GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE INC
SB-2, 1997-02-05
PERSONAL SERVICES
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 5, 1997
                                                      Registration No. 333-_____
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    FORM SB-2
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                 (Name of small business issuer in its Charter)

     New York                  5999                         13-3729043
- ------------------       -------------------------        ---------------------
(State or Other          (Primary Standard                 (I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction of          Industrial Classification         Identification
Incorporation or         Code Number)                      Number)
Organization)

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

                               425 Madison Avenue
                                    Suite 605
                            New York, New York 10017
                                 (212) 750-7046
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address and telephone number of Principal Executive Offices)

                            William Zanker, President
                     The Great American BackRub Store, Inc.
                               425 Madison Avenue
                                    Suite 605
                            New York, New York 10017
                                 (212) 750-7046
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent For Service)

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

                          Copies of Communications to:

STEPHEN IRWIN, ESQ.                             MARK SCHWARZ, ESQ.
OLSHAN GRUNDMAN FROME & ROSENZWEIG LLP          LAW OFFICES OF MARK SCHWARZ
505 PARK AVENUE                                 545 MADISON AVENUE - 16TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022                        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022

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


        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the only securities  being registered on this form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. / /

If any of the  securities  being  registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the  Securities  Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/

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

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

<PAGE>

If delivery  of the  prospectus  is  expected  to be made  pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

=================================================================================================
                                                 Proposed Maximum
   Title of each Class of Securities           Aggregate Offering                Amount of
     to be Registered                                Price(1)                 Registration Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                            <C>    
Shares of Series B Convertible                     $3,105,000                     $940.91
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value
("Preferred Stock")(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares of Common Stock, $.001 par                     --                            --
value ("Common Stock"),  issuable
upon conversion of the Preferred
Stock(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Underwriter's Option to purchase                                                        (5)
Preferred Stock(4)                                    $27.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares of Preferred Stock
underlying the Underwriter's
Option                                               $270,000                       $81.82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares of Common Stock issuable                        --                             --
upon conversion of the Preferred
Stock underlying the Under-
writer's Option(6)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Registration Fee                                 --                        $1,022.73
=================================================================================================
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1)    Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(2)    Includes  up  to  40,500  shares  of  Preferred   Stock  subject  to  the
       Underwriter's over-allotment option from the Company.

(3)    Pursuant to Rule 416,  there also are being  registered  such  additional
       shares of Common Stock as may be required  for  issuance  pursuant to the
       anti-dilution provisions of the Preferred Stock.

(4)    To be issued to the Underwriter at Closing.

(5)    No registration fee required pursuant to Rule 457(g).

(6)    Pursuant to Rule 416,  there are also being  registered  such  additional
       shares of Common Stock as may be required  for  issuance  pursuant to the
       anti-dilution   provisions  of  the  Preferred   Stock   underlying   the
       Underwriter's Option.

         THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE
OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS  EFFECTIVE  DATE UNTIL THE  REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT  SPECIFICALLY  STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL  THEREAFTER  BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,  OR UNTIL THE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME  EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================

<PAGE>
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

         The   prospectus   included  in  this   Registration   Statement   (the
"Prospectus") is to be used in connection with the underwritten  public offering
of 310,500 shares of Preferred Stock (including 40,500 shares of Preferred Stock
subject to the Underwriter's  over-allotment  option).

         The Prospectus  makes  reference to the securities  covered by a second
prospectus forming a part of another  Registration  Statement to be filed by the
Company on Form S-3. This second Prospectus is to be used in connection with the
sale from time to time by certain  securityholders  of the Company of  2,000,000
Redeemable  Warrants which upon consummation of the underwritten public offering
will be issued  to  certain  securityholders  of the  Company  in  exchange  for
warrants (the "Bridge  Warrants") issued in connection with the Company's recent
financing  and  up to  2,000,000  shares  of  Preferred  Stock  underlying  such
Redeemable  Warrants and up to 16,144,812 shares of Common Stock including up to
16,000,000  shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of the shares of
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of such Redeemable Warrants.



