary
          course of business;

               (v)  suffered any damage, destruction or loss, whether or
          not covered by insurance, (i) materially and adversely affecting
          its business, operations, assets, properties or prospects or (ii)
          of any item or items carried on its books of account individually
          or in the aggregate at more than $50,000, or suffered any
          repeated, recurring or prolonged shortage, cessation or
          interruption of supplies or utility or other services required to
          conduct its business and operations; 

               (vi)  received notice or had knowledge of any actual or
          threatened labor trouble, strike or other occurrence, event or
          condition of any similar character which has had or might have an
          adverse effect on its business, operations, assets, properties,
          or prospects; 

























                                       11
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

               (vii)  made any commitment or agreement for capital
          expenditures or capital additions or betterments exceeding in the
          aggregate $50,000 except such as may be involved in ordinary
          repair, maintenance or replacement of its assets;

               (viii)  increased the salaries or other compensation of, or
          made any advance (excluding advances for ordinary and necessary
          business expenses) or loan to, any of its employees or made any
          increase in, or any addition to, other benefits to which any of
          its employees may be entitled;

               (ix)  changed any of the accounting principles followed by
          it or the methods of applying such principles;

               (x)  entered into any transaction other than in the ordinary
          course of business consistent with past practice;

               (xi)  acquired, directly or indirectly, any shares of its
          capital stock or declared or paid any dividends thereon; or

               (xii)  suffered any event or occurrence or any series of
          events or occurrences that could have a material adverse effect
          on the business, operations, assets, properties, prospects or
          conditions (financial or otherwise) of Presto.

          3.8  Presto Inventories.  The Presto Inventories, as described in
               ------------------
     detail on Schedule 3.8 hereof, are carried at the lower of cost 
     (first in, first out) or market in accordance with GAAP consistently
     maintained and applied and, except for obsolete items, which have been
     fully written off,  were acquired (or converted into work in process
     or finished goods) and have been maintained in the ordinary course of
     business, are of good and merchantable quality, consist of items of a
     quality, condition and quantity currently useable and salable in the
     ordinary course of business and are fit for their intended purposes
     and are not subject to any write-down or write-off.  The Presto
     Inventories are free and clear of any liens, mortgages, pledges,
     encumbrances, claims or charges of any kind except for (i) liens for
     current taxes not yet due or (ii) any matters identified on Schedule
     3.8. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8, Presto is not (i) under any
     liability or obligation with respect to the return of inventory in the
     possession of wholesalers, retailers or other customers  (other than
     Sellers liens under the California Corporations Code arising and
     discharged in the ordinary course of business); (ii) subject to any
     discount programs, credit terms or "off invoice" programs relating to
     inventory.  All packaging inventory complies with all applicable
     federal and state labeling requirements. 



























                                       12
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          3.9  Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as disclosed or in Schedule
               -----------------------
     3.9, Presto has no Liabilities other than obligations and liabilities
     (i) disclosed or adequately reserved for on the Supplemental Balance
     Sheet, (ii) disclosed or referred to in the notes to the Balance
     Sheet, and (iii) Liabilities incurred since December 31, 1995 in or as
     a result of the normal and ordinary course of business consistent with
     past practices. 

          3.10  Tax Returns and Audit.    Effective for Presto's tax year
                ---------------------
     beginning January 1, 1987 and at all times thereafter through the
     Closing, Presto has qualified as an S Corporation within the meaning
     of Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code for federal income tax purposes and
     thereafter for California tax purposes, for the year the same was
     first available.  For purposes of Section 633(b) of the Tax Reform Act
     of  1986, Presto's election to be taxed as an S Corporation within the
     meaning of Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code was made on or before
     December 31, 1986.   Presto has timely filed all federal, state, local
     and foreign Tax Returns required to be filed by it and Presto has
     timely paid all Taxes which are due with respect to Presto or its
     assets.   With respect to any period for which Taxes are not yet due,
     Presto has made due and sufficient current accruals for such Taxes in
     its Supplemental Balance Sheet.  Presto has withheld and paid over to
     the appropriate taxing authorities all Taxes required to be withheld
     and paid over in connection with amounts paid or owing to any
     employee, creditor, independent contractor or other third party and
     has or will have filed all federal, foreign, state, and local Tax
     Returns with respect to employee income tax withholding and social
     security and payroll and unemployment taxes for all periods (or
     portions thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date which are
     required to be filed on or before the Closing Date. There exist no
     liens, and Presto has no knowledge of any facts and circumstances
     which could reasonably be anticipated to result in any liens, for
     unpaid or delinquent taxes, except for liens for current taxes not yet
     due and for which due and sufficient reserves have been established on
     the Supplemental Balance Sheet. 

          3.11  Title to, Use and Condition of, the Presto Fixed Assets.  
                -------------------------------------------------------
     A  list of the Presto Fixed Assets, grouped by category and by year of
     acquisition with the net book value of each such group as reflected on
     the books of account of Presto as of September 30, 1996 has been
     delivered to Buyer.  Except as described on Schedule 3.11, the list is
     complete.  The Presto Fixed Assets are free and clear of any Liens,
     except (i) liens for current taxes not yet due (ii) other matters
     identified on Schedule 3.11 hereof.  The Presto Fixed Assets taken as
     a whole, are (as appropriate) (i) usable in the regular and ordinary
     course of business and conform to all applicable laws, ordinances,
     codes, rules and regulations and permits relating to
























                                       13
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     their operation; (ii) in good operating condition and repair, and
     (iii) free from any known defects except reasonable and normal wear
     and tear. 

          3.12  Presto Realty.   Schedule 3.12 lists all Presto Realty.  As
                -------------
     to all Presto Realty identified as being owned by Presto, Presto has
     good and marketable title to such property free and clear of all
     Liens, adverse claims and other matters affecting Presto's title to or
     possession of such Presto Realty, including, but not limited to, all
     encroachments, boundary disputes, covenants, restrictions, easements,
     rights of way, mortgages, security interests, leases, encumbrances,
     title objections, and rights of first refusal other than (i) liens for
     taxes not yet due, (ii) such secured indebtedness as is disclosed in
     the Supplemental Balance Sheet , and (iii) matters disclosed on
     Schedule 3.12.  At Closing, title to the Presto Realty owned by Presto
     shall be insurable by any title insurance company selected by Buyer,
     at such company's regular rates pursuant to an ALTA 1987 owner's form
     of policy, free of all exceptions except the aforesaid easements,
     restrictions and covenants which are not objectionable to Buyer. 
     Presto is not in default with respect to any covenant of any security
     agreement, mortgage agreement, or other financing agreement involving
     the Presto Realty.  Further, each lease or agreement under which
     Presto is a lessee of any Presto Realty owned by any third party is,
     and at Closing shall be, in full force and effect and has not been
     assigned, modified, supplemented or amended since June 30, 1996 and
     neither Presto nor, to Presto's knowledge, the landlord or sublandlord
     under any such lease is in default under any of the Presto Realty
     leases, and no circumstances or state of facts presently exists which,
     with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would permit
     the landlord or sublandlord under any Presto Realty lease to terminate
     any Presto Realty lease.  Presto's possession of the Presto Realty has
     not been disturbed nor has any claim been asserted against Presto
     adverse to its rights in such Presto Realty.  Presto has all necessary
     rights to use  Presto Realty and the use of the Presto Realty by
     Presto conforms, to the extent required, with all Laws in effect on
     the date hereof regulating the use or improvement of real property and
     the operations thereon. Neither Presto nor any Principal Shareholder
     has received notice of or knows of any proceeding or governmental
     inquiry, or any threatened proceeding or governmental inquiry, which
     might reasonably be expected potentially to affect the zoning of the
     Presto Realty.

          3.13  Presto Leases.  Each Presto Lease of personal property
                -------------
     which involves payments by Presto aggregating in excess of $25,000 
     annually is listed on Schedule 3.13.  The property covered by the
     terms of the Presto Leases is presently used by Presto as lessee under
     the terms of the Presto Leases for the

























                                       14
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     Presto Business.  All rentals due from Presto under the Presto Leases
     have been paid and there exists no default under any of the Presto
     Leases and, to the knowledge of Presto, no event has occurred which,
     upon passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would result in
     any event of default or prevent Presto, currently or, after
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, from
     exercising or obtaining the benefits under the Presto Leases or the
     benefits of any options contained therein.  Except as noted on
     Schedule 3.13 hereof, all Presto Leases are valid and in full force
     and effect.

          3.14  Presto Intellectual Property.  Set forth on Schedule 3.14
                ----------------------------
     is a list and brief description of  the Presto Intellectual Property,
     including (as appropriate) where such items are filed, issued and/or
     registered. As to those matters shown on Schedule 3.14 as trademarks
     registered in the United States and countries foreign thereto, Presto
     represents that it is the owner of all right, title and interest in
     such United States and foreign registrations.  With respect to
     trademark applications indicated as pending, Presto has made and will
     continue to make available to Buyer and its counsel all material
     information of Presto and its counsel regarding such applications. 
     The trademarks shown on Schedule 3.14 as being registered have been
     properly registered, all pending registrations and applications for
     trademark have been properly made and filed and all annuity,
     maintenance, renewal and other fees relating to registrations and
     applications are current.  To the knowledge of Presto, there are no
     equitable defenses to enforcement of the trademarks shown on Schedule
     3.14 based on any act or omission of Presto.

          Presto owns no patents and has no applications for letters patent
     pending.

          Presto owns the trade secrets utilized in the Presto Business as
     the same has been and is conducted and does not require any trade
     secrets that it does not now already own or have the right to use, in
     order to conduct the Presto Business in the manner the same is
     conducted at the date hereof.  Presto is not infringing the
     Intellectual Property of others in the conduct of the Presto Business
     as currently conducted.  Except as described on Schedule 3.14, there
     is no litigation pending, or, to Presto's knowledge, threatened to
     challenge Presto's right, title or interest in or to, or continued use
     of any Presto Intellectual Property and, to Presto's knowledge any
     reasonable basis for such litigation.  To the knowledge of Presto, no
     one is infringing the Presto Intellectual Property in any material
     manner.  Presto has not granted any licenses or sublicenses or other
     rights with respect to any Presto Intellectual Property except as
     described in Schedule 3.14.  Presto has not transferred, assigned or
     otherwise conveyed, voluntarily or

























                                       15
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     involuntarily, any right to sue for any infringement of Presto
     Intellectual Property.  Presto has the right to use the Presto
     Intellectual Property in the conduct of the Presto Business as the
     same is now conducted.

          3.15  Necessary Property.  The Presto Assets constitute all of
                ------------------
     the assets and property now used in and necessary for the conduct of
     the Presto Business in the manner and to the extent presently
     conducted by Presto.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, none of
     the Shareholders, officers, directors and employees of Presto have any
     rights of ownership or use with respect to any of the Presto Assets.

          3.16  Customer Contracts, Other Contracts and Commitments. 
                ---------------------------------------------------
     Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16 or on another Schedule hereof
     referenced on Schedule 3.16, Presto  is not a party to any written or
     oral:

               (i)  Presto Customer Contract which individually or in the
          aggregate is material (amounts to 1% or more of Presto Gross
          Sales) to the Presto Business  which cannot be terminated on 30
          days notice or less;

               (ii)  single contract providing for an expenditure  in
          excess of $25,000 for the purchase, leasing or licensing of any
          real property, machinery, equipment, software or other items
          which are in the nature of capital investment; or any single
          contract providing for an expenditure  in excess of $25,000, or
          contracts with a single supplier in the aggregate providing for
          expenditures  in excess of $25,000, for the purchase or lease of
          raw materials, supplies, component parts or other items which are
          in the nature of inventory;

               (iii)   lease of any personal property under which Presto is
          a lessor and is entitled to receive payments of more than $25,000 
          in any one calendar year;

               (iv)  loan agreement, indenture, promissory note, mortgage,
          conditional sales agreement, guaranty, surety agreement,
          installment debt agreement or other similar type of agreement
          that involves an obligation enforceable against Presto of more
          than $25,000; 

               (v)  other contract or commitment which is material to the
          Presto Business except such that is cancelable on ninety (90)
          days notice or less without penalty;

               (vi)  contract arising outside the normal course of
          business;
























                                       16
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

               (vii)  collective bargaining agreement with any labor union;

               (viii)  bonus, incentive compensation, termination benefit
          plan, post-retirement medical benefit plan, or other similar plan
          not disclosed on Schedule 3.21;

               (ix)  employment agreement with officers, directors, senior
          executives, or other employees;

               (x)  contract or commitment which involves future payments
          by Presto based upon Presto's sales or profits; 

               (xi)  agreement between Presto and any of its Shareholders
          or directors;

               (xii)  agreement, contract or commitment, limiting or
          restraining Presto or any successor thereto from engaging or
          competing in any manner or in any business related to or
          competitive with the Presto Business , nor, to Presto's
          knowledge, is any employee of Presto subject to any such
          agreement, contract or commitment (the foregoing being exclusive
          of customer non-solicitation agreements to which Presto employees
          may be a party and third party trade secret agreements);

               (xiii)  agreement, contract or commitment with any
          consultant or other person or entity for consulting or other
          services involving in any one case of $25,000 or more.

     Except as described on Schedule 3.16 each of the agreements,
     contracts, commitments, leases, and other instruments, documents and
     undertakings listed or required to be listed on Schedule 3.16, or not
     required to be listed therein because of the amount thereof, is valid
     and enforceable as to Presto in accordance with its terms; Presto is,
     and to Presto's knowledge all other parties thereto are, in compliance
     with the provisions thereof; Presto is not, and to Presto's knowledge
     no other party thereto is, in default in the performance, observance
     or fulfillment of any obligation, covenant or condition contained
     therein; and to Presto's knowledge, no event has occurred which with
     or without  the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would
     constitute a default thereunder.   Except as listed on Schedule 3.16,
     no written or oral agreement, contract or commitment described or
     required to be described on Schedule 3.16 requires the consent of any
     party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

          3.17  No Breach of Statute, Decree, or Order.  Except as
                --------------------------------------
     disclosed on Schedule 3.17 hereto, Presto is not in default



























                                       17
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     under, or in violation of, any applicable statute, law, ordinance,
     decree, order, rule or regulation of any governmental body, or the
     provisions of any franchise or license,  or any provision of its
     Articles of Incorporation, or Bylaws.

          3.18  Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18 hereto,
                ----------
     there is no (i) action, suit, claim, or proceeding now pending or, to
     the knowledge of Presto, threatened against Presto or, to the further
     knowledge of Presto, any reasonable basis for same, before any court,
     administrative or regulatory body, or any governmental agency relating
     to the conduct of the Presto Business or the  Presto Assets or the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii)
     judgments, orders or decrees of any Governmental Entity binding on
     Presto or the Presto Assets.

          3.19  Presto Accounts Receivable.  The Presto Accounts Receivable
                --------------------------
     are  valid and genuine, and have arisen solely out of bona fide sales
     of goods and services in the ordinary conduct of the  Presto Business. 
     Except as described in Schedule 3.19, the Presto Accounts Receivable
     are not subject to defenses, counterclaims, or offsets.  The allowance
     for collection losses on the Supplemental Balance Sheet has been
     determined in accordance with GAAP consistent with past practice.
     Since December 31, 1995, Presto has not written off any accounts
     receivable except in accordance with past practice, nor has it changed
     the basis for calculation of the bad debt reserve.

          3.20  Certain Relationships.  Schedule 3.20 sets forth the names
                ---------------------
     of all current officers and directors of Presto.  Neither Presto nor
     any directors, officers, agents or employees of Presto has (i) used
     any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment
     or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made
     any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or
     employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns
     from corporate funds or violated any provision of  the Foreign Corrupt
     Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or (iii) made any other unlawful
     payment.  None of the stockholders, officers or directors of Presto or
     any entity controlled by any of the foregoing (i) owns, directly or
     indirectly, any significant interest in, or is a director, officer,
     employee, consultant or agent of, any person which is a competitor,
     lessor, lessee or customer of, or supplier of goods or services to,
     the Presto Business, (ii) owns, directly or indirectly, in whole or in
     part, any real property, leasehold interests or other property with a
     fair market value of at least $25,000 in the aggregate the use of
     which is necessary for the Presto Business, (iii) has any cause of
     action or other suit, action or claim whatsoever against, or owes any
     amount to Presto other than  claims in the ordinary course of
     business, (iv) has
























                                       18
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     sold to, or purchased from, Presto any assets or property for
     aggregate consideration in excess of $25,000 since January 1, 1996, or
     (v) is a party to any contract or participates in any arrangement,
     written or oral, pursuant to which the Presto Business provides
     services of any nature to any such individual or entity, except to
     such individual in his capacity as an employee of the Presto Business.

          3.21  Benefit Plans.  Schedule 3.21 sets forth any employee
                -------------
     benefit plan, fund, program or arrangement (including but not limited
     to employee benefit plans as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) and all
     other employee benefit arrangements or payroll practices including,
     without limitation, severance pay, sick leave, vacation pay, salary
     continuation for disability, consulting or other compensation
     agreements, deferred compensation, bonus, stock purchase, and
     scholarship programs which Presto, the Shareholders or any trade or
     business (whether or not incorporated) which is under control or which
     has ever been treated as a single employer with Presto or the
     shareholders under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal
     Revenue Code of 1985, as amended (the "Code") ("ERISA Affiliate")
     maintains, sponsors, contributes to or is obligated to contribute
     thereunder ("Plan").  True, correct and complete copies of the
     following documents with respect to each of the Plans have been made
     available or delivered to Buyer by Presto; (i) any plans and related
     trust documents and amendments thereto; (ii) the three most recent
     Forms 5500; (iii) the last IRS determination letter; (iv) summary plan
     descriptions; (v) material written communications to employees
     relating to the Plans; and (vi) written descriptions of all non-
     written agreements relating to the Plans.  Except as otherwise
     described on Schedule 3.21, (i) each Plan has been operated in
     conformity with its terms and applicable laws (including but not
     limited to the Code and ERISA); (ii) all notice and  continuation
     coverage requirements under any group health plan provided by  Presto
     or ERISA Affiliate at Presto has been provided in conformity with the
     Code and ERISA; (iii) Presto has or will have made on or before the
     Closing Date all contributions required under any Plan for all plan
     years beginning before the Closing Date and has no indebtedness, or
     obligation to incur indebtedness, to any Plan outstanding; and all
     contributions for any period ending on or before the Closing Date
     which are not yet due will have been paid or accrued on or prior to
     the Closing Date; (iv) a letter has been received from the Internal
     Revenue Service determining that each Plan intended to qualify under
     Section 401(a) of the Code, as amended by the Retirement Equity Act
     and the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 and by the Tax Reform Act of
     1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, the Unemployment
     Compensation Amendments Act of 1992 and the Omnibus Budget
     Reconciliation Act of 1993 are so qualified and the trusts maintained
     pursuant


























                                       19
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     thereto are exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 of
     the Code  and nothing has occurred which has resulted in the
     revocation of such qualification or exemption; (v) neither Presto nor
     any ERISA Affiliate of Presto sponsors or maintains and are not
     required to contribute to any defined benefit pension plan (as defined
     in Section 3(35) of ERISA), is a party to and has not contributed to
     any multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA)
     ("Multiemployer Plan"); (vi) no prohibited transaction (as defined in
     either Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) has occurred
     with respect to any Plan; (vii) Presto has complied with all reporting
     and disclosure requirements under ERISA and the Code to the extent
     applicable to any Plan; and (viii) no director, officer or employee of 
     Presto, to the extent he or she is a fiduciary with respect to any
     Plan, has breached any responsibility or obligation imposed upon
     fiduciaries under Title I of ERISA or which would result in any claim
     being made under, by or on behalf of any Plan, participant,
     beneficiary, alternate payee, co-fiduciary or former fiduciary, and
     there has been no actual, or to the knowledge of Presto and the
     Principal Shareholders threatened litigation or governmental
     administrative action concerning or involving any such Plan.  Except
     with respect to the individuals listed on Schedule 3.21(a), no current
     or former employees of Presto (or their beneficiaries) are entitled to
     any post-retirement health or life insurance continuation coverage
     under any Plan except as may be required under COBRA and at the
     expense of the participant or the participant's beneficiary.  The
     execution of this Agreement will not (i) result in any payment
     becoming due to any current, former or retired employee of Presto or
     any ERISA Affiliate of Presto, (ii) increase any benefits under any
     Plan, or (iii) accelerate the payment or vesting of any such benefits. 
     No liability under any Plan has been funded nor had any such
     obligation been satisfied with the purchase of a contract from an
     insurance company that is not rated AA by Standard & Poor's
     Corporation and the equivalent by each other nationally recognized
     rating agency.  No stock or other security issued by Presto forms or
     has formed a material part of the assets of any Plan.  Neither Presto
     nor any ERISA Affiliate of Presto has withdrawn in a complete or
     partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan prior to the Closing
     Date, nor has any of them incurred any liability due to the
     termination or reorganization of a Multiemployer Plan; and Buyer will
     not have (i) any obligation to make any contribution to any
     Multiemployer Plan or (ii) any withdrawal liability from any such
     Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 of ERISA which it would not have
     had it not purchased the Presto Shares from the Shareholders at the
     Closing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          3.22  Environmental Matters.  Presto and its operations and
                ---------------------
     facilities have been and are in compliance in all material respects
     with Environmental Laws. Except as described in Schedule

























                                       20
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     3.22, no judicial or administrative proceedings or investigations are
     pending or to Presto's knowledge threatened against Presto or any real
     property owned, leased or operated by Presto that allege the violation
     of or seek to impose liability pursuant to Environmental Laws which
     are likely to give rise to any material Environmental Costs and
     Liabilities and Presto has not received notice of, nor does either
     Presto or any Principal Shareholder know or have reason to know of any
     facts or circumstances which might reasonably be expected to give rise
     to liability  under Environmental Laws, indicating liability for
     employee exposure to Hazardous Materials.  Presto has not disposed or
     arranged for the disposal of any waste or Hazardous Materials  at any
     location which is listed or proposed for listing under CERCLA, or
     CERCLIS or on any similar state list, or which is the subject of
     federal, state or local enforcement actions or other investigations
     which may lead to liability on the part of either Presto or Buyer for
     site investigation or cleanup costs, remedial work, damages to natural
     resources or for personal injury except as described in Schedule 3.22. 
     No real property currently or to Presto's knowledge, formerly owned,
     operated or leased by Presto is located on a site which is listed or
     proposed for listing under CERCLA or CERCLIS or on any similar state
     list.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.22, there are no facts,
     circumstances or conditions relating to, arising from or attributable
     to the Presto Business or the  Presto Realty or, to the knowledge of
     Presto, adjacent properties that are reasonably likely to result in
     Presto or, after the Closing, the Buyer incurring material
     Environmental Costs and Liabilities.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
     3.22, there is not now, nor, to Presto's knowledge, has there been in
     the past, on, in or under any real property owned, leased or operated
     by Presto (i) any underground storage tanks, above-ground storage
     tanks, dikes or impoundments containing Hazardous Materials, (ii) any
     asbestos-containing materials, or (iii) any polychlorinated bipheyls. 
     The Shareholders and Presto have provided Buyer with copies of all
     audits, assessments, studies, reports, analyses, and results of
     investigations and any notices, claims or similar documentation
     relating to Presto, its operations, or any real property currently or
     formerly owned, operated or leased by Presto or any predecessor and
     compliance with or potential liability under any Environmental Law
     that are in the possession, custody or control of Presto or any
     Shareholder.

          3.23  Labor Relations; Employees.   Schedule 3.23 hereto contains
                --------------------------
     a true and complete list of all persons employed by Presto, including
     date of hire, a description of material compensation arrangements
     (other than employee benefit plans set forth in Schedule 3.21) and a
     list of other terms of any and all agreements affecting such persons.
     Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23, (i) Presto is not a party to any
     legally binding


























                                       21
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     written employment or consulting agreement or contract; (ii) Presto
     has no formal or informal, express or implied, severance or
     termination notice plan, program or policy, which is effective upon
     termination of the employment of any employee or consulting
     arrangement with any Consultant; or upon the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby (iii) Presto is not delinquent in
     payments to any of its employees or consultants for any wages,
     salaries, commissions, benefits, bonuses or other direct or indirect
     compensation for any services performed by him or her to the date
     hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to any of its employees or
     consultants; (iv) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of Presto,
     threatened litigation by any employees or consultants (v) there are no
     pending or, to the knowledge of Presto, threatened administrative
     actions or claims with respect to either Presto's relationship to any
     employee or Consultant including, without limitation, discrimination
     (whether for sex, age, race, religion, national origin or any other
     reason); (vi) Presto is and for the past three years has been in
     compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations
     respecting labor, employment and employment practices, terms and
     conditions of employment and wages and hours, except to the extent
     that any noncompliance would not have a material adverse effect on the
     Presto Business or the Presto Assets; (vii) there is no unfair labor
     practice complaint against Presto pending or to the knowledge of
     Presto threatened before the National Labor Relations Board or any
     comparable state, local or foreign agency; (viii) there is no labor
     strike, dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of
     Presto,  threatened against Presto; and (ix) Presto is not a party to
     any collective bargaining agreement not listed on Schedule 3.23 and
     none is currently being negotiated.

          3.24  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED)

          3.25  Insurance.   Presto has insurance policies in full force
                ---------
     and effect for such amounts as are sufficient for material compliance
     with all requirements of law and of all agreements to which Presto is
     a party or by which it is bound.  Set forth in Schedule 3.25 is a list
     of all fire, liability and other forms of insurance and all fidelity
     bonds held by or applicable to Presto, setting forth, in respect of
     each such policy, the policy name, policy number, carrier, term, type
     of coverage and annual premium.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.25,
     no event relating to Presto has occurred which can reasonably be
     expected to result in a retroactive upward adjustment in premiums
     under any such insurance policies or which is likely to result in a
     prospective upward adjustment in such premiums.  Excluding insurance
     policies that have expired and been replaced in the ordinary course of
     business, no insurance policy has been canceled within the last two
     years and, to Presto's knowledge, no threat has been made to


























                                       22
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     cancel any insurance policy of Presto during such period.  Except as
     noted on Schedule 3.25, all such insurance will remain in full force
     and effect with respect to periods before the Closing.  No event has
     occurred, including without limitation, the failure by Presto to give
     any notice or information or Presto giving any inaccurate or erroneous
     notice or information, which limits or impairs the rights of Presto
     under any such insurance policies.  

          3.26  Dividends.  Except as described in Schedule 3.26, Presto
                ---------
     has not made any declaration, setting aside or payment to the holders
     of its Presto Shares of any dividends or other distributions in
     respect of its Presto Shares to be paid after the date of this
     Agreement or agreed or become obligated to take any such action.

          3.27  No Pending Transactions.  Except for this Agreement, Presto
                -----------------------
     is not a party to or bound by any agreement, undertaking or commitment
     (i) to merge or consolidate with, or acquire all or substantially all
     of the property and assets of any other corporation or person or (ii)
     to sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property
     and assets to any other corporation or person.

          3.28  Minute Books and Records.  The Presto minute books and any
                ------------------------
     other significant corporate records of Presto are now and will be
     substantially complete and correct as of the Closing Date and have
     been maintained in accordance with good business practices.

          3.29  Broker's Fees.  Other than Goldman, Sachs & Co., neither
                -------------
     Presto nor any person or entity acting on behalf of Presto has
     retained or engaged any investment banking firm, broker, finder or
     agent or agreed to pay any other Person any investment banking fee,
     brokerage fee, finder's fee or commission with respect to the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

          3.30  Financial Institution Relationships.  Schedule 3.30 hereto
                -----------------------------------
     includes a complete and accurate list, as of the date of this
     Agreement and, as will be supplemented in writing by Presto to Buyer
     at least three business days prior to the Closing, of (i) each and
     every bank and account number in which Presto or Presto
     Transportation, Inc. has an account together with the names of all
     persons authorized as signatories to draw thereon, and the cash
     balance of each such account; (ii) a description of all lines of
     credit extended in favor of Presto together with the name of the
     institution issuing such line of credit, the balance of the amount
     drawn thereon, and such additional information as Buyer may hereafter
     request; and (iii) each and every safe deposit box maintained by
     Presto and Presto Transportation, Inc.,























                                       23
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     together with the names of all persons authorized to have access
     thereto and the property contained in each such safe deposit box.

          3.31  Spousal Consents.  Each Shareholder represents and warrants
                ----------------
     that Schedule 3.31 hereto correctly identifies (i) his or her spouse
     and (ii) any person who has been his or her spouse at any time since
     January 1, 1996.

          3.32  Customers and Suppliers.  Schedule 3.32 sets forth (a) a
                -----------------------
     list of (i) the ten largest customers of Presto based on sales during
     the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and (ii) the ten largest
     customers of Presto during the  six months ended  June 30, 1996,
     showing the approximate total sales by Presto to each such customer
     during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months
     ended June 30, 1996, respectively, (b) a list of (i) the ten largest
     suppliers of Presto based on purchases during the fiscal year ended
     December 31, 1995 and the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
     showing the approximate total purchases by Presto from each such
     supplier during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and the nine
     months ended September 30, 1996, respectively.  

          3.33  Product Actions.  Paragraph 3.33 sets forth all recalls and
                ---------------
     withdrawals of products and other similar federal, state or private
     actions with respect to products manufactured or sold by Presto during
     the past three years ("Product Actions").  To the knowledge of Presto,
     no facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to
     result in a Product Action.

          3.34  Compliance With Law; Permits.  Presto has complied with
                ----------------------------
     each Law, judgment, order and decree of any Governmental Entity to
     which Presto or its business, operations, assets or properties is
     subject and is not currently in violation of any of the foregoing. 
     Presto owns, holds, possesses or lawfully uses in the operation of its
     business all licenses, permits, authorizations, and approvals
     (collectively, "Permits") which are in any manner necessary for it to
     conduct the Presto Business as now or previously conducted or for the
     ownership and use of the Presto Assets, free and clear of all Liens
     and in compliance with all Laws.   Seller is not in default, nor has
     it received any notice of any claim of default, with respect to any
     such Permits.

          3.35  Material Facts.  Neither this Agreement nor any schedule
                --------------
     hereto, or any written statement or certificate required by Paragraphs
     7.1 and 7.3 furnished at the Closing as required herein by Presto or
     the Principal Shareholders, contains or will contain an untrue
     statement of fact or omits or will omit to state a fact that is
     necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made,
     not materially misleading.  None of




















                                       24
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     the Shareholders or Presto has failed to disclose to Buyer any fact
     which would reasonably be determined to have a material adverse effect
     on the business, financial condition, results of operations or
     prospects of the Presto Business, or which is otherwise material to
     the Presto Business.

          3.36   Presto Transportation. Presto Transportation, Inc. is a
                ----------------------
     corporation organized, existing, and in good standing under the laws
     of the State of Missouri.  Presto Transportation, Inc. has the
     requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and use its
     properties and to transact business, in the manner it is conducting
     same as of the date hereof.   Presto Transportation, Inc. has no
     subsidiaries and no shares of any corporation or any ownership or
     other interest or investment either of record, beneficially or
     equitably, in any association partnership, joint venture or other
     legal entity. Presto Transportation, Inc. has no Liabilities not
     included or reflected in the Presto Supplemental Balance Sheet. The
     entire authorized capital stock of Presto Transportation, Inc.
     consists of  100,000 shares of common stock.  As of the Closing Date
     there will be issued and outstanding 100,000 shares of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. common stock, all of which are duly authorized,
     validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were not issued in
     violation of any preemptive  rights.  There are no shares of preferred
     stock or shares of any other series or class of common stock or shares
     of any other type of security either authorized or outstanding. Presto
     Transportation, Inc. does not have any right or obligation to purchase
     or redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Presto Transportation,
     Inc. capital stock.  There (i) are no options, warrants, calls,
     subscriptions, conversion or other rights, agreements or commitments
     obligating Presto Transportation, Inc. to issue any additional shares
     of capital stock or any other securities convertible into,
     exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for any shares
     of capital stock of Presto Transportation, Inc., (ii) are no
     restrictions on the transfer of any shares of capital stock of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. and (iii) are no requirements of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. to vote any shares of capital stock of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. 

                                   SECTION IV
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
                     ---------------------------------------
          Buyer hereby makes the following representations and warranties,
     each of which shall be true and correct on the Closing Date.

          4.1  Corporate Status.  Buyer is a corporation organized,
               ----------------
     existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of 
     Delaware, and has the corporate power and the authority to own and use
     its properties and to transact the business in which it
























                                       25
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     is engaged and has the corporate power to enter into and consummate
     this Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and
     binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance
     with its terms.

          4.2  Authorization of Agreement.   The execution and delivery of
               --------------------------
     this Agreement do not, and the compliance with and the fulfillment of,
     and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement will not violate or conflict with any provisions of the
     Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer or result in the
     acceleration of, any obligation under any agreement or instrument to
     which Buyer is a party or is bound, or violate any order, judgment,
     award or decree to which it is a party or to which it is subject which
     violation, conflict, breach, default or acceleration could have a
     material adverse effect on the consummation of the transaction
     contemplated hereby.  At or prior to the Closing Date, Buyer will have
     furnished to Presto and the Shareholders  true and correct copies of
     all resolutions and/or other certificates or documents authorizing
     Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder, which
     resolutions and documents will constitute all action required by law
     or the Certificate  of Incorporation and Bylaws of Buyer to authorize
     and approve the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.


          4.3  Broker's Fees.  Buyer  has not retained or engaged any
               -------------
     investment banking firm,  broker, finder or agent or agreed to pay any
     investment banking firm, brokerage fee, finder's fee or commission for
     which Presto or any Shareholder is or will be liable with respect to
     the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          4.4  Financing.  Attached hereto as Schedule 4.4 is a true and
               ---------
     complete copy of an executed commitment letter dated October 11, 1996
     from NationsBank of Texas, N. A. (the "Financing Commitment").

          4.5  Investment Representation.  Buyer represents to Presto and
               -------------------------
     the Shareholders of Presto that the acquisition of the Presto Shares
     contemplated herein is being done for its own account, for investment
     and not with a view to sale or distribution of thereof or any other
     Presto securities.

                                    SECTION V
                      COVENANTS OF PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS
                      ------------------------------------
          5.1  Operation of Business.  Presto and Shareholders covenant and
               ---------------------
     agree with Buyer that from and after the date of this Agreement and
     until the Closing Date, except as described in























                                       26
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     Schedule 5.1 and except as Buyer may hereafter agree in writing, that:

               (i)  The Shareholders will not sell, transfer, or convey any
          interest in the Presto Shares or otherwise render themselves 
          unable to perform their obligations hereunder at the Closing;

               (ii)  Presto shall not issue or sell any shares of its
          capital stock or other securities, acquire directly or
          indirectly, by redemption or otherwise, any such capital stock,
          reclassify or split-up any such capital stock, declare or pay any
          dividends thereon in cash (except as described in Schedule 3.26),
          securities or other property or make any other distribution with
          respect thereto, or grant or enter into any options, warrants,
          calls or commitments of any kind with respect thereto;

               (iii)  Presto's business shall be conducted only in the
          ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice;

               (iv)  Presto will not sell, lease or dispose of or encumber
          any assets other than sales of products in the ordinary course of
          the Presto Business or move any Presto Fixed Asset to any
          location other than to the Presto Realty;

               (v)  Presto will not make any capital expenditure or enter
          into any lease of capital equipment or real estate outside the
          normal course of business;

               (vi)  Presto will not create, assume, incur or guarantee any
          indebtedness other than (1) in the usual and ordinary course of
          business and with a maturity date of less than one year or (2)
          that incurred pursuant to existing contracts disclosed in the
          Schedules delivered pursuant hereto;

               (vii)  Presto will not make or institute any unusual or
          novel method of transacting business or change any accounting
          procedures or practices or its financial structure;

               (viii)  Presto will not make any amendments to or changes in
          its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; 

               (ix)  Presto shall not effect any transaction with any
          related party, including without limitation directors, officers,
          and shareholders and affiliates of the same,  except as required
          under an existing agreement or arrangement the terms of which are
          described in the





























                                       27
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Schedules accompanying this Agreement, nor shall Presto enter
          into any new contract or arrangement with any of the related
          parties described above.

               (x)  Presto will not extend credit in the sale of products,
          collection of receivables or otherwise, other than in the
          ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

               (xi)  Presto will not grant to any employee of Presto any
          increase in compensation or in severance or termination pay,
          grant any severance or termination pay, or enter into any
          employment agreement with any employee, except as may be required
          under employment or termination agreements in effect on the date
          of this agreement or based on annual reviews in the ordinary
          course of business consistent with past practice;

               (xii)  Presto will not adopt or amend any Plan or collective
          bargaining agreements, except as required by Law;

               (xiii)  Presto will maintain in full force and effect all
          insurance described in Schedule 3.25; 

               (xiv)  neither the Shareholders nor Presto will take any
          action as a result of which any representation or warranty of the
          Principal Shareholders, the Minority Shareholders or Presto in
          Section III would be rendered untrue or incorrect if such
          representation or warranty were made immediately following the
          taking of such action; and

               (xv)  Presto will not make any principal payments on
          outstanding funded debt, other than scheduled principal payments,
          or pay any amounts for deferred compensation (including any
          amounts for  Performance Shares Plan). Buyer acknowledges that
          Presto expects to make substantial payments with respect to
          Presto's  Performance Shares Plan simultaneously  with the
          Closing.