<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT  TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.   A
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  RELATING  TO THESE  SECURITIES  HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION.  THESE  SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO  SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION  OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 5, 1997

PROSPECTUS
                                 270,000 SHARES

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.

                      SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

         The Great American BackRub Store, Inc. (the "Company") is offering (the
"Offering")  270,000 shares of Series B Convertible  Preferred Stock,  $.001 par
value (the "Preferred Stock").

         Dividends on the shares of Preferred  Stock offered  hereby will accrue
and be  cumulative  from  the  date  of  original  issue  and  will  be  payable
semi-annually  in  arrears  on April 1 and  October 1 of each  year,  commencing
_______,  1997 in an amount  equal to $.70 per share  per annum  payable  at the
Company's option in cash or shares of Common Stock based on the average reported
closing price of the Common Stock,  $.001 par value, of the Company (the "Common
Stock") for the 10  consecutive  trading  days ending upon the trading date next
preceding  the  record  date  for the  dividend  payment.  See  "Description  of
Securities."

         Each  share of  Preferred  Stock is  convertible  at the  option of the
holder  thereof  commencing  _______,  1998  [12  months  from  the date of this
Prospectus] into four shares of Common Stock,  subject to proportional  increase
(to a maximum of eight  shares) if and to the extent  that the  average  closing
price  of the  Common  Stock  is  less  than  $4.00  per  share  at the  time of
conversion. See "Description of Securities."

         The Preferred  Stock is  redeemable on or after (i)  _________________,
1999 [two years from the date of this  Prospectus] with the consent of Investors
Associates, Inc. (the "Underwriter") or upon the closing of a public offering of
equity securities of the Company, or (ii) ___________, 2002 [five years from the
date of this Prospectus].  When the Preferred Stock becomes redeemable, it shall
be  redeemable  at the  option of the  Company,  in whole or in part,  for cash,
initially  at  $__________  per share  [105% of the  public  offering  price per
Share],  plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the redemption date. The Preferred
Stock will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. See  "Description
of Securities."

         The Company's  Common Stock is publicly  traded on the Nasdaq  SmallCap
Market  ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "RUBB".  On ______,  1997, the last reported
bid price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq was $____. See "Market for Common Equity
and  Related  Shareholder  Matters."  Prior to the  Offering,  there  has been a
limited  public  market  for the  Common  Stock  and no  public  market  for the
Preferred  Stock and there can be no  assurance  that such a market will develop
after  the  completion  of the  Offering  or  that,  if  developed,  it  will be
sustained.  It is presently  anticipated  that the initial public offering price
will be $10.00 per share of  Preferred  Stock.  For  information  regarding  the
factors  considered in  determining  the public  offering price and terms of the
Preferred  Stock,  see "Risk Factors" and  "Underwriting."  Application has been
made for, and it is anticipated that upon the consummation of the Offering,  the
Common Stock  issuable upon  conversion of the Preferred  Stock will be approved
for  quotation on Nasdaq under the symbol  "RUBB".  It is  anticipated  that the
Company will apply to have the  Preferred  Stock traded on the NASD OTC Bulletin
Board under the symbol " ".

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

                      THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVE
                 A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND IMMEDIATE SUBSTANTIAL
        DILUTION. SEE "RISK FACTORS," LOCATED AT PAGE 14, AND "DILUTION."

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

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

<PAGE>
================================================================================
                                               Underwriting
                                              Commissions and    Proceeds To
                           Price to Public      Discounts(1)     Company (2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share of Preferred     $                    $                  $
Stock......................
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (3)..................$                    $                  $
===============================================================================

(1)     Does  not  include  additional  consideration  to  be  received  by  the
        Underwriter  in the  form of a  non-accountable  expense  allowance.  In
        addition, see "Underwriting" for information concerning  indemnification
        and   contribution   arrangements   with  the   Underwriter   and  other
        compensation payable to the Underwriter.

(2)     Before deducting  expenses of the Offering estimated at $ payable by the
        Company, including the non-accountable expense allowance.

(3)     The Company has granted the Underwriter an option, exercisable within 30
        days after the date hereof,  to purchase up to 40,500  additional shares
        of  Preferred  Stock  upon the same  terms and  conditions  as set forth
        above,  solely  to cover  over-allotments,  if any.  If such  option  is
        exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and
        Proceeds  to  Company  will  be  $  ,  $  and  $  ,  respectively.   See
        "Underwriting".

         The Securities are being offered by the  Underwriter,  subject to prior
sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriter,  and subject
to approval of certain legal matters by its counsel and subject to certain other
conditions. The Underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the
Offering  and to reject any order in whole or in part.  It is expected  that the
delivery of the securities  offered hereby will be made against payment,  at the
offices of Investors Associates,  Inc., 411 Hackensack Avenue,  Hackensack,  New
Jersey on or about _______, 1997.

                           INVESTORS ASSOCIATES, INC.



                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ________, 1997

                                       -2-

<PAGE>
         IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS OFFERING,  THE  UNDERWRITER MAY OVER- ALLOT OR
EFFECT  TRANSACTIONS  WHICH  STABILIZE  OR  MAINTAIN  THE  MARKET  PRICES OF THE
PREFERRED  STOCK AND THE COMMON STOCK AT LEVELS ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE
PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING,  IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED
AT ANY TIME.

                         NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA INVESTORS

         Each  purchaser of Preferred  Stock in California  must meet one of the
following  suitability  standards:  (i)  any  person  who  (a)  has a net  worth
(excluding  home,  furnishings  and  automobiles)  of $250,000 or more and gross
annual  income  of  $65,000  or more,  or (b) has a net worth  (excluding  home,
furnishings  and  automobiles)  of $500,000  or more;  (ii) any person who is an
accredited  investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act
of 1933,  as amended (the  "Securities  Act");  (iii) any entity that is a bank,
savings and loan  association,  trust  company,  insurance  company,  investment
company  registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, pension and profit
sharing   trust,   corporation   or  other  entity,   which  together  with  the
corporation's  or other entity's  affiliates,  has a net worth on a consolidated
basis according to its most recent regularly  prepared  statements  (which shall
have been reviewed,  but not necessarily audited, by outside accountants) of not
less that  $14,000,000  and  subsidiaries  of the foregoing;  or (iv) any person
(other than a person  formed for the sole purpose of  purchasing  the  Preferred
Stock being offered hereby) who purchases at least  $1,000,000  aggregate amount
of the Preferred Stock hereby offered.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The  Company  is  subject  to  the  informational  requirements  of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and in
accordance  therewith,  files  periodic  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such
reports, proxy statements and other information filed with the Commission may be
inspected and copied at the Public  Reference  Section of the  Commission at 450
Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, its Midwest Regional Office,  500
West Madison  Street,  Suite 1400,  Chicago,  Illinois  60661 and its  Northeast
Regional  Office,  7 World Trade Center,  Suite 1300,  New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at prescribed rates by writing to the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549. Such material may also be accessed electronically
by means of the  Commission's  home page on the Internet at  http://www.sec.gov.
The Common  Stock is quoted on Nasdaq and such  reports,  proxy  statements  and
other information may also be inspected at the offices of Nasdaq, 1735 K Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

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

         The  Company  intends to furnish to its  shareholders  annual  reports,
which will include statements audited by independent accountants, and such other
periodic  reports as it may  determine  to furnish or as may be required by law,
including Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

         THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION  AND FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS,  INCLUDING THE NOTES THERETO,  APPEARING
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION HEREIN
ASSUMES (I) NO EXERCISE OF (A) THE UNDERWRITER'S  OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION, (B) THE
REDEEMABLE WARRANTS TO BE EXCHANGED FOR THE BRIDGE WARRANTS (BOTH AS HEREINAFTER
DEFINED) UPON CONSUMMATION OF THE OFFERING OR (C) THE  UNDERWRITER'S  OPTION AND
(II) NO CONVERSION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL SHARE
AND PER SHARE DATA IN THIS  PROSPECTUS  HAVE BEEN  ADJUSTED TO REFLECT A 1 FOR 8
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT EFFECTED ON FEBRUARY 23, 1995. EACH PROSPECTIVE  INVESTOR IS
URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS IN ITS ENTIRETY.