          5.2  Preservation of Business.  Presto shall carry on its
               ------------------------
     business diligently and substantially in the same manner as heretofore
     conducted and shall use all reasonable efforts to keep its business
     organization intact, including its present employees and its present
     relationships with suppliers and customers and others having business
     relations with it.  Presto will at all times use all reasonable
     efforts to maintain in inventory quantities of goods, materials and
     supplies sufficient to allow the continuation and operation of the
     Presto Business, after the Closing Date, free from any material
     shortage of such items.


























                                       28
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          5.3  Full Access.   Prior to the Closing, upon reasonable notice
               -----------
     from Buyer to Presto, Presto will and the Shareholders will cause
     Presto to afford to the officers, attorneys, accountants or other
     authorized representatives of Buyer reasonable access during normal
     business hours to the employees, assets, facilities and the books and
     records of Presto so as to afford Buyer full opportunity to make such
     review, examination and investigation of the Presto Business as Buyer
     may desire to make.  Buyer will be permitted to make extracts from or
     to make copies of such books and records as may be reasonably
     necessary in connection therewith.  Prior to the Closing, Presto will
     promptly furnish or cause to be furnished to Buyer such financial and
     operating data and other information as Buyer may reasonably request. 

          5.4  (INTENTIONALLY OMITTED)

          5.5  Books, Records, and Financial Statements.  Presto shall
               ----------------------------------------
     maintain its books and financial records in accordance with  GAAP
     consistently maintained and applied, and on a basis consistent with
     the past practices of Presto.  Said books and financial records shall
     fairly and accurately reflect the operations of Presto.  Presto shall
     furnish to Buyer promptly, as available, financial statements and
     operating reports applicable to the operations of Presto since June
     30, 1996.  Prior to the Closing, within thirty (30) days of the end of
     each quarter, the Shareholders shall cause Presto deliver to Buyer an
     unaudited income statement and an unaudited balance sheet of Presto
     for the  quarter then ended (collectively, the "Quarterly Financial
     Statements").  The Quarterly Financial Statements shall be certified
     by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.  Such certification
     shall state that:  (a) the  Quarterly Financial Statements were
     prepared in accordance with GAAP and practices consistent with those
     followed in the preparation of the financial statements delivered
     pursuant to Paragraph 3.6 hereof; and (b) no material adjustments to
     such  Quarterly Financial Statements are required for a fair
     presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of
     the Presto Business for the period covered by such statements. Prior
     to the Closing, within twenty (20) days of the end of each month, the
     Shareholders shall cause Presto to deliver to Buyer an unaudited
     income statement and unaudited balance sheet for the month then ended.

          5.6  Presto Transportation Shares.  The Shareholders agree to
               ----------------------------
     transfer, convey, assign and deliver to Buyer  at the Closing, without
     additional consideration, all of the capital stock of Presto
     Transportation, Inc. not owned by Presto,  free and clear of all
     Liens.



























                                       29
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          5.7  Waiver of Any Prior Agreements.  Presto and each Shareholder
               ------------------------------
     hereby (i) consent to all of the transactions provided for herein and
     to all transactions necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent
     of this Agreement; (ii) acknowledge that Buyer shall be entitled to
     exercise its rights as set forth herein and to obtain, on the Closing
     Date (and retain thereafter) rights in and to the Presto Shares being
     acquired hereunder, free from any and all restrictions on transfer,
     pledge, hypothecation, voting, or otherwise except for the usual
     restrictions imposed on distributions of securities by state and
     federal securities laws; and (iii) waive in their entirety for all
     time any and all rights which the Shareholder(s) and/or Presto may
     have to object to, or prevent, restrict or in any other way affect the
     rights granted to Buyer herein or the right of Buyer to obtain title
     to the Presto Shares free and clear of any Lien, including, without
     limitations, any and all repurchase rights, rights of first refusal,
     and other rights or restrictions. 

          5.8  Environmental Audit.  Buyer and its consultants shall have a
               -------------------
     right to enter the Presto premises in order to conduct an assessment
     of possible environmental contamination, including taking soil samples
     and conducting other practices that are customary in connection with
     environmental audits.

          5.9  Notification.   Prior to the Closing, the Shareholders shall
               ------------
     cause Presto to notify Buyer, and Buyer shall notify Presto, of any
     litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding pending or, to
     its knowledge, threatened against Presto or the Shareholders or Buyer,
     as the case may be, which challenges the transactions contemplated
     hereby.

          5.10  No Inconsistent Action. Neither Buyer nor the Shareholders
                ----------------------
     shall take any action which is materially inconsistent with their
     respective obligations under this Agreement.

          5.11  Acquisition Proposals.  From and after the date of this
                ---------------------
     Agreement unless this Agreement is terminated under the provisions of
     Section X, neither Presto nor any Shareholder shall, nor shall they
     authorize or permit any officer, director or employee of, or any
     investment banker, attorney, accountant or other representative
     retained by, Presto or any Shareholder to  solicit, initiate or
     encourage submission of any proposal or offer (including by way of
     furnishing information) from any person which constitutes, or may
     reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal.  As used
     in this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" shall mean any proposal for
     a merger or other business combination involving Presto or any
     proposal or























                                       30
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     offer to acquire in any manner a substantial equity interest in, or a
     substantial portion of the assets of, Presto.

          5.12  Cooperation.  Buyer, on the one hand, and Presto and the
                -----------
     Shareholders, on the other hand, shall cooperate fully with each other
     in taking any actions, including actions to obtain the required
     consent of any Governmental Entity or any third party, necessary or
     helpful to accomplish the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
     provided, however, that no party shall be required to take any action
     which would have a material adverse effect upon it.

          5.13  Satisfaction of Conditions.  Without limiting the
                --------------------------
     generality or effect of any provision of Sections VII or VIII, prior
     to the Closing, each of the parties will use reasonable efforts with
     due diligence and in good faith to satisfy promptly all conditions
     required hereby to be satisfied by such party in order to expedite the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

          5.14  Notice of Material Adverse Changes  Presto and the
                ----------------------------------
     Principal Shareholders shall cause Presto to notify Buyer as soon as
     practical in writing (and in any event before Closing) if prior to
     Closing (1) Presto or a Principal Shareholder has knowledge of a
     material adverse change in the business relationship of Presto with
     any customer or supplier of Presto named in Schedule 3.32 or (2) any
     person listed in Schedule 2.10 has knowledge that a customer or
     supplier named in said schedule advises Presto after the date hereof
     that it intends to discontinue its relationship with Presto or
     materially reduce the level of business it conducts with Presto,
     whether as a result of the consummation of the transaction
     contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise.

                                   SECTION VI
                       ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
                       -----------------------------------
          6.1  Section 338 Election.
               --------------------
               (a)  Each of the Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall
          elect to file an election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code
          and under any comparable provisions of state, local, or foreign
          law other than under the laws of the State of California, to the
          extent such exclusion from the Election is permitted under
          California law with respect to the purchase of the Presto Shares
          (collectively the "Election").  The Shareholders, Presto and the
          Buyer shall report, in connection with the determination of
          Taxes, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in a
          manner consistent with the Election.  The Shareholders and Presto

























                                       31
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          shall comply with all of the requirements of Section 338(h)(10)
          of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.  The
          Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall take no action which is
          inconsistent with the Election or its validity under the Code and
          the applicable Treasury Regulations.

               (b)  On the Closing Date, each of the Shareholders and their
          spouses shall execute and deliver to the Buyer five copies of
          Internal Revenue Service Form 8023-A provided by the Buyer and
          any similar forms under applicable state, local or foreign law
          other than the State of California (the "Election Forms").

               (c)  As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, Buyer,
          and  the Principal Shareholders, directly or through their
          representatives, shall meet and confer to seek agreement among
          them as to the allocation of the Modified Aggregate Deemed Sales
          Price (as defined below) among the assets of Presto in accordance
          with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.338(h)(10) -
          1(f)(i)(ii) (the "Sales Price Allocation").  The term "Modified
          Aggregate Deemed Sales Price" shall mean an amount resulting from
          the Election, determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section
          1.338(h)(10) - 1(f) without regard to items described in Treasury
          Regulation Section 1.338(h)(10) - 1(f)(4) (provided that the
          Shareholders and Presto may take such items into account in
          filing Tax Returns). In the event the Buyer and the Principal
          Shareholders reach agreement as to such allocation, the
          Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall file all Tax Returns in
          a manner consistent with the agreed to Sales Price Allocation. If
          the parties, after  meeting and conferring in good faith are
          unable to reach agreement as to such Sales Price Allocation,
          neither Buyer nor Principal Shareholders shall be under any
          obligation to file tax returns consistent with other party's
          Sales Price Allocation.

               (d)  The Buyer shall be responsible for the preparation and
          filing of all forms and documents required in connection with the
          Election.  The Buyer shall provide the Principal Shareholders
          with copies of (i) any necessary corrections, amendments, or
          supplements to Form 8023-A, (ii) all attachments required to be
          filed therewith pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations, and
          (iii) any comparable forms and attachments with respect to any
          applicable state, foreign, or local elections being made pursuant
          to the Election.  The Shareholders (and their respective spouses)
          shall execute and deliver to the Buyer within five days of
          receipt by the Principal Shareholders such documents or





























                                       32
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          forms as are required properly to complete the Election.  The
          Shareholders, Presto and the Buyer shall cooperate fully with
          each other and make available to each other such Tax data and
          other information as may be reasonably required by the
          Shareholders or the Buyer in order to timely file the Election
          and any other required statements or schedules.  The Shareholders
          (and their respective spouses) shall promptly execute and deliver
          to the Buyer any amendments made to Form 8023-A (and any
          comparable state, local and foreign forms) subsequent to the
          filing of the Election and any attachments which are required to
          be filed under applicable law.

          6.2  Cooperation and News Releases.  Buyer and Presto will fully
               -----------------------------
     cooperate with each other and their respective counsels and
     accountants in connection with any steps to be taken as part of their
     obligations under this Agreement.  Presto and Buyer will advise each
     other of the text of any news release to be issued concerning the
     subject acquisition and will not make any news release or otherwise
     permit information concerning the subject acquisition to become public
     without the consent of both Buyer and Presto provided, however, that
     nothing herein will prohibit either party from issuing or causing
     publication of any such press release or public announcement to the
     extent that such party determines such action to be required by Law or
     the rules of any stock exchange applicable to it, in which event the
     party making such determination will, if practicable in the
     circumstances, use reasonable efforts to allow the other party
     reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance
     of its issuance.

          6.3  Confidential Treatment and Return of Documents.  Until
               ----------------------------------------------
     completion of the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer will hold in
     confidence all documents and information concerning Presto furnished
     to Buyer and its representatives in connection with the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise made available to it, and
     will use such information only in connection with such transactions.
     All such documents and information will be deemed held by Buyer and
     Presto pursuant to the previously executed Confidentiality Agreement, 
     which shall not be deemed limited or restricted by the provisions of
     this paragraph 6.3.  Until completion of the subject transaction,
     Buyer will not release or disclose such information to any other
     person, except Buyer's outside accountants, attorneys, financing
     sources and their advisors and other consultants in connection with
     the transaction contemplated by Agreement.

          6.4  Further Assurances.  Each of the parties hereto agrees to
               ------------------
     execute and deliver such instruments and take such action as

























                                       33
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     may be reasonably required in order to effect the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

          6.5  Shareholder Access to Records.  The Shareholders, personally
               -----------------------------
     or through their designated representatives, shall have reasonable
     access to the records of Presto following the Closing so as to permit
     them to prepare Tax Returns, file any reports required by law or
     perform other like tasks, to the extent that the records sought to be
     reviewed by them relate to matters and transactions occurring on or
     before the Closing Date and the inspection is carried out upon
     reasonable notice and during normal business hours.  

          6.6  Consents.  As promptly as practicable after the date of this
               --------
     Agreement, Presto and the Shareholders shall effect all filings,
     registrations and requests for consent with, and use best efforts to
     obtain all consents, authorizations,  approvals and declarations from,
     all third parties and government agencies required under laws
     applicable to Presto or the Shareholders or contracts to which Presto
     or the Shareholders are party for Presto and the Shareholders to
     consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  Without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing, Presto and the Shareholders shall provide
     Buyer with drafts of their Hart-Scott-Rodino filing and with any
     information regarding the Presto needed for Buyer's Hart-Scott-Rodino
     filing.  Presto shall use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain
     consents required, if any, in order to enable Presto to retain after
     the Closing all rights under existing real and personal property
     leases and other contracts, without modification.  Buyer shall use
     reasonable efforts to assist Presto and the Shareholders as reasonably
     requested with all matters described above in this paragraph 6.6.  In
     addition, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, Buyer will
     make all filings with governmental bodies and other regulatory
     authorities (including under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act), and use all
     reasonable commercial efforts to obtain all permits, approvals,
     authorizations and consents of all third parties, necessary under laws
     applicable to Buyer or contracts to which Buyer is party for Buyer to
     consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          6.7  No WARN Notice.  It is expressly understood by the  parties
               --------------
     hereto that, in light of Buyer's intention to not close any Presto
     facility or to take any other action that would otherwise require the
     giving of any notice under the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Act 
     (the "WARN Act"), any  obligation to provide any notice under the WARN
     Act shall be that of Buyer and not of the Shareholders or, before the
     Closing, of Presto.

          6.8  401(k) Plan.  Buyer agrees to cause the "401(k) plan" that
               -----------
     it maintains to credit service with Presto for purposes of























                                       34
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     determining eligibility to participate thereunder to the extent Presto
     employees participate in such plan.

          6.9  Covenant Not to Compete; Confidentiality.  Each Principal
               ----------------------------------------
     Shareholder agrees that for a period of three years after the Closing
     Date, it will not, directly or indirectly, (i) own, manage, operate,
     control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or
     control of any business, whether in corporate, proprietorship or
     partnership form or otherwise, engaged in the design, manufacturing or
     marketing of products that are competitive with the products produced
     by Presto on the Closing Date or that otherwise competes with the
     Presto Business or (ii) disclose, reveal, divulge or communicate to
     any person or entity other than authorized officers, directors and
     employees of Buyer, or use or otherwise exploit for its own benefit or
     for the benefit of anyone other than Buyer, any Confidential
     Information (as defined below).  No Principal Shareholder shall have
     any obligation to keep confidential any Confidential Information if
     and to the extent disclosure thereof is specifically required by law;
     provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by
     applicable law, the Principal Shareholders, shall, to the extent
     reasonably possible, provide Buyer with prompt notice of such
     requirement prior to making any disclosure so that Buyer may seek an
     appropriate protective order.  For purposes of this Paragraph 6.9,
     "Confidential Information" shall mean any confidential information
     with respect to the conduct or details of the Presto Business,
     including, without limitation methods of operation, customers, and
     customer lists, products, proposed products, former products,
     proposed, pending or completed acquisitions of any company, division,
     product line or other business unit, prices, fees, costs, plans,
     designs, technology, inventions, trade secrets, know-how, software,
     marketing methods, policies, plans, personnel, suppliers, competitors,
     markets or other specialized information or proprietary matters.  The
     term "Confidential Information" does not include, and there shall be
     no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that (a) is
     generally available to the public on the date of this Agreement, or
     (b) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result
     of a disclosure by any Shareholder not otherwise permissible
     thereunder, or (c) any Shareholder learns from other sources where
     such sources have not violated their confidentiality obligation to
     Buyer.  The parties hereto specifically acknowledge and agree that the
     remedy at law for any breach of the foregoing will be inadequate and
     that the Buyer, in addition to any other relief available to it, shall
     be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief without the
     necessity of proving actual damage or posting any bond whatsoever.  In
     the event that the provisions of this Paragraph




























                                       35
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     6.9 should ever be deemed to exceed the limitation provided by
     applicable law, then the parties hereto agree that such








































































                                       36
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     provisions shall be reformed to set forth the maximum limitations
     permitted.

          6.10  Non-Solicitation.  Until the third anniversary of the
                ----------------
     Closing Date, none of the Principal Shareholders will directly or
     indirectly solicit or offer employment to any persons presently
     engaged in the Business on the Closing Date (i) who is then an
     employee of Buyer, or (ii) who has terminated such employment without
     the consent of Buyer within 180 days of such solicitation or offer.

          6.11  No Breach by Presto.    Buyer  will not cause or permit
                -------------------
     Presto (1) to breach any obligations under Presto's employee benefit
     plans existing at the Closing or (2) to fail to pay when due the 1996
     Bonus Profit Sharing Plan and Profit Sharing Incentive Plan and the
     discretionary 401(k) plan in accordance with such plans and past
     practices.  

                                   SECTION VII
                   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS
                   -------------------------------------------
          The obligations of Buyer to consummate the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or
     before the Closing Date (or such sooner date as may be agreed upon by
     the parties hereto) of each of the following conditions, subject,
     however, to the right of Buyer to waive any one or more of such
     conditions in whole or in part:

          7.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties.  The
               ---------------------------------------------
     representations and warranties of Presto and the Shareholders
     contained in this Agreement, and in the Schedules and closing
     documents pertaining hereto, shall be true and complete in all
     material respects on the Closing Date as if made on and as of said
     date (except as to any representation or warranty which specifically
     relates to an earlier date) and Buyer shall have received a
     certificate to that effect signed by an officer of Presto and by each
     Shareholder to the extent of such Shareholder's representation.

          7.2  No Material Adverse Change in Business or Properties. 
               ----------------------------------------------------
     Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Presto Business and
     the  Presto Assets shall not have been affected in a material, adverse
     manner or substantially interfered with  (except as the same may be
     adequately covered by insurance the proceeds of which are payable to
     Presto) as a result of fire, explosion, earthquake, disaster,  any
     action of the United States or other governmental authority, riots,
     civil disturbances, uprisings, activity of the Armed Forces, or act of
     God or the public enemy or by any like  event or occurrence.
























                                       37
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          7.3  Compliance with Agreement.  Presto and the Principal
               -------------------------
     Shareholders shall have performed and complied with all obligations
     and requirements of this Agreement which are contemplated hereunder to
     be performed or complied with by Presto prior to the Closing Date, and
     Buyer shall have received a certificate to that effect signed by an
     officer of Presto and each Principal Shareholder.

          7.4  Opinions of Counsel.
               -------------------
               (a)  Buyer shall have received from Messrs. Inglis,
          Ledbetter and Gower, counsel to Presto, an opinion of such
          counsel which opinion will expressly provide that Buyer's senior
          lenders may rely thereon, dated as of the Closing Date, as
          follows:

                    (i)  Presto is a corporation organized and existing and
               in good standing under the laws of the State of California,
               has full corporate power and authority to own and use its
               properties and to transact the business in which it is
               engaged in, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business
               as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each
               jurisdiction listed in Schedule 3.1. 

                     (ii)  Presto's duly authorized capital stock consists
               of 1,600,000 shares of common stock, of which there are
               100,000 shares of Series A Voting Common Stock and 1,500,000
               shares of Series B Non-voting Common Stock authorized. There
               are 1,306,561 shares of Presto Shares issued and
               outstanding,  consisting of 16,623  shares of the Series A
               Voting Common Stock and 1,289,938 shares of the Series B
               Non-voting Common Stock. All of the Presto Shares have been
               duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
               nonassessable.   There are no (i) options, warrants, calls,
               subscriptions, conversion or other rights, agreements or
               commitments obligating Presto to issue any additional shares
               of capital stock or any other securities convertible into,
               exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for
               any shares of capital stock of Presto, (ii) restrictions on
               the transfer of any shares of capital stock of Presto except
               as described in the last sentence of paragraph 3.2 or (iii)
               requirements of Presto or any Shareholder to vote any shares
               of capital stock of Presto.

                    (iii)  Presto has full corporate power and authority to
               enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
               contemplated thereby.  The



























                                       38
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<PAGE>
     

               execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
               Presto have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
               action on the part of Presto, and this Agreement (exclusive
               of the provisions of paragraph 6.9) and the Escrow Agreement
               constitute the valid and binding obligations of Presto and
               the Principal Shareholders (as applicable), enforceable
               against each of them  in accordance with their respective 
               terms except (i) that such enforcement may be subject to
               bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
               similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
               creditors' rights and (ii) that the remedy of specific
               performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
               relief are subject to certain equitable defenses and to the
               discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
               may be brought. The opinion as to the Escrow Agreement
               specifically need not address issues of perfection or
               priority of the security interest described therein. 

                    (iv)  To such counsel's knowledge and except as set
               forth on any of the Schedules to this Agreement, Presto is
               not a party to, subject to or bound by any judgment, order,
               writ, injunction, or decree of any court, governmental body
               or arbitrator which would conflict with or be breached by
               the execution, delivery or performance by Presto of this
               Agreement or which could prevent the carrying out of this
               Agreement, which opinion may limit or disclaim any special
               investigation on the part of such counsel.

                    (v)  To such counsel's knowledge and except as set
               forth on any of the Schedules to this Agreement, Presto is
               not subject to or bound by any judgment, order, writ,
               injunction or decree of any court or of any governmental
               body or of any arbitrator known to counsel which could
               prevent the use by Presto of the material Presto Assets
               taken as a whole, or the conduct by the Presto of business
               material to the Presto Business taken as a whole, in each
               case in accordance with present practices, after the Closing
               Date, or which would create any security interest, lien or
               other encumbrance against the Presto Assets, which opinion
               may limit or disclaim any special investigation on the part
               of such counsel.  

                    (vi)  To such counsel's knowledge and except as set
               forth on any of the Schedules to this Agreement or as
               specified in its opinion, there is no action, suit or 
               proceeding pending against  Presto which if




























                                       39
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

               determined adversely to Presto would have a material adverse
               effect on the Presto Assets or the Presto Business, which
               opinion may limit or disclaim any special investigation on
               the part of such counsel.

                    (vii) The Shareholders are the record and beneficial
               owners of the Presto Shares Attributed to them, which
               opinion may be based solely on  the stock transfer records
               of Presto and written declarations of the Shareholders. 

                    (viii)  Assuming that Buyer has no knowledge of a
               "adverse claim", that Buyer has acted in "good faith" and 
               that Buyer has not been a party to any "fraud or illegality"
               (as such terms are  used in California Commercial Code
               Section 8302) affecting the Presto Shares Buyer will own the
               Presto Shares of record and beneficially as of the Closing,
               free and clear of all "adverse claims" arising from the acts
               or omissions of the Shareholders, which opinion may be based
               solely on the stock transfer records of Presto and the
               written declarations of the Shareholders.

          7.5  Waiting Period.  Any waiting period or approval required in
               --------------
     connection with information required to be filed with the Federal
     Trade Commission and the United States Department of Justice in
     accordance with any applicable law relating to the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby shall have elapsed or been waived by
     such governmental agency.

          7.6  Consent to Transfer.  A consent to transfer or such other
               -------------------
     authorization as may be required shall have been issued by the
     California Department of Corporations with respect to the sale of the
     Presto Shares  contemplated hereby, and no other or further approval,
     consent, qualification or act of any regulatory agency or governmental
     body shall be required to consummate the subject transactions.

          7.7  Absence of Litigation.  No suit , action, claim or
               ---------------------
     governmental proceeding shall be pending against, and no order, decree
     or judgment of any court, agency or Governmental Entity shall have
     been rendered against, any party hereto which would render it
     unlawful, as of the Closing Date, to effect the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with its terms. 

          7.8  Consents.  All consents and approvals of third parties
               --------
     necessary to insure that Presto will continue to have after the
     Closing in all material respects the same full rights in respect

























                                       40
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     of the Presto Assets as Presto had immediately prior to the Closing
     shall have been obtained and delivered to Buyer.

          7.9  Changes in Syndication Markets.  There shall not have
               ------------------------------
     occurred and be continuing a material adverse change in the market for
     syndicated bank credit facilities generally or a material disruption
     of, or a material adverse change in, financial, banking or capital
     market conditions generally.

          7.10  Material Adverse Change.  There shall not have occurred in
                -----------------------
     the reasonable opinion of NationsBank of Texas, N.A. and NationsBank
     Capital Markets, Inc. any material adverse change in the business,
     assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations, condition
     (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Presto and its subsidiary,
     taken as a whole.

          7.11  Escrow Agreement.  The Principal Shareholders shall have
                ----------------
     delivered to Buyer a duly executed Escrow Agreement in substantially
     the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

          7.12  Performance Share Plan.  Presto's Performance Share Plan
                ----------------------
     shall have been terminated.

          7.13   Permits.  Buyer shall have obtained all consents,
                 --------
     approvals, clearances, and authorizations of all Governmental Entities
     which are required under Permits necessary to the operation of the
     Presto Business.

                                  SECTION VIII
                       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS
                       -----------------------------------
                           OF PRESTO AND SHAREHOLDERS
                           --------------------------
          The obligations of the Shareholders to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to fulfillment
     on or before Closing Date (or such sooner date as may be agreed upon
     by the parties hereto) of each of the following conditions, subject,
     however, to the right of the Principal Shareholders, as the authorized
     representative of all of the Shareholders, to waive any one or more of
     such conditions in whole or in part.

          8.1  Correctness of Representations and Warranties.  The
               ---------------------------------------------
     representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement,
     and in the closing documents pertaining hereto, shall be true and
     complete in all material respects on the Closing Date.

          8.2  Compliance with Agreement.  Buyer shall have performed and
               -------------------------
     complied with all material obligations and requirements of



















                                       41
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     this Agreement which are contemplated hereunder to be performed or
     complied with by Buyer prior to the Closing Date.

          8.3  Waiting Period.  Any waiting period or approval required in
               --------------
     connection with information required to be filed with the Federal
     Trade Commission and the United States Department of Justice in
     accordance with any applicable law relating to the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby shall have elapsed or been waived by
     such governmental agency.

          8.4  Consent to Transfer.  A consent to transfer or such other
               -------------------
     authorization as may be required shall have been issued by the
     California Department of Corporations with respect to the sale of the
     Presto Shares contemplated hereby, and no other or further approval,
     consent, qualification or act of any regulatory agency or governmental
     body shall be required to consummate the subject transactions.

          8.5  Absence of Litigation.  There shall not be pending nor shall
               ---------------------
     there be any open and bona fide threat of any suit, action or other
     proceeding or investigation before any court or governmental agency to
     restrain or prohibit, or to obtain damages or other relief in
     connection with, this Agreement, or the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby.

                                    SECTION IX
                                     CLOSING
                                     -------
          9.1  The Closing.  The closing of the purchase and sale of the
               -----------
     Presto Shares (herein the "Closing") shall take place at the offices
     of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 100 Crescent Court, Suite 1300, Dallas,
     Texas on December 2, 1996 or such other date and time (such date being
     referred to herein as the "Closing Date") and place as the parties may
     mutually agree; provided, however,  that if any of the conditions to
     Closing set forth in this Agreement have not been satisfied or waived
     by the  party entitled to the benefit of such condition prior to the
     Closing Date, the Closing will take place on the third business day
     after all the conditions have been satisfied or waived; provided,
     further that if the Closing does not occur by December 15, 1996,
     Presto and the Principal Shareholders may  require the Closing Date to
     take place on January 1, 1997.

          9.2  Procedures at Closing.  At the Closing, the parties shall
               ---------------------
     take the following steps in the order listed below; provided that upon
     their completion all such steps shall be deemed to have  occurred
     simultaneously.

               (a) Presto Shares.  At the Closing, each Shareholder shall
          tender, assign, sell and deliver to Buyer, share





















                                       42
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          certificates representing all of his or her Presto Shares (which
          shall include all the Presto Shares shown on Schedule 3.3 as
          registered in the name of such Shareholder and shall, in the
          aggregate, constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of
          Presto) and shall tender, assign, sell and deliver certificates
          evidencing all of his or her shares of the capital stock of
          Presto Transportation Inc.(which shall constitute all of the
          issued and outstanding shares of the Presto Transportation Inc.
          not then owned by Presto), together with the instruments of
          transfer and an other associated forms as may be requested by
          Buyer or its counsel, including without limitation Federal Form
          W-9 and any required state tax forms. 

               (b)  Amendments, Waivers, Releases, Etc.  Without in any
          respect or to any extent limiting the representations and
          warranties of Presto and/or the Shareholders made elsewhere in
          this Agreement, the Shareholders and Presto, as appropriate,
          shall deliver to Buyer and Presto such amendments, waivers,
          consents, releases, and other instruments as Buyer may reasonably
          request in order to confirm and assure  that  Buyer will obtain
          title to all of the Presto Shares free and clear of any lien,
          claim, encumbrance, or restriction whatsoever and that Buyer
          shall in all other respects obtain the rights, privileges, and
          benefits contemplated by this Agreement.

               (c)  Director Resignations and Replacements; Proxies. 
          Presto and the Shareholders shall deliver to Buyer at the Closing
          (i) written resignations from the Presto Board of Directors,
          effective immediately prior to the Closing and signed by each of
          the Presto directors and (ii) if requested by Buyer, irrevocable
          proxies, conforming to the requirements of Section 705 of the
          California Corporations Code, signed by each Shareholder, and
          appointing such individuals as Buyer may designate the lawful
          proxies and attorneys-in-fact of each such Shareholder for the
          purposes of voting and granting or withholding consents as to
          such Shareholder's Presto Shares. The certificates representing
          the Presto Shares shall be delivered in form satisfactory for
          transfer with signature guaranteed, together with the payment of 
          transfer taxes (if any) and other instruments of transfer in form
          as may be reasonably requested by Buyer to confirm title to the
          Presto Shares in Buyer.

               (d)  Cash Payment.  Buyer shall cause the Unadjusted Closing
          Payment minus the Escrow Amount to be made as set forth in
          paragraph 1.2 hereof by wire transfer.  





























                                       43
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                                    SECTION X
                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
                           ---------------------------
          10.1  Methods of Termination.  This Agreement shall be terminated
                ----------------------
     and the transactions contemplated  shall be deemed abandoned at any
     time:

                    (a)  by mutual consent of Presto, the Shareholders and
               Buyer, but not later than the Closing Date; 

                    (b)  in the event the Closing does not take place on or
               before December 31, 1996, as provided in paragraph 9.1
               hereof.

                    (c)  by either Buyer or Presto if there shall have been
               entered a final, nonappealable order or injunction of any
               Governmental Entity restraining or prohibiting the
               consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or any
               material part thereof;  

                    (d)  by either Buyer or Presto if, prior to the Closing
               Date, the other party is in material breach of any
               representation, warranty, covenant or agreement herein
               contained and such breach shall not be cured within thirty
               (30) days of the date of notice of breach served by the
               party claiming such material breach, provided that such
               terminating party shall not also be in material breach of
               this Agreement at the time notice of termination is
               delivered; or

                    (e)  by Buyer, if on or before the 45th day following
               the execution hereof, Buyer's lender, NationsBank of Texas
               N.A. determines that the Phase I and Phase II environmental
               audit reports that Buyer has obtained at Buyer's sole
               expense do not meet such lender's criteria for providing
               financing to Buyer in connection with the subject
               transaction.

          10.2  Procedure Upon Termination.  In the event of termination
                --------------------------
     and abandonment pursuant to paragraph 10.1 hereof, this Agreement
     shall terminate and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
     conclusively deemed abandoned without further action by Presto or
     Buyer.  If this Agreement is terminated as provided herein, each party
     will use its best efforts to redeliver all documents, work papers and
     other material of any other party relating to the transactions
     contemplated hereby, whether so obtained before or after the execution
     hereof, to the party furnishing the same. The Confidentiality
     Agreement between the parties shall continue to govern the conduct of
     the parties after such abandonment and termination of this Agreement.























                                       44
<PAGE>

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          10.3  Survival of Action for Breach.  Termination of  this
                -----------------------------
     Agreement and abandonment of the subject transactions in accordance
     with the provisions of this Section X shall neither give rise to any
     cause of action for breach hereunder or otherwise, nor preclude any
     claim, suit or cause action that any party might otherwise have
     hereunder for breach by the other party of any express covenant
     contained herein.

          10.4  Additional Termination Rights.   At any time before
                -----------------------------
     Closing, Buyer may,  if Buyer chooses,  seek an opinion of counsel
     satisfactory to Buyer at Buyer's sole discretion to the effect that
     Presto then qualifies as an S corporation within the meaning of
     Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code, and pursuant to Section 633(b) of the
     Tax Reform Act of 1986 and that  Presto is not subject to Section 1374
     of the Code.  If Buyer requests such information within 15 days of the
     date hereof, Shareholders shall promptly (and in any event within five
     (5) days of Buyer's written request) provide  such information as
     Buyer may reasonably require to determine that the Shareholders are
     and at all relevant times have been qualifying S corporation
     shareholders. In the event Buyer does not receive an opinion
     satisfactory to Buyer to such effect within five business days  after
     the date all of the  information requested by Buyer has been provided,
     Buyer shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving
     Presto written notice thereof, which notice must be received by Presto
     within one day after the termination of said five-day period.  Failure
     to give Seller such notice shall be deemed Buyer's waiver of such
     condition and such right of Buyer to terminate. Presto and the
     Shareholders will cooperate with Buyer and counsel chosen by Buyer
     within said time period to provide information in the forms of
     certificates or declarations, as Buyer's counsel may choose,
     describing the underlying facts relative to such opinion.  The
     Shareholders which are not individuals shall provide copies of the
     appropriate documents of organization and other materials as Buyer may
     reasonably request in order to determine if such Shareholder(s) is and
     has at all relevant times been a qualifying S corporation shareholder
     or, alternatively, an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to Buyer that
     such Shareholder is and at all relevant times has been a qualifying S
     corporation shareholder.  If Shareholder provides the documents
     requested by Buyer as so described, Buyer shall return same  on
     request of such Shareholder and treat the information contained
     therein (including but not limited to, the dispositive provision of
     any trust documents) in confidence.  It shall be a condition to
     Buyer's obligation to close the subject transaction that Presto and
     the Shareholders confirm on the Closing Date the truth and accuracy of
     the declarations and certificates stating such underlying facts as
     being true and correct as of the Closing and as of all times since
     first having provided such certificates and declarations.

























                                       45
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                                   SECTION XI
                  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
                  --------------------------------------------
          11.1  Shareholders' Agreement to Indemnify.  Subject to the
                ------------------------------------
     limitations set forth in Paragraph 11.3 and 11.4 hereof, the Principal
     Shareholders jointly and severally agree (and the Minority
     Shareholders severally agree, to the limited extent described below)
     to indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and Presto, and their respective
     directors, officers, shareholders, employees, and agents ("Buyer's
     Affiliates"), from and against any and all damages, losses,
     liabilities, obligations, costs and expenses, and any and all claims,
     demands or suits (by any person or entity, including without
     limitation any Governmental Entity), including without limitation the
     costs and expenses of any and all actions, suits, proceedings,
     demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating
     thereto and including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in
     connection therewith (herein "Claims" and "Indemnified Claim") which
     Buyer or Presto, or any of their directors, officers, shareholders, or
     employees  may suffer, or to which any of them may become subject,
     arising out of:

               (a)  any  inaccuracy  in, or breach of, any representation
          or warranty of Presto and/or of any Principal Shareholder
          contained in this Agreement, which includes each schedule hereto;
          except that each Shareholder does not hereby indemnify Buyer with
          respect to any breach by Presto of any obligation of Presto to be
          performed after the Closing; and provided further, that the
          Minority Shareholders severally agree to indemnify Buyer and its
          officers,  directors, shareholders and employees only with
          respect to their representations and warranties in paragraph 3.3;


               (b)  any failure of Presto or any Shareholder to perform any
          covenant, agreement or undertaking contained in Section V or
          Section VI of this Agreement;

               (c)  any increase in Taxes of Presto, the Buyer or any
          affiliate in taxable periods ending after the Closing Date
          resulting from the failure of Presto to qualify as an S
          corporation within the meaning of Section 1361(a)(1) of the Code
          immediately before the Closing or the failure of the Shareholders
          to satisfy their obligations pursuant to Paragraph 6.1 of this
          Agreement; and

               (d)  any and all liabilities owing to any investment banker,
          broker, finder or financial advisor engaged by Presto or any
          Shareholder, including without limitation, Goldman Sachs;.


