                                   THE COMPANY

         The Company is a development stage company engaged in the creation of a
proposed national chain of owned and franchised stores under the name "The Great
American  BackRub Store," which offer  reasonably-priced  back rubs to customers
while  they are  seated  and fully  clothed  in a clean,  open,  non-threatening
environment.  The back rubs currently  offered by the Company are for 5, 10, 20,
30 or 45 minutes,  priced at approximately  $8.95,  $16.95,  $28.95,  $38.95 and
$49.95, respectively. By design, The Great American BackRub Store is a specialty
interactive  retailer  offering  a wide range of  massage  and stress  reduction
products,   including  oils,  bath  salts,  back  supports  and  electronic  and
mechanical  stress reduction  devices (priced generally from $4.95 to $250). The
Company believes that the combination of a boutique retail concept with back rub
services makes The Great American BackRub Store a unique shopping experience.

         The Company  currently  owns and operates 11 retail  stores in New York
City,  one in The  Westchester  mall in White Plains,  New York,  and one at the
Woodfield Mall in the Chicago  metropolitan  area. In addition,  the Company has
entered into franchise agreements for two locations,  one at the Roosevelt Field
Mall on Long Island,  New York and the other at the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver,
Colorado.  The Company has also  granted an option for a third  franchise in the
Los  Angeles,   California   metropolitan   area.  The  Company  plans  to  open
approximately 40 Company-owned  and/or  franchised  stores within two years from
the date of this Prospectus, although there can be no assurance that the Company
will be  successful  in this plan.  The Company  intends to devote a substantial
portion of the net proceeds of the Offering to the construction of Company-owned
stores.  The Company intends to place its stores in high traffic  locations such
as malls, airports, urban sites and casinos.

         The  typical   Great   American   BackRub  Store   location   comprises
approximately  600 to 1,200 square feet, of which 300 to 600 square feet is used
as retail space. Customers are seated on a specially-

                                       -5-

<PAGE>
designed chair which provides  cushioned  support for the chest,  arms and head.
The  Company's  stores are designed to permit people both inside and outside the
store to view the back rub process and at the same time  maintain the privacy of
the back rub customer.  The  Company's  stores will also offer back rub services
off-site, to corporate offices, convention centers and tourist attractions.  All
back rub services are provided by therapists who are either  licensed (in states
where  such  licensing  is  required)  or have  completed  training  at a school
certified by a recognized trade association.

         The  Company's  growth  strategy  is to  be  implemented  primarily  by
Terrance C. Murray, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, who previously served
as the executive vice president,  operations of Supercuts,  Inc. Supercuts, Inc.
is a hair care chain with in excess of 1,000 company-owned and franchised stores
in 43 states and Puerto Rico. The Company believes that the substantial national
retail and franchise experience of Mr. Murray will be an asset to the Company.

         On December 27, 1996, the Company  consummated a $266,666.68  financing
(the  "Bridge   Financing")  (the  net  proceeds  of  which  were  approximately
$175,000),  consisting  of five and  one-third  investment  units  comprising an
aggregate of (i) $262,666.68  principal  amount of promissory notes (the "Bridge
Notes") which bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum and are due and payable
upon the earlier of (a)  consummation  of the  Offering or (b) December 27, 1997
and (ii)  4,000,000  warrants  (the  "Bridge  Warrants").  Each  Bridge  Warrant
entitles  the holder to purchase  one share of Series A  Preferred  Stock of the
Company at an exercise price of $5.00 per share (subject to adjustment  upon the
occurrence of certain  events).  Upon  consummation  of the Offering each Bridge
Warrant  shall  automatically,  without  any  action by the holder  thereof,  be
converted into half a warrant  (referred to herein as a "Redeemable  Warrant" or
"New  Warrant"),  each New Warrant  entitling the holder thereof to purchase one
share of the Series B Preferred  Stock at an  exercise  price of $8.00 per share
(subject to  adjustment  upon the  occurrence of certain  events)  commencing on
_____________,  1998  [12  months  from  the  date  of  this  Prospectus]  until
______________,  2001  [four  year  from  the  date  of  this  Prospectus].  See
"Description  of  Securities."  The New  Warrants and the  underlying  shares of
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the New Warrants are being  registered
under the Securities Act in the Registration  Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part. The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds of this Offering
to repay the entire  principal  amount of, and accrued  interest  on, the Bridge
Notes. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Concurrent Offering."

         The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in
December  1992  under the name  American  Backrub  Stores,  Inc.  The  Company's
executive offices are located at 425 Madison

                                       -6-

<PAGE>
Avenue,  Suite 605, New York,  New York 10017 and its telephone  number is (212)
750-7046.

                                       -7-

<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING


  Securities to be Offered........    270,000  shares  of  Series B  Convertible
                                      Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock").

  Dividends......................     Cumulative from the date of original issue
                                      at the  annual  rate  of $.70  per  share,
                                      payable;  if, as and when  declared by the
                                      Company's  Board of  Directors  in cash or
                                      shares of Common  Stock (at the  Company's
                                      election)   in  arrears  on  April  1  and
                                      October 1 of each year.  See  "Description
                                      of Securities  --"Description of Preferred
                                      Stock -- Dividend Rights."

  Liquidation Preference..........    $10.00 per share,  plus accrued and unpaid
                                      dividends.  See "Description of Securities
                                      --  "Description  of  Preferred  Stock  --
                                      Liquidation Preference."

  Conversion Rights...............    Each   share   of   Preferred   Stock   is
                                      convertible  at the  option of the  holder
                                      thereof   at  any  time   from  and  after
                                      __________,  1998 [12 months from the date
                                      of  this  Prospectus],  unless  previously
                                      redeemed,  into the greater of four shares
                                      of  Common  Stock or a number of shares of
                                      Common  Stock  equal to $16.00  divided by
                                      the  average  of the  last  reported  sale
                                      price  of  the  Common  Stock  for  the 10
                                      consecutive  trading  days  ending  on the
                                      third  trading day  preceding  the date of
                                      conversion   up  to  a  maximum  of  eight
                                      shares.  See "Description of Securities --
                                      "Description   of   Preferred   Stock   --
                                      Conversion Rights."

  Optional Redemption............     The  Preferred  Stock is  redeemable on or
                                      after  (i)  _________________,  1999  [two
                                      years from the date of this

                                       -8-

<PAGE>
                                      Prospectus]   with  the   consent  of  the
                                      Underwriter  or  upon  the  closing  of  a
                                      public  offering of equity  securities  of
                                      the Company,  or (ii) _______,  2002 [five
                                      years  from the date of this  Prospectus].
                                      The Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the
                                      option  of the  Company,  in  whole  or in
                                      part,  at  $______  [105%  of  the  public
                                      offering  price  per  share]  per share of
                                      Preferred Stock, plus in each case accrued
                                      and  unpaid  dividends  to the  redemption
                                      date.  See   "Description   of  Securities
                                      --"Description  of the Preferred  Stock --
                                      Optional Redemption."

  Voting Rights.................      The holders of Preferred Stock will not be
                                      entitled  to vote on any matter  except as
                                      required  by  law.  See   "Description  of
                                      Securities  --  "Description  of Preferred
                                      Stock -- Voting Rights."

Common Stock Outstanding
Prior to the Offering:                2,393,354 shares (1)

Preferred Stock Outstanding
Prior to the Offering:                None

Preferred Stock to be
Outstanding after
the Offering:                         270,000 shares

Redeemable Warrants to be
Outstanding After the Offering:       2,000,000 Redeemable Warrants (2)

Nasdaq SmallCap Market Symbol:        Common Stock: RUBB

Proposed OTC Symbol:                  Preferred Stock:___________

Use of Proceeds:                      The net  proceeds  will  be  used  for the
                                      construction  of   Company-owned   stores,
                                      satisfaction   of  the  Bridge  Notes  and
                                      working capital. See "Use of Proceeds."


                                       -9-

<PAGE>
Risk Factors:                         The  purchase  of  the   Preferred   Stock
                                      offered  hereby  involves a high degree of
                                      risk   and   immediate   and   substantial
                                      dilution.   Prospective  investors  should
                                      review    carefully   and   consider   the
                                      information set forth under "Risk Factors"
                                      and "Dilution."