                                       46
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          In the event of any alleged breach of a representation or
     warranty in Paragraph 3.22 relating to environmental matters, and
     without limiting any other provision hereof, the Principal
     Shareholders shall have no obligation to indemnify or hold harmless
     Presto,  Buyer, or Buyer's Affiliates unless Buyer:

               (1)  provides as prompt notice as is reasonably possible
          under the circumstances to the Principal Shareholders and makes a
          written claim for indemnification to the Principal Shareholders
          hereunder;

               (2)  gives the Principal Shareholders or their designee
          reasonable access to the premises with respect to which such
          claim relates to investigate the claim and adequately prepare its
          defense; and

               (3)  upon request by Principal Shareholders,  provides all
          reports, samples, tests and other data relating to the claim.

          The Principal Shareholders reserve the right to assume the
     defense of any such claim based on the breach or alleged breach of the
     representations and warranties in paragraph 3.22 (relating to
     environmental matters)  without admitting liability therefor and may
     direct the defense or settlement of any such claim (subject to the
     provisions of paragraph 11.5(c)) if and only if the Principal
     Shareholders reasonably determine that the amount of the liability
     arising out of such claim  exceeds  will exceed the then unused
     aggregate deductible described in paragraph 11.4(a).

          11.2  Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify.  Buyer agrees to indemnify
                ------------------------------
     and hold harmless the Shareholders, their  agents and affiliates, from
     and against claims which Shareholders or any of them, or any of
     Shareholders' agents and  affiliates,  may suffer, or to which any of
     them may become subject, arising out of:

               (a)  any inaccuracy in, or breach of, any representation or
          warranty of Buyer contained in this Agreement, (which includes
          each schedule hereto); 

               (b)  any failure of Buyer to perform any covenant, agreement
          or undertaking contained in this Agreement (including, without
          limitation, this agreement to indemnify) or in any agreement
          executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement;

               (c)  any claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding
          (collectively "Action") which is pending,



























                                       47
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          threatened or asserted after the Closing Date against
          Shareholders, or to which the property of Shareholders or any of
          them  is subject arising from  acts or  omissions of Buyer
          occurring wholly after the Closing Date; and

               (d)  any and all liabilities owing to any investment banker,
          broker, finder or financial advisor engaged by Buyer.

          11.3  Limitations on Liability.  The extent to which any party or
                ------------------------
     parties, whether one or more, entitled to be indemnified under this
     Agreement (herein "Indemnified Party") shall be entitled to
     indemnification shall be reduced by (i)  any net actual reduction in
     liability for Taxes that is actually realized by the Indemnified Party
     with respect to the payment or accrual of the indemnified loss and
     (ii)  any insurance proceeds actually received  by the Indemnified
     Party on account of such Claim irrespective of the identity of the
     party that paid for such insurance, which insurance proceeds shall be
     conclusively deemed to have reduced the  Indemnified Party's damages
     and injury subject to indemnification hereunder.  The Shareholders and
     the Buyer agree that any indemnity payment hereunder shall be treated
     on their respective Tax Returns as an adjustment to the purchase price
     for the Presto Shares.  In the event that, notwithstanding such
     treatment, any indemnity payment is determined to be taxable to the
     Buyer, then the Shareholders shall indemnify the Buyer for any
     additional Taxes payable by the Buyer by reason of the receipt of
     accrual of such indemnity payment (including any payment hereunder).

          11.4  Additional Limitations on Liability of Shareholders.  
                ---------------------------------------------------
               (a)  The liability of the Shareholders for any and all
          claims made in respect of any breach of representation or
          warranty made under Paragraph 11.1(a) shall be subject to an
          aggregate deductible of One Million One Hundred Twenty-Five
          Thousand Dollars ($1,125,000) which sum shall be treated as a
          reduction in Buyer's damages.

               (b)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
          this Agreement, the maximum liability of all Shareholders to any
          and all claimants including Indemnified Parties seeking
          indemnification made in respect of any breach of representation
          or warranty made under Paragraph 11.1(a) shall not exceed Twenty
          Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000).

          11.5  Indemnification of Third-Party Claims.  The obligation and
                -------------------------------------
     liability of the any parties to indemnify any person  under this
     Section XI with respect to Claims asserted by  third parties shall be
     subject to the following terms and conditions:

























                                       48
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<PAGE>
     

               (a)  Notice and Defense.  The Indemnified Party will give 
                    ------------------
          the party from whom indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying
          Party") prompt written notice of any such Claim, and the
          Indemnifying Party will undertake the defense thereof by
          representatives chosen by it upon written notice to the
          Indemnified Party.  Failure of the Indemnified Party to give such
          notice shall not affect the Indemnifying Party's duty or
          obligations under this Section XI, except to the extent the
          Indemnifying Party is prejudiced thereby.  If the Indemnifying
          Party undertakes the defense of any such Claim, then the
          Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to accept that it has an
          indemnification obligation to the Indemnified Party under this
          Section XI with respect to such Claim unless the Indemnifying
          Party advises the Indemnified Party in writing that such
          liability is disputed.  So long as the Indemnifying Party is
          defending any such Claim actively and in good faith, the
          Indemnified Party shall not settle such Claim.  The Indemnified
          Party shall make available to the Indemnifying Party or its
          representatives all records and other materials required by them
          and in the possession or under the control of the Indemnified
          Party, for the use of the Indemnifying Party and its
          representatives in defending any such Claim, and shall in other
          respects give reasonable cooperation in such defense.

               (b)  Failure to Defend.  If the Indemnifying Party, within 
                    -----------------
          10 days after such notice of any such Claim (or sooner if the
          nature of the Claim so requires), fails to defend such Claim
          actively and in good faith, the Indemnified Party will (upon
          further notice) have the right to undertake the defense,
          compromise or settlement of such Claim, or consent to the entry
          of a judgment with respect to such Claim, on behalf of and for
          the account and risk of the Indemnifying Party, and the
          Indemnifying Party shall thereafter have no right to challenge
          the Indemnified Party's defense, compromise, settlement or
          consent to judgment. 

               (c)  Indemnified Party's Rights.  Anything in this paragraph
                    --------------------------
          11.5 to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) if there is a
          reasonable probability that a Claim may materially and adversely
          affect the Indemnified Party other than as a result of money
          damages or other money payments, the Indemnified Party shall have
          the right to defend, compromise or settle such Claim, and (ii)
          the Indemnifying Party shall not, without the written consent of
          the Indemnified Party, settle or compromise any Claim or consent
          to the entry of any judgment which does not include as an
          unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or the
          plaintiff to the
























                                       49
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Indemnified Party of a release from all Liability in respect of
          such Claim.

          11.6  Payment.  The Indemnifying Party shall promptly pay the
                -------
     Indemnified Party any amount due under this Section  XI.  The right to
     pursue Claims under any one or more provisions of this Section XI
     shall not be exclusive of any other rights or remedies at law or
     equity which the Indemnified Party may have against the Indemnifying
     Party under this Section  XI but the limitations on liability shall
     nonetheless apply irrespective of the theory of recovery advanced. 

          11.7  No Indemnification Claims Against Presto.  Each Shareholder
                ----------------------------------------
     acknowledges (i) that the Shareholders are causing Presto to make the
     representations and warranties set forth herein solely to facilitate
     the sale of the Shareholders' Presto Shares to Buyer and, thus, for
     the benefit of the Shareholders; (ii) that the representations and
     warranties of Presto and/or the Shareholders herein are for the sole
     benefit of Buyer; and (iii) that, after the Closing, Presto will be
     wholly owned by Buyer.  Accordingly, each Shareholder agrees that he
     or she, in his capacity as a shareholder, shall have no claim, for
     indemnification, contribution or otherwise, against Presto or Buyer,
     and no defense against an indemnification or other obligation in favor
     of Buyer hereunder, in connection with or because of any breach of a
     covenant made by Presto or the inaccuracy of any representation or
     warranty made by Presto, regardless of  whether such Shareholder may
     be liable to Buyer in connection with such breach of inaccuracy and
     regardless of whether such Shareholder may have relied on an officer,
     representative, or agent of Presto in making a representation or
     warranty herein upon which his obligation to indemnify Buyer is based.

          11.8  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. 
                -----------------------------------------------------
     Except as to (i) the representations and warranties contained in 
     Paragraph 3.3 (relating to title to the Presto Shares), and the
     covenant in Paragraph 9.2 (relating to the delivery of Presto Shares
     and other instruments and forms) which shall survive the closing and
     remain in effect indefinitely, (ii) the representations and warranties
     contained in  Paragraph 3.22 (relating to environmental matters),
     which shall survive the Closing until the expiration of three (3)
     years from the Closing Date, (iii) the covenants contained in
     Paragraphs 6.9 (relating to covenant not to compete) and 6.10
     (relating to non-solicitation) which shall survive the Closing for the
     periods specified therein and (iv) the representations and warranties
     contained in Paragraph  3.10 (relating to Taxes), which shall survive
     the Closing until the expiration of the last day on which any Tax may
     be validly assessed by the Internal Revenue Service


























                                       50
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     or any other Governmental Entity against the Presto Assets or the
     Presto Business, the representations, warranties and covenants of the
     Shareholders and of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall survive
     the Closing until the expiration of eighteen (18) months from the
     Closing Date.  Any demand for indemnification or associated action
     hereunder must be made if at all on or before the time periods
     described in this paragraph 11.8, by the party making such demand or
     instituting such action ("Claimant") either (i) instituting litigation
                                          ------
     by that date and serving notice thereof in writing on against whom any
     such liability is asserted the party(s) ("Indemnifying Parties")
     within  three (3) months of the filing of the complaint or other
     filing initiating such action or (ii) giving written notice on or
                                   --
     before such date to the Indemnifying Parties (in the case of notice
     given by Buyer (or its director, officer, shareholder, employee or
     agent, as appropriate), such notice need be given to not fewer than
     two (2) Principal Shareholders specifying the nature of the demand or
     cause of action and the general facts upon which it is or will be
     based. The requisite degree of specificity shall be that which is
     reasonable under the circumstances then obtaining. Unless a Claimant
     hereunder institutes an action in respect of a claim hereunder or
     provides a written notice with respect to such claim as provided
     above, in either case on or before the expiration of the time periods
     described herein, such claim may not be pursued, shall thereafter be
     deemed irrevocably waived and forever barred.

          11.9  Minority Shareholders.  It is understood that the Minority
                ---------------------
     Shareholders have been intentionally omitted from the provisions of
     this Section XI, except to the limited extent described in Paragraph
     11.1 (a), and, except as so described,  shall have no obligations
     whatsoever under the provisions of this Section XI.

          11.10  Exclusive Remedy.  To the extent permitted by applicable
                 ----------------
     law, it is the intent of the parties that this Section XI shall
     provide the exclusive remedy for breach of contract or the failure of
     any representation or warranty, and no party shall be entitled to
     circumvent the intent of these provisions by basing a claim in tort or
     on some other theory of law, whether provided by statute or in the
     common law.

                                   SECTION XII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------
          12.1  Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The
                ------------------------------------------
     representations and warranties contained herein or in any schedule or
     other certificate or document delivered by, or on behalf of, any of
     the parties pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby shall be deemed representations and warranties by
     the party by whom, or on whose behalf, the same





















                                       51
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<PAGE>
     

     is delivered, and all representations and warranties made by the
     parties in this Agreement, or delivered pursuant hereto, are
     incorporated in and constitute a part of this Agreement and shall
     survive the Closing Date for  the  period  specified in paragraph
     11.8.

          12.2  Payment of Fees and Expenses.  Buyer shall pay and be
                ----------------------------
     responsible for all of its own fees and expenses for counsel,
     financial advisers, accountants and other experts and all other
     expenses incurred by them incident to the negotiation, preparation and
     execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated herein.  Presto shall pay and be responsible for all of
     its own fees and expenses of its counsel, financial advisers,
     accountants and other experts and all other expenses incurred by it
     incident to the negotiation, preparation and execution of this
     Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     herein.

          12.3  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement  any schedules, exhibits
                ----------------
     hereto, the Escrow Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement
     referenced in  paragraph 6.3  of this Agreement constitutes the entire
     agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
     supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations and agreements, whether
     written or oral between the parties with respect to its subject
     matter.

          12.4  Modification.  This Agreement may not be modified except by
                ------------
     a writing executed by Buyer, Presto and by the Principal Shareholders,
     as the authorized representative of all of the Shareholders.

          12.5  Waiver.  The failure by any party to exercise any of its
                ------
     rights hereunder or to enforce any of the terms or conditions of this
     Agreement on any occasion shall not constitute or be deemed a waiver
     of that party's rights thereafter to exercise any rights hereunder or
     to enforce each and every term and condition of this Agreement.

          12.6  Notices.  All notices, consents, approvals or other
                -------
     notifications required to be sent by one party to another party
     hereunder shall be in writing and shall deemed served upon the other
     party if delivered by hand or sent by United States registered or
     certified air mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested,
     addressed to such other party at the address set out below.  If a
     party hereto changes its address, written notice shall be given
     promptly to the other parties of the new address.  Notice shall be
     deemed given on the day it is mailed (in the case of delivery by mail)
     in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph. 























                                       52
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

               Presto:   Presto Food Products, Inc. 
                         18275 Arenth Avenue
                         City of Industry, California 91748

               Copy to:  Michael K. Inglis, Esq.
                         Inglis, Ledbetter & Gower
                         500 South Grand Avenue, 18th Floor
                         Los Angeles, CA  90071

               Buyer:    The Morningstar Group Inc.
                         5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1500
                         Dallas, Texas  75225
                         Attention:  C. Dean Metropoulos

               Copy to:  The Morningstar Group Inc.
                         5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1500
                         Dallas, Texas  75225
                         Attention:  Joseph B. Armes

          12.7  Binding Effect and Assignment.   This Agreement will be
                -----------------------------
     binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
     respective successors and permitted assigns, but will not be
     assignable or delegable by any party without the prior written consent
     of the other party which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided,
     however, that (a) upon notice to Presto, Buyer may assign or delegate
     any or all of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any
     direct or indirect subsidiary thereof or to any person or entity that
     acquires all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of
     Buyer, and (b) Buyer may make a collateral assignment of its rights
     under this Agreement to any institutional lender who provides funds to
     Buyer for the acquisition of the Presto Shares; provided, that Buyer
     shall not be released from any liability hereunder by any such
     assignment.  Presto and the Shareholders agree to execute
     acknowledgments of such assignment(s) and collateral assignments in
     such forms as Buyer or Buyer's institutional lender(s) may from time
     to time reasonably request.  In the event of such a proposed
     assignment by Buyer, the provisions of this Agreement shall insure to
     the benefit of and be binding upon Buyer's assigns.

          12.8  Rights of the Parties.  Except as provided in Section XI,
                ---------------------
     nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or will be
     construed to confer upon or give any person or entity other than the
     parties hereto and their respective affiliates any rights or remedies
     under or by reason of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated
     hereby.

          12.9  Execution in Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed
                -------------------------
     in two or more counterparts, each of which will be























                                       53
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and
     the same agreement.

          12.10  Specific Performance.  The parties recognize that if the
                 --------------------
     Shareholders or Presto refuse to perform under the provisions of this
     Agreement, monetary damages alone will not be adequate to compensate
     Buyer for its injury.  Buyer shall therefore be entitled, in addition
     to any other remedies that may be available, to obtain specific
     performance of the terms of this Agreement.  If any action is brought
     by Buyer to enforce this Agreement, the Shareholders and Presto shall
     waive the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.  In the
     event of a default by the Shareholders or Presto which results in the
     filing of a lawsuit for damages, specific performances, or other
     remedies, Buyer shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Shareholders
     and Presto of reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Buyer.

          12.11  Transfer Taxes.  Buyer shall pay, or cause to be paid, any
                 --------------
     transfer Tax or fee, recordation or similar Tax or fee, deed, stamp or
     other Tax, grantor's or grantee's Tax, recording charge, fee or other
     similar cost or expense of any kind required or customary   under
     Texas law, in connection with the effectuation of the transfer of the
     Presto Shares and all transactions pursuant to this Agreement, whether
     such Tax or fee is imposed on the Shareholders, Presto or the Buyer.

          12.12  Certain Tax Returns.  The Principal Shareholders shall
                 -------------------
     properly and timely prepare (or cause to be prepared), at the sole
     cost and expense of the Principal Shareholders, all federal income Tax
     Returns of Presto (and any state, local or foreign income Tax Returns
     that treat Presto as a pass through entity) with respect to taxable
     periods that end on or before the Closing Date (the "Pass Through
     Returns"), and Presto shall timely file any Pass Through Returns which
     are prepared in a manner consistent with this paragraph 12.12. The
     Pass Through Returns shall be prepared in a manner which is consistent
     with past practices and with the Election and the Sales Price
     Allocation.  Income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of Presto shall
     be allocated between the Pass Through Returns and Presto's short tax
     year as a C corporation on the basis of a closing of the books of
     Presto at the close of the Closing Date and by allocating the Tax
     consequences of the Election to the Pass Through Returns.

          12.13  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed,
                 -------------
     interpreted and enforced, both as to substance and remedies, in
     accordance with the laws of the State of California.



























                                       54
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<PAGE>
     

          12.14  Paragraph Headings.  The parties agree that the paragraph
                 ------------------
     and Section headings are inserted only for ease of reference, shall
     not be construed as part of this Agreement, and shall have no effect
     upon the construction or interpretation of any part hereof.

          12.15  Construction and Representation by Counsel.  The parties
                 ------------------------------------------
     hereto represent that in the negotiation and drafting of this
     Agreement they have been represented by and relief upon the advice of
     counsel of their choice.  The parties affirm that their counsel have
     had a substantial role in the drafting and negotiation of this
     Agreement and, therefore, the provisions of Section 1654 of the
     California Civil Code and any other provisions setting forth the rule
     of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved
     against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation
     of this Agreement or Schedule attached hereto.

          12.16  Third-Party Benefits.  None of the provisions of this
                 --------------------
     Agreement will be for the benefit of, or enforceable by, any third-
     party beneficiary.




















































                                       55
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by and through their duly
     authorized representatives have executed this Agreement, as of the day
     and year first above written. 

                                   Presto Food Products, Inc.


                                   By:                                     
                                      -------------------------------------
                                        Bruce Coffey, Chairman


                                   The Morningstar Group Inc.


                                   By:                                     
                                      -------------------------------------
                                        Michael J. Cramer,
                                        Vice President


                                   Shareholders:

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







































                                       56
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                                                                EXHIBIT 2.2




                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                      among


                           THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC.
                                    Borrower


                           NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
                                  as a Lender,
                       as Swing Line Lender, and as Agent


                                       and


                            THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN,
                                     Lenders


                                  $220,000,000


                                December 2, 1996












































     
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------
                                                                       Page
                                                                       ----

     SECTION 1  DEFINITIONS AND TERMS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.1  Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
          1.2  Number and Gender of Words  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
          1.3  Accounting Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15

     SECTION 2  COMMITMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
          2.1  Facilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
               2.1.1  Revolving Credit Facility  . . . . . . . . . . .   15
               2.1.2  Term Loan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
          2.2  Loan Procedure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
          2.3  LC Subfacility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   16
          2.4  Swing Line Subfacility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   19

     SECTION 3  TERMS OF PAYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   20
          3.1  Notes and Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   20
          3.2  Interest and Principal Payments . . . . . . . . . . . .   20
          3.3  Interest Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
          3.4  Quotation of Rates  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
          3.5  Default Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
          3.6  Interest Recapture  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
          3.7  Interest Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
          3.8  Maximum Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
          3.9  Interest Periods  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
          3.10  Conversions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
          3.11  Order of Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
          3.12  Sharing of Payments, Etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
          3.13  Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
          3.14  Booking Loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
          3.15  Basis Unavailable or Inadequate for LIBOR  . . . . . .   26
          3.16  Additional Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
          3.17  Change in Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
          3.18  Funding Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
          3.19  Foreign Lenders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
          3.20  Replacement of Lenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28

     SECTION 4  FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          4.1  Treatment of Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          4.2  Underwriting and Administrative Fees  . . . . . . . . .   29
          4.3  LC Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
          4.4  Revolving Credit Commitment Fee . . . . . . . . . . . .   29

     SECTION 5  SECURITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          5.1  Guaranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          5.2  Collateral  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          5.3  Additional Security and Guaranties  . . . . . . . . . .   30
          5.4  Financing Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30

























                                        
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     SECTION 6  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          6.1  Initial Revolving Credit Facility Loan  . . . . . . . .   30
          6.2  Term Loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
          6.3  Each Loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30

     SECTION 7  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . . . . . . . . .   31
          7.1  Purpose of Credit Facility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31
          7.2  Corporate Existence, Good Standing, Authority and
               Compliance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31
          7.3  Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31
          7.4  Authorization and Contravention . . . . . . . . . . . .   31
          7.5  Binding Effect  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          7.6  Financial Statements; Fiscal Year . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          7.7  Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          7.8  Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          7.9  Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          7.10  Employee Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          7.11  Properties; Liens  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
          7.12  Chief Executive Offices; Real Estate Interests . . . .   33
          7.13  Government Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          7.14  Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          7.15  Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          7.16  Material Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          7.17  Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          7.18  Labor Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          7.19  Solvency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
          7.20  Trade Names  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
          7.21  Intellectual Property  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
          7.22  Full Disclosure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34

     SECTION 8  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
          8.1  Items to be Furnished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
          8.2  Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          8.3  Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          8.4  Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          8.5  Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          8.6  Payment of Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          8.7  Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
          8.8  Maintenance of Existence, Assets, and Business; Name
               Change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
          8.9  Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
          8.10  Preservation and Protection of Rights  . . . . . . . .   36
          8.11  Environmental Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
          8.12  Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
          8.13  Indemnification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          8.14  Financial Hedges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37

     SECTION 9  NEGATIVE COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          9.1  Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          9.2  Payment of Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37


























                                        
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          9.3  Employee Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          9.4  Debt  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
          9.5  Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          9.6  Transactions with Affiliates  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          9.7  Compliance with Laws and Documents  . . . . . . . . . .   38
          9.8  Loans, Advances and Investments . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
          9.9  Management Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40
          9.10  Sale of Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40
          9.11  Acquisitions, Mergers and Dissolutions . . . . . . . .   41
          9.12  Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
          9.13  Fiscal Year and Accounting Methods . . . . . . . . . .   41
          9.14  New Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
          9.15  Government Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41

     SECTION 10  FINANCIAL COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
          10.1  Maximum Leverage Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
          10.2  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio  . . . . . . . . .   42
          10.3  Minimum Net Worth  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
          10.4  Capital Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43

     SECTION 11  DEFAULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
          11.1  Payment of Obligation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
          11.2  Covenants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
          11.3  Debtor Relief  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          11.4  Judgments and Attachments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          11.5  Government Action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          11.6  Misrepresentation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          11.7  Ownership of Other Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          11.8  Default Under Other Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          11.9  LCs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
          11.10  Validity and Enforceability of Loan Papers  . . . . .   45
          11.11  Change of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
          11.12  SEC Reporting Requirements  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
          11.13  Financial Hedges  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46

     SECTION 12  RIGHTS AND REMEDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
          12.1  Remedies Upon Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
          12.2  Company Waivers.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
          12.3  Performance by Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
          12.4  Not in Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
          12.5  Course of Dealing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
          12.6  Cumulative Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
          12.7  Application of Proceeds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
          12.8  Diminution in Value of Collateral  . . . . . . . . . .   47
          12.9  Certain Proceedings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47

     SECTION 13  AGREEMENT AMONG LENDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
          13.1  Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
          13.2  Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          13.3  Proportionate Absorption of Losses . . . . . . . . . .   49


























                                        
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<PAGE>
     

          13.4  Delegation of Duties; Reliance . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          13.5  Limitation of Agent's Liability  . . . . . . . . . . .   49
          13.6  Default; Collateral  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          13.7  Limitation of Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          13.8  Relationship of Lenders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
          13.9  Collateral Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51
          13.10  Benefits of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51

     SECTION 14  MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.1  Headings; Schedules and Exhibits . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.2  Nonbusiness Days; Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.3  Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.4  Form and Number of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.5  Exceptions to Covenants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.6  Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.7  Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.8  Invalid Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
          14.9  Venue; Service of Process; Jury Trial  . . . . . . . .   53
          14.10  Amendments, Consents, Conflicts and Waivers . . . . .   53
          14.11  Multiple Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   54
          14.12  Successors and Assigns; Participations  . . . . . . .   55
          14.13  Discharge Only Upon Payment in Full;
                 Reinstatement in Certain Circumstances  . . . . . . .   56
          14.14  Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   56
          14.15  Entirety  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   57



















































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     



                             SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
                             ----------------------
     Schedule 1          Parties, Addresses, Commitments and Wiring
                         Information
     Schedule 2          Existing Debt and Existing Liens
     Schedule 2.3        Existing LCs
     Schedule 6.1        Conditions Precedent
     Schedule 6.2        Term Loan Conditions Precedent
     Schedule 7.2        Jurisdictions of Incorporation and Business
     Schedule 7.3        Corporate Structure
     Schedule 7.7        Litigation
     Schedule 7.9        Environmental Matters
     Schedule 7.12       Chief Executive Office, Location of Material
                         Assets and Real Estate Interests
     Schedule 7.14       Transactions with Affiliates
     Schedule 7.16       Material Agreements
     Schedule 7.20       Trade Names


     Exhibit A      Revolving Credit Note
     Exhibit B      Term Note
     Exhibit C      Guaranty
     Exhibit D      Loan Request
     Exhibit E      Conversion Request
     Exhibit F      LC Request
     Exhibit G      Compliance Certificate
     Exhibit H      Assignment
     Exhibit I      Swing Line Note














































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

          This Credit Agreement is entered into as of December 2, 1996,
     among THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"),
     the Lenders (defined below), and NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., a
     national banking associations, individually as a Lender, as Swing Line
     Lender, and as Agent for itself and the other Lenders.

          Borrower has requested Lenders to extend credit not to exceed an
     aggregate principal amount of $220,000,000, to be allocated as
     follows:

          A.   A revolving credit facility of up to $60,000,000, to be
               funded by Lenders ("Revolving Credit Facility") and

          B.   A term loan in a principal amount not to exceed
               $160,000,000, to be funded by Lenders ("Term Loan").

     Lenders are willing to extend the requested credit on the terms and
     conditions of this Agreement.  Accordingly, the undersigned agree as
     follows:

     SECTION 1  DEFINITIONS AND TERMS.
     ---------  ---------------------
          1.1  Definitions.  As used in the Loan Papers:
               -----------
          Acquisition means the acquisition of Presto by Borrower under the
     terms of the Acquisition Agreement.

          Acquisition Agreement means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement
     among Presto, Presto shareholders, and Borrower, dated October 20,
     1996.

          Affiliate means with respect to any Person (the "relevant
     Person") (a) any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one
     or more intermediaries, controls the relevant Person (a "Controlling
     Person") or (b) any Person (other than the relevant Person) which is
     controlled by or is under common control with the relevant Person.  As
     used in this definition, the term "control" means possession, directly
     or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
     management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of
     voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided that in no event
     shall the Agent or any Lender be deemed an Affiliate of Borrower or
     any of its Subsidiaries.

          Agent means NationsBank of Texas, N.A., a national banking
     association, and its successor or successors as agent for Lenders
     under this Agreement.




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Agreement means this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented
     or restated from time to time.

          Applicable Margin means, for any day, the margin of interest over
     the Base Rate or LIBOR, as the case may be, that is applicable when an
     applicable interest rate is determined under this Agreement:

               (a)  from the date of this Agreement through and including
          August 31, 1997, the Applicable Margin shall be (i) for LIBOR
          Loans or Swing Line Loans, 1.375% per annum and (ii) for Base
          Rate Loans, 0.250% per annum;

               (b)  after August 31, 1997, the Applicable Margin is subject
          to adjustment (upwards or downwards, as appropriate) based on the
          ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA, and shall be the applicable per
          annum percentage set out in the appropriate intersection in the
          following table:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                             Applicable     Applicable
                                               Margin       Margin for
                  Ratio of Funded Debt to     for Base    LIBOR Loans or
                          EBITDA             Rate Loans  Swing Line loans
                <S>                            <C>            <C>
                Less than 2.0 to 1.0            0.0%           0.50%

                Greater than or equal to        0.0%           0.75%
                2.0 to 1.0, but less than
                2.5 to 1.0

                Greater than or equal to        0.0%          1.125%
                2.5 to 1.0, but less than
                3.0 to 1.00

                Greater than or equal to       0.125%          1.25%
                3.0 to 1.0, but less than
                3.5 to 1.0
                Greater than or equal to       0.375%          1.50%
                3.5 to 1.0, but less than
                4.0 to 1.0

                Greater than or equal to       0.75%           2.00%
                4.0 to 1.0

</TABLE>

     The ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA is determined from the Current
     Financials and any related Compliance Certificate.  EBITDA is
     calculated for the most recently-completed four fiscal quarters of
     Borrower and Funded Debt is calculated as of the last day of such four
     fiscal quarter period.  The Applicable Margin, as adjusted to reflect
     such calculations, shall become effective on the first day following
     the end of the four fiscal quarter period for which such calculation
     is made, notwithstanding that Current Financials are delivered, and
     the calculations are actually made,


















                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     at a later date.  However, if Borrower fails to timely deliver to
     Agent the Current Financials and any related Compliance Certificate,
     then the ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA shall be deemed to be the next
     greater ratio (as set out above) than the ratio in effect during the
     immediately preceding fiscal quarter and the Applicable Margin based
     on such ratio shall become effective as provided in the immediately
     preceding sentence and shall remain in effect until a new Applicable
     Margin can be calculated, which new Applicable Margin shall become
     effective on the date the Current Financials are delivered.

          Applicable Percentage means, for any day, the applicable per
     annum commitment fee percentage calculated under this Agreement,

               (a)  from the date of this Agreement through and including
          August 31, 1997, the Applicable Percentage shall be 0.42% per
          annum;

               (b)  after August 31, 1997, the Applicable Percentage is
          subject to adjustment (upwards or downwards, as appropriate)
          based on the ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA, and shall be the
          applicable per annum percentage set out in the appropriate
          intersection in the following table:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                          Ratio of Funded Debt to          Applicable
                                   EBITDA                  Percentage

                    <S>                                     <C>
                    Less than 2.0 to 1.0                     0.20%

                    Greater than or equal to 2.0 to          0.25%
                    1.0, but less than 2.5 to 1.0

                    Greater than or equal to 2.5 to          0.325%
                    1.0, but less than 3.0 to 1.00

                    Greater than or equal to 3.0 to          0.375%
                    1.0, but less than 3.5 to 1.0
                    Greater than or equal to 3.5 to          0.45%
                    1.0, but less than 4.0 to 1.0

                    Greater than or equal to 4.0 to 1.0      0.50%

</TABLE>

     The ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA is determined from the Current
     Financials and any related Compliance Certificate.  EBITDA is
     calculated for the most recently-completed four fiscal quarters of
     Borrower and Funded Debt is calculated as of the last day of such four
     fiscal quarter period.  The Applicable Percentage, as adjusted to
     reflect such calculations, shall become effective on the first day
     following the end of the four fiscal quarter period for which such
     calculation is made, notwithstanding that Current Financials are
     delivered, and the calculations are actually made, at a later date. 
     However, if Borrower fails to timely deliver to



















                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     Agent the Current Financials and any related Compliance Certificate,
     then the ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA shall be deemed to be the next
     greater ratio (as set out above) than the ratio in effect during the
     immediately preceding fiscal quarter and the Applicable Percentage
     based on such ratio shall become effective as provided in the
     immediately preceding sentence and shall remain in effect until a new
     Applicable Percentage can be calculated, which new Applicable
     Percentage shall become effective on the date the Current Financials
     are delivered.

          Base Rate means, for any day, the greater of (a) the annual
     interest rate most recently announced by Agent as its prime rate (or,
     if the Person then acting as Agent under this Agreement is not a bank
     organized under the Laws of the United States or any State, then the
     rate announced by NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as its prime rate) in
     effect at its principal office, automatically fluctuating upward and
     downward with and as specified in each announcement without special
     notice to Borrower or any other Person (which prime rate may not
     necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to a
     customer), and (b) the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%.

          Base Rate Loan means a Loan bearing interest at the sum of the
     Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

          Borrower is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

          Business Day means (a) for all purposes, any day other than
     Saturday, Sunday, and any other day that commercial banks are
     authorized by Law to be closed in Texas or New York and (b) for
     purposes of any LIBOR Loan, a day that satisfies the requirements of
     clause (a) and on which commercial banks are open for domestic or
     international business in London.

          Capital Expenditure means, without duplication, the following,
     calculated on a consolidated basis for the Companies in accordance
     with GAAP:  (a) the gross amount of expenditures for fixed or capital
     assets determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such assets
     acquired in connection with normal replacement and maintenance
     programs properly expensed in accordance with GAAP) plus (b) to the
     extent not included in clause (a), the aggregate amount of all
     monetary obligations under any Capital Lease required to be
     capitalized in accordance with GAAP (excluding the portion thereof
     allocable to interest expense).

          Capital Lease means any capital lease or sublease that has been
     (or under GAAP is required to be) capitalized on a balance sheet.






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Cash Flow means EBITDA minus Cash Taxes (or plus refunds of Cash
     Taxes).

          Cash Taxes means, for the period determined, the amount that
     would be included as a provision for income taxes on a consolidated
     financial statement of the Companies in accordance with GAAP and
     adjusted for changes in deferred taxes.

          Change of Control Event means the occurrence of any transaction
     or event by which (a) any Person, or two or more Persons acting in
     concert, acquire beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-
     3 of the Securities Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange
     Act of 1934) of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Borrower's
     voting stock, or (b) a majority of the Board of Directors of Borrower
     shall consist of Persons who are not Continuing Directors.

          Closing Date means the date this Agreement and the Loan Papers
     are fully executed and delivered.

          Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
     related rules and regulations.

          Collateral is defined in Section 5.2.

          Commitment means, for each Lender, the amounts for the Revolving
     Credit Facility and the Term Loan (subject to reduction and
     cancellation as provided in this Agreement) stated beside a Lender's
     name on Schedule 1, as most recently amended under this Agreement.

          Commodity Hedge means any purchase and sale contract with known
     prices which are intended to reduce or eliminate the risk of
     fluctuations in the price of commodities used by any Company in the
     ordinary course of its business. 

          Company or Companies means, at any time, Borrower and each of its
     Subsidiaries, now or hereafter existing (and, as of the date the
     Acquisition is consummated, shall include Presto and its
     Subsidiaries).

          Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the
     form of Exhibit G and signed by a Responsible Officer.

          Continuing Director means, at any date, any individual who (a)
     was a member of the Board of Directors of the Borrower on the Closing
     Date or (b) was nominated for election or elected to the Board of
     Directors of the Borrower with the affirmative vote of a majority of
     the Continuing Directors who were members of the Board of Directors at
     the time of such nomination or election.




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Conversion Request means a request substantially in the form of
     Exhibit E.

          Current Financials means, at any time, the consolidated Financial
     Statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries most recently delivered to
     Agent under Sections 8.1(a) or 8.1(b), as the case may be.

          Debt of any Person means, at any date, without duplication (and
     calculated in accordance with GAAP), (a) all obligations required by
     GAAP to be classified upon such Person's balance sheet as liabilities
     (other than accrued expenses or payables of such Person arising in the
     ordinary course of business), (b) all Funded Debt of such Person,
     (c) liabilities secured (or for which the holder of the Debt has an
     existing Right, contingent or otherwise, to be so secured) by any Lien
     on property or assets owned or acquired by that Person whether or not
     such Debt is assumed by such Person, provided that if such Debt has
     not been assumed by (or is otherwise non-recourse to) such Person, the
     amount of such Debt shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i)
     the aggregate unpaid amount of such Debt, and (ii) the fair market
     value of the property or asset encumbered, as determined by such
     Person in good faith, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of
     banker's acceptances, letters of credit, surety or other bonds, and
     similar instruments, (e) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase
     price of property or services (other than accrued expenses or payables
     of such Person arising in the ordinary course of business and Funded
     Debt), and (f) all endorsements, guaranties (direct or indirect), or
     other obligations to purchase or otherwise acquire or assure payment
     of Debt of others, and other contingent obligations of such Person
     with respect to Debt of others, provided that the amount of any
     obligation under this clause (f) shall be deemed to be the amount
     equal to the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect
     thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

          Debtor Relief Laws means Title 11 of the United States Code and
     all other applicable state or federal liquidation, conservatorship,
     bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency,
     reorganization, suspension of payments or similar Laws affecting
     creditors' Rights in effect from time to time.

          Default is defined in Section 11.

          Default Rate means an annual rate of interest equal from day to
     day to the lesser of (a) the then-existing Base Rate plus 2% and
     (b) the Maximum Rate.
































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Distribution means, with respect to any shares of any capital
     stock or other equity securities or other equivalent equity interests
     issued by a Person, (a) the declaration or payment of any cash
     dividend on or with respect to those securities by such Person, (b)
     any other cash payment by that Person with respect to those
     securities, and (c) any retirement, redemption, purchase or other
     acquisition for value (other than shares of any capital stock of such
     Person) of its capital stock or other equity securities.

          EBITDA means, (a) in respect of any period, the following,
     calculated on a consolidated basis for the Companies in accordance
     with GAAP:  net income before interest expenses, Taxes, non-cash
     operating charges (such as depreciation and amortization expense),
     non-cash charges in respect of pension and retiree benefits, and
     extraordinary gains and losses, and (b) includes, on a pro forma
     basis, EBITDA of any Person acquired in accordance with Section 9.11
     for the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the date of such
     acquisition (but may not exclude expenses incurred during such period
     which Borrower expects to eliminate in future periods, unless Agent
     approves such exclusion and expenses in advance in writing).

          Employee Plan means an employee pension benefit plan covered by
     Title IV of ERISA and established or maintained by any Company.

          Environmental Law means any applicable Law that relates to
     pollution or protection of the environment.

          ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
     as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          Excess Cash Flow means, in respect of any period, the following,
     calculated on a consolidated basis for the Companies in accordance
     with GAAP:  (a) net income (excluding gains from dispositions of
     assets), plus non-cash operating charges (such as depreciation and
     amortization expense), plus other noncash charges, minus other noncash
     income for such period, minus (b) the sum of payments on Term Loan
     Principal Debt, plus scheduled principal payments on other Funded Debt
     of the Companies (excluding payments pursuant to the refinancing of
     the Existing Bank Debt and payments on the Revolving Credit Principal
     Debt except to the extent accompanied by a reduction to the Revolving
     Credit Commitment), plus Capital Expenditures during such period plus
     cash Distributions by Borrower in compliance with the terms of this
     Agreement, plus the amount of deposits made in connection with
     Financial Hedges, plus the amount of the increase (or minus the amount
     of the decrease), if any, in Working Capital from the































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     first day to the last day of such period, plus the principal amount of
     loans and advances made by Borrower in the ordinary course of business
     to its directors, officers and employees in compliance with the terms
     of this Agreement, provided that the aggregate amount of such loans
     and advances included in this clause (b) may not exceed $500,000 in
     any fiscal year.

          Existing Bank Debt means the indebtedness under that certain
     Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 4, 1992,
     among Borrower, The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Limited, as agent,
     and the lenders party thereto, as amended.

          Existing Lease means that certain equipment lease agreement
     between Borrower and NationsBanc Leasing Corporation of North Carolina
     dated January 4, 1994.

          Facilities means the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan.

          Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the annual rate (rounded
     upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined (which
     determination is conclusive and binding, absent manifest error) by
     Agent to be equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight
     federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve
     System arranged by federal funds brokers on that day as published by
     the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next Business Day; or, if
     those rates are not published for any day, the average of the
     quotations at approximately 10:00 a.m. received by Agent from three
     federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by Agent in its
     reasonable discretion.

          Financial Hedge means a swap, collar, floor, cap, or other
     contract between any Company and any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender
     (or another Person reasonably acceptable to Agent), which is intended
     to reduce or eliminate the risk of fluctuations in interest rates and
     which is legal and enforceable under applicable Law or any foreign
     exchange contract.

          Financial Statements of a Person means balance sheets, profit and
     loss statements, and statements of cash flow prepared (a) in
     accordance with GAAP, and (b) other than as stated in Section 1.3, in
     comparative form to corresponding periods of the preceding fiscal
     year, as applicable.

          Fixed Charges means, in respect of any period, the following,
     calculated on a consolidated basis for the Companies in accordance
     with GAAP: the sum of (a) scheduled principal and cash interest
     payments on Funded Debt, and (b) cash Distributions by Borrower.





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Funded Debt of any Person means, when determined, the following,
     calculated on a consolidated basis for such Person and its
     Subsidiaries, in accordance with GAAP: (a) all obligations for
     borrowed money (whether as a direct obligation on a promissory note,
     bond, zero coupon bond, debenture or other similar instrument, as an
     unsatisfied reimbursement obligation on a drawn letter of credit, as a
     guaranty (if payment on such obligation has been demanded), or
     otherwise) plus (without duplication) (b) that portion of all Capital
     Lease obligations required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

          Funding Loss, means, without duplication, for each LIBOR loan (a)
     the administrative or reemployment costs customarily charged by a
     Lender when (i) Borrower fails or refuses (for any reason other than
     such Lender's failure to comply with this Agreement) to take any Loan
     that it has requested under this Agreement, or (ii) Borrower prepays
     or pays any Loan or converts any Loan to a Loan of another Type, in
     each case, before the last day of the applicable Interest Period, plus
     (b) an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest that would
     have accrued on the Loan at the elected interest rate during the
     remainder of the applicable Interest Period (but for such failure,
     refusal, prepayment, payment or conversion) over the amount of
     interest that would accrue on the same Type of Loan for an Interest
     Period of the same duration as the remainder of the applicable
     Interest Period.

          GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles of the
     Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified
     Public Accountants and the Financial Accounting Standards Board that
     are applicable from time to time.

          Guaranty means a guaranty substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

          Hazardous Substance means any substance (a) the presence of which
     requires removal, remediation, or investigation under any
     Environmental Law, or (b) that is defined or classified as a hazardous
     waste, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant or toxic or
     hazardous substance under any Environmental Law.

          Intellectual Property means (a) common law, federal statutory,
     state statutory and foreign trademarks or service marks (including,
     without limitation, all registrations and pending applications for any
     such trademark or service mark), trademark or service mark licenses,
     (b) United States and foreign patents (including, without limitation,
     all pending applications, continuations, continuations-in-part,
     divisions, reissues, substitutions and extensions of existing patents
     or applications), and patent licenses, (c) copyrights (including,






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     without limitation, all registrations and pending applications), and
     copyright licenses, and (d) trade secrets, but does not include any
     licenses (including, without limitation, liquor licenses) or any
     permits (including, without limitation, sales tax permits) issued by a
     Tribunal and in which (i) the licensee's or permittee's interest is
     defeasible by such Tribunal and (ii) the licensee or permittee has no
     right beyond the terms, conditions and periods of the license or
     permit.

          Interest Period is determined in accordance with Section 3.9.

          Issuing Lender means NationsBank of Texas, N.A., any other Lender
     selected by Borrower and approved in writing by Agent (which approval
     may not be unreasonably withheld), or in respect of the LCs set out on
     Schedule 2.3 and issued by it, The Long Term Credit Bank of Japan,
     Limited.

          Laws means all applicable statutes, laws, treaties, ordinances,
     rules, regulations, orders, writs, injunctions, decrees, judgments,
     and legally binding opinions and interpretations of any Tribunal.

          LC means (a) a letter of credit (in such form as shall be
     customary in respect of obligations of a similar nature) issued by
     Issuing Lender under this Agreement and under an LC Agreement, and (b)
     the letters of credit set out on Schedule 2.3.

          LC Agreement means a letter of credit application and agreement
     (in form and substance satisfactory to Issuing Lender) submitted by
     Borrower to Issuing Lender for a letter of credit for the account of
     any Company.

          LC Exposure means, at any time, (without duplication) the sum of
     (a) the aggregate undrawn and uncancelled portions of all outstanding
     LCs plus (b) the aggregate unpaid reimbursement obligations of
     Borrower under drawings or drafts under any LC, excluding Loans to
     fund such reimbursement obligations under Section 2.3.

          LC Request means a request substantially in the form of Exhibit
     F.

          Lender Liens means Liens in favor of Lenders, or Agent on behalf
     of Lenders, securing any of the Obligation.

          Lenders means the institutions named on Schedule 1 (or on the
     most recently amended Schedule 1, if any, delivered by Agent under
     this Agreement), and, subject to this Agreement, their






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     respective successors and assigns (but not any Participant who is not
     otherwise a party to this Agreement).

          LIBOR means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest
     Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to
     the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or any
     successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in
     Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days
     prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable
     to such Interest Period.  If for any reason such rate is not
     available, the term "LIBOR" shall mean, for any LIBOR Loan for any
     Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
     necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Reuters Screen
     LIBO Page (or any successor page or any successor service for the
     purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of major banks)
     as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at
     approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
     first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such
     Interest Period; provided that if more than one rate is specified on
     Reuters Screen LIBO Page (or any successor page), the applicable rate
     shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.

          LIBOR Loan means a Loan bearing interest at the sum of LIBOR plus
     the Applicable Margin.

          Lien means, with respect to any asset, any interest in such asset
     securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person, other than
     the owner of the asset, whether such interest is based on contract,
     constitutional common law, or statutory law, and including, but not
     limited to, any lien, mortgage, security interest, pledge, assignment,
     charge, title retention agreement or encumbrance of any kind in
     respect of such asset, and any other arrangement for a creditor's
     claim to be satisfied from such asset or its proceeds prior to the
     claims of other creditors or the owners of the asset.

          Litigation means any action by or before any Tribunal.

          Loan means (without duplication) any amount disbursed by any
     Lender to Borrower or on behalf of any Company under any Loan Paper,
     either as an original disbursement of funds, the continuation of an
     amount outstanding, or payment of an LC reimbursement obligation.

          Loan Date means for any Loan the date for which funds are
     requested by Borrower.

          Loan Papers means (a) this Agreement and exhibits and schedules
     to this Agreement, (b) the Notes, the Guaranty, the





























                                        
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     Security Documents, and all agreements, documents and instruments in
     favor of Agent or Lenders (or Agent on behalf of, or for the benefit
     of, Lenders) ever executed or delivered in connection with or under
     this Agreement or any part of the Obligation, (c) all LCs and LC
     Agreements, (d) any Financial Hedge between any Company and any Lender
     or an Affiliate of a Lender, (e) all renewals, extensions and
     restatements of, and amendments and supplements to, any of the
     foregoing, and (f) all certificates and other documents delivered,
     issued or executed in connection with or pursuant to any of the
     foregoing.

          Loan Request means a request substantially in the form of 
     Exhibit D.

          Material Adverse Event means any circumstance or event that,
     individually or collectively with other circumstances or events,
     reasonably is expected to result in any (a) impairment of the ability
     of any Company to perform any of its payment or other material
     obligations under any Loan Paper, (b) material impairment of the
     ability of Agent or any Lender to enforce (i) any of the material
     obligations of any Company under this Agreement or (ii) any of their
     respective Rights under the Loan Papers, (c) material and adverse
     effect on the financial condition of the Companies as a whole as
     represented to Lenders in the Financial Statements of Borrower dated
     as of December 31, 1995, and June 30, 1996, (d) material and adverse
     effect on Collateral having a net book value at least equal to 15% of
     the net book value of all tangible assets of the Companies as set out
     in the most recent Financial Statements delivered in accordance with
     Section 8.1(a), or (e) Default.

          Material Agreement means any agreement required to be filed or
     otherwise disclosed under Exhibits 4 or 10 of Item 601 of Regulation
     S-K.

          Maximum Amount and Maximum Rate respectively mean, for a Lender,
     the maximum non-usurious amount and the maximum non-usurious rate of
     interest that, under applicable Law, such Lender is permitted to
     contract for, charge, take, reserve or receive on the Obligation held
     by such Lender.

          Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan as defined in
     Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code to
     which any Company (or any Person that, for purposes of Title IV of
     ERISA, is a member of Borrower's controlled group or is under common
     control with Borrower within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code)
     is making, or has made, or is accruing, or has accrued, an obligation
     to make contributions.





























                                        
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          Net Equity Proceeds means the net cash proceeds (after all costs
     of issuance, registration, and selling) received by any Company from
     the issuance and sale of equity securities.

          Net Worth means stockholders' equity as shown on a balance sheet
     and determined in accordance with GAAP.

          Notes means all outstanding and unpaid Revolving Credit Notes,
     Term Notes, and the Swing Line Note.

          Obligation means all present and future Debt and obligations, and
     all renewals, increases and extensions thereof, or any part thereof,
     now or hereafter owed (a) to Agent or any Lender (including Swing Line
     Lender) by any Company under any Loan Paper, together with all
     interest accruing thereon, fees, costs and expenses (including,
     without limitation, all attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in the
     enforcement or collection thereof) payable under the Loan Papers or in
     connection with the protection of Rights under the Loan Papers, or (b)
     under the Existing Lease.

          Participant is defined in Section 14.12(b).

          PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
     successor thereof, established under ERISA.

          Permitted Debt means:

               (a)  the Obligation;

               (b)  Debt arising from endorsing negotiable instruments for
          collection in the ordinary course of business;

               (c)  Capital Leases;

               (d)  Current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of
          business;

               (e)  purchase money Debt, including all extensions,
          renewals, refinancings and modifications thereof, provided that
          the principal amount does not increase;

               (f)  trade payables that are for goods furnished or services
          rendered in the ordinary course of business and that are payable
          in accordance with customary trade terms;

               (g)  Subordinated Debt of Borrower;

               (h)  Debt of any Company existing on the Closing Date and
          listed on Schedule 2, and all extensions, renewals,



























                                        
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          refinancings and modifications thereof, provided that the
          principal amount does not increase;

               (i)  Debt arising from or under Financial Hedges or
          Commodity Hedges;

               (j)  Debt of any Company owing to any other Company;

               (k)  contingent obligations under any guaranty by any
          Company of any other Company's obligations as lessee under any
          lease which is otherwise permitted under this Agreement;

               (l)  Debt arising from leases of vehicles and other
          equipment by any Company in the ordinary course of business and
          consistent with past practices of such Company;

               (m)  Debt constituting deposits to secure the performance of
          bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases,
          statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds and performance
          bonds and other obligations of a like nature that are incurred in
          the ordinary course of business, not to exceed $5,000,000 in the
          aggregate at any time outstanding;

               (n)  indemnities arising under agreements entered into by
          any Company in the ordinary course of business;

               (o)  Letters of credit issued as part of the Existing Bank
          Debt which (i) remain outstanding after the Existing Bank Debt is
          fully paid and terminated and (ii) are not listed on Schedule
          2.3; 

               (p)  Debt arising on account of deferred Taxes, deferred
          workers compensation liabilities or deferred employee medical
          liabilities; and 

               (q)  additional Debt not to exceed $2,000,000 in aggregate
          principal amount at any time outstanding.

          Permitted Encumbrances means, with respect to any real property,
     the exceptions to title set out in the title insurance policy or title
     commitment delivered with respect thereto, all of which exceptions
     must be acceptable to Agent in its reasonable discretion.

          Permitted Liens means:

               (a)  Liens now or hereafter securing the Obligation;






























                                        
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<PAGE>
     

               (b)  any Lien securing Debt incurred for the purchase or
          capital lease of one or more assets if such Lien encumbers only
          the assets so purchased or leased;

               (c)  pledges or deposits made to secure payment of workers'
          compensation, unemployment insurance, or other forms of
          governmental insurance or benefits or to participate in any fund
          in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance,
          pensions, or other social security programs;

               (d)  the following, if (i) no amounts are due and payable
          and no Lien has been filed (or agreed to), (ii) (1) the validity
          or amount secured thereby is being contested in good faith by
          lawful proceedings diligently conducted, (2) reserve or other
          provision required by GAAP has been made, and (3) levy and
          execution thereon have been (and continue to be) stayed or
          payment thereof is covered in full (subject to the customary
          deductible) by insurance, or (iii) such Liens do not in the
          aggregate materially detract from the value of any Company's
          property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the
          operation of the business of such Company:

                    (A)  Liens for Taxes;

                    (B)  Liens upon property, including any attachment of
               property or other legal process prior to adjudication of a
               dispute on the merits; and

                    (C)  Liens imposed by operation of law (including,
               without limitation, Liens of mechanics, materialmen,
               warehousemen, carriers and landlords and similar Liens);

               (e)  any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensee
          or licensor under any lease or license agreement permitted by
          this Agreement;

               (f)  Liens in existence on the date hereof which are listed
          on Schedule 2, and renewals, replacements and extension of such
          Liens, provided that the aggregate principal amount of the Debt
          secured by such Liens does not increase and such Liens do not
          encumber any additional assets of any Company;

               (g)  Permitted Encumbrances and other easements, rights-of-
          way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), encroachments,
          protrusions and other similar charges or encumbrances, and minor
          title deficiencies, in each case






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          whether now or hereafter in existence, which do not secure Debt
          and do not materially interfere with the conduct of the business
          of any Company or materially impair such Company's title to, or
          right to transfer, the property so encumbered;

               (h)  Licenses, leases or subleases granted to other Persons
          in the ordinary course of business not materially interfering
          with the conduct of the business of any Company;

               (i)  precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding
          operating leases entered into by any Company in the ordinary
          course of business;

               (j)  Liens arising out of the existence of judgments or
          awards not constituting a Default under Section 11.4, provided
          that no cash or property is deposited or delivered to secure the
          respective judgment or award (or any appeal bond in respect
          thereof, except as permitted by clause (l) below);

               (k)  contractual landlord's liens under leases to which any
          Company is a lessee;

               (l)  (i) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) to
          secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations (other
          than excise taxes), surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds,
          statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade
          contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other
          similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of
          borrowed money), (ii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue
          authorities arising as a matter of law to secure the payments of
          customs duties in connection with the importation of goods, (iii)
          deposits made to secure statutory obligations in the form of
          excise taxes, and (iv) deposits made in the ordinary course of
          business to secure liability for premiums to insurance carriers,
          provided that the amount of such obligations under clause (i),
          duties under clause (ii), and deposits under clauses (iii) and
          (iv) shall not exceed $3,000,000 in the aggregate at any time
          outstanding;

               (m)  Liens in favor of a banking institution arising as a
          matter of law encumbering the deposits (including the right of
          setoff) held by such banking institutions incurred in the
          ordinary course of business and which are within the general
          parameters customary in the banking industry;

               (n)  Liens arising in connection with a Financial Hedge or
          Commodity Hedge;





























                                        
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               (o)  Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention,
          consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered
          into by any Company in the ordinary course of business in
          accordance with the past practices of such Company; and

               (p)  Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses
          (a) through (o) to the extent attaching to properties and assets
          to secure Permitted Debt.

          Person means any individual, partnership, entity or Tribunal.

          Potential Default means the occurrence of any event or the
     existence of any circumstance that would, upon notice or lapse of time
     or both, become a Default.

          Presto means Presto Food Products, Inc., a California
     corporation.

          Principal Debt means, at any time, the unpaid principal balance
     of all Loans.

          Pro Rata and Pro Rata Part means, when determined for any Lender,
     (a) if there is no Principal Debt or LC Exposure, the proportion
     (stated as a percentage) that such Lender's Commitment bears to the
     Total Commitment, or (b) if there is any Principal Debt or LC
     Exposure, the proportion (stated as a percentage) that the sum of (i)
     the Principal Debt owed to such Lender and (ii) (without duplication)
     the LC Exposure of such Lender, bears to the (x) aggregate Principal
     Debt owed to and (y) (without duplication) the LC Exposure of, all
     Lenders.

          Purchaser is defined in Section 14.12(c).

          Representatives means representatives, officers, directors,
     employees, attorneys and agents.

          Required Lenders means any combination of Lenders holding at
     least (a) 50% of the Total Commitment, if no Principal Debt or LC
     Exposure is outstanding, or (b) 50% of the Total Commitment Usage if
     any Principal Debt or LC Exposure is outstanding, provided that in
     each case, the combination of Lenders comprising Required Lenders from
     time to time may not include any Lender which has failed to remit its
     Pro Rata Part of a requested Loan.

          Responsible Officer means the chairman, president, chief
     executive officer, chief financial officer, senior vice president or
     vice president-finance of Borrower.





























                                        
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          Revolving Credit Facility is defined in the preamble to this
     Agreement.

          Revolving Credit Commitment means, at any time, the sum of all
     Commitments for all Lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility as set
     out on Schedule I (as reduced or canceled under this Agreement) then
     in effect. 

          Revolving Credit Commitment Usage means, at any time, the sum of
     (a) the Revolving Credit Principal Debt, plus (b) the LC Exposure,
     plus (c) the Swing Line Principal Debt.

          Revolving Credit Note means a promissory note substantially in
     the form of Exhibit A.

          Revolving Credit Principal Debt means, at any time, the unpaid
     principal balance of all Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility.

          Revolving Credit Termination Date means the earlier of
     (a) December 1, 2002, and (b) the effective date that Lenders'
     commitments to lend under the Revolving Credit Facility are otherwise
     canceled or terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

          Rights means rights, remedies, powers, privileges and benefits.

          Security Documents means, collectively, any security agreement,
     pledge agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or
     document, together with all related financing statements and stock
     powers, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and its legal
     counsel, executed and delivered by any Person in connection with this
     Agreement to create a Lender Lien on any of its real or personal
     property, as amended, supplemented or restated.

          Solvent means, as to a Person, that (a) the aggregate fair market
     value of its assets exceeds its liabilities, (b) it has sufficient
     cash flow to enable it to pay its Debts as they mature, and (c) it
     does not have unreasonably small capital to conduct its businesses.

          Subordinated Debt means any unsecured Funded Debt for which a
     Company is directly and primarily obligated that (a) does not have any
     stated maturity before the latest maturity of any part of the
     Obligation if such indebtedness was created after the Closing Date,
     (b) has terms that are no more restrictive upon the Company than the
     terms of the Loan Papers, and (c) is subordinated, upon terms
     satisfactory to Agent, to the payment































                                        
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<PAGE>
     

     and collection of the Obligation, and any extensions, renewals and
     refinancings of such Funded Debt which satisfy the criteria set out in
     the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c).

          Subsidiary of any Person means any entity of which more than 50%
     (in number of votes) of the stock (or equivalent interests) is owned
     of record or beneficially, directly or indirectly, by that Person.

          Swing Line Subfacility means the subfacility under the Revolving
     Credit Facility described in Section 2.4.

          Swing Line Lender means NationsBank of Texas, N.A., and its
     successors in such capacity.

          Swing Line Loan means a Loan bearing interest at the Swing Line
     Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and which is made under the Swing
     Line Subfacility. 

          Swing Line Maturity Date means the earlier of December 1, 2002,
     and the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

          Swing Line Note means a promissory note substantially in the form
     of Exhibit I.

          Swing Line Principal Debt means, at any time, the unpaid
     principal balance of all Loans under the Swing Line Subfacility.

          Swing Line Rate means, for any day, the annual interest rate
     equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate on such day, plus 0.25%.

          Taxes means, for any Person, taxes, assessments or other
     governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, its income, or any of
     its properties, franchises or assets.

          Term Loan is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

          Term Loan Commitment means, at any time, the sum of all
     Commitments for all Lenders under the Term Loan as set out on Schedule
     I (as reduced or canceled under this Agreement) then in effect.

          Term Loan Maturity Date means the earlier of (a) December 1,
     2002, or (b) the acceleration of maturity of Term Loan in accordance
     with Section 12 of this Agreement. 

          Term Loan Principal Debt means, at any time, the unpaid principal
     balance of the Term Loan.






























                                        
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<PAGE>
     

          Term Note means a promissory note substantially in the form of
     Exhibit B.

          Termination Date means, as applicable, the Revolving Credit
     Termination Date or the Term Loan Maturity Date.

          Total Commitment means, at any time, the sum of the Revolving
     Credit Commitment and the Term Loan Commitment.

          Total Commitment Usage means, at any time, the sum of (a) the
     Revolving Credit Commitment Usage and (b) the Term Loan Principal
     Debt.

          Tribunal means any (a) local, state, or federal judicial,
     executive, or legislative instrumentality, or (b) private arbitration
     board or panel.

          Type means any type of Loan determined with respect to the
     applicable interest option.

          UCP means The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
     Credits, 1993 Revision, International Chamber of Commerce Publication
     No. 500 (as amended or modified).

          Working Capital means the difference of current assets minus
     current liabilities (excluding the current portion of long term Debt)
     as determined in accordance with GAAP.

          1.2  Number and Gender of Words.  The singular includes the
               --------------------------
     plural where appropriate and vice versa, and words of any gender
     include each other gender where appropriate.

          1.3  Accounting Principles.  Under the Loan Papers, unless
               ---------------------
     otherwise stated, (a) GAAP determines all accounting and financial
     terms, (b) GAAP in effect on the date of this Agreement determines
     compliance with financial covenants, (c) otherwise, all accounting
     principles applied in a current period must be comparable in all
     material respects to those applied during the preceding comparable
     period, and (d) while Borrower has any consolidated Subsidiaries, all
     accounting and financial terms and compliance with financial covenants
     must be on a consolidated basis, as applicable.

     SECTION 2  COMMITMENT.
     ---------  ----------
          2.1  Facilities.  Subject to and upon the terms and the
               ----------
     provisions in this Agreement, each Lender severally and not jointly
     agrees to lend to Borrower under Revolving Credit Facility and under
     Term Loan on the following conditions:

























                                        
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               2.1.1  Revolving Credit Facility.  Each Lender agrees to 
                      -------------------------
          lend, at any time and from time to time, Borrower such Lender's
          Pro Rata Part of one or more Loans under the Revolving Credit
          Facility which Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow under this
          Agreement;

                    (a)  Each Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility must
               occur on a Business Day and no later than the Business Day
               immediately preceding the Revolving Credit Termination Date;

                    (b)  Each Loan must be in an amount not less than (i)
               $1,000,000 or a greater integral multiple of $100,000 (if a
               Base Rate Loan, other than any Swing Line Loan), (ii)
               $1,000,000 or a greater integral multiple of $100,000 (if a
               LIBOR Loan), (iii) $250,000 or a greater integral multiple
               of $100,000 (if a Swing Line Loan);

                    (c)  When determined, (i) the Revolving Credit
               Commitment Usage may not exceed the Revolving Credit
               Commitment, and (ii) no Lender's Pro Rata Part of the
               Revolving Credit Commitment Usage may exceed such Lender's
               Commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility.

               2.1.2  Term Loan.  Each Lender agrees to lend to Borrower 
                      ---------
          its Pro Rata Part of the Term Loan, which Borrower may borrow no
          later than the second Business Day after the Closing Date and may
          pay or prepay under the terms of this Agreement, but which may
          not be reborrowed, and the Term Loan Principal Debt may not
          exceed the Term Loan Commitment.

          2.2  Loan Procedure.  The following procedures apply to Loans
               --------------
     other than Swing Line Loans (see Section 2.4) and drawings under an LC
     (see Section 2.3):

               (a)  Borrower may request a Loan  (i) by delivering to Agent
          a Loan Request or (ii) by telephonic  notice to Agent promptly
          confirmed by delivery to Agent of a Loan request.  The Loan
          Request or telephonic notice must be received by Agent no later
          than 12:00 noon on (i) the third Business Day preceding the Loan
          Date for any LIBOR Loan or (ii) on the day of the Loan Date for
          any Base Rate Loan.  Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of
          its receipt of any Loan Request and its contents.  A Loan Request
          is irrevocable and binding on Borrower.

               (b)  By 11:00 a.m. on the applicable Loan Date, each Lender
          shall remit its Pro Rata Part of each requested Loan



























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          by wire transfer to Agent pursuant to Agent's wire transfer
          instructions on Schedule 1 (or as otherwise directed by Agent) in
          funds that are available for immediate use by Agent.  Subject to
          receipt of such funds, Agent shall make such funds available to
          Borrower as directed in the Loan Request (unless it has actual
          knowledge that any applicable condition precedent either has not
          been satisfied by Borrower or has not been waived by Required
          Lenders).

               (c)  Absent contrary written notice from a Lender, Agent may
          assume that each Lender has made its Pro Rata Part of the
          requested Loan available to Agent on the applicable Loan Date,
          and Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption (but is not
          required to), make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. 
          If a Lender fails to make its Pro Rata Part of any requested Loan
          available to Agent on the applicable Loan Date, Agent may recover
          the applicable amount on demand (i) from that Lender, together
          with interest at the Federal Funds Rate for the period commencing
          on the date the amount was made available to Borrower by Agent
          and ending on (but excluding) the date Agent recovers the amount
          from that Lender, or (ii) if that Lender fails to pay its amount
          upon demand, then from Borrower (after written notice from
          Agent), together with interest at an annual interest rate equal
          to the rate applicable to the requested Loan for the period
          commencing on the date funds are advanced and ending on (but
          excluding) the date Agent recovers the amount from Borrower.  No
          Lender is responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make
          its Pro Rata Part of any Loan.  Nothing in this Section 2.2 shall
          be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to make Loans
          hereunder or to prejudice any Rights which Borrower may have
          against any Lender as a result of such Lender's failure to make
          Loans hereunder.

          2.3  LC Subfacility.
               --------------
               (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
          and applicable Law, Issuing Lender agrees, at any time and from
          time to time (but not later than 30 days prior to the Revolving
          Credit Termination Date), to issue LCs under the Revolving Credit
          Facility upon Borrower's delivery of an LC Request and a duly
          executed LC Agreement, each of which must be received by Issuing
          Lender no later than 12:00 noon on the second Business Day before
          the requested LC is to be issued; provided that the LC Exposure
          may not exceed $15,000,000, and the Revolving Credit Commitment
          Usage may not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment (as such
          amount is reduced and canceled in accordance with this
          Agreement).  Each LC must expire no later than 13 months after
          such LC's




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          issuance, provided that (i) any LC may, at Borrower's request,
          provide that it is self-extending upon its expiration date for
          successive periods of 6 to 12 months each unless Issuing Lender
          has given the beneficiary under such LC at least 30 days (but no
          more than 120 days) prior written notice to the contrary, and
          (ii) each LC must expire no later than the Revolving Credit
          Termination Date.

               (b)  Immediately upon Issuing Lender's issuance of any LC,
          Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to
          each other Lender, and each other Lender shall be deemed
          irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received
          from Issuing Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided
          interest and participation (to the extent of such Lender's Pro
          Rata Part of the Revolving Credit Commitment) in the LC and all
          applicable Rights of Issuing Lender in the LC (other than Rights
          to receive certain fees provided for in Section 4.3).  Issuing
          Lender agrees to provide a copy of each LC to each other Lender
          promptly after issuance.  However, Issuing Lender's failure to
          promptly send to Lenders a copy of an issued LC shall not affect
          the rights and obligations of Issuing Lender and Lenders under
          this Agreement.

               (c)  To induce Issuing Lender to issue and maintain LCs, and
          to induce Lenders to participate in issued LCs, Borrower agrees
          to pay or reimburse Issuing Lender the amount paid or to be paid
          by Issuing Lender (i) within three Business Days after Borrower
          receives written notice from Issuing Lender that any draft or
          draw request has been properly presented under any LC, or, if the
          draft or draw request is for payment at a future date, within one
          Business Day before the payment date specified in the draw
          request, and (ii) promptly, upon demand, the fees Issuing Lender
          charges for the application and issuance of an LC as set out in
          Section 4, and the amount of any additional, customary charges
          for  honoring drafts and draw requests, and taking similar action
          in connection with letters of credit.  If Borrower does not
          timely pay or reimburse Issuing Lender for any drafts or draw
          requests paid or to be paid, Agent is irrevocably authorized to
          fund Borrower's reimbursement obligations as a Base Rate Loan
          under the Revolving Credit Facility and the proceeds of the Base
          Rate Loan shall be advanced directly to Issuing Lender to pay
          Borrower's unpaid reimbursement obligations.  If funds cannot be
          advanced under the Revolving Credit Facility or if Agent elects
          not to exercise the authority granted it for the immediately
          preceding sentence to fund the reimbursement obligations as a
          Base Rate Loan, then Borrower's reimbursement obligation shall
          constitute a demand obligation.  Borrower's





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          reimbursement obligations shall accrue interest (x) at the Base
          Rate plus the Applicable Margin from the date Issuing Lender pays
          the applicable draft or draw request through the date Issuing
          Lender is paid or reimbursed by Borrower and, (y) if such
          reimbursement obligations are not funded as a Base Rate Loan
          under the Revolving Credit Facility, at the Default Rate from the
          date Borrower becomes obligated to pay such reimbursement
          obligation through the date Issuing Lender is paid or reimbursed
          by Borrower.  Borrower's obligations under this Section 2.3(c)
          are absolute and unconditional irrespective of any setoff,
          counterclaim or defense to payment that Borrower may have at any
          time against Issuing Lender or any other Person.

               (d)  Issuing Lender shall promptly notify Borrower of the
          date and amount of any draft or draw request presented for honor
          under any LC (but failure to give notice will not affect
          Borrower's obligations under this Agreement).  Issuing Lender
          shall pay the requested amount upon presentment of a draft or
          draw request unless presentment on its face does not comply with
          the terms of the applicable LC.  When making payment, Issuing
          Lender may disregard (i) any default or potential default that
          exists under any other agreement and (ii) obligations under any
          other agreement that have or have not been performed by the
          beneficiary or any other Person (and Issuing Lender is not liable
          for any of those obligations).  Borrower's reimbursement
          obligations to Issuing Lender and Lenders, and each Lender's
          obligations to Issuing Lender, under this Section 2.3 are
          absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and Issuing Lender is
          not responsible for, (1) the validity, enforceability,
          sufficiency, accuracy or genuineness of documents or endorsements
          (even if they are in any respect invalid, unenforceable,
          insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged), (2) any dispute
          by any Company with or any Company's claims, setoffs, defenses,
          counterclaims or other Rights against Issuing Lender, any Lender
          or any other Person, or (3) the occurrence of any Potential
          Default or Default, provided that Borrower or any Lender may
          assert a separate claim against Issuing Lender for its gross
          negligence, willful misconduct or breach of this Agreement.

               (e)  If Borrower fails to timely reimburse Issuing Lender as
          provided in Section 2.3(c) and funds are not advanced as a Base
          Rate Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility to satisfy the
          reimbursement obligations, Issuing Lender shall promptly notify
          each Lender of Borrower's failure, of the date and amount paid,
          and of each Lender's Pro Rata Part of the unreimbursed amount. 
          Each Lender shall promptly and unconditionally make available to
          Issuing





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Lender in immediately available funds its Pro Rata Part of the
          unpaid reimbursement obligation.  Such funds are due and payable
          to Issuing Lender before the close of business on (i) the
          Business Day Issuing Lender gives notice to each Lender of
          Borrower's reimbursement failure if the notice is received by a
          Lender before 2:00 p.m. in the time zone where such Lender's
          office listed on Schedule 1 is located, or (ii) on the next
          succeeding Business Day after the Business Day Issuing Lender
          gives notice to each Lender of Borrower's reimbursement failure,
          if notice is received after 2:00 p.m. in the time zone where such
          Lender's office listed on Schedule 1 is located.  All amounts
          payable by any Lender accrue interest at the Federal Funds Rate
          from the day such amounts become due from Lender to Issuing
          Lender to (but not including) the date the amount is paid by
          Lender to Issuing Lender.  Issuing Lender shall promptly deliver
          reimbursement payments received from Borrower to Agent which
          shall promptly distribute that amount to all Lenders according to
          their Pro Rata Part of the Revolving Credit Commitment.

               (f)  Borrower acknowledges that each LC is deemed issued
          upon delivery to the beneficiary or Borrower.  If Borrower
          requests any LC be delivered to Borrower rather than the
          beneficiary, and Borrower subsequently cancels that LC, Borrower
          agrees to return it to Issuing Lender together with Borrower's
          written certification that it has never been delivered to the
          beneficiary.  If any LC is delivered to the beneficiary under
          Borrower's instructions, Borrower's cancellation is ineffective
          without Issuing Lender's receipt of the LC and the beneficiary's
          written consent to the cancellation.  Borrower shall indemnify
          Issuing Lender for all losses, costs, damages, expenses and
          reasonable attorneys' fees suffered or incurred by Issuing Lender
          resulting from any dispute concerning Borrower's cancellation of
          any LC.

               (g)  Issuing Lender agrees with each Lender that it will
          examine all documents with reasonable care to ascertain that they
          appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms and
          conditions of the LC.  Each Lender and Borrower agree that, in
          paying any draft or draw under any LC, Issuing Lender has no
          responsibility to obtain any document (other than any documents
          expressly required by the respective LC) or to ascertain or
          inquire as to any document's validity, enforceability,
          sufficiency, accuracy or genuineness or the authority of any
          Person delivering it.  Neither Issuing Lender nor its
          Representatives will be liable to any Lender or any Company for
          any LC's use or for any beneficiary's acts or omissions.  Any
          action, inaction, error, delay or omission taken or suffered by
          Issuing Lender




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          or any of its Representatives in connection with any LC,
          applicable draws, drafts or documents, or the transmission,
          dispatch or delivery of any related message or advice, if in
          conformity with applicable Laws and in accordance with the
          standards of care specified in the UCP, is binding upon the
          Companies and Lenders.  Issuing Lender is not liable to any
          Company or any Lender for any action taken or omitted by Issuing
          Lender or its Representative in connection with any LC in the
          absence of gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of this
          Agreement.

               (h)  On the Revolving Credit Termination Date, upon a
          termination under Section 3.2(e)(i), while a Default exists under
          Section 11.3, or upon any demand by Agent when any other Default
          (or Potential Default in respect of Sections 10.1, 10.2, or 10.3
          or the payment of any part of the Obligation) exists, Borrower
          shall provide to Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, cash
          collateral in an amount equal to the then-existing LC Exposure. 
          Any cash collateral provided by Borrower to Issuing Lender in
          accordance with this Section 2.3(h) shall be deposited by Issuing
          Lender in an interest bearing cash collateral account maintained
          with Issuing Lender at the office of Issuing Lender and such
          deposits will be invested in obligations issued or guaranteed by
          the United States and, upon the surrender of any LC, Issuing
          Lender shall deliver the funds deposited in such collateral
          account to Borrower together with any investment earnings on such
          funds.

               (i)  Borrower Shall Protect, Indemnify, Pay, And Save
          Issuing Lender, Each Lender And Their Respective Representatives
          Harmless From And Against Any And All Claims, Demands,
          Liabilities, Damages, Losses, Costs, Charges And Expenses
          (Including Reasonable Attorneys' Fees) Which Any Of Them May
          Incur Or Be Subject To As A Consequence Of The Issuance Of Any
          LC, Any Dispute About It, Any Cancellation Of Any LC By Borrower
          (other than interest and fees which may otherwise accrue
          thereon), Or The Failure Of Issuing Lender To Honor A Draft Or
          Draw Request Under Any LC As A Result Of Any Act Or Omission
          (Whether Right Or Wrong) Of Any Present Or Future Tribunal. 
          However, No Person Is Entitled To Indemnity Under This Section
          2.3(i) FOR ITS OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR BREACH
          OF THIS AGREEMENT.

               (j)  Although referenced in any LC, terms of any particular
          agreement or other obligation to the beneficiary are not
          incorporated into this Agreement in any manner.  The fees and
          other amounts payable with respect to each LC are as provided in
          this Agreement, drafts and draws under each




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          LC are part of the Obligation, and the terms of this Agreement
          control any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and any
          LC Agreement.

          2.4  Swing Line Subfacility.
               ----------------------
               (a)  For the convenience of the parties and subject to
          Section 2.1.1(b)(iii), Swing Line Lender, solely for its own
          account but as part of the Revolving Credit Facility, may, at any
          time and from time to time, make any requested Loan directly to
          Borrower as a Swing Line Loan without requiring each other Lender
          to fund its Pro Rata Part thereof unless and until Section 2.4(b)
          is applicable.  Swing Line Loans are subject to the following
          conditions:

                    (i)  Each Swing Line Loan must occur on a Business Day
               before the Swing Line Maturity Date;

                    (ii)  When determined, (x) the Swing Line Principal
               Debt may not exceed $10,000,000, and (y) the Revolving
               Credit Commitment Usage may not exceed the Revolving Credit
               Commitment;

                    (iii)  Each Swing Line Loan is (x) available on same
               day telephonic notice from Borrower to Swing Line Lender if
               notice is received before 12:00 noon, (y) may be borrowed
               for periods, at Borrower's election, of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or
               7 days, and (z) is due and payable at 12:00 noon on its due
               date; and

                    (iv)  Each Swing Line Loan may be prepaid on same-day
               telephonic notice from Borrower to Swing Line Lender, if
               notice is received before 12:00 noon.

               (b)  If Borrower fails to repay any Swing Line Loan when due
          (or upon the earliest to occur of a Default, the Revolving Credit
          Termination Date, or the date when the Revolving Credit
          Commitments are canceled), Swing Line Lender shall notify Agent
          and each Lender of Borrower's failure and the unpaid amount.  No
          later than the close of business on the date Swing Line Lender
          gives notice (if notice is given before 12:00 noon on any
          Business Day, or, if made at any other time, on the next Business
          Day following the date of notice), each Lender shall irrevocably
          and unconditionally purchase and receive from Swing Line Lender
          its Pro Rata Part of such Swing Line Loan and shall make
          available to Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds its
          Pro Rata Part of such unpaid amount, together with interest from
          the date when its payment was due to, but not including, the date
          of payment, at the Default Rate.  If a



























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Lender does not promptly pay its amount upon Swing Line Lender's
          demand, and until Lender makes the required payment, Swing Line
          Lender is deemed to continue to have outstanding a Swing Line
          Loan in the amount of the Lender's unpaid obligation.  Borrower
          shall make each payment of all or any part of any Swing Line Loan
          to Swing Line Lender for the ratable benefit of Swing Line Lender
          and those Lenders who have funded their participations in Swing
          Line Loan under this Section 2.4(b) (but all interest accruing on
          Swing Line Loan before the funding date of any participation is
          payable solely to Swing Line Lender for its own account).

     SECTION 3  TERMS OF PAYMENT.
     ---------  ----------------
          3.1  Notes and Payments.
               ------------------
               (a)  (i)  The Revolving Credit Principal Debt (other than
               under the Swing Line Principal Debt) shall be evidenced by
               the Revolving Credit Notes, one payable to each Lender in
               the maximum principal amount of its Commitment for the
               Revolving Credit Facility.

                    (ii)  The Term Loan Principal Debt shall be evidenced
               by the Term Notes, one payable to each Lender in the stated
               principal amount of its Commitment for the Term Loan.

                    (iii)  The Swing Line Principal Debt  shall be
               evidenced by a Swing Line Note payable to Swing Line Lender
               in the principal amount of $10,000,000.

               (b)  Borrower must make each payment and prepayment on the
          Obligation (other than under the Swing Line Subfacility), without
          offset, counterclaim, or deduction, to Agent's principal office
          in Dallas, Texas, in funds that will be available for immediate
          use by 1:00 p.m. on the day due.  Payments received after such
          time shall be deemed received on the next Business Day.  Agent
          shall pay to each Lender any payment to which that Lender is
          entitled on the same day Agent receives the funds from Borrower
          if Agent receives the payment or prepayment before 1:00 p.m., and
          otherwise before 12:00 noon on the following Business Day.  If
          and to the extent that Agent does not make payments to Lenders
          when due, unpaid amounts shall accrue interest payable by Agent
          to such Lender at the Federal Funds Rate from the due date until
          (but not including) the payment date.

               (c)  Borrower must make each payment and prepayment of the
          Swing Line Subfacility without offset, counterclaim, or






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          deduction, to Swing Line Lender's principal office in Dallas,
          Texas, in funds that will be available for immediate use by 12:00
          noon on the day due.  Payments received after such time shall be
          deemed received on the next Business Day.  If, under
          Section 2.4(b), Lenders have purchased their respective Pro Rata
          Parts of the Swing Line Loans being paid, Swing Line Lender shall
          pay to each Lender any payment to which that Lender is entitled
          on the same day Swing Line Lender receives the funds from
          Borrower if Swing Line Lender receives the payment or prepayment
          before 12:00 noon, and otherwise before 12:00 noon on the
          following Business Day.  If and to the extent that Swing Line
          Lender does not make payments to Lenders when due, unpaid amounts
          shall accrue interest payable by Swing Line Lender to such Lender
          at the Federal Funds Rate from the due date until (but not
          including) the payment date.

          3.2  Interest and Principal Payments.
               -------------------------------
               (a)  Interest Payments.  Accrued interest on each LIBOR Loan
                    -----------------
          is due and payable on the last day of its respective Interest
          Period.  If any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Loan is a
          period greater than three months, then accrued interest is also
          due and payable on the date three months after the commencement
          of the Interest Period.  Accrued interest on each Base Rate Loan
          is due and payable on each March 31, June 30, September 30, and
          December 31 (commencing December 31, 1996) and on the Termination
          Date.  Accrued interest on each Swing Line Loan is due and
          payable on the earlier of the date such Loan is due under
          Section 2.4(a)(iii) or prepaid under Section 2.4(a)(iv).

               (b)  Principal Payments.
                    ------------------
                    (i)  The Revolving Credit Principal Debt is due and
               payable on the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

                    (ii)  Principal payments on the Term Loan Principal
               Debt are due and payable in quarterly installments
               commencing March 31, 1997, and continuing on each June 30,
               September 30, December 31 and March 31 thereafter, in the
               amounts set out in the following table:






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     


                        <S>                                      <C>
                        March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997,            $2,000,000
                        September 30, 1997, and December 31,
                        1997
                        March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998,            $3,750,000
                        September 30, 1998, and December 31,
                        1998

                        March 31, 1999, June 30, 1999,            $5,000,000
                        September 30, 1999, and December 31,
                        1999

                        March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000,            $7,500,000
                        September 30, 2000, and December 31,
                        2000

                        March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001,            $8,750,000
                        September 30, 2001, and December 31,
                        2001
                        March 31, 2002, June 30, 2002,           $13,000,000
                        September 30, 2002, and December 31,
                        2002

</TABLE>

               (c)  Mandatory Repayment - Revolving Credit Facility.  If 
                    -----------------------------------------------
          the Revolving Credit Commitment Usage ever exceeds the Revolving
          Credit Commitment, then, on the next Business Day, Borrower shall
          repay the Principal Debt under the Revolving Credit Facility in
          at least the amount of that excess, together with (i) all accrued
          and unpaid interest on the principal amount so prepaid and
          (ii) any resulting Funding Loss.

               (d)  Mandatory Prepayments - Term Loan.  Borrower shall make
                    ---------------------------------
          mandatory prepayments on the Term Loan equal to the following
          amounts:

                    (i)  100% of the net cash proceeds (after selling
               expenses and Taxes related thereto and any reserves for
               retained liabilities until such liabilities are
               extinguished) received by any Company from the disposition
               of any asset (including proceeds from the disposition of the
               stock of Subsidiaries and proceeds received as a result of
               any casualty and including installment payments under
               promissory notes or other non-cash consideration received by
               such Company) other than (x) the first $5,000,000 in
               proceeds from the disposition of assets (1) in the period
               beginning on the Closing Date and ending on December 31,
               1997 and (2) in each fiscal year thereafter, and
               (y) proceeds from (A) dispositions permitted under Section
               9.10(a), (b), (d) and (e), (B) sales or transfers of assets
               or inventory between the Companies, (C) the licensing of
               general intangibles in the ordinary course of business,





















                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

               (D) the transfer of condemned property to the condemning
               Tribunal, provided that on or before ten Business Days after
               the Company's receipt of the net cash proceeds, a
               Responsible Officer delivers to Agent a certificate
               certifying that such proceeds will be used to repair,
               restore or replace the remaining portion of the condemned
               property within 180 days after such Company receives the net
               cash proceeds, and (E) any insured casualty relating to an
               asset of any Company, provided that on or before ten
               Business Days after the Company's receipt of the net cash
               proceeds, a Responsible Officer delivers to Agent a
               certificate certifying that such proceeds will be used to
               repair, restore or replace such asset within 180 days after
               such Company receives the net cash proceeds;

                    (ii)  on April 15 of each year, commencing with April
               15, 1998, 75% of the Companies' Excess Cash Flow for the
               preceding fiscal year;

                    (iii)  50% of the net cash proceeds (net of
               underwriting discounts and commissions and other costs
               associated therewith) received by any Company from an
               issuance of Subordinated Debt; and

                    (iv)  50% of Net Equity Proceeds (other than Net Equity
               Proceeds received from the issuance of capital stock of
               Borrower (x) for the express purpose of (and which are
               actually used for) consummating an acquisition permitted
               under Section 9.11, and (y) as a result of the exercise of
               options or similar instruments issued pursuant to any
               employee benefit plans or as a result of any reissuance of
               Borrower common stock to directors, executive officers,
               members of management, or employees, provided that the
               proceeds excluded under this clause (y) may  not exceed
               $2,000,000 in any fiscal year of Borrower).

          Payments under Sections 3.2(d)(i), (iii), and (iv) shall be paid
          to Agent immediately after receipt of the net cash proceeds;
          provided that if the amount of the net cash proceeds exceeds the
          amount of the Term Loan Principal Debt evidenced by Base Rate
          Loans, then the amount of such excess shall be paid to Agent at
          the earlier of 32 days after Borrower's receipt of the net cash
          proceeds and the last day of the next Interest Period to expire. 
          If all or part of the proceeds excluded from the mandatory
          prepayment requirements of this Section 3.2(d) in accordance with
          Section 3.2(d)(i)(D) and (E), are not used as certified within
          360 days after the date of the applicable





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          certificate,  the remaining portion of such proceeds shall be
          paid  immediately to Agent as a mandatory prepayment of Term Loan
          Principal Debt under this Section 3.2(d).  

          Any mandatory prepayment of Term Loan Principal Debt shall be
          applied pro rata to the remaining installments of Term Loan
          Principal Debt by applying to each remaining installment an
          amount equal to the product of (a) the amount of such prepayment
          multiplied by (b) the quotient of the amount of the applicable
          installment divided by the Term Loan Principal Debt.

               (e)  Voluntary Reduction or Prepayment.  Borrower may 
                    ---------------------------------
          voluntarily reduce or prepay the Facilities at any time without
          premium or penalty, subject to the following conditions:

                    (i)  Without premium or penalty, but upon giving at
               least five (5) Business Days prior written and irrevocable
               notice to Agent, Borrower may terminate all or part of the
               unused portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment.  Each
               partial termination must be in an amount of not less than
               $1,000,000 or a greater integral multiple of $100,000, and
               shall be apportioned ratably among all Revolving Credit
               Facility Lenders.  Once terminated, the Revolving Credit
               Commitment may not be increased or reinstated;

                    (ii)  Agent must receive Borrower's written payment
               notice by 12:00 noon on (A) the second Business Day
               preceding the date of payment of a LIBOR Loan and (B) the
               Business Day of payment of a Base Rate Loan, which shall
               specify (1) the payment date, (2) the Type and amount of the
               Loan(s) to be paid, and (3) whether such payment is to be
               applied to the Revolving Credit Facility or to the Term
               Loan; such notice shall constitute an irrevocable and
               binding obligation of Borrower to make a payment on the
               designated date by 1:00 p.m. on such date;

                    (iii)  each partial payment must be in a minimum amount
               of at least $1,000,000 or a greater integral multiple of
               $250,000 (if a LIBOR Loan), $1,000,000 or a greater integral
               multiple of $100,000 (if a Base Rate Loan, other than under
               the Swing Line Loan), or $100,000 or a greater integral
               multiple (if a Loan under the Swing Line Loan);

































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

                    (iv)  all accrued interest on the principal amount
               being prepaid must also be paid in full on the date of
               payment;

                    (v)  Borrower shall pay any related Funding Loss upon
               demand.

          Any voluntary prepayment of Term Loan Principal Debt shall be
          applied first to the next succeeding scheduled quarterly payment
          of Term Loan Principal Debt and shall then be applied equally to
          the remaining installments of Term Loan Principal Debt based upon
          the then remaining number of scheduled quarterly installments.

          3.3  Interest Options.  Except as specifically otherwise
               ----------------
     provided, Loans bear interest at an annual rate equal to the lesser of
     (a) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, LIBOR plus the
     Applicable Margin or Swing Line Rate plus the Applicable Margin (in
     each case as designated or deemed designated by Borrower and, in the
     case of LIBOR Loans, for the Interest Period designated by Borrower),
     as the case may be, and (b) the Maximum Rate.  Each change in the Base
     Rate, Swing Line Rate, or Maximum Rate is effective, without notice to
     Borrower or any other Person, upon the effective date of change.

          3.4  Quotation of Rates.  A Responsible Officer of Borrower may
               ------------------
     call Agent before delivering a Loan Request to receive an indication
     of the interest rates then in effect, but the indicated rates do not
     bind Agent or Lenders or affect the interest rate that is actually in
     effect when Borrower delivers its Loan Request or on the Loan Date.

          3.5  Default Rate.  If permitted by Law, all past-due Principal
               ------------
     Debt, Borrower's past-due payment and reimbursement obligations in
     connection with LCs, and past-due interest accruing on any of the
     foregoing, bears interest from the date due (stated or by
     acceleration), and after applicable grace periods, at the Default Rate
     until paid, regardless whether payment is made before or after entry
     of a judgment.

          3.6  Interest Recapture.  If the designated interest rate
               ------------------
     applicable to any Loan exceeds the Maximum Rate, the interest rate on
     that Loan is limited to the Maximum Rate, but any subsequent
     reductions in the designated rate shall not reduce the interest rate
     thereon below the Maximum Rate until the total amount of accrued
     interest equals the amount of interest that would have accrued if that
     designated rate had always been in effect.  If at maturity (stated or
     by acceleration), or at final payment of the Notes, the total interest
     paid or accrued is less than the interest that would have accrued if
     the designated rates

























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     had always been in effect, then, at that time and to the extent
     permitted by applicable Law, Borrower shall pay an amount equal to the
     difference between (a) the lesser of the amount of interest that would
     have accrued if the designated rates had always been in effect and the
     amount of interest that would have accrued if the Maximum Rate had
     always been in effect, and (b) the amount of interest actually paid or
     accrued on the Notes.

          3.7  Interest Calculations.
               ---------------------
               (a)  Interest will be calculated on the basis of actual
          number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the
          last day) but computed as if each calendar year consisted of 360
          days for LIBOR Loans and Swing Line Loans (unless the calculation
          would result in an interest rate greater than the Maximum Rate,
          in which event interest will be calculated on the basis of a year
          of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be), and 365 or 366 days, as
          the case may be, for Base Rate Loans.  All interest rate
          determinations and calculations by Agent are conclusive and
          binding absent manifest error.

               (b)  The provisions of this Agreement relating to
          calculation of the Base Rate, Swing Line Rate, and LIBOR, are
          included only for the purpose of determining the rate of interest
          or other amounts to be paid under this Agreement that are based
          upon those rates.  Each Lender may fund and maintain its funding
          of all or any part of each Loan as it selects.

          3.8  Maximum Rate.  Regardless of any provision contained in any
               ------------
     Loan Paper or any document related thereto, it is the intent of the
     parties to this Agreement that neither Agent nor any Lender (including
     Swing Line Lender) contract for, charge, take, reserve, receive or
     apply, as interest on all or any part of the Obligation any amount in
     excess of the Maximum Rate or the Maximum Amount or receive any
     unearned interest in violation of any applicable Law, and, if Lenders
     ever do so, then any excess shall be treated as a partial repayment or
     prepayment of principal and any remaining excess shall be refunded to
     Borrower.  In determining if the interest paid or payable exceeds the
     Maximum Rate, Borrower and Lenders shall, to the maximum extent
     permitted under applicable Law, (a) treat all Loans as but a single
     extension of credit (and Lenders and Borrower agree that is the case
     and that provision in this Agreement for multiple Loans is for
     convenience only), (b) characterize any nonprincipal payment as an
     expense, fee or premium rather than as interest, (c) exclude voluntary
     repayments or prepayments and their effects, and (d) amortize,
     prorate, allocate and spread the total amount of interest throughout
     the entire contemplated term of the




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     Obligation.  However, if the Obligation is paid in full before the end
     of its full contemplated term, and if the interest received for its
     actual period of existence exceeds the Maximum Amount, Lenders shall
     refund any excess (and Lenders may not, to the extent permitted by
     Law, be subject to any penalties provided by any Laws for contracting
     for, charging, taking, reserving or receiving interest in excess of
     the Maximum Amount).  If the Laws of the State of Texas are applicable
     for purposes of determining the "Maximum Rate" or the "Maximum
     Amount," then those terms mean the "indicated rate ceiling" from time
     to time in effect under Article 5069-1.04, Title 79, Revised Civil
     Statutes of Texas, as amended.  Borrower agrees that Chapter 15,
     Subtitle 79, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended (which
     regulates certain revolving credit loan accounts and revolving tri-
     party accounts), does not apply to the Obligation, other than Article
     15.10(b).

          3.9  Interest Periods.  When Borrower requests any LIBOR Loan,
               ----------------
     Borrower may elect the applicable interest period (each an "Interest
     Period"), which may be, at Borrower's option, one, two, three or six
     months for LIBOR Loans, subject to the following conditions:  (a) the
     initial Interest Period for a LIBOR Loan commences on the applicable
     Loan Date or conversion date, and each subsequent Interest Period
     applicable to any Loan commences on the day when the next preceding
     applicable Interest Period expires; (b) if any Interest Period for a
     LIBOR Loan begins on a day for which there exists no numerically
     corresponding Business Day in the calendar month at the end of the
     Interest Period ("Ending Calendar Month"), then the Interest Period
     ends on the next succeeding Business Day of the Ending Calendar Month,
     unless there is no succeeding Business Day in the Ending Calendar
     Month in which case the Interest Period ends on the next preceding
     Business Day of the Ending Calendar Month; (c) no Interest Period for
     any portion of Principal Debt may extend beyond the scheduled
     repayment date for that portion of Principal Debt; and (d) there may
     not be in effect at any one time more than five Interest Periods under
     the Revolving Credit Facility and (ii) five Interest Periods under the
     Term Loan).

          3.10  Conversions.  Subject to the dollar limits and
                -----------
     denominations of Section 2.1.1 (regardless of whether a conversion
     relates to a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility or to a portion
     of the Term Loan) and the limitations on LIBOR Interest Periods of
     Section 3.9, Borrower may (a) convert all or part of a LIBOR Loan to a
     Base Rate Loan on the last day of the applicable Interest Period, (b)
     (if no Default (or Potential Default in respect of Sections 10.1,
     10.2, or 10.3 or the payment of any part of the Obligation) exists) at
     any time convert all or part of a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Loan, and
     (c) (if no Default (or Potential Default in respect of Sections 10.1,
     10.2, or 10.3


























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     or the payment of any part of the Obligation) exists) elect a new
     Interest Period for all or part of a LIBOR Loan, in each case by
     delivering a Conversion Request to Agent no later than 12:00 noon (i)
     on the third Business Day before the conversion date or the last day
     of the Interest Period, for the election of a new Interest Period, and
     (ii) one Business Day before the last day of the Interest Period for
     conversion to a Base Rate Loan.  Absent Borrower's notice of
     conversion or election of a new Interest Period, a LIBOR Loan shall be
     converted to a Base Rate Loan when the applicable Interest Period
     expires.

          3.11  Order of Application.
                --------------------
               (a)  Mandatory prepayments on the Term Loan under Section
          3.2(d) and voluntary prepayments on the Term Loan under Section
          3.2(e) shall be applied as set forth in such sections.

               (b)  If no Default or Potential Default exists, any other
          payment shall be applied to (i) the fees and expenses for which
          Agent, Lenders, or Swing Line Lender have not been paid or
          reimbursed in accordance with the Loan Papers, (ii) accrued and
          unpaid interest on the Term Loan Principal Debt, (iii) the Term
          Loan Principal Debt in the manner provided in Section 3.2(e), and
          (iv) then in the order and manner as Borrower directs.

               (c)  If a Default or Potential Default exists or if Borrower
          fails to give directions, any other payment (including proceeds
          from the exercise of any Rights) shall be applied in the
          following order:  (i) to all fees and expenses for which Agent or
          Lenders have not been paid or reimbursed in accordance with the
          Loan Papers (and if such payment is less than all unpaid or
          unreimbursed fees and expenses, then the payment shall be paid
          against unpaid and unreimbursed fees and expenses in the order of
          incurrence or due date); (ii) to accrued and unpaid interest on
          the Term Loan Principal Debt; (iii) to the Term Loan Principal
          Debt in the manner provided in Section 3.2(d); (iv) to accrued
          and unpaid interest on the Swing Line Principal Debt; (v) to
          Swing Line Principal Debt; (vi) to any LC reimbursement
          obligations that are due and payable and that remain unfunded by
          any Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility; (vii) to accrued
          and unpaid interest on the Revolving Credit Principal Debt;
          (viii) to the Revolving Credit Principal Debt; (ix) to the
          remaining Obligation; and (x) as a deposit with Agent, for the
          benefit of Lenders, as security for and payment of any subsequent
          LC reimbursement obligations.































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          3.12  Sharing of Payments, Etc..  If any Lender obtains any
                -------------------------
     amount (whether voluntary, involuntary or otherwise, including,
     without limitation, as a result of exercising its Rights under Section
     3.13) that exceeds its combined Pro Rata Part of the Revolving Credit
     Commitment Usage or the Term Loan Commitment Usage, as applicable,
     then that Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders participations
     that will cause the purchasing Lender to share the excess amount
     ratably with each other Lender which has a Commitment for the
     applicable Facility.  If all or any portion of any excess amount is
     subsequently recovered from the purchasing Lender, then the purchase
     shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of
     the recovery.  Borrower agrees that any Lender purchasing a
     participation from another Lender under this section may, to the
     fullest extent permitted by Law, exercise all of its Rights of payment
     (including the Right of offset) with respect to that participation as
     fully as if that Lender were the direct creditor of Borrower in the
     amount of that participation.

          3.13  Offset.  If a Default exists, each Lender is entitled, but
                ------
     is not obligated, to exercise (for the benefit of all Lenders in
     accordance with Section 3.12) the Rights of offset and banker's Lien
     against each and every account (other than trust accounts held for the
     benefit of third parties and so designated) and other property, or any
     interest therein, that any Company may now or hereafter have with, or
     which is now or hereafter in the possession of, that Lender to the
     extent of the full amount of the Obligation owed to it.

          3.14  Booking Loans.  To the extent permitted by Law, any Lender
                -------------
     may make, carry or transfer its Loans at, to, or for the account of
     any of its branch offices or the office of any of its Affiliates. 
     However, no Affiliate is entitled to receive any greater payment under
     Section 3.16 than the transferor Lender would have been entitled to
     receive with respect to those Loans.  Each Lender agrees that on the
     occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.16
     or Section 3.17 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by
     Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy
     considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for
     any Loans or LCs affected by such event, provided that such
     designation is made on such terms that such Lender and its lending
     office suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the
     object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the
     operation of such provisions, and provided further that nothing in
     this paragraph shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of
     Borrower or the Right of any Lender provided in Sections 3.16 or 3.17.





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          3.15  Basis Unavailable or Inadequate for LIBOR.  If, on or
                -----------------------------------------
     before any date when a LIBOR is to be determined for a Loan, Agent or
     any Lender determines (and Required Lenders agree with that
     determination) that the basis for determining the applicable rate is
     not available or that the resulting rate does not accurately reflect
     the cost to Lenders of making or converting Loans at that rate for the
     applicable Interest Period, then Agent shall promptly notify Borrower
     and Lenders of that determination (which is conclusive and binding on
     Borrower absent manifest error) and the applicable Loan shall bear
     interest at the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. 
     Until Agent notifies Borrower that those circumstances no longer
     exist, Lenders' commitments under this Agreement to make, or to
     convert to, LIBOR Loans (as the case may be) will be suspended.

          3.16  Additional Costs.
                ----------------
               With respect to any Law, requirement, request, directive or
          change affecting banking institutions generally:

               (a)  With respect to any LIBOR Loan, if any future Law or
          any change (after the date hereof) in present Law (i) imposes,
          modifies, or deems applicable (or if compliance by any Lender
          with any such requirement of any Tribunal results in) any such
          requirement that any reserves, special deposits or similar
          requirements (including, without limitation, any marginal,
          emergency, supplemental or special reserves) be maintained, and
          those requirements reduce any sums receivable by that Lender
          under this Agreement or increase the costs incurred by that
          Lender in advancing or maintaining any portion of any LIBOR Loan,
          or (ii) imposes any other condition, the result of which is to
          increase the cost to any Lender of making, funding or maintaining
          such Loan or reduces any amount receivable by any Lender in
          connection with such Loan, then that Lender (through Agent) shall
          notify Borrower promptly and deliver to Borrower a certificate
          setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the amount
          necessary to compensate it for its reduction or increase (which
          calculation is conclusive and binding absent manifest error), and
          Borrower shall promptly pay that amount to that Lender upon
          demand.  The provisions of and undertakings and indemnification
          set forth in this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and
          payment of the Obligation and termination of this Agreement.

               (b)  With respect to any Loan or LC, if any future Law or
          any change (after the date hereof) in present Law regarding
          capital adequacy or compliance by Agent (or Issuing Lender as
          issuer of LCs) or any Lender with any





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          request, directive or requirement now existing or hereafter
          imposed by any Tribunal or central bank regarding capital
          adequacy, or any change in its written policies or in the risk
          category of this transaction, reduces the rate of return on its
          capital as a consequence of its obligations under this Agreement
          to a level below that which it otherwise could have achieved
          (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital
          adequacy) by an amount deemed by it to be material (and it may,
          in determining the amount, use reasonable assumptions and
          allocations of costs and expenses and use any reasonable
          averaging or attribution method), then (unless the effect is
          already reflected in the rate of interest then applicable under
          this Agreement) Agent or Issuing Lender or that Lender (through
          Agent) shall notify Borrower promptly and deliver to Borrower a
          certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of
          the amount necessary to compensate it (which calculation is
          conclusive absent manifest error), and Borrower shall promptly
          pay that amount to Agent or Issuing Lender or that Lender upon
          demand.  The provisions of and undertakings and indemnification
          set forth in this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and
          payment of the Obligation and termination of this Agreement.

               (c)  Any Taxes payable by Agent or any Lender or ruled (by a
          Tribunal or central bank) payable by Agent or any Lender after
          the date hereof in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan
          Paper shall, if permitted by Law, be paid by Borrower, together
          with interest and penalties, if any (except for (i) (1) Taxes
          imposed on or measured by the overall net income of Agent or that
          Lender, (2) franchise or similar taxes of the Agent or that
          Lender, and (3) amounts withheld for Taxes pursuant to the last
          sentence of Section 3.19 and (ii) interest and penalties incurred
          as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
          Agent or any Lender).  Agent or such Lender (through Agent) shall
          notify Borrower promptly and deliver to Borrower a certificate
          setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the amount
          of payable Taxes (which calculation is conclusive and binding
          absent manifest error), and Borrower shall promptly pay that
          amount to Agent for its account or the account of such Lender, as
          the case may be.  If Agent or such Lender subsequently receives a
          refund of the Taxes paid to it (or on its behalf) by Borrower,
          then the recipient shall promptly pay the refund to Borrower. 
          Agent and each Lender shall provide Borrower with such forms or
          other certificates as Borrower reasonably requests and which
          establish a complete or partial exemption from Taxes.
































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          3.17  Change in Laws.  If any future Law or any change (after the
                --------------
     date hereof) in present Law makes it unlawful for any Lender to make
     or maintain LIBOR Loans, then that Lender shall promptly notify
     Borrower and Agent, and (a) as to undisbursed funds, that requested
     Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan, and (b), as to any outstanding
     Loan, (i) if maintaining the Loan until the last day of the applicable
     Interest Period is unlawful, the Loan shall be converted to a Base
     Rate Loan as of the date of notice, and Borrower shall pay any related
     Funding Loss, or (ii) if not prohibited by Law, the Loan shall be
     converted to a Base Rate Loan as of the last day of the applicable
     Interest Period, or (iii) if any conversion will not resolve the
     unlawfulness, Borrower shall promptly prepay the Loan, without
     penalty, together with any related Funding Loss.  Each of Agent and
     each Lender agree that, if it gives notice to Borrower of any of the
     events described above, it shall promptly notify Borrower (and, in the
     case of a Lender, Agent) if such event ceases to exist.  If any such
     event described above ceases to exist as to a Lender, the obligations
     of such Lender to make LIBOR Loans and to convert Base Rate Loans into
     LIBOR Loans on the terms and conditions contained herein shall be
     reinstated.  At any time that any LIBOR Loan is affected by the
     circumstances described in Section 3.16 or 3.17, Borrower may either
     (x) if the affected LIBOR Loan is then being made initially or
     pursuant to a conversion, cancel the respective borrowing by giving
     telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) to Agent on the same date
     that Borrower was notified by the affected Lender or Agent pursuant to
     Section 3.16, or (y) if the affected LIBOR Loan is then outstanding,
     upon at least two Business Days written notice to Agent, require the
     affected Lender to convert such LIBOR Loan into a Base Rate Loan,
     provided that if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then
     all affected Lenders must be treated the same pursuant to this Section
     3.17.

          3.18  Funding Loss.  BORROWER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY EACH LENDER
                ------------
     AGAINST, AND PAY TO IT UPON DEMAND, ANY FUNDING LOSS OF THAT LENDER. 
     When any Lender demands that Borrower pay any Funding Loss, that
     Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Agent a certificate setting forth
     in reasonable detail the basis for imposing Funding Loss and the
     calculation of the amount, which calculation is conclusive and binding
     absent manifest error.  The provisions of and undertakings and
     indemnification set forth in this paragraph shall survive the
     satisfaction and payment of the Obligation and termination of this
     Agreement.

          3.19  Foreign Lenders.  Each Lender that is organized under the
                ---------------
     Laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America or
     any State thereof (a) represents to Agent and Borrower that (i) no
     Taxes are required to be withheld by Agent or Borrower with respect to
     any payments to be made to it in respect

























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     of the Obligation and (ii) it has furnished to Agent and Borrower two
     duly completed copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or
     Form 1001 (claiming entitlement to complete exemption from U.S.
     federal withholding tax on all interest payments under the Loan
     Papers), and Form W-8 (claiming exemption from U.S. backup withholding
     taxes) (or, in each case, any other successor tax forms acceptable to
     Agent and Borrower), and (b) covenants to (i) provide Agent and
     Borrower a new tax form upon the expiration, inaccuracy or
     obsolescence of any previously delivered form according to Law, duly
     executed and completed by it, and (ii) comply from time to time with
     all Laws with regard to the withholding tax exemption.  If any of the
     foregoing is not true or the applicable forms are not provided, then
     Borrower and Agent (without duplication) may deduct and withhold from
     interest or other payments under the Loan Papers United States federal
     income tax at the full rate applicable under the Code and Borrower
     shall have no liability to the applicable Lender under Section 3.16(c)
     in respect of such withheld Taxes.

          3.20  Replacement of Lenders.  The Borrower may, if no Default
                ----------------------
     then exists, replace any Lender (the "Replaced Lender") if the
     following circumstances exist:

               (a)  the Replaced Lender fails to make available its Pro
          Rata Part of any Loan or to fund its Pro Rata Part of any
          unreimbursed payment under Section 2.3, or 

               (b)  the Replaced Lender has notified Borrower or Agent that
          it does not intend to comply with its obligations under Sections
          2.1, 2.3 or 2.4(b), or 

               (c)  an event occurs giving rise to the operation of Section
          3.16 or Section 3.17,  which results in the Replaced Lender
          charging to Borrower increased costs in excess of those being
          generally charged by the other Lenders and such Lender is not
          able to eliminate the increased costs pursuant to Section 3.14,
          or

               (d)  as provided in Section 14.10(e), Replaced Lender does
          not consent to certain proposed amendments, consents or waivers
          which have been approved by Lenders holding at least 66  % of the
          Total Commitment and which comprise at least 66  % of all
          Lenders. 

     The Replaced Lender shall be replaced with one or more banks or
     financial institutions which are reasonably acceptable to Agent (each
     a "Replacement Lender").   Each Replacement Lender shall 

               (i)  sign one or more assignment agreements substantially in
          the form of Exhibit I, under which it may


























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          acquire either or both of (x) all or a percentage of (or if more
          than one Replacement Lender replaces a Replaced Lender, its pro
          rata percentage of) the Replaced Lenders Rights under the Loan
          Papers with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, and (y) all
          or a percentage of (or if more than one Replacement Lender
          replaces a Replaced Lender, its pro rata percentage of) the
          Replaced Lenders Rights under the Loan Papers with respect to the
          Term Loan, and

               (ii)  pay to the Replaced Lender an amount equal to (in each
          case, in respect of the Commitment (Revolving Credit Facility or
          Term Loan) and the percentage of that Commitment being assigned
          to Replacement Lender) the sum of (x) (1) the Revolving Credit
          Principal Debt funded by the Replaced Lender and outstanding on
          the effective date of the assignment ("Effective Date"), together
          with unpaid interest accruing before the Effective Date, (2)
          unpaid drawings under LCs that have been funded by (and not
          reimbursed to) such Replaced Lender, and (3) the commitment fee
          (as described in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement) earned by the
          Replaced Lender with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility
          prior to the Effective Date and paid by Borrower after the
          Effective Date, (y) the Term Loan Principal Debt funded by the
          Replaced Lender  and outstanding on the Effective Date, together
          with unpaid interest accruing before the Effective Date, and (z)
          all other fees described in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement
          earned by the Replaced Lender and paid by Borrower after the
          Effective Date, and

               (iii)  pay to Agent an amount equal to the percentage being
          assigned to Replacement Lender of undrawn LCs that have not been
          funded by the Replaced Lender pursuant to this Agreement, and

               (iv)  pay to Agent the fees associated with the assignment
          of the Replaced Lender's interest in accordance with Section
          14.12(c).

     Upon execution of the respective assignment agreement, payment of
     amounts referred to above and, delivery to the Replacement Lender of
     the appropriate Note or Notes executed by Borrower, the Replacement
     Lender shall become a Lender under this Agreement and the Replaced
     Lender shall no longer be a Lender under this Agreement, except with
     respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement, which
     shall survive as to such Replaced Lender.

     Borrower may not require Lenders, and Lenders are not obligated, to
     become Replacement Lenders or to purchase the interest of any Lender
     Borrower wishes to replace under this Section 3.20.





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     SECTION 4  FEES.
     ---------  ----
          4.1  Treatment of Fees.  The fees described in this Section 4
               -----------------
     (a) are not compensation for the use, detention, or forbearance of
     money, (b) are in addition to, and not in lieu of, interest and
     expenses otherwise described in this Agreement, (c) are payable in
     accordance with Section 3.1, (d) are non-refundable, (e) to the
     fullest extent permitted by Law, bear interest, if not paid when due,
     at the Default Rate, and (f) are calculated on the basis of actual
     number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day)
     elapsed, but computed as if each calendar year consisted of 360 days,
     unless computation would result in an interest rate in excess of the
     Maximum Rate in which event the computation is made on the basis of a
     year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be.  The fees described in
     this Section 4 are in all events subject to the provisions of Section
     3.8 of this Agreement.

          4.2  Underwriting and Administrative Fees.  Borrower shall pay to
               ------------------------------------
     NationsBank of Texas, N.A., the fees described in the letter agreement
     among them and NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc., dated October 11,
     1996.

          4.3  LC Fees.  Borrower shall pay to Issuing Lender, for its own
               -------
     account, a fronting fee for the issuance of each LC equal to 0.125% of
     the face amount of such LC, provided that the amount of such fee shall
     not be less than $350.   Such fee shall be payable on the last day of
     the fiscal quarter in which such LC is issued.  In addition, Borrower
     shall pay to Issuing Lender quarterly, in arrears, on each March 31,
     June 30, September 30 and December 31 while such LC is outstanding,  a
     fee (calculated on a per annum basis) equal to the product of (a) the
     Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans then in effect multiplied by (b) the
     face amount of the LC, multiplied by (c) the quotient of (i) the
     number of days such LC was outstanding during such quarter, divided by
     (ii) 365, provided that the amount of such fee (as calculated on a per
     annum basis) shall not be less than $500.

          4.4  Revolving Credit Commitment Fee.  Borrower shall pay to
               -------------------------------
     Agent for the ratable account of Lenders a commitment fee, payable in
     arrears on each March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31
     (commencing December 31, 1996), and on the Revolving Credit
     Termination Date, equal to the Applicable Percentage of the amount by
     which (a) the Revolving Credit Commitment exceeds (b) the average
     daily Revolving Credit Commitment Usage, in each case during the
     calendar quarter ending on such date.  Solely for purposes of this
     Section 4.4, "ratable" means, for any calculation period, with respect
     to any Lender, the proportion that (i) the average daily unused
     Commitment of that Lender for the Revolving Credit Facility during the
     period bears to (ii) the
























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     aggregate amount of the average daily unused Revolving Credit
     Commitment during the period.

     SECTION 5  SECURITY.
     ---------  --------
          5.1  Guaranty.  Full and complete payment of the Obligation is
               --------
     guaranteed in accordance with the Guaranty executed by each Company
     (other than Borrower).

          5.2  Collateral.  Full and complete payment of the Obligation is
               ----------
     secured by a first priority Lien on all of the material assets of the
     Companies, including without limitation (but, in each case, only with
     respect to assets upon which Liens have been granted to Agent under
     the Security Documents), all capital stock issued by each Subsidiary
     of Borrower organized under the Laws of the United States (or any
     state thereof) and 65% of the capital stock issued by each other
     Subsidiary of Borrower, all material inventory, accounts, equipment,
     fixtures, and Intellectual Property of any Company, all material real
     estate owned by any Company, all material leasehold estates owned by
     any Company, to the extent any required consents can be obtained, and
     all other material assets of the Companies (together with proceeds
     thereof and any additional collateral ever furnished under Section
     5.3, the "Collateral"); all of the foregoing are more particularly
     described in the Security Documents.

          5.3  Additional Security and Guaranties.  Agent may, without
               ----------------------------------
     notice or demand and without affecting any Person's obligations under
     the Loan Papers, from time to time (a) receive and hold additional
     collateral from any Person for the payment of all or any part of the
     Obligation and exchange, enforce or release all or any part of that
     collateral and (b) accept and hold any endorsement or guaranty of
     payment of all or any part of the Obligation and release any endorser
     or guarantor, or any Person who has given any other security for the
     payment of all or any part of the Obligation, or any other Person in
     any way obligated to pay all or any part of the Obligation.

          5.4  Financing Statements.  Borrower will execute, or cause to be
               --------------------
     executed, financing statements, stock powers and other writings in the
     form and content reasonably required by Agent, and Borrower will pay
     all costs of filing any financing, continuation or termination
     statements, or other action taken by Agent relating to the Collateral,
     including, without limitation, costs and expenses of any Lien search
     reasonably required by Agent.





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     SECTION 6  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.  
     ---------  --------------------
          6.1  Initial Revolving Credit Facility Loan.  In addition to the
               --------------------------------------
     items described in Section 6.3, Lenders will not be obligated to fund
     the initial Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility, and Issuing
     Lender will not be obligated to issue the initial LC, unless Agent has
     timely received  (a) a Loan Request (or, for LCs other than those
     listed on Schedule 2.3, Issuing Lender has received an LC Request and
     a duly executed LC Agreement), and (b) each of the items listed on
     Schedule 6.1.

          6.2  Term Loan.  In addition to the items listed on Schedule 6.1
               ---------
     and the items described in Section 6.3, Lenders will not be obligated
     to fund the Term Loan unless Agent has timely received  (a) a Loan
     Request and (b) each of the items set out on Schedule 6.2.

          6.3  Each Loan.  Lenders will not be obligated to fund, continue,
               ---------
     or convert any Loan, and Issuing Lender will not be obligated to issue
     any LC, unless on the applicable Loan Date or issue date (and after
     giving effect to the requested Loan or LC), as the case may be:  (i)
     all of the representations and warranties of the Companies in the Loan
     Papers are true and correct in all material respects, except those
     made as of a certain date, which shall be true and correct as of such
     date; (ii) no Material Adverse Event, Default or Potential Default
     exists; and (iii) the funding of the Loan or issuance of the LC, as
     the case may be, is permitted by Law.  Upon Agent's request, Borrower
     shall deliver to Agent evidence substantiating any of the matters in
     the Loan Papers that are necessary to enable Borrower to qualify for
     the Loan or LC, as the case may be.  Each condition precedent in this
     Agreement (including, without limitation, those on Schedule 6.1 or
     Schedule 6.2, as applicable) is material to the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, and time is of the essence with
     respect to each condition precedent.  Subject to the prior approval of
     Required Lenders, Lenders may fund, continue, or convert any Loan, and
     Issuing Lender may issue any LC, without all conditions being
     satisfied, but, to the extent permitted by Law, that funding and
     issuance shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement that
     each condition precedent be satisfied as a prerequisite for any
     subsequent funding or issuance, unless Required Lenders specifically
     waive each item in writing.

     SECTION 7  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Borrower represents and
     ---------  ------------------------------
     warrants to Agent and Lenders as follows:

          7.1  Purpose of Credit Facility.  Borrower will use proceeds of
               --------------------------
     the Facilities to finance the Acquisition, refinance the Existing Bank
     Debt and certain other existing Debt of Borrower
























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     and Presto, for working capital and general corporate purposes of the
     Companies and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
     Acquisition and the Facilities.  No Company is engaged principally, or
     as one of its important activities, in the business of extending
     credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock"
     within the meaning of Regulations U or G of the Board of Governors of
     the Federal Reserve System, as amended.  No part of the proceeds of
     any Loan will be used, directly or indirectly, for a purpose that
     violates any Law, including without limitation, the provisions of
     Regulations U or G.

          7.2  Corporate Existence, Good Standing, Authority and
               -------------------------------------------------
     Compliance.  Each Company is duly organized, validly existing and in
     ----------
     good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is
     incorporated or organized as identified on Schedule 7.2 (or on the
     most recently revised Schedule 7.2 delivered to Agent by Borrower
     under Sections 8.8, 8.12, 9.10 or 9.11).  Except where failure is not
     a Material Adverse Event, each Company (a) is duly qualified to
     transact business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or
     other entity in each jurisdiction where the nature and extent of its
     business and properties require due qualification and good standing
     (as identified on Schedule 7.2 or on the most recently revised
     Schedule 7.2), (b) possesses all requisite authority, permits and
     power to conduct its business as is now being, or is contemplated by
     this Agreement to be, conducted, and (c) is in compliance with all
     applicable Laws.

          7.3  Subsidiaries.  Borrower has no Subsidiaries except as
               ------------
     disclosed on  Schedule 7.3 (or on the most recently revised Schedule
     7.3 delivered to Agent by Borrower under Sections 8.8, 8.12, 9.10 or
     9.11).  All of the outstanding shares of capital stock (or similar
     voting interests) of Borrower's Subsidiaries are duly authorized,
     validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned of record
     and beneficially as set forth on Schedule 7.3 (or any revised Schedule
     7.3), free and clear of any Liens, restrictions, claims or Rights of
     another Person, other than Permitted Liens and Liens securing the
     Existing Bank Debt, and are not subject to any warrant, option or
     other acquisition Right of any Person or subject to any transfer
     restriction except for restrictions imposed by securities Laws and
     general corporate Laws.

          7.4  Authorization and Contravention.  The execution and delivery
               -------------------------------
     by each Company of each Loan Paper or related document to which it is
     a party and the performance by it of its obligations thereunder (a)
     are within its corporate power, (b) have been duly authorized by all
     necessary corporate action, (c) require no action by or filing with
     any Tribunal (other than any action or filing that has been taken or
     made on or before the
























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     date of this Agreement), (d) do not violate any provision of its
     charter or bylaws, (e) do not violate any provision of Law or any
     order of any Tribunal applicable to it, other than violations that
     individually or collectively are not a Material Adverse Event, (f) do
     not violate any Material Agreements to which it is a party, other than
     violations which are not a Material Adverse Event, and violations of
     agreements, documents, and instruments executed in connection with the
     Existing Bank Debt (which will be cured by paying off the Existing
     Bank Debt with all or part of the proceeds of the initial Loan and
     canceling the related agreements, documents, and instruments), or (g)
     do not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than
     the Lender Liens) on any asset of any Company.

          7.5  Binding Effect.  Upon execution and delivery by all parties
               --------------
     thereto, each Loan Paper will constitute a legal and binding
     obligation of each Company party thereto, enforceable against it in
     accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
     applicable Debtor Relief Laws and general principles of equity.

          7.6  Financial Statements; Fiscal Year.  The Current Financials
               ---------------------------------
     were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as disclosed therein)
     and present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
     financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the
     Companies as of, and for the portion of the fiscal year ending on the
     date or dates thereof (subject only to normal year-end adjustments). 
     All material liabilities of the Companies as of the date or dates of
     the Current Financials are reflected therein or in the notes thereto. 
     Except for transactions directly related to, or specifically
     contemplated by, the Loan Papers (including, without limitation, the
     Acquisition), no subsequent material adverse changes have occurred in
     the consolidated financial condition of the Companies from that shown
     in the Current Financials, nor has any Company incurred any subsequent
     material liability other than Permitted Debt.  The fiscal year of each
     Company ends on December 31.

          7.7  Litigation.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 7.7 (or the
               ----------
     most recently revised Schedule 7.7 delivered by Borrower to Agent
     under Section 8.1(d)), no Company is subject to, or aware of the
     threat of, any Litigation that is reasonably likely to be determined
     adversely to any Company and, if so adversely determined, is a
     Material Adverse Event.  Except as permitted under Section 11.4, no
     outstanding and unpaid judgments against any Company exist, and no
     Company is a party to, or bound by, any judicial or administrative
     order, judgment, decree or consent decree relating to any past or
     present practice, omission, activity or undertaking which constitutes
     a Material Adverse Event.



























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          7.8  Taxes.  All Tax returns of each Company required to be filed
               -----
     have been filed (or extensions have been granted) before delinquency,
     other than returns for which the failure to file is not a Material
     Adverse Event, and all Taxes imposed upon each Company that are due
     and payable have been paid before delinquency, other than Taxes for
     which the criteria for Permitted Liens (as specified in clause (d) of 
     the definition of "Permitted Liens") have been satisfied or for which
     nonpayment is not a Material Adverse Event.

          7.9  Environmental Matters.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 7.9
               ---------------------
     or (on the most recently revised Schedule 7.9 delivered by Borrower to
     Agent under Section 8.1(d)), (a) no Company knows of any environmental
     condition or circumstance that would constitute a Material Adverse
     Event, (b) no Company has received any written notice which is
     outstanding, that it is in material noncompliance with any
     Environmental Law, (c) no Company knows that any Company is under any
     affirmative obligation to remedy any violation of any Environmental
     Law which would result in a Material Adverse Event if not remedied, or
     (d)  no facility of any Company is used for, or to the knowledge of
     any Company has been used for, storage, treatment or disposal of any
     Hazardous Substance, except in material compliance with Environmental
     Law.

          7.10  Employee Plans.  Except where occurrence or existence is
                --------------
     not a Material Adverse Event, (a) no Employee Plan has incurred an
     "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in section 302 of ERISA
     or section 412 of the Code), (b) no Company has incurred liability
     under ERISA to the PBGC in connection with any Employee Plan (other
     than required insurance premiums, all of which have been timely paid),
     (c) no Company has withdrawn in whole or in part from participation in
     a Multiemployer Plan, (d) no Company has engaged in any "prohibited
     transaction" (as defined in section 406 of ERISA or section 4975 of
     the Code), and (e) no "reportable event" (as defined in section 4043
     of ERISA) has occurred, excluding events for which the 30-day notice
     requirement is waived under applicable PBGC regulations.

          7.11  Properties; Liens.  Each Company has good and indefeasible
                -----------------
     title to all its property reflected on the Current Financials (other
     than property that is obsolete or that has been disposed in the
     ordinary course of business or, after the date of this Agreement, as
     otherwise permitted by Section 9.10 or Section 9.11 or consented to by
     the Required Lenders).  Except for Permitted Liens, no Lien exists on
     any property of any Company, and the execution, delivery, performance
     or observance of the Loan Papers will not require or result in the
     creation of any Lien (other than Lender Liens) on any Company's
     property.


























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          7.12  Chief Executive Offices; Real Estate Interests.  Each
                ----------------------------------------------
     Company's chief executive office is located at the address on Schedule
     7.12 (or on the most recently revised Schedule 7.12 delivered by
     Borrower to Agent under Section 8.8).  Each Company's books and
     records concerning accounts and accounts receivable are located at its
     chief executive office, and all of its inventory (other than inventory
     on consignment, in transit or in the possession of a subcontractor of
     any Company) is in its possession and, together with the Company's
     other material assets, are located, until sold in the ordinary course
     of business, at one or more of the locations on Schedule 7.12 (or on
     the most recently revised Schedule 7.12 delivered by Borrower to Agent
     under Section 8.8).  Except as described on  Schedule 7.12 (or on the
     most recently revised Schedule 7.12 delivered by Borrower to Agent
     under Section 8.8), no Company has any ownership, material leasehold,
     or other material interest in real estate.

          7.13  Government Regulations.  No Company is subject to
                ----------------------
     regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or
     the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

          7.14  Transactions with Affiliates.  Except as disclosed on
                ----------------------------
     Schedule 7.14, (or on the most recently revised Schedule 7.14 
     delivered by Borrower to Agent under Section 9.6), no Company is a
     party to a material transaction with any of its Affiliates (excluding
     other Companies), other than transactions in the ordinary course of
     business and upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less
     favorable than it could obtain or could become entitled to in an
     arm's-length transaction with a Person that was not its Affiliate.

          7.15  Debt.  No Company is an obligor on any Debt, other than
                ----
     Permitted Debt.  

          7.16    Material Agreements.  No Company is a party to any
                  -------------------
     Material Agreement, other than the Loan Papers and the Material
     Agreements described on Schedule 7.16.  All described Material
     Agreements are in full force and effect, and no default exists on the
     part of any Company thereunder (excluding defaults under agreements,
     documents, and instruments executed in connection with the Existing
     Debt, which will be cured by paying off the Existing Debt with all or
     part of the proceeds of the initial Loan) that is a Material Adverse
     Event.

          7.17  Insurance.  Each Company maintains with financially sound,
                ---------
     responsible, and reputable insurance companies or associations (or, as
     to workers' compensation or similar insurance, with an insurance fund
     or by self-insurance authorized by the jurisdictions in which it
     operates) insurance concerning























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     its properties and businesses against casualties and contingencies and
     of types (including business interruption insurance) and in amounts
     (and with co-insurance and deductibles) as is customary in the case of
     similar businesses.

          7.18  Labor Matters.  No actual or threatened strikes, labor
                -------------
     disputes, slow downs, walkouts, or other concerted interruptions of
     operations by the employees of any Company that are a Material Adverse
     Event exist.  Hours worked by and payment made to employees of the
     Companies have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act
     or any other applicable Law dealing with labor matters, other than any
     violations, individually or collectively, that are not a Material
     Adverse Event.  All payments due from any Company for employee health
     and welfare insurance have been paid or accrued as a liability on its
     books, other than any nonpayments that are not, individually or
     collectively, a Material Adverse Event.

          7.19  Solvency.  On each Loan Date, each Company is, and after
                --------
     giving effect to the requested Loan will be, Solvent.

          7.20  Trade Names.  To the knowledge of the Borrower, no Company
                -----------
     has used or transacted business under any other corporate or trade
     name in the five-year period preceding the initial Loan Date, except
     as disclosed on Schedule 7.20.

          7.21    Intellectual Property.  Each Company owns or has the
                  ---------------------
     Right to use all material Intellectual Property and licenses used in
     its business.  Each Company is conducting its business without
     infringement or claim of infringement of any license or Intellectual
     Property of others, other than any infringements or claims that, if
     successfully asserted against or determined adversely to any Company,
     would not, individually or collectively, constitute a Material Adverse
     Event.  To the knowledge of any Company, no infringement or claim of
     infringement by others of any material license, or other material
     Intellectual Property of any Company exists.

          7.22  Full Disclosure.  Each material fact or condition relating
                ---------------
     to the Loan Papers or the financial condition, business or property of
     any Company has been disclosed in writing to Agent.  All information
     previously furnished, furnished on the date of this Agreement, and
     furnished in the future, by any Company to Agent in connection with
     the Loan Papers (a) was, is, and will be, true and accurate in all
     material respects or based on reasonable estimates on the date the
     information is stated or certified, (b) did not, does not, and will
     not, fail to state any fact the omission of which would otherwise make
     any such information materially misleading, and (c) there has been no
     material adverse change in respect of any Company, its business
























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     operation, prospects, or financial condition since the date such
     information was furnished.

     SECTION 8  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.  So long as Lenders are committed to
     ---------  ---------------------
     fund any Loans and Issuing Lender is committed to issue LCs under this
     Agreement, and thereafter until the Obligation is paid in full,
     Borrower covenants and agrees as follows:

          8.1  Items to be Furnished.  Borrower shall cause the following
               ---------------------
     to be furnished to Agent:

               (a)  Promptly after preparation, and no later than 95 days
          after the last day of each fiscal year of Borrower, Financial
          Statements showing the consolidated financial condition and
          results of operations of the Companies and a statement of
          stockholders equity as of, and for the year ended on, that last
          day, accompanied by:

                    (i)  the unqualified opinion of a firm of
               nationally-recognized independent certified public
               accountants, based on an audit using generally accepted
               auditing standards, that the Financial Statements were
               prepared in accordance with GAAP and present fairly, in all
               material respects, the consolidated financial condition and
               results of operations of the Companies;

                    (ii)  any management letter prepared by the accounting
               firm delivered in connection with its audit; and

                    (iii)  a Compliance Certificate with respect to the
               Financial Statements.

               (b)  Promptly after preparation, and no later than 50 days
          after the last day of each of the first three fiscal quarters of
          the Companies' fiscal year, Financial Statements showing the
          consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the
          Companies for the fiscal quarter and for the period from the
          beginning of the current fiscal year to the last day of the
          fiscal quarter, accompanied by a Compliance Certificate with
          respect to the Financial Statements.

               (c)  Promptly after preparation, and no later than 30 days
          after the last day of each month which is not the last month in a
          fiscal quarter of Borrower, Financial Statements showing the
          consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the
          Companies for the month and for the period




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          from the beginning of the current fiscal year to the last day of
          such month.

               (d)  Notice (and delivery of a revised schedule if a
          representation or warranty under Section 7 is affected), promptly
          after any Company knows of (i) the existence and status of any
          Litigation that, if determined adversely to any Company, could
          reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Event,
          (ii) any material adverse change in any material fact or
          circumstance represented or warranted by any Company in any Loan
          Paper, (iii) the receipt by any Company of notice of any
          violation or alleged violation of ERISA or any Environmental Law
          (which individually or collectively with other violations or
          allegations could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
          Adverse Event), or (iv) a Default or Potential Default,
          specifying the nature thereof and what action the Companies have
          taken, are taking, or propose to take.

               (e)  Promptly after filing, copies of all material reports
          or filings filed by or on behalf of any Company with  the
          Securities and Exchange Commission (including, without
          limitation, copies of each Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K).

               (f)  Promptly upon reasonable request by Agent or Required
          Lenders (through Agent), information (not otherwise required to
          be furnished under the Loan Papers) respecting the business
          affairs, assets and liabilities of the Companies and
          certifications and documents in the possession of or otherwise
          reasonably available to the Companies in addition to those
          mentioned in this Agreement.

          8.2  Use of Proceeds.  Borrower shall use the proceeds of Loans
               ---------------
     only for the purposes represented in this Agreement.

          8.3  Books and Records.  Borrower will, and will cause each other
               -----------------
     Company to, maintain books, records and accounts necessary to prepare
     financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

          8.4  Inspections.  Upon reasonable notice, Borrower will, and
               -----------
     will cause each other Company to, allow Agent or any Lender (or their
     Representatives) to inspect any of its properties, to review reports,
     files and other records and to make and take away copies, to conduct
     tests or investigations, and to discuss any of its affairs, conditions
     and finances with its directors, officers, responsible employees or
     representatives from time to time, during reasonable business hours,
     provided that Borrower may have a representative present at all such
     tests, inspections, reviews and discussions.


























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          8.5  Taxes.  Borrower will, and will cause each other Company to
               -----
     promptly pay when due any and all Taxes, other than Taxes which are
     being contested in good faith by lawful proceedings diligently
     conducted, against which reserve or other provision required by GAAP
     has been made; provided that all such Taxes shall, in any event, be
     paid prior to any levy for execution in respect of any Lien on any
     property of a Company.

          8.6  Payment of Obligations.  Borrower will, and will case each
               ----------------------
     other Company to promptly pay (or renew and extend) all of its
     material obligations as they become due (unless the obligations are
     being contested in good faith by lawful proceedings diligently
     conducted, against which reserve or other provision required by GAAP
     has been made).

          8.7  Expenses.  Borrower shall promptly pay upon demand (a) all
               --------
     reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses paid or incurred by
     Agent or its Affiliates in connection with the arrangement,
     syndication and negotiation of the Facilities and the negotiation,
     preparation, delivery and execution of the Loan Papers and any related
     amendment, waiver or consent (including in each case, without
     limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of Agent's counsel) and
     (b) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses of Lenders
     and Agent incurred by Agent or any Lender in connection with the
     enforcement of the obligations of any Company arising under the Loan
     Papers after a Default or the exercise of any Rights arising under the
     Loan Papers (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys'
     fees, expenses and costs paid or incurred in connection with any
     workout or restructure and any action taken in connection with any
     Debtor Relief Laws, provided that Borrower shall only be obligated to
     pay the fees, costs, and expenses of one law firm as legal counsel to
     the Agent and the Lenders plus the fees and expenses of local counsel
     in each jurisdiction where the Collateral is located), all of which
     shall be a part of the Obligation and shall bear interest, if not paid
     within 5 days after demand, at the Default Rate until paid.

          8.8  Maintenance of Existence, Assets, and Business; Name Change.
               -----------------------------------------------------------
     Except as otherwise permitted by Section 9.11, Borrower will, and will
     cause each other Company to, (a) maintain its corporate existence and
     good standing in its state of incorporation and its authority to
     transact business in all other states where failure to maintain its
     authority to transact business is a Material Adverse Event;
     (b) maintain all licenses, permits and franchises necessary for its
     business where failure to do so is a Material Adverse Event; (c) keep
     all of its assets that are necessary to its business in good working
     order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and make all
     necessary repairs and replacements.  No Company will change the

























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     location of its chief executive office or the location of its
     materials assets or change its name in any manner (except by
     registering additional trade names) unless Agent receives prior
     written notice of such change and revised Schedules 7.2, 7.3 or 7.12,
     as applicable.

          8.9  Insurance.  Borrower will, and will cause each other Company
               ---------
     to maintain with financially sound, responsible and reputable
     insurance companies or associations (or, as to workers' compensation
     or similar insurance, with an insurance fund or by self-insurance
     authorized by the jurisdictions in which it operates) insurance
     concerning its properties and businesses against casualties and
     contingencies and of types (including business interruption insurance)
     and in amounts (and with co-insurance and deductibles) as is customary
     in the case of similar businesses.  At Agent's request, Borrower
     shall, and shall cause each other Company to, deliver to Agent
     certificates of insurance for each policy of insurance and evidence of
     payment of all premiums and naming Agent as loss payee and requiring
     30 days prior written notice to Agent of cancellation.  If any
     insurance policy covered by an insurance certificate previously
     delivered to Agent is altered or canceled, then Borrower shall cause
     to be promptly delivered to Agent a replacement certificate (in form
     and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent).

          8.10  Preservation and Protection of Rights.  Borrower will, and
                -------------------------------------
     will cause each other Company to perform the acts and duly authorize,
     execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record any additional writings
     as Agent or Required Lenders may reasonably deem necessary or
     appropriate to perfect and maintain the Lender Liens and preserve and
     protect the Rights of Agent and Lenders under any Loan Paper.

          8.11  Environmental Laws.  Borrower will, and will cause each
                ------------------
     other Company to conduct its business so as to comply with all
     applicable Environmental Laws and shall promptly take corrective
     action to remedy any non-compliance with any Environmental Law, except
     where failure to comply or take action could not reasonably be
     expected to be a Material Adverse Event.

          8.12  Subsidiaries.  Borrower shall pledge to Agent for the
                ------------
     benefit of Lenders (a) all capital stock of each Person organized
     under the Laws of the United States (or any state thereof) that
     becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower after the date of this Agreement and
     (b) 65% of the capital stock of each Person not organized under the
     Laws of the United States (or any state thereof) which becomes a
     Subsidiary of Borrower after the date of this Agreement (in each case,
     whether as a result of acquisition, creation or otherwise) and shall
     cause each such new Subsidiary to execute and deliver a Guaranty, in
     each case within 10 days after
























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     becoming a Subsidiary of Borrower.  Borrower shall deliver to Agent
     revised Schedules 7.2 and 7.3 reflecting such new Subsidiary within 10
     days after it becomes a Subsidiary.

          8.13  Indemnification.  Borrower Will, And Will Cause Each Other
                ---------------
     Company To, Jointly And Severally, Indemnify, Protect And Hold Agent
     And Lenders And Their Respective Parents, Subsidiaries,
     Representatives, Successors And Assigns (Including All Officers,
     Directors, Employees And Agents)(Collectively, The "Indemnified
     Parties") Harmless From And Against Any And All Liabilities,
     Obligations, Losses, Damages, Penalties, Actions, Judgments, Suits,
     Claims And Proceedings And All Costs, Expenses  Related Thereto
     (Including, Without Limitation, All Reasonable Attorneys' Fees And
     Legal Expenses Whether Or Not Suit Is Brought) And Disbursements Of
     Any Kind Or Nature (The "Indemnified Liabilities") That May At Any
     Time Be Imposed On, Incurred By Or Asserted Against The Indemnified
     Parties, In Any Way Relating To Or Arising Out Of (a) The Direct Or
     Indirect Result Of The Violation By Any Company Of Any Environmental
     Law, (b) Any Company's Generation, Manufacture, Production, Storage,
     Release, Threatened Release, Discharge, Disposal Or Presence In
     Connection With Its Properties Of A Hazardous Substance (Including,
     Without Limitation, (i) All Damages Of Any Use, Generation,
     Manufacture, Production, Storage, Release, Threatened Release,
     Discharge, Disposal Or Presence, Or (ii) The Costs Of Any
     Environmental Investigation, Monitoring, Repair, Cleanup Or
     Detoxification And The Preparation And Implementation Of Any Closure,
     Remedial Or Other Plans), Or (c) The Loan Papers Or Any Of The
     Transactions Contemplated Therein (other than amounts payable under
     Section 8.7).  However, Although Each Indemnified Party Has The Right
     To Be Indemnified Under The Loan Papers For Its Own Ordinary
     Negligence, No Indemnified Party Has The Right To Be Indemnified Under
     The Loan Papers For Its Own Fraud, Gross Negligence, Willful
     Misconduct Or Breach Of Any Of the Loan Papers, Including Actions In
     Violation Of The Asset Conservation Act of 1996 (or analagous
     environmental lender liability laws).  The Provisions Of And
     Undertakings And Indemnification Set Forth In This Paragraph Shall
     Survive The Satisfaction And Payment Of The Obligation And Termination
     Of This Agreement.

          8.14  Financial Hedges.  Borrower shall enter into Financial
                ----------------
     Hedges on terms reasonably acceptable to Agent and Borrower, and for
     an aggregate notional amount reasonably acceptable to Borrower and
     Agent, within 60 days after the Closing Date.  Borrower shall give
     Agent sufficient prior written notice of its entering into any
     Financial Hedge to permit Agent to consult with Borrower concerning
     such Financial Hedge.

     SECTION 9  NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  So long as Lenders are committed to
     ---------  ------------------
     fund Loans and Issuing Lender is committed to issue LCs under
























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     this Agreement, and thereafter until the Obligation is paid in full,
     Borrower covenants and agrees as follows:

          9.1  Taxes.  Borrower may not and may not permit any Company to
               -----
     use any portion of the proceeds of any Loan to pay the wages of
     employees, unless a timely payment to or deposit with the United
     States of America of all amounts of Tax required to be deducted and
     withheld with respect to such wages is also made.

          9.2  Payment of Obligations.  Borrower may not and may not permit
               ----------------------
     any Company to voluntarily prepay principal of, or interest on, any
     Debt other than the Obligation, if a Default or Potential Default
     exists or would result from such payment.

          9.3  Employee Plans.  Except where a Material Adverse Event would
               --------------
     not result, Borrower may not and may not permit any Company to permit
     any of the events or circumstances described in Section 7.10 to exist
     or occur.

          9.4  Debt.  Borrower may not and may not permit any Company to
               ----
     create, incur or suffer to exist any Debt, other than Permitted Debt.

          9.5  Liens.  Borrower may not and may not permit any Company to
               -----
     (a) create, incur or suffer or permit to be created or incurred or to
     exist any Lien upon any of its assets other than Permitted Liens or
     (b) enter into or permit to exist any arrangement or agreement that
     directly or indirectly prohibits any Company from creating or
     incurring any Lien on any of its assets, other than the Loan Papers
     and leases that place a Lien prohibition on only the leased property.

          9.6  Transactions with Affiliates.  Borrower may not and may not
               ----------------------------
     permit any Company to enter into any material transaction with any of
     its Affiliates (excluding other Companies), other than transactions
     disclosed on Schedule 7.14 and transactions in the ordinary course and
     upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less favorable than it
     could obtain or could become entitled to in an arm's-length
     transaction with a Person that was not its Affiliate, except that:

                    (i)  Distributions may be made to the extent not
               otherwise prohibited under this Agreement; 

                    (ii)  Borrower may enter into and consummate the
               transactions contemplated by its Employee Plans; and

                    (iii)  Borrower may enter into transactions with its
               employees, officers or directors regarding employment
               compensation and benefits, including without























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

               limitation salaries, bonuses, stock options, relocation
               loans and expenses, and similar benefits.

          9.7  Compliance with Laws and Documents.  Borrower may not and
               ----------------------------------
     may not permit any Company to (a) violate the provisions of any Laws
     applicable to it or of any Material Agreement to which it is a party
     if that violation alone, or when aggregated with all other violations,
     would be a Material Adverse Event, (b) violate the provisions of its
     charter or bylaws, or (c) repeal, replace or amend any provision of
     its charter or bylaws if that action would be a Material Adverse
     Event.

          9.8  Loans, Advances and Investments.  Except as permitted by
               -------------------------------
     Section 9.11, Borrower may not and may not permit any Company to make
     any loan, advance, extension of credit or capital contribution to,
     make any investment in, or purchase or commit to purchase any stock or
     other securities or evidences of Debt of, or interests in, any other
     Person, other than

               (a)  expense accounts for and other loans or advances to its
          directors, officers and employees in the ordinary course of
          business;

               (b)  marketable obligations issued or unconditionally
          guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any of
          its agencies and backed by the full faith and credit of the
          United States of America, in each case maturing within one year
          from the date of acquisition;

               (c)  short-term investment grade domestic and eurodollar
          certificates of deposit or time deposits that are fully insured
          by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or are issued by
          commercial banks organized under the Laws of the United States of
          America or any of its states having combined capital, surplus,
          and undivided profits of not less than $100,000,000 (as shown on
          its most recently published statement of condition);

               (d)  commercial paper and similar obligations rated "P-1" by
          Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or "A-1" by Standard & Poors
          Ratings Group (a division of McGraw Hill, Inc.);

               (e)  readily marketable tax-free municipal bonds of a
          domestic issuer rated "A-2" or better by Moody's Investors
          Service, Inc., or "A" or better by Standard & Poors Ratings Group
          (a division of McGraw Hill, Inc.), and maturing within one year
          from the date of issuance;




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

               (f)  mutual funds or money market accounts investing
          primarily in items described in clauses (b) through (e) above;

               (g)  cash or demand deposit accounts maintained in the
          ordinary course of business;

               (h)  current trade and customer accounts receivable that are
          for goods furnished or services rendered in the ordinary course
          of business and that are payable in accordance with customary
          trade terms;

               (i)  Financial Hedges to the extent permitted under this
          Agreement;

               (j)  any Company may make loans to any  other Company,
          provided that all such loans are evidenced by promissory notes;

               (k)  Debt of any Company to another Company existing on the
          date hereof and listed on Schedule 2;

               (l)  the Companies may sell or transfer assets to each other
          to the extent permitted by this Agreement;

               (m)  Borrower may establish Subsidiaries to the extent
          permitted by this Agreement;

               (n)  Borrower may repurchase its capital stock and/or
          options to purchase such stock held by directors, officers and
          employees of the Companies upon the death, disability, retirement
          or termination of such directors, officers or employees or the
          exercise of such options, or from the shareholders of Borrower so
          long as the purpose is to acquire stock for reissuance to new
          employees of Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

               (o)  promissory notes, bonds, debentures and other similar
          non-cash consideration received by Borrower and its Subsidiaries
          in connection with dispositions permitted by Section 9.10 so long
          as that portion of the aggregate principal amount thereof which
          exceeds the amount of reserves for such items does not exceed
          $3,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

               (p)  Borrower and its Subsidiaries may acquire and own
          investments (including Debt obligations) received in connection
          with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers
          and in settlement of delinquent































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers
          arising in the ordinary course of business;

               (q)  investments by Borrower in any of its Subsidiaries;

               (r)  loans, advances or investments in existence on the date
          hereof (other than intercompany Debt) as described on Schedule 2,
          and extensions, renewals, modifications and restatements or
          replacements thereof, provided that no such extension, renewal,
          modification or restatement may (i) increase the amount of the
          original loan, advance or investment, or (ii) adversely effect
          the interest of the Lenders with respect to such original loan,
          advance or investment or the interest of the Lenders under this
          Agreement in any material respect;

               (s)  investments by Borrower in capital stock of
          corporations that are not Subsidiaries of Borrower for the
          purpose or purposes of extending or continuing, in the areas of
          production, marketing, research and development and/or
          advertising, the frozen and non-frozen refrigerated food product
          lines of business currently engaged in by the Companies, provided
          that (i) no Default exists at the time of the investment or would
          result therefrom and (ii) such capital stock shall be represented
          by certificates issued to Borrower and shall be delivered in
          pledge to Agent, who will hold such certificates for the benefit
          of the Lenders pursuant to the terms of a Security Document. 
          Notwithstanding anything in any Security Document to the
          contrary, the Agent shall release from pledge and redeliver such
          certificates to Borrower or its designee upon ten (10) days
          written notice from Borrower of its intention to sell such
          capital stock in a transaction which is not expressly prohibited
          by this Agreement;
      
               (t)  Borrower's creation of and/or entry into partnership or
          joint venture agreements for the purpose or purposes of extending
          or continuing, the areas of the production, marketing, research
          and development and/or advertising, the frozen and non-frozen
          refrigerated food product lines of business currently engaged in
          by the Companies, provided that (i) the total capital investment
          of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in such partnerships or
          joint ventures shall not at any time exceed $5,000,000, (ii) no
          Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
          therefrom, and (iii) to the extent permitted by its
          organizational documents, Borrower's interest in such partnership
          or joint venture shall be pledge to Agent for the benefit of
          Lenders pursuant to the terms of a Security






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Document.   Notwithstanding anything in any Security Document to
          the contrary, the Agent shall release from any such pledge upon
          ten days written notice from Borrower of its intention to sell
          such interest in a transaction which is not expressly prohibited
          by this Agreement; and

               (u)  In addition to the foregoing, Borrower and the
          Companies may make additional investments (which shall not be
          counted in the limitations set forth above) as follows:

                    (i)  investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
               $2,000,000 (at cost, without regard to any write-down or
               write-up thereof) at any one time outstanding; 

                    (ii)  the investment of net cash proceeds from
               dispositions of assets and Net Equity Proceeds not required
               to be applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section
               3.2(d); and

                    (iii)  the investment of Excess Cash Flow generated
               during prior fiscal years and not required to be applied to
               prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 3.2(d).

          9.9  Management Fees.  Except as permitted by Section 9.6, no
               ---------------
     Company may pay management fees to any  Affiliate.

          9.10  Sale of Assets.  Borrower may not and may not permit any
                --------------
     Company to sell, assign, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
     of its assets, other than (a) sales or transfers of inventory in the
     ordinary course of business, (b) the sale, discount or transfer of
     delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business for
     purposes of collection, (c) occasional sales, leases or other
     dispositions of immaterial assets for consideration not less than fair
     market value, (d) sales, leases or other dispositions of assets that
     are obsolete, worn out, no longer useful in the Companies' business or
     have negligible fair market value, (e) sales of equipment for a fair
     and adequate consideration (but if replacement equipment is necessary
     for the proper operation of the business of the seller, the seller
     must promptly replace the sold equipment), (f) lease (as lessor) real
     or personal property, so long as the assets subject to any such lease
     are not necessary for the conduct of the Companies' business, (g)
     transfers of condemned property to the respective Tribunal that has
     condemned such property (whether by deed in lieu of condemnation or
     otherwise), and transfers of property that has been subject to a
     casualty to the respective insurer of such property as part of an
     insurance settlement, (h) licenses and sublicenses by any Company of




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     software, trademarks or other Intellectual Property in the ordinary
     course of business and which do not materially interfere with the
     business of the Companies, (i) transfer or lease assets to or acquire
     or lease assets from any Company, (j) the sale, lease or other
     disposition of any other assets, provided that the aggregate net cash
     proceeds of all assets subject to sales or other dispositions pursuant
     to this clause (j) shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year, and
     (k) sales, assignments, leases, transfers or dispositions by a Company
     to another Company if the transferee Company is organized under the
     laws of the United States or any state thereof and conducts its
     operations within the United States.  Any sale of assets is subject to
     the mandatory prepayment provisions of Section 3.2.

          9.11  Acquisitions, Mergers and Dissolutions.  Except as provided
                --------------------------------------
     in this Section 9.11, Borrower may not and may not permit any Company
     to (a) acquire all or any substantial portion of stock issued by,
     interest in, or assets of, any other Person, (b) merge or consolidate
     with any other Person, or (c) liquidate, wind up or dissolve (or
     suffer any liquidation or dissolution).  Any Company may merge or
     consolidate with another Company and the non-surviving entity may be
     liquidated, wound up or dissolved, provided that if Borrower is a
     party to such merger or consolidation, Borrower must be the surviving
     entity.  Borrower may consummate the Acquisition and may acquire all
     or any substantial portion of stock issued by, interest in, or assets
     of, any other Person organized under the laws of the United States of
     America or any state thereof (the "Target"), and may form Subsidiaries
     for such purpose, if (i) at least 15 days before such acquisition,
     Borrower gives Agent a written description of the acquisition,
     including the funding sources and the total investment or purchase
     price, and a calculation on a pro forma basis (taking the acquisition
     into account) showing that no Default under Section 10 will occur as a
     result of such acquisition, together with a certificate from a
     Responsible Officer representing, in such  capacity and not
     individually, to Agent and Lenders that the acquisition will not
     reasonably be expected to result in the occurrence of a Default within
     the four fiscal quarters after the date of the acquisition, (ii) the
     Target is aware of, and has not objected to, the acquisition, (iii)
     the Target is in the same or similar business as the Companies or a
     business reasonably related thereto, (iv) on a pro forma basis (taking
     the acquisition into account), there is not less than $13,000,000 of
     availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, and (v) the
     surviving entity of any merger or consolidation shall, concurrent with
     such merger or consolidation, execute a Guaranty of the Obligation and
     such other Security Documents as Agent reasonably deems necessary or
     appropriate for such surviving entity to pledge all of its






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     material assets to secure the Obligation or its Guaranty of the
     Obligation.

          9.12  Assignment.  Except as permitted under Section 9.11,
                ----------
     Borrower may not and may not permit any Company to assign or transfer
     any of its Rights, or cause to be delegated its duties, or obligations
     under any of the Loan Papers, except that any Company may assign its
     Rights to any other Company.

          9.13  Fiscal Year and Accounting Methods.  Borrower may not and
                ----------------------------------
     may not permit any Company to change its fiscal year or its method of
     accounting (other than immaterial changes in methods or as required by
     GAAP) without the prior consent of Agent, which consent shall not be
     unreasonably withheld or delayed.

          9.14  New Businesses.  Borrower may not and may not permit any
                --------------
     Company to engage in any business except the businesses in which they
     are presently engaged and any other reasonably related business.

          9.15  Government Regulations.  Borrower may not and may not
                ----------------------
     permit any Company to conduct its business in a way that it becomes
     regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the
     Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

     SECTION 10  FINANCIAL COVENANTS.  So long as Lenders are committed to
     ----------  -------------------
     fund Loans and Issuing Lender is committed to issue LCs under this
     Agreement, and thereafter until the Obligation is paid and performed
     in full, Borrower covenants and agrees as follows:

          10.1  Maximum Leverage Ratio.  As calculated as of the last day
                ----------------------
     of each fiscal quarter of the Companies, the Companies shall not
     permit the ratio of (a) the unpaid principal amount of Funded Debt of
     the Companies existing as of such last day to (b) EBITDA for the four
     fiscal quarters ending on such last day to exceed the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                      Maximum
                                       Period                      Leverage Ratio
                   <S>                                              <C>
                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter         4.25: 1.00
                   occurring after the Closing Date through and
                   including March 31, 1997


                   As of the last day of the fiscal quarters         4.00: 1.00
                   ending on June 30, 1997 and September 30,
                   1997




















                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     


                                                                      Maximum
                                       Period                      Leverage Ratio
                   As of the last day of the fiscal quarters         3.75: 1.00
                   ending on December 31, 1997 and March 31,
                   1998


                   As of the last day of the fiscal quarters         3.50: 1.00
                   ending on June 30, 1998 and September 30,
                   1998


                   As of the last day of the fiscal quarters         3.25: 1.00
                   ending on December 31, 1998 and March 31,
                   1999

                   As of the last day of the fiscal quarters         3.0: 1.00
                   ending on June 30, 1999 and September 30,
                   1999


                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter         2.75: 1.00
                   occurring after September 30, 1999 through
                   and including September 30, 2000

                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter         2.25: 1.00
                   occurring after September 30, 2000 through
                   and including September 30, 2001


                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter         2.00: 1.00
                   occurring after September 30, 2001


</TABLE>

          10.2  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  As calculated as of
                -----------------------------------
     the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Companies, the Companies
     shall not permit the ratio of (a) Cash Flow for the four fiscal
     quarters ending on such last day to (b) Fixed Charges in such four
     fiscal quarters to be less than the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Minimum
                                                                   Fixed Charge
                                       Period                        Coverage
                                                                      Ratio

                   <S>                                           <C>
                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter      2.00 to 1.00
                   occurring after the Closing Date through and
                   including September 30, 1997:

                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter      1.70 to 1.00
                   commencing with October 1, 1997 through and
                   including September 30, 1998:
















                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     


                                                                     Minimum
                                                                   Fixed Charge
                                       Period                        Coverage
                                                                      Ratio
                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter      1.35 to 1.00
                   occurring after September 30, 1998 through
                   and including September 30, 2000:


                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter      1.15 to 1.00
                   occurring after September 30, 2000 through
                   and including December 31, 2001:

                   As of the last day of each fiscal quarter      1.00 to 1.00
                   occurring after December 31, 2001:


</TABLE>

          10.3  Minimum Net Worth.  Borrower shall not permit the Net Worth
                -----------------
     (as at the end of each fiscal quarter) of the Companies to be less
     than the sum of (a) 90% of Borrower's consolidated Net Worth as of
     December 31, 1996, as set out in the Financial Statements for the
     fiscal year ending on such date and delivered in accordance with
     Section 8.1(a),  plus (b) 60%  of the Companies' net consolidated
     positive net income earned in 1997 (unadjusted for net consolidated
     losses), minus (c) any tax affected non-cash charges for non-recurring
     items which arise from, or directly or indirectly relate to, any
     acquisition permitted under Section 9.11 which is consummated on or
     before December 31, 1997, plus (d) 75% of the Companies' net
     consolidated positive net income (unadjusted for net consolidated
     losses) earned after December 31, 1997, plus (e) 75% of any addition
     to paid in capital after the Closing Date (other than as a result of
     the exercise of options or similar instruments issued pursuant to an
     employee benefit plan or as a result of any reissuance of Borrower
     common stock to directors, executive officers, members of management
     or employees, provided that the aggregate amount of such exclusions
     from paid in capital may not exceed $2,000,000 in any fiscal year of
     Borrower).

          10.4  Capital Expenditures.  Except as provided in this Section
                --------------------
     10.4, Borrower shall not permit Capital Expenditures in any fiscal
     year to exceed the amount set out in the appropriate intersection in
     the following table: 


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            Year               Capital Expenditures

                            <S>                    <C>
                            1997                   $20,000,000
                            1998                   $20,000,000
                            1999                   $16,000,000
                            2000                   $14,000,000
                            2001                   $14,000,000
                            2002                   $14,000,000
















                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     


</TABLE>

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the
     extent that the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the
     Companies in any fiscal year is less than the amount set out in this
     Section 10.4, 50% of the amount of such difference may be carried
     forward and used to make Capital Expenditures in the immediately
     succeeding fiscal year (and the first Capital Expenditures made in any
     fiscal year shall be deemed to be expenditures of the amount carried
     forward from the prior fiscal year, if any).  Capital Expenditures
     made using proceeds which were not required to be prepaid on the Term
     Loan pursuant to Section 3.2(d)(i)(D) and (E) shall not be subject to
     the limitations imposed on Capital Expenditures under this
     Section 10.4.

     SECTION 11  DEFAULT.  The term "Default" means the occurrence of any
     ----------  -------
     one or more of the following events:

          11.1  Payment of Obligation.  The failure or refusal of any
                ---------------------
     Company to pay (a) any principal payment contemplated by Section
     3.2(b) of this Agreement or any amount in respect of its reimbursement
     obligations in connection with any drawing under an LC after such
     payment becomes due and payable hereunder, (b) any principal payment
     (other than those contemplated by Section 3.2(b)), interest payment
     contemplated to be made hereunder, or fees payable under Section 4,
     within 3 Business Days after the due date, and (c) any other amount
     contemplated to be paid hereunder in respect of fees, costs, expenses
     or indemnities within 10 Business Days after demand therefor by Agent.

          11.2  Covenants.  The failure of any Company to punctually and
                ---------
     properly perform, observe, and comply with:

               (a)  Any covenant or agreement contained in Section 2.3(h)
          or Sections 8.2, 8.9, 9 and 10; or

               (b)  Any covenant or agreement contained in Sections 8.1,
          8.3, 8.4, 8.7, 8.10, 8.11, 8.12, 8.13 and 8.14, and failure
          continues for 10 days after the first to occur of (i) a
          Responsible Officer knows of or (ii) Borrower receives notice
          from Agent of, such failure; or

               (c)  Any other covenant or agreement or condition applicable
          to it contained in any Loan Paper (other than the covenants to
          pay the Obligation and the covenants in clauses (a) or (b)
          preceding), and failure continues for 30 days after the first to
          occur of (i) a Responsible Officer knows of or (ii) Borrower
          receives notice from Agent of, such failure.

























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          11.3  Debtor Relief.  Any Company (a) is not Solvent, (b) fails
                -------------
     to pay its Debts generally as they become due, (c) voluntarily seeks,
     consents to, or acquiesces in the benefit of any Debtor Relief Law,
     (d) involuntarily becomes a party to or is made the subject of any
     proceeding provided for by any Debtor Relief Law (other than as a
     creditor or claimant) that could suspend or otherwise adversely affect
     the Rights of Agent or any Lender granted in the Loan Papers and (i)
     the petition is not controverted within 10 Business Days and is not
     dismissed within 60 days, or (ii) an order for relief is entered under
     Title 11 of the United States Code.

          11.4  Judgments and Attachments.  Any Company fails, within 60
                -------------------------
     days after entry, to stay, pay, bond or otherwise vacate or discharge
     any (a) judgment or order for the payment of money (individually or
     collectively outstanding on any date), the uninsured portion of which
     exceeds $2,500,000, or (b) warrant of attachment, sequestration or
     similar proceeding against any Company's assets having a value
     (individually or collectively outstanding on any date) the uninsured
     portion of which exceeds $2,500,000.

          11.5  Government Action.  (a) A final non-appealable order is
                -----------------
     issued by any Tribunal (including, but not limited to, the United
     States Justice Department) seeking to cause any Company to divest a
     significant portion of its assets under any antitrust, restraint of
     trade, unfair competition, industry regulation or similar Laws, or (b)
     any Tribunal condemns, seizes or otherwise appropriates, or takes
     custody or control of any assets of any Company unless such action is
     not a Material Adverse Event.

          11.6  Misrepresentation.  Any material representation or warranty
                -----------------
     made by any Company contained in any Loan Paper (other than those made
     as of a specified date and which were true and correct when made) at
     any time proves to have been incorrect in any material respect when
     made.

          11.7  Ownership of Other Companies.  Borrower fails to own,
                ----------------------------
     beneficially and of record, with power to vote, 100% of the issued and
     outstanding shares of capital stock of any other Company.

          11.8  Default Under Other Agreements.  (a) Any default exists
                ------------------------------
     under any agreement (other than payables arising in the ordinary
     course of business and Subordinated Debt) to which a Company is a
     party, the effect of which is to permit any Person (other than a
     Company) to cause an amount to become due and payable by any Company
     before its stated maturity and such amount, if accelerated, would
     result in a Material Adverse Event, (b) any Debt in excess
     (individually or collectively) of























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     $5,000,000 is declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid
     by any Company before its stated maturity, or (c) any Company fails to
     pay when due (after lapse of any applicable grace period) any payment
     in respect of Debt in excess (individually or collectively) of
     $5,000,000.

          11.9  LCs.  Agent is served with, or becomes subject to, a court
                ---
     order, injunction, or other process or decree restraining or seeking
     to restrain it from paying any amount under any LC and a drawing has
     occurred under the LC and Borrower has refused to reimburse Agent for
     payment.

          11.10  Validity and Enforceability of Loan Papers.  Except in
                 ------------------------------------------
     accordance with its terms or as otherwise expressly permitted by this
     Agreement, any Loan Paper at any time after its execution and delivery
     ceases to be in full force and effect in any material respect (and
     Borrower does not cure such event to Agent's reasonable satisfaction
     within 10 days after Agent's written notice to Borrower of such
     cessation) or is declared by a Tribunal to be null and void or its
     validity or enforceability is contested by any Company party thereto
     or any Company denies that it has any further liability or obligations
     under any Loan Paper to which it is a party.  If the validity or
     enforceability of any Loan Paper is contested in any proceeding to
     which no Company is a party, Borrower may participate in such
     Litigation for the purpose of defending the validity or enforceability
     of the Loan Paper.

          11.11  Change of Control.  There shall occur a Change of Control
                 -----------------
     Event.

          11.12  SEC Reporting Requirements.  Borrower fails to comply with
                 --------------------------
     any reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended, for which the failure to report would constitute a Material
     Adverse Event.

          11.13  Financial Hedges.  Any Company breaches any provision of
                 ----------------
     any Financial Hedge and the breach is not cured within any applicable
     grace period.

     SECTION 12  RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
     ----------  -------------------
          12.1  Remedies Upon Default.
                ---------------------
               (a)  If a Default exists under Section 11.3, the commitment
          to extend credit and issue LCs under this Agreement automatically
          terminates, the entire unpaid balance of the Obligation
          automatically becomes due and payable without any action of any
          kind whatsoever, and























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          Borrower must provide cash collateral in an amount equal to the
          then-existing LC Exposure.

               (b)  If a Default occurs and is continuing, subject to the
          terms of Section 13.5(b), Agent may (with the consent of, and
          must, upon the request of, Required Lenders), do any one or more
          of the following:  (i) if the maturity of the Obligation has not
          already been accelerated under Section 12.1(a), declare the
          entire unpaid balance of all or any part of the Obligation
          immediately due and payable, whereupon it is due and payable;
          (ii) terminate the commitments of Lenders to extend credit or to
          continue or convert any Loan under this Agreement; (iii) reduce
          any claim to judgment; (iv) to the extent permitted by Law,
          exercise (or request each Lender to, and each Lender is entitled
          to, exercise) the Rights of offset or banker's Lien against the
          interest of any Company in and to every account (other than trust
          accounts held for the benefit of third parties and so designated)
          and other property of any Company that are in the possession of
          Agent or any Lender to the extent of the full amount of the
          Obligation (and to the extent permitted by Law, each Company is
          deemed directly obligated to each Lender in the full amount of
          the Obligation for this purpose); (v) demand Borrower to provide
          cash collateral in an amount equal to the LC Exposure then
          existing; and (vi) exercise any and all other legal or equitable
          Rights afforded by the Loan Papers, the Laws of the State of
          Texas, or any other applicable jurisdiction.

               (c)  If, in reliance on Section 13.5(b), Agent refuses to
          take any action under Section 12.1(b) at the request of Required
          Lenders, then Required Lenders may take that action.

          12.2  Company Waivers.  To the extent permitted by Law, each
                ---------------
     Company waives presentment and demand for payment, protest, notice of
     intention to accelerate, notice of acceleration and notice of protest
     and nonpayment, and agrees that its liability with respect to all or
     any part of the Obligation is not affected by any renewal or extension
     in the time of payment of all or any part of the Obligation, by any
     indulgence, or by any release or change in any security for the
     payment of all or any part of the Obligation.

          12.3  Performance by Agent.  If any covenant, duty or agreement
                --------------------
     of any Company is not performed in accordance with the terms of the
     Loan Papers, Agent may, while a Default exists, at its option (but
     subject to the approval of Required Lenders), perform or attempt to
     perform that covenant, duty or agreement on behalf of that Company
     (and any amount expended by Agent in its




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     performance or attempted performance is payable by the Companies,
     jointly and severally, to Agent on demand, becomes part of the
     Obligation, and bears interest at the Default Rate from the date of
     Agent's expenditure until paid).  However, neither Agent nor any
     Lender assumes or shall have, except by its express written consent,
     any liability or responsibility for the performance of any covenant,
     duty or agreement of any Company.

          12.4  Not in Control.  None of the covenants or other provisions
                --------------
     contained in any Loan Paper shall, or shall be deemed to, give Agent
     or Lenders the Right to exercise control over the assets (including,
     without limitation, real property), affairs, or management of any
     Company; the power of Agent and Lenders is limited to the Right to
     exercise the remedies provided in this Section 12.

          12.5  Course of Dealing.  The acceptance by Agent or Lenders of
                -----------------
     any partial payment on the Obligation shall not be deemed to be a
     waiver of any Default then existing.  No waiver by Agent, Required
     Lenders or Lenders of any Default shall be deemed to be a waiver of
     any other then-existing or subsequent Default.  No delay or omission
     by Agent, Required Lenders or Lenders in exercising any Right under
     the Loan Papers will impair that Right or be construed as a waiver
     thereof or any acquiescence therein, nor will any single or partial
     exercise of any Right preclude other or further exercise thereof or
     the exercise of any other Right under the Loan Papers or otherwise.

          12.6  Cumulative Rights.  All Rights available to Agent, Required
                -----------------
     Lenders, and Lenders under the Loan Papers are cumulative of and in
     addition to all other Rights granted to Agent, Required Lenders, and
     Lenders at law or in equity, whether or not the Obligation is due and
     payable and whether or not Agent, Required Lenders, or Lenders have
     instituted any suit for collection, foreclosure, or other action in
     connection with the Loan Papers.

          12.7  Application of Proceeds.  Any and all proceeds ever
                -----------------------
     received by Agent or Lenders from the exercise of any Rights
     pertaining to the Obligation shall be applied to the Obligation
     according to Section 3.11.

          12.8  Diminution in Value of Collateral.  Neither Agent nor any
                ---------------------------------
     Lender has any liability or responsibility whatsoever for any
     diminution in or loss of value of any collateral now or hereafter
     securing payment or performance of all or any part of the Obligation
     (other than diminution in or loss of value caused by its gross
     negligence or willful misconduct).


























                                        
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<PAGE>
     

          12.9  Certain Proceedings.  Borrower will promptly execute and
                -------------------
     deliver, or cause the execution and delivery of, all applications,
     certificates, instruments, registration statements and all other
     documents and papers Agent or Required Lenders reasonably request in
     connection with the obtaining of any consent, approval, registration,
     qualification, permit, license or authorization of any Tribunal or
     other Person necessary or appropriate for the effective exercise of
     any Rights under the Loan Papers.  Because Borrower agrees that
     Agent's and Required Lenders' remedies at Law for failure of Borrower
     to comply with the provisions of this paragraph would be inadequate
     and that failure would not be adequately compensable in damages,
     Borrower agrees that the covenants of this paragraph may be
     specifically enforced.

     SECTION 13  AGREEMENT AMONG LENDERS.
     ----------  -----------------------
          13.1  Agent.
                -----
               (a)  Each Lender appoints Agent (and Agent accepts
          appointment) as its nominee and agent, in its name and on its
          behalf:  (i) to act as its nominee and on its behalf in and under
          all Loan Papers; (ii) to arrange the means whereby its funds are
          to be made available to Borrower under the Loan Papers; (iii) to
          take any action that it properly requests under the Loan Papers
          (subject to the concurrence of other Lenders as may be required
          under the Loan Papers); (iv) to receive all documents and items
          to be furnished to it under the Loan Papers; (v) to be the
          secured party, mortgagee, beneficiary, recipient and similar
          party in respect of any collateral for the benefit of Lenders;
          (vi) to promptly distribute to it all material information,
          requests, documents and items received from Borrower under the
          Loan Papers; (vii) to promptly distribute to it its ratable part
          of each payment or prepayment (whether voluntary, as proceeds of
          collateral upon or after foreclosure, as proceeds of insurance
          thereon, or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the Loan
          Papers; and (viii) to deliver to the appropriate Persons
          requests, demands, approvals and consents received from it. 
          However, Agent may not be required to take any action that
          exposes it to personal liability or that is contrary to any Loan
          Paper or applicable Law.

               (b)  If the initial or any successor Agent ever ceases to be
          a party to this Agreement or if the initial or any successor
          Agent ever resigns (whether voluntarily or at the request of
          Required Lenders), then Required Lenders shall appoint the
          successor Agent from among the Lenders (other than the resigning
          Agent).  If Required Lenders fail to




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          appoint a successor Agent within 30 days after the resigning
          Agent has given notice of resignation or Required Lenders have
          removed the resigning Agent, then the resigning Agent may, on
          behalf of Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which must be a
          commercial bank having a combined capital and surplus of at least
          $1,000,000,000 (as shown on its most recently published statement
          of condition).  Upon its acceptance of appointment as successor
          Agent, the successor Agent succeeds to and becomes vested with
          all of the Rights of the prior Agent, and the prior Agent is
          discharged from its duties and obligations of Agent under the
          Loan Papers and each Lender shall execute such documents as any
          Lender, the resigning or removed Agent, or the successor Agent
          reasonably request to reflect the change.  After any Agent's
          resignation or removal as Agent under the Loan Papers, the
          provisions of this Section 13 inure to its benefit as to any
          actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent
          under the Loan Papers.

               (c)  Agent, in its capacity as a Lender, has the same Rights
          under the Loan Papers as any other Lender and may exercise those
          Rights as if it were not acting as Agent; the term "Lender"
          shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include Agent; and
          Agent's resignation or removal shall not impair or otherwise
          affect any Rights that it has or may have in its capacity as an
          individual Lender.  Each Lender and Borrower agree that Agent is
          not a fiduciary for Lenders or for Borrower but simply is acting
          in the capacity described in this Agreement to alleviate
          administrative burdens for Borrower and Lenders, that Agent has
          no duties or responsibilities to Lenders or Borrower except those
          expressly set forth in the Loan Papers, and that Agent in its
          capacity as a Lender has all Rights of any other Lender.

               (d)  Agent may now or hereafter be engaged in one or more
          loan, letter of credit, leasing or other financing transactions
          with Borrower, act as trustee or depositary for Borrower, or
          otherwise be engaged in other transactions with Borrower
          (collectively, the "other activities") not the subject of the
          Loan Papers.  Without limiting the Rights of Lenders specifically
          set forth in the Loan Papers, Agent is not responsible to account
          to Lenders for those other activities, and no Lender shall have
          any interest in any other activities, any present or future
          guaranties by or for the account of Borrower that are not
          contemplated or included in the Loan Papers, any present or
          future offset exercised by Agent in respect of those other
          activities, any present or future property taken as security for
          any of those other activities, or any property now or hereafter
          in Agent's possession or control that may be or become security





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          for the obligations of Borrower arising under the Loan Papers by
          reason of the general description of indebtedness secured or of
          property contained in any other agreements, documents, or
          instruments related to any of those other activities (but, if any
          payments in respect of those guaranties or that property or the
          proceeds thereof is applied by Agent to reduce the Obligation,
          then each Lender is entitled to share ratably in the application
          as provided in the Loan Papers).

          13.2  Expenses.  Each Lender shall pay its Pro Rata Part (based
                --------
     on the total Facilities) of any reasonable expenses (including,
     without limitation, court costs, reasonable attorneys' fees and other
     costs of collection) incurred by Agent (while acting in such capacity)
     in connection with any of the Loan Papers if Agent is not reimbursed
     from other sources within 30 days after incurrence.  Each Lender is
     entitled to receive its Pro Rata Part (based on the total Facilities)
     of any reimbursement that it makes to Agent if Agent is subsequently
     reimbursed from other sources.

          13.3  Proportionate Absorption of Losses.  Except as otherwise
                ----------------------------------
     provided in the Loan Papers, nothing in the Loan Papers gives any
     Lender any advantage over any other Lender insofar as the Obligation
     is concerned or to relieve any Lender from absorbing its Pro Rata Part
     of any losses sustained with respect to any portion of the Obligation
     in which it participates (except to the extent unilateral actions or
     inactions by any Lender result in Borrower or any other obligor on the
     Obligation having any credit, allowance, setoff, defense, or
     counterclaim solely with respect to all or any part of that Lender's
     portion of the Obligation).

          13.4  Delegation of Duties; Reliance.  Lenders may perform any of
                ------------------------------
     their duties or exercise any of their Rights under the Loan Papers by
     or through Agent, and Lenders and Agent may perform any of their
     duties or exercise any of their Rights under the Loan Papers by or
     through their respective Representatives.  Agent, Lenders and their
     respective Representatives (a) are entitled to rely upon (and shall be
     protected in relying upon) any written or oral statement believed by
     it or them to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or made
     by the proper Person and, with respect to legal matters, upon opinion
     of counsel selected by Agent or that Lender (but nothing in this
     clause (a) permits Agent to rely on (i) oral statements if a writing
     is required by this Agreement or (ii) any other writing if a specific
     writing is required by this Agreement), (b) are entitled to deem and
     treat each Lender as the owner and holder of its portion of the
     Principal Debt for all purposes until, subject to Section 14.12,
     written notice of the assignment or transfer is



























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     given to and received by Agent (and any request, authorization,
     consent or approval of any Lender is conclusive and binding on each
     subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of or Participant in that
     Lender's portion of the Principal Debt until that notice is given and
     received), (c) are not deemed to have notice of the occurrence of a
     Default unless a responsible officer of Agent, who handles matters
     associated with the Loan Papers and transactions thereunder, has
     actual knowledge or Agent has been notified by a Lender or Borrower,
     and (d) are entitled to consult with legal counsel (including counsel
     for Borrower), independent accountants, and other experts selected by
     Agent and are not liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken
     in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of counsel,
     accountants, or experts.

          13.5  Limitation of Agent's Liability.
                -------------------------------
               (a)  Neither Agent nor any of its Affiliates,
          Representatives, successors or assigns will be liable for any
          action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under the Loan
          Papers in good faith and believed by it or them to be within the
          discretion or power conferred upon it or them by the Loan Papers
          or be responsible for the consequences of any error of judgment
          (except for fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct), and
          none of them has a fiduciary relationship with any Lender by
          virtue of the Loan Papers (but nothing in this Agreement negates
          the obligation of Agent to account for funds received by it for
          the account of any Lender).

               (b)  Unless indemnified to its satisfaction, Agent may not
          be compelled to do any act under the Loan Papers or to take any
          action toward the execution or enforcement of the powers thereby
          created or to prosecute or defend any suit in respect of the Loan
          Papers. If Agent requests instructions from Lenders, or Required
          Lenders, as the case may be, with respect to any act or action in
          connection with any Loan Paper, Agent is entitled to refrain
          (without incurring any liability to any Person by so refraining)
          from that act or action unless and until it has received
          instructions.  In no event, however, may Agent or any of its
          Representatives be required to take any action that it or they
          determine could incur for it or them criminal or onerous civil
          liability or that is contrary to any Loan Paper or applicable
          Law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Lender
          has any right of action against Agent as a result of Agent's
          acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement in
          accordance with instructions of Required Lenders, or, if
          unanimity is required, in accordance with instructions of all
          Lenders.





























                                        
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<PAGE>
     

               (c)  Agent is not responsible to any Lender or any
          Participant for, and each Lender represents and warrants that it
          has not relied upon Agent in respect of, (i) the creditworthiness
          of any Company and the risks involved to that Lender, (ii) the
          effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or due
          execution of any Loan Paper (other than by Agent), (iii) any
          representation, warranty, document, certificate, report or
          statement made therein (other than by Agent) or furnished
          thereunder or in connection therewith, (iv) the adequacy of any
          collateral now or hereafter securing the Obligation or the
          existence, priority or perfection of any Lien now or hereafter
          granted or purported to be granted on the collateral under any
          Loan Paper, or (v) the observance of or compliance with any of
          the terms, covenants or conditions of any Loan Paper on the part
          of any Company.  Each Lender Agrees To Indemnify Agent And Its
          Affiliates And Representatives And Successors And Assigns And
          Hold Them Harmless From And Against (But Limited To Such Lender's
          Pro Rata Part Of) Any And All Liabilities, Obligations, Losses,
          Damages, Penalties, Actions, Judgments, Suits, Costs, Reasonable
          Expenses And Reasonable Disbursements Of Any Kind Or Nature
          Whatsoever That May Be Imposed On, Asserted Against, Or Incurred
          By Them In Any Way Relating To Or Arising Out Of The Loan Papers
          Or Any Action Taken Or Omitted By Them Under The Loan Papers If
          Agent And Its Representatives Are Not Reimbursed For Such Amounts
          By Any Company.  Although Agent And Its Representatives Have The
          Right To Be Indemnified Under This Agreement For Its Or Their Own
          Ordinary Negligence, Agent And Its Representatives Do Not Have
          The Right To Be Indemnified Under This Agreement For Its Or Their
          Own Fraud, Gross Negligence Or Willful Misconduct.

          13.6  Default; Collateral.  If Agent receives notice of a Default
                -------------------
     from Borrower or any Lender, Agent shall notify Lenders of such
     Default and Lenders agree to promptly confer in order that Required
     Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be, may agree upon a course of
     action for the enforcement of the Rights of Lenders and Agent is
     entitled to refrain from taking any action (without incurring any
     liability to any Person for so refraining), unless and until it has
     received instructions from Required Lenders.  In actions with respect
     to any property of Borrower, Agent is acting for the ratable benefit
     of each Lender.  Agent shall hold, for the ratable benefit of all
     Lenders, any security it receives for the Obligation or any guaranty
     of the Obligation it receives upon or in lieu of foreclosure.

          13.7  Limitation of Liability.  No Lender or any Participant will
                -----------------------
     incur any liability to any other Lender or Participant except for acts
     or omissions in bad faith, and neither Agent nor




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     any Lender or Participant will incur any liability to any other Person
     for any act or omission of any other Lender or any Participant.

          13.8  Relationship of Lenders.  The Loan Papers, and the
                -----------------------
     documents delivered in connection therewith, do not create a
     partnership or joint venture among Agent and Lenders or among Lenders.

          13.9  Collateral Matters.
                ------------------
               (a)  Each Lender authorizes and directs Agent to enter into
          the Security Documents for the ratable benefit of Lenders.  Each
          Lender agrees that any action taken by Agent concerning any
          Collateral with the consent of, or at the request of, Required
          Lenders in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the
          Security Documents or the other Loan Papers, and the exercise by
          Agent (with the consent of, or at the request of, Required
          Lenders) of powers concerning the Collateral set forth in any
          Loan Paper, together with other reasonably incidental powers,
          shall be authorized and binding upon all Lenders.

               (b)  Agent is authorized on behalf of all Lenders, without
          the necessity of any notice to or further consent from any
          Lender, from time to time before a Default or Potential Default,
          to take any action with respect to any Collateral or Security
          Documents that may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected
          the Lender Liens upon the Collateral granted by the Security
          Documents.

               (c)  Agent has no obligation whatsoever to any Lender or to
          any other Person to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned
          by any Company or is cared for, protected or insured or has been
          encumbered or that the Liens granted to Agent for the benefit of
          Lenders under the Security Documents have been properly or
          sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or
          enforced, or are entitled to any particular priority.

               (d)  Agent shall exercise the same care and prudent judgment
          with respect to the Collateral and the Security Documents as it
          normally and customarily exercises in respect of similar
          collateral and security documents.

               (e)  Lenders irrevocably authorize Agent, at its option and
          in its discretion, to (i) release any Lender Lien upon any
          Collateral (A) upon full payment of the Obligation; (B)
          constituting property being sold or disposed of as permitted
          under Section 9.10, if Agent determines that the property





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          being sold or disposed is being sold or disposed in accordance
          with the requirements and limitations of Section 9.10 and Agent
          concurrently receives all mandatory prepayments with respect
          thereto, if any, in accordance with Section 3.2; (C) constituting
          property in which no Company owned any interest at the time the
          Lender Lien was granted or at any time thereafter;
          (D) constituting property leased to any Company under a lease
          that has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted
          under this Agreement or is about to expire and that has not been,
          and is not intended by that Company to be, renewed; (E)
          consisting of an instrument evidencing Debt pledged to Agent (for
          the benefit of Lenders), if the Debt evidenced thereby has been
          paid in full; (F) in accordance with Section 9.8(s) and (t); or
          (G) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by Required
          Lenders, subject to Section 14.10(b)(vi), (ii) to receive on
          behalf of each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender any payment
          of principal, interest, fees or other amounts paid pursuant to
          this Agreement or the other Loan Papers and to distribute to each
          Lender its share of all payments so received as provided in this
          Agreement, (iii) to receive all documents and items to be
          furnished under the Loan Papers, (iv) to execute and deliver to
          the Companies and other Persons, all requests, demands,
          approvals, notices, and consents received from the Lenders or the
          Issuing Lender, and (v) to take such other actions as may be
          required by Required Lenders.  Upon request by Agent at any time,
          Lenders will confirm in writing Agent's authority to release
          particular types or items of Collateral under this Section
          13.9(e).

          13.10  Benefits of Agreement.  None of the provisions of this
                 ---------------------
     Section 13 inure to the benefit of any Company or any other Person
     other than Agent and Lenders; consequently, no Company or any other
     Person is entitled to rely upon, or to raise as a defense, in any
     manner whatsoever, the failure of Agent or any Lender to comply with
     these provisions.

     SECTION 14  MISCELLANEOUS.
     ----------  -------------
          14.1  Headings; Schedules and Exhibits.  The headings, captions
                --------------------------------
     and arrangements used in any of the Loan Papers are, unless specified
     otherwise, for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit,
     amplify or modify the terms of the Loan Papers, or affect the meaning
     thereof.  All references in this Agreement to Schedules and Exhibits
     shall refer to the Schedules and Exhibits attached to this Agreement.

          14.2  Nonbusiness Days; Time.  Any payment or action that is due
                ----------------------
     under any Loan Paper on a non-Business Day may be delayed


























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     until the next-succeeding Business Day (but interest shall continue to
     accrue on any applicable payment until payment is in fact made) unless
     the payment concerns a LIBOR Loan, in which case if the next-
     succeeding Business Day is in the next calendar month, then such
     payment shall be made on the next-preceding Business Day.  Unless
     otherwise indicated, all time references (e.g., 10:00 a.m.) are to
     Dallas, Texas time.

          14.3  Communications.  Unless otherwise specifically provided,
                --------------
     whenever any Loan Paper requires or permits any consent, approval,
     notice, request, demand or other communication from one party to
     another, communication must be in writing (which may be by telex or
     telecopy) to be effective and shall be deemed to have been given
     (a) if by telex, when transmitted to the appropriate telex number and
     the appropriate answerback is received, (b) if by telecopy, when
     transmitted to the appropriate telecopy number (and all communications
     sent by telecopy must be confirmed promptly thereafter by telephone;
     but any requirement in this parenthetical shall not affect the date
     when the telecopy shall be deemed to have been delivered), (c) if by
     mail, on the third Business Day after it is enclosed in an envelope
     and properly addressed, stamped, sealed, certified mail, return
     receipt requested, and deposited in the appropriate official postal
     service, or (d) if by any other means, when actually delivered.  Until
     changed by notice pursuant to this Agreement, the address (and
     telecopy number) for each party to a Loan Paper is set forth on
     Schedule 1.

          14.4  Form and Number of Documents.  The form, substance, and
                ----------------------------
     number of counterparts of each writing to be furnished under the Loan
     Papers must be reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel.

          14.5  Exceptions to Covenants.  Borrower may not and may not
                -----------------------
     permit any Company to take or fail to take any action that is
     permitted as an exception to any of the covenants contained in any
     Loan Paper if that action or omission would result in the breach of
     any other covenant contained in this Agreement.

          14.6  Survival.  All covenants, agreements, undertakings,
                --------
     representations and warranties made in any of the Loan Papers survive
     all closings under the Loan Papers and, except as otherwise indicated,
     are not affected by any investigation made by any party.

          14.7  Governing Law.  Except as expressly provided in a Loan
                -------------
     Paper, the Laws (other than conflict-of-laws provisions) of the State
     of Texas and of the United States of America govern the Rights and
     duties of the parties to the Loan Papers and the

























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     validity, construction, enforcement and interpretation of the Loan
     Papers.

          14.8  Invalid Provisions.  Any provision in any Loan Paper held
                ------------------
     to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable is fully severable; the
     appropriate Loan Paper shall be construed and enforced as if that
     provision had never been included; and the remaining provisions shall
     remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the
     severed provision.  Agent, Lenders, and each Company party to the
     affected Loan Paper agree to negotiate, in good faith, the terms of a
     replacement provision as similar to the severed provision as may be
     possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.  However, if the
     provision held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable is a material
     part of this Agreement, such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
     provision shall be, to the extent permitted by Law, replaced by a
     clause or provision judicially construed and interpreted to be as
     similar in substance and content to the original terms of such
     illegal, invalid or unenforceable clause or provision as the context
     thereof would reasonably allow, so that such clause or provision would
     thereafter be legal, valid and enforceable.

          14.9  Venue; Service of Process; Jury Trial. EACH PARTY TO ANY
                -------------------------------------
     LOAN PAPER, IN EACH CASE FOR ITSELF, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (AND
     IN THE CASE OF BORROWER, FOR EACH OTHER COMPANY), (a) IRREVOCABLY
     SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL
     COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, (b) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
     EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER
     HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR IN
     CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN PAPERS AND THE OBLIGATION BROUGHT IN DISTRICT
     COURTS OF DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS, OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
     FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, DALLAS DIVISION, (c) IRREVOCABLY
     WAIVES ANY CLAIMS THAT ANY LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY OF THE
     AFOREMENTIONED COURTS HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM,
     (d) IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THOSE
     COURTS IN ANY LITIGATION BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY CERTIFIED
     MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, POSTAGE PREPAID, BY HAND-DELIVERY, OR
     BY DELIVERY BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED COURIER SERVICE, AND SERVICE
     SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETE UPON DELIVERY OF THE LEGAL PROCESS AT ITS
     ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, (e) IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ANY
     LEGAL PROCEEDING AGAINST ANY PARTY TO ANY LOAN PAPER ARISING OUT OF OR
     IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN PAPERS OR THE OBLIGATION MAY BE BROUGHT IN
     ONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS, AND (f) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE
     FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL
     OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN
     PAPER.  The scope of each of the foregoing waivers is intended to be
     all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
     court and that relate to the subject matter of



























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     this transaction, including, without limitation, contract claims, tort
     claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory
     claims.  Borrower (for itself and on behalf of each other Company)
     acknowledges that these waivers are a material inducement to Agent's
     and each Lender's agreement to enter into a business relationship,
     that Agent and each Lender has already relied on these waivers in
     entering into this Agreement, and that Agent and each Lender will
     continue to rely on each of these waivers in related future dealings. 
     Borrower (for itself and on behalf of each other Company) further
     warrants and represents that it has reviewed these waivers with its
     legal counsel, and that it knowingly and voluntarily agrees to each
     waiver following consultation with legal counsel.  THE WAIVERS IN THIS
     SECTION 14.9 ARE IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT THEY MAY NOT BE MODIFIED
     EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THESE WAIVERS SHALL APPLY TO ANY
     SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS, OR REPLACEMENTS TO OR OF THIS OR
     ANY OTHER LOAN PAPER.  In the event of Litigation, this Agreement may
     be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

          14.10  Amendments, Consents, Conflicts and Waivers.
                 -------------------------------------------
               (a)  Unless otherwise specifically provided, (i) this
          Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing
          executed by Borrower, Agent and Required Lenders and supplemented
          only by documents delivered or to be delivered in accordance with
          the express terms of this Agreement, and (ii) the other Loan
          Papers may only be the subject of an amendment, modification or
          waiver that has been approved by Required Lenders and Borrower.

               (b)  Any amendment to or consent or waiver under this
          Agreement or any other Loan Paper that purports to accomplish any
          of the following must be in writing executed by Borrower and
          Agent and executed (or approved, as the case may be) by each
          Lender (other than a Lender which has failed to remit its Pro
          Rata Part of a requested Loan that remains outstanding) directly
          affected thereby: (i) extend the due date or decrease the amount
          of any scheduled payment of the Obligation beyond the date
          specified in the Loan Papers; (ii) decrease any rate or amount of
          interest, fees or other sums payable to Lenders under this
          Agreement (except such reductions as are contemplated by this
          Agreement); (iii) change the definition of "Applicable Margin,"
          "Applicable Percentage,"  "Commitment," "Revolving Credit
          Commitment," "Revolving Credit Commitment Usage," "Term Loan
          Commitment,"  "Term Loan Principal Debt," "Required Lenders,"
          "Termination Date,""Revolving Credit Termination Date," "Term
          Loan Maturity Date," "Total Commitment Usage" or "Total
          Commitment"; (iv) increase or decrease any one or






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          more Lenders' Commitments except as provided in this Agreement
          (it being understood that waivers of Defaults or Potential
          Defaults or waivers or modifications of conditions precedent or
          covenants shall not constitute an increase of the Commitment of
          any Lender, and that an increase in the available portion of any
          Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the
          Commitment of such Lender); (v) release (in whole or in part) or
          waive compliance with or amend any material provision of any
          Guaranty (excluding waivers or amendments to cure any ambiguity,
          omission, defect or inconsistency and waivers,  amendments, or
          releases to comply with or facilitate (or conform to changed
          circumstances following) transactions permitted under Section
          9.10 or Section 9.11); (vi), except as permitted by Section 9.10
          or Section 13.9(e), consent to the release of any portion of the
          Collateral under the Security Documents having a value equal to
          or greater than $2,500,000 (or if the value of such Collateral
          when added to the value of all other Collateral released during
          the immediately preceding 12 month period is equal to or greater
          than $2,500,000); (vii) change the provisions of Section 13 to
          the detriment of any Lender; (viii) change any provision
          requiring ratable distributions to Lenders; (ix) subject any
          Lender to a greater obligation than expressly provided in this
          Agreement; (x) change this clause (b) or any other matter
          specifically requiring the consent of all Lenders under this
          Agreement; or (xi) waive a Default under Section 11.1(a).

               (c)  Any conflict or ambiguity between the terms and
          provisions of this Agreement and terms and provisions in any
          other Loan Paper is controlled by the terms and provisions of
          this Agreement.

               (d)  No course of dealing or any failure or delay by Agent,
          any Lender, or any of their respective Representatives with
          respect to exercising any Right of Agent or any Lender under this
          Agreement operates as a waiver thereof.  A waiver must be in
          writing and signed by Agent and Lenders (or Required Lenders, if
          permitted under this Agreement) to be effective, and a waiver
          will be effective only in the specific instance and for the
          specific purpose for which it is given.

               (e)  If, under clause (b) above, Lenders holding at least
          66-2/3% of the Total Commitments and which comprise at least 66-
          2/3% of the Lenders consent to a proposed amendment, waiver or
          consent to any of the provisions of this Agreement, but all
          Lenders do not consent, then Borrower shall have the right (so
          long as all non-consenting Lenders are treated similarly) to
          either (i) replace each





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          such non-consenting Lender with one or more Replacement Lenders
          pursuant to Section 3.20, provided that each such Replacement
          Lender consents to the proposed amendment, waiver or consent or
          (ii) terminate such Lender's Commitment under the Revolving
          Credit Facility and pay in full the portion of the Revolving
          Credit Principal Debt evidenced by such Commitment and pay in
          full such Lender's Commitment under the Term Loan, in each case
          in accordance with this Agreement.  If a  Lender is replaced
          under clause (i), such Lender's Commitment under the Term Loan
          and the Revolving Credit Facility shall be immediately replaced
          by Replacement Lenders (as defined in Section 3.20). 

          14.11  Multiple Counterparts.  Each Loan Paper (other than the
                 ---------------------
     Notes) may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of
     which shall be deemed an original for all purposes and all of which
     constitute, collectively, one agreement; but, in making proof of
     thereof, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than
     one counterpart.  Each Lender need not execute the same counterpart of
     this Agreement so long as identical counterparts are executed by
     Borrower, each Lender, and Agent.  This Agreement shall become
     effective when counterparts of this Agreement have been executed and
     delivered to Agent by each Lender, Agent and Borrower, or, in the case
     only of Lenders, when Agent has received telecopied, telexed or other
     evidence satisfactory to it that each Lender has executed and is
     delivering to Agent a counterpart of this Agreement.

          14.12  Successors and Assigns; Participations.
                 --------------------------------------
               (a)  The Loan Papers bind and inure to the benefit of the
          parties thereto, any intended beneficiary thereof, and each of
          their respective successors and permitted assigns.  No Lender may
          transfer, pledge, assign, sell any participation in, or otherwise
          encumber its portion of the Obligation except as permitted by
          this Section 14.12.

               (b)  Subject to the provisions of this section and in
          accordance with applicable Law, any Lender may, in the ordinary
          course of its business, at any time sell to one or more Persons
          (each a "Participant") participating interests in all or any part
          of its Rights and obligations under the Loan Papers.  The selling
          Lender shall remain a "Lender" under this Agreement (and the
          Participant shall not constitute a "Lender" under this Agreement)
          and its obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged. 
          The selling Lender shall remain solely responsible for the
          performance of its obligations under the Loan Papers and shall
          remain the holder of its share of the Principal Debt for all
          purposes under this Agreement.  Borrower and Agent




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          shall continue to deal solely and directly with the selling
          Lender in connection with that Lender's Rights and obligations
          under the Loan Papers.  Participants have no Rights under the
          Loan Papers, other than certain voting Rights as provided below. 
          Subject to the following, each Lender may obtain (on behalf of
          its Participants) the benefits of Section 3 with respect to all
          participations in its part of the Obligation outstanding from
          time to time so long as Borrower is not obligated to pay any
          amount in excess of the amount that would be due to that Lender
          under Section 3 calculated as though no participations have been
          made.  No Lender may sell any participating interest under which
          the Participant has any Rights to approve any amendment,
          modification or waiver of any Loan Paper, except to the extent
          the amendment, modification or waiver extends the due date for
          payment of any principal, interest or fees due under the Loan
          Papers, reduces the interest rate or the amount of principal or
          fees applicable to the Obligation (except reductions contemplated
          by this Agreement), or releases any Guaranty or all or
          substantially all of the Collateral, if any, for the Obligation
          (other than releases of collateral permitted by Section 13.9(e)). 
          If a Participant is entitled to the benefits of Section 3 or a
          Lender grants Rights to its Participant to approve amendments to
          or waivers of the Loan Papers respecting the matters described in
          the previous sentence, then that Lender must include a voting
          mechanism in the relevant participation agreement whereby a
          majority of its portion of the Obligation (whether held by it or
          participated) shall control the vote for all of that Lender's
          portion of the Obligation.  Except in the case of the sale of a
          participating interest to another Lender, the relevant
          participation agreement shall prohibit the Participant from
          transferring, pledging, assigning, selling participations in, or
          otherwise encumbering its portion of the Obligation.

               (c)  Subject to the provisions of this section, any Lender
          may at any time, in the ordinary course of its business, (i)
          without the consent of Borrower or Agent, assign all or any part
          of its Rights and obligations under the Loan Papers to any of its
          Affiliates (each a "Purchaser") and (ii) upon the prior written
          consent (which will not be unreasonably withheld) of Agent, and
          (if no Default exists) Borrower, assign to any other Person that
          is not a business competitor of any Company (each of which is
          also a "Purchaser") all or any part (but if less than all, then
          not less than $5,000,000) of its Rights and obligations under the
          Loan Papers.  In each case, the Purchaser shall assume those
          Rights and obligations under an assignment agreement
          substantially in the form of Exhibit H. An






























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          assignment under this Section 14.12(c) may include a ratable
          interest in the assigning Lender's Rights and obligations under
          either or both of the Revolving Credit Facility or the Term Loan. 
          Upon (i) delivery of an executed copy of the assignment agreement
          to Borrower and Agent and the recordation thereof in the Register
          provided for in Section 14.12(e) and (ii) with respect to each
          assignment after the completion of the syndication described
          above, payment of a fee of $3,000 from the transferor to Agent,
          then from and after the assignment's effective date (which shall
          be after the date of delivery), the Purchaser shall for all
          purposes be a Lender party to this Agreement and shall have all
          the Rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement to
          the same extent as if it were an original party to this Agreement
          with commitments as set forth in the assignment agreement, and
          the transferor Lender shall be released from its obligations
          under this Agreement to a corresponding extent, and, except as
          provided in the following sentence, no further consent or action
          by Borrower, Lenders or Agent shall be required.  Upon the
          consummation of any transfer to a Purchaser under this clause
          (c), the then-existing Schedule 1 shall automatically be deemed
          to reflect the name, address, and Commitment of such Purchaser,
          Agent shall deliver to Borrower and Lenders an amended Schedule 1
          reflecting those changes, Borrower shall execute and deliver to
          each of the transferor Lender and the Purchaser a Note or Notes,
          as applicable, in the face amount of its Commitment or its
          respective Commitments under the Facilities following transfer,
          and, upon receipt of its new Note or Notes, as applicable, the
          transferor Lender shall return to Borrower the relevant Note or
          Notes previously delivered to it under this Agreement.  A
          Purchaser is subject to all the provisions in this section as if
          it were a Lender signatory to this Agreement as of the date of
          this Agreement.

               (d)  For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement
          acknowledge that the second sentence of Section 14.12(a)
          concerning assignments relates only to absolute assignments and
          that such provisions do not prohibit assignments creating
          security interests.  Any Lender may at any time, without the
          consent of Borrower or Agent, assign all or any part of its
          Rights under the Loan Papers to a Federal Reserve Bank without
          releasing the transferor Lender from its obligations thereunder.

               (e)  Agent shall maintain at its address on Schedule 1 a
          copy of each Lender assignment agreement delivered to it in
          accordance with the terms of Section 14.12(c) and a register for
          the recordation of the identity of the principal amount, Type and
          Interest Period of each Loan and





























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          the names, addresses and Commitments of each Lender from time to
          time (the "Register").  Agent will make reasonable efforts to
          maintain the accuracy of the Register and to promptly update the
          Register from time to time, as necessary.  The entries in the
          Register shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error and
          Borrower, Agent and Lenders may treat each Person whose name is
          recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
          hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.  The Register shall
          be available for inspection by Borrower and each Lender, at any
          reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior
          notice.  No assignment by a Lender shall be effective unless it
          has been recorded in the Register.

          14.13  Discharge Only Upon Payment in Full; Reinstatement in
                 -----------------------------------------------------
     Certain Circumstances.  Each Company's obligations under the Loan
     ---------------------
     Papers remain in full force and effect until the Total Commitment is
     terminated and the Obligation is paid in full (except for provisions
     under the Loan Papers which by their terms expressly survive payment
     of the Obligation and termination of the Loan Papers).  If at any time
     any payment of the principal of or interest on any Note or any other
     amount payable by Borrower or any other obligor on the Obligation
     under any Loan Paper is rescinded or must be restored or returned upon
     the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of Borrower or otherwise,
     the obligations of each Company under the Loan Papers with respect to
     that payment shall be reinstated as though the payment had been due
     but not made at that time.

          14.14  Confidentiality.  The Agent and each of the Lenders agree
                 ---------------
     to keep confidential any information concerning any Company (whether
     prepared by any Company, their Representatives or otherwise) which is
     furnished to the Agent and the Lenders by or on behalf of any Company
     in connection with any Loan Paper which (a) is not information
     previously provided by any Company to its creditors generally on a
     nonconfidential basis and (b) is clearly marked "confidential" or is
     otherwise specified to be confidential in writing at the time such
     information is delivered to Agent (the "Confidential Information") and
     agree not to provide such Confidential Information to anyone, except:

                    (i)  to counsel and accountants retained by the Agent
               or any Lender; provided that the Agent and each Lender shall
               advise such counsel or accountants of the confidential
               nature of such material,

                    (ii)  to the extent that such Confidential Information
               has been publicly disclosed,




























                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

                    (iii)  to the extent that such Confidential Information
               has been obtained by the Agent or any Lender from any Person
               other than any Company or any other Person known by the
               Agent or any Lender to be bound by a confidentiality
               agreement with the Borrower,

                    (iv)  upon the order of any Tribunal,

                    (v)  upon the request or demand of any federal or state
               bank regulatory authority and then, only to such authority,

                    (vi)  upon the demand of any other regulatory agency or
               authority of competent jurisdiction (not covered by clause
               (iv) or (v) above) and then, only to such authority,

                    (vii)  in connection with any Litigation involving the
               Agent or any Lender and disclosure of such Confidential
               Information is necessary as part of Agent's or Lenders'
               defense to such Litigation or as a part of its claim in such
               Litigation, or

                    (viii)  to any actual or potential purchaser,
               participant, assignee or transferee (a "Transferee") of any
               Lender's claim or rights against any Company who signs a
               confidentiality agreement containing provisions
               substantially similar to those contained in this
               Section 14.14; provided that such Lender shall notify the
               Borrower in writing of the identity of such actual or
               potential Transferee three days prior to the delivery of
               such information.

          14.15  Entirety.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER WRITTEN LOAN
                 --------
     PAPERS (EACH AS AMENDED IN WRITING FROM TIME TO TIME) EXECUTED BY ANY
     COMPANY, ANY LENDER OR AGENT REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE
     COMPANIES, LENDERS AND AGENT AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE
     OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS BY THE PAR-
     TIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.




                     [Remainder of page intentionally blank.
                           Signature page(s) follow.]
































                                        
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

      
          EXECUTED as of the day and year first mentioned.


                                        THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC., a
                                        Delaware corporation, as Borrower


                                        By:                                
                                             ------------------------------
                                             Darron K. Ash
                                             Chief Financial Officer



                                        NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as
                                        Agent and sole initial Lender


                                        By:                                
                                             ------------------------------
                                             Bianca Hemmen
                                             Senior Vice President





















































                                        
<PAGE>




<PAGE>
     


                                                               EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


          This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of
     October 1, 1996, between The Morningstar Group Inc., a Delaware
     corporation (the "Company"), and C. Dean Metropoulos (the
     "Executive").

          WHEREAS, the Executive has made and is expected to make a major
     contribution to the profitability, growth and financial strength of
     the Company;

          WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
     Directors has determined that it is appropriate to induce the
     Executive to continue in the employment of the Company as Chairman and
     Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
     covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the Company and the
     Executive agree as follows:

          Section I.  Definitions.
                      -----------
          For the purpose of the Agreement, unless the context otherwise
     requires, the following terms shall have the respective meanings
     assigned to them in this Section I:

          (A)  "Cause" shall mean (i) fraud on the part of the Executive
                -----
     against the Company, (ii) willful and intentional breach by the
     Executive of the duties of the Executive as an executive officer of
     the Company that are within the control and ability of the Executive
     to perform (provided that the Executive shall first be notified of and
     be given thirty (30) days to cure such breach), or (iii) conviction of
     the Executive for fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or any felony
     (excluding traffic violations).

          (B)  "Date of Termination" shall mean (1) if the Executive's
                -------------------
     employment is terminated by the Company for Disability, 30 days after
     Notice of Termination is given to the Executive (provided that the
     Executive shall not have returned to the performance of the
     Executive's duties on a full-time basis during such 30-day period); or
     (2) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for any
     other reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is received by
     the Executive; or (3) if the

























     
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive, the date on
     which the Notice of Termination is given to the Company.

          (C)  "Disability" shall mean the Executive shall have been absent
                ----------
     from his duties with the Company on a full-time basis for six
     consecutive months, or for a total of six months in any 12-month
     period, and within 30 days after written Notice of Termination is
     thereafter given by the Company the Executive shall not have returned
     to the performance of the Executive's duties.

          (D)  "EBITDA" shall mean the Company's earnings before interest,
                ------
     taxes, depreciation and amortization, as derived from the Company's
     financial statements and as determined in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles.

          (E)  "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following (without the
                -----------
     Executive's express written consent):

               (1)  (a)  the assignment (excluding any promotion or
          advancement) to the Executive by the Company of duties
          materially inconsistent with the Executive's position,
          authority, duties, responsibilities and status with the
          Company on the date of this Agreement, except on a temporary
          basis (not more than 30 days in any 12-month period) as
          deemed necessary by the Board of Directors in its reasonable
          good faith judgment, or any action by the Company which
          results in a material diminishment in such position,
          authority, duties, responsibilities or status, or 

                    (b)  a determination by the Executive, made in
          good faith, that as a result of the occurrence of a
          Triggering Event, the Executive is unable to carry out the
          duties and responsibilities the Executive had with the
          Company immediately prior to the occurrence of a Triggering
          Event and such determination shall be conclusive and binding
          upon the Company, or

                    (c)  a material change (excluding any promotion or
          advancement) in the Executive's reporting responsibilities,
          titles or functional offices, except on a temporary basis
          (not more than 30 days in any 12-month period) as deemed
          necessary by the Board of Directors in its reasonable good
          faith judgment, or

                    (d)  any removal of the Executive from, or any
          failure to reelect the Executive to, any of such

























     
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          titles or functional offices, except in connection with the
          termination of the Executive's employment for disability,
          resignation, Retirement, Cause, or as a result of the Executive's
          death, or 

                    (e)  any removal of the Executive, or any failure
          to reelect the Executive, as a director of the Company,
          except in connection with the termination of  Executive's
          employment for Disability, resignation, Retirement, Cause,
          or as a result of the Executive's death; or

               (2)  (a)  any failure by the Company to continue in
          effect for the Executive any material benefit plan or
          arrangement which the Company otherwise keeps in effect for
          its management, except to the extent the Executive is a
          participant in any other plans providing the Executive with
          substantially similar benefits, or

                    (b)  failure by the Company to include the
          Executive in any other similar plan which may be provided to
          other officers of the Company of comparable or lower status,
          except to the extent the Executive is a participant in any
          other plans providing the Executive with substantially
          similar benefits (each plan referred to in (2) (a) and (b)
          shall hereinafter be referred to as a ""Benefit Plan"), or

                    (c)  the taking of any other action by the Company
          if the effect of said action would be to reduce materially
          the benefits enjoyed by the Executive unless such reduction
          in benefits generally affects the other members of
          management similarly; or 

               (3)  any material breach by the Company of any material
          provision of this Agreement or any Stock Option Agreement in
          effect with the Executive (provided that the Company shall
          first be notified of and be given a reasonable opportunity
          to cure such breach, which reasonable opportunity to cure
          shall not exceed five business days with respect to any
          failure to pay money); or 

               (4)  any purported termination of the Executive's
          employment by the Company which is not effected pursuant to
          a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of this
          Agreement.






























     
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

          (F)  "Notice of Termination" (1) for termination of the
                ---------------------
     Executive's employment by the Company for Disability, Retirement or
     Cause shall mean a written notice which shall indicate those specific
     termination provisions in this Agreement relied upon and which sets
     forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
     provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under
     the provision so indicated, and (2) "Notice of Termination" for
                                          ---------------------
     termination of the Executive's employment by the Company or the
     Executive for any other reason shall mean a written notice by the
     Company or the Executive, as the case may be, which shall indicate the
     reason for termination of the Executive's employment, setting forth in
     reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
     basis for termination of the Executive's employment and specific
     provisions in this Agreement relevant to such facts and circumstances.

          (G)  "Retirement" shall mean termination by the Company or the
                ----------
     Executive of the Executive's employment based on the Executive's
     having reached age 65 or such other age as shall have been fixed in
     any arrangement established with the Executive's consent with respect
     to the Executive.

          (H)  "Stock Option Agreement" shall mean any Stock Option
                ----------------------
     Agreement between the Company and the Executive in effect as of the
     date of execution hereof or hereafter.

          (I)  "Triggering Event" shall mean the sale of a majority of the
                ----------------
     shares of the Company, sale of a majority of the assets of the
     Company, merger of the Company into another company whereby the
     Company is not the surviving entity or the Board of Directors of the
     Company no longer controls the surviving entity or other like event.

          Section II.  Term.
                       ----
          The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be
     3 years; shall commence effective as of October 1, 1996 and shall
     automatically renew such that the term at the beginning of each year
     commencing October 1 of 1997 and thereafter, shall be 3 years.  This
     Agreement shall terminate, upon the earliest of (1) the Date of
     Termination of the Executive's employment with the Company; (2) the
     Executive's death; or (3) the Executive's resignation or Retirement.

          Section III.  Compensation.
                        ------------
          (A)  Salary.  The Company shall pay to the Executive a salary
               ------
     ("Base Salary") expressed in dollars per annum but payable























     
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     biweekly in accordance with the Company's customary payroll
     procedures.  The Base Salary for each of the first three years shall
     be $600,000; provided, however, that said Base Salary shall be
     renewable in the event of a material acquisition or like event which
     occurs after the commencement date of this Agreement and greatly
     changes or increases the Executive's duties and responsibilities.

          (B)  Benefits, Reimbursements and Expenses.
               -------------------------------------
            (1)  In addition to the other provisions of this Section III,
     Executive shall be entitled to receive any employee benefits regularly
     provided by the Company to its regularly engaged executive employees
     from time to time and shall continue to receive any employee benefits
     which he is receiving or entitled to as of the date of this Agreement.

               (2)  The Company, in accordance with the rules and
     regulations that it may issue from time to time, shall reimburse
     Executive for reasonable business expenses incurred in the performance
     of his duties, including travel and lodging expenses while away from
     time, provided that the Executive presents to the Company documentary
     evidence which provides sufficient information to establish the
     amount, date, place and essential character of each expenditure. 
     Further, the Company shall continue to reimburse Executive for
     expenses on a monthly basis as it reimburses Executive as of the date
     of commencement of this Agreement.

          (C)  Bonus.  Within fifteen (15) days after the completion of the
               -----
     Company's independent audit for the calendar year just ended by the
     Company's independent outside auditors selected by the Board of
     Directors, the Company shall pay the Executive a bonus of up to
     $300,000 per calendar year, such bonus to be payable based on an
     EBITDA target established by the Board of Directors.

          Section IV.  Termination.
                       -----------
          (A)  Severance Compensation.  The Executive shall be entitled to
               ----------------------
     the compensation set forth in Section V provided that any of the
     following events occur: (1) if a Triggering Event shall have occurred
     subsequent to the date of this Agreement and while the Executive is
     still an employee of the Company; or (2) an event constituting Good
     Reason has occurred and the Executive terminates his employment with
     the Company; or (3) the Executive's employment is terminated by the
     Company for any





























     
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     reason other than (a) Cause or (b) the Executive's resignation without
     an event constituting good reason or Retirement.

          (B)  Notice of Termination.  Any termination of the Executive's
               ---------------------
     employment for any reason shall be communicated to the other party by
     a Notice of Termination.  For purposes of this Agreement, no such
     purported termination shall be effective without such Notice of
     Termination;

          (C)  Termination upon Death or Disability.  If the Executive
               ------------------------------------
     shall die or become disabled during the period of employment
     hereunder, the Executive's estate, heirs or beneficiaries, or the
     Executive, as applicable, shall be entitled, to benefits specifically
     provided to them or the Executive under any benefit plan and an amount
     equal to two years of "aggregate compensation" payable in equal
     monthly increments.

          Section V.  Severance compensation.  Except as otherwise provided
                      ----------------------
     in Section IX or Section IV(C), if the Executive is entitled to
     compensation pursuant to Section IV(A), the Company shall pay to the
     Executive as severance pay in a lump sum, in cash, on the fourteenth
     calendar day following the date of termination, an amount equal to
     Executive's "aggregate compensation" (as hereinafter defined), for the
     balance of the then existing 3 year term.  For purposes of this
     Section "aggregate compensation" shall mean an amount equal to the
     Executive's then current Base Salary plus Bonus based on the prior
     year's payment.

          Section VI.  Successors.
                       ----------
          (A)  The Company.  The Company will require any successor or
               -----------
     assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation
     or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets,
     or both, of the Company, to expressly absolutely and unconditionally
     assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
     the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no
     such succession or assignment had taken place.  As used in this
     Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined
     (including its subsidiaries), and any successor or assign to its
     business or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the
     Agreement provided for in this Section VI or which otherwise becomes
     bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation
     of law.

          (B)  Binding Agreement.  This Agreement shall inure to the
               -----------------
     benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive's personal and























     
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees,
     devisees and legatees.  If the Executive should die while any amounts
     are still payable to the Executive hereunder, all such amounts shall
     be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the
     Executive's devise, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such
     designee, to the Executive's estate.

          Section VII.  Notice.
                        ------
          For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
     communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and
     shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by
     United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
     prepaid, as follows:

               If to the Company:

                    The Morningstar Group Inc.
                    5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1500
                    Dallas, Texas 75225
                    Attn: Secretary and General Counsel

               With a copy to:

                    Chairman of the Compensation Committee
                      of the Board of Directors
                    The Morningstar Group Inc.
                    5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1500
                    Dallas, Texas 75225

               If to the Executive:

                    C. Dean Metropoulos
                    3831 Turtle Creek Blvd., #4B
                    Dallas, Texas 75219

     or such other address as wither party may have furnished to the other
     in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of
     address shall be effective only upon receipt.

          Section VIII.  Miscellaneous.
                         -------------
          (A)  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or
     discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to
     in writing and signed by the Executive and the Company.  No waiver by
     either party of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance
     with, any condition or provision of this



























     
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
     

     Agreement to b e performed by such other party shall be deemed a
     waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same
     or at any prior or subsequent time.  No agreements or representations,
     oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject
     matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth
     expressly in this Agreement or any Stock Option Agreement, and except
     as provided herein, this Agreement and any Stock Option Agreement
     presently in place or approved, supersede all prior agreements
     relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  This Agreement
     shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
     State of Texas and the parties hereto each agree to bring any action,
     suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement either in the
     district Court of Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, or the United States
     District Court for the Northern District of Texas - Dallas Division.

          (B)  Validity.  This invalidity or unenforceability of any
               --------
     provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
     enforceability of an other provision of this Agreement, which shall
     remain in full force and effect.

          (C)  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
               ------------
     counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all
     of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

          (D)  Confidentiality.  During the period of employment hereunder
               ---------------
     and for five years thereafter, the Executive shall not use for his
     personal benefit, or disclose, communicate or divulge to, or use for
     the direct or indirect benefit of any person, firm, association or
     Company other than the Company, any Confidential Information. 
     "Confidential Information" means information relating to the
     processes, products, services or operations of the Company or any
     subsidiary thereof that is not generally known, is proprietary to the
     Company or such subsidiary and is made known to the Executive or
     learned or acquired by the Executive while in the employ of the
     Company, including, without limitation, (i) information relating to
     research, development, manufacture, purchasing, accounting,
     engineering, marketing, merchandising, advertising, selling, leasing,
     finance and business methods and techniques and (ii) customer lists
     and other information relating to past, present or prospective
     customers or suppliers.  However, Confidential Information shall not
     include under any circumstances any information with respect to the
     foregoing matters that becomes publicly available through no fault of
     the Executive or is available to the Executive from other sources who
     have not secured such information on a



























     
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     confidential basis from the Company or any affiliate thereof.  All
     materials or articles of information of any kind furnished to the
     Executive by the Company or developed by the Executive in the course
     of his employment hereunder are and shall remain the sole property of
     the Company; and if the Company requests the return of such
     information at any time during, upon, or after the termination of the
     Executive's employment, the Executive shall immediately deliver the
     same to the Company.

          (E)  Requisite Approvals.  The Company has received all requisite
               -------------------
     approvals with respect to this Agreement (including, without
     limitation, approval of the Company's Board of Directors) so that such
     agreements are valid, binding and duly authorized and enforceable
     against the Company in accordance with their terms. 

          Section IX.  Noncompetition.
                       --------------
          (A)  During the period of employment hereunder and, (x) if the
     Executive is terminated for Cause, or if the Executive terminates his
     employment with the Company other than for Good Reason, for an
     additional period of two years following the Date of Termination, the
     Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire any executive
     officer, general manager or key employee to terminate his or her
     employment, (ii) call upon or solicit any clients, customers or
     accounts of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, with the intent to
     direct to rake away any specialty dairy foods business of the Company
     or any of its subsidiaries or to otherwise interfere or compete with
     the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the specialty dairy foods
     business, or (iii) in his own behalf or as a partner, officer,
     director, employee, agent, consultant or stockholder (other than as a
     holder of less than 5% of the outstanding capital stock of any
     corporation with a class of equity security registered under Section
     12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
     engage in, invest in or render services to any person or entity which
     has as its principal business the specialty dairy foods business (the
     prohibited activities in this sentence herein being referred to as the
     "Prohibited Activities").

          (B)  Executive acknowledges that, in view of the nature of the
     business in which the Company is engaged, the restrictions contained
     in Sections VII(D) and IX(A) above (the "Restrictions") are reasonable
     and necessary in order to protect the legitimate interests of the
     Company, and that nay violation thereof would result in irreparable
     injuries to the Company, and the Executive therefore further
     acknowledges that, in the event the Executive violates, or threatens
     to violate, any of such Restrictions, the



























     
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     Company shall be entitled to obtain from any court of competent
     jurisdiction, without the posting of any bond or other security,
     preliminary and permanent injunctive relief as well as damages and an
     equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits
     arising from such violation.

          (C)  If any Restriction, or any part thereof, shall be determined
     in any judicial or administrative proceeding to be invalid or
     unenforceable, the remainder of the Restrictions shall not thereby be
     affected and shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid
     provisions.  If the period of time or the area specified in the
     Restrictions shall be determined in any judicial or administrative
     proceeding to be unreasonable, then the court or administrative body
     shall have the power to reduce the period of time or the area covered
     and, in its reduced form, such provisions shall then be enforceable
     and shall be enforced.

          (D)  If the Executive violates any of the Restrictions, the
     applicable restrictive period shall be tolled form the time of the
     commencement of any such violation until such time as such violation
     shall be cured by the Executive to the reasonable satisfaction of the
     Company.

                                     * * * *


















































     
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                                     * * * *

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

                                        THE MORNINGSTAR GROUP INC.

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




                                                                           
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        C. Dean Metropoulos






















































     
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