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

 (1)     Does not include  370,000  shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
         upon exercise of certain  outstanding  options granted to the Company's
         executive officers and a former officer,  75,000 shares of Common Stock
         reserved for issuance  pursuant to the Company's  1994  Employee  Stock
         Option Plan (the  "Employee  Plan")  (8,500 of which  options have been
         granted to date),  110,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
         upon exercise of certain warrants granted in connection with a previous
         financing,  an aggregate of 125,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
         issuance upon exercise of warrants granted to the representative of the
         underwriters in connection with the Company's  initial public offering,
         an  aggregate of 50,000  shares of Common  Stock  reserved for issuance
         upon exercise of certain options issued to directors of the Company and
         an  aggregate of 148,500  shares of Common Stock  reserved for issuance
         upon  exercise of  outstanding  options  granted to  consultants  and a
         former  consultant to the Company.  It is currently  contemplated  that
         approval of an amendment to the Employee Plan  increasing the number of
         shares of Common Stock available for issuance thereunder will be sought
         at the Company's next annual shareholders'  meeting,  which is expected
         to occur in May 1997.

 (2)     Consists of 2,000,000 Redeemable Warrants covered by another prospectus
         included in a separate registration statement filed by the Company. See
         "Concurrent Offering."


                                      -10-

<PAGE>
                              CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTS

FRANCHISE/FRANCHISE OPTION TERMINATIONS

         The Company's first  franchised store (the "Las Vegas Store") opened in
July 1994 in Las Vegas,  Nevada. The Company entered into a franchise  agreement
(the "Franchise  Agreement") with its Las Vegas franchisee (the "Franchisee") on
June 1, 1994.  Pursuant to the  Franchise  Agreement,  the  Franchisee  paid the
Company an initial,  non-recurring,  non-refundable franchise fee of $10,000. In
addition,  the Franchisee  paid the Company a monthly royalty fee equal to 8% of
the  Franchisee's  gross  monthly  revenues  (as  such  term is  defined  in the
Franchise Agreement). The Franchisee also paid to the Company an advertising and
sales  promotion  fee which is equal to the  greater  of 3% of the  Franchisee's
gross  monthly  revenues  or  $1,000.  On May  30,  1995,  the  Company  and the
Franchisee  entered  into a  franchise  termination  agreement  whereby  (i) the
Franchise  Agreement  and related  sublease  were  terminated,  (ii) the Company
purchased  certain  assets  from the  Franchisee  and (iii) the  Company and the
Franchisee  provided for the mutual  release of any  obligations  of each to the
other whether arising out of the Franchise Agreement, the sublease or otherwise.
The purchase price for the assets  conveyed by the Franchisee to the Company was
$25,000 and 18,185 shares of Common  Stock.  Simultaneously  with  execution and
delivery of the  Franchise  Termination  Agreement,  the Company  closed the Las
Vegas Store.

         The Company  entered into two option  agreements  (the "Bay Area Option
Agreements")  with  Bay Area  Backs I, a  California  limited  partnership  (the
"Optionee"),  on June 20, 1994 and June 21, 1994, respectively,  for the opening
of two  franchised  stores in the San Francisco  area.  Pursuant to the Bay Area
Option  Agreements,  the  Optionee  paid to the  Company  $5,000 for each of two
options (the "Bay Area  Options") to require the Company to enter into franchise
agreements  with the  Optionee.  On May 30,  1995,  the Company and the Optionee
entered  into an option  termination  agreement  whereby (i) the Bay Area Option
Agreements were terminated,  (ii) the Company  purchased certain assets from the
Optionee and (iii) the Company and the Optionee  provided for the mutual release
of any  obligations  of each to the other  whether  arising  out of the Bay Area
Option  Agreements or otherwise.  The purchase price for the assets  conveyed by
the  Optionee  to the Company and the  termination  of the Bay Area  Options was
$27,300.

         Upon  termination  of the franchise and the options  referred to above,
the Company  suspended  its  franchise  program and  focused on  developing  its
Company-owned  stores.  In September  1996, the Company resumed the marketing of
its franchise program.

         As of the date  hereof,  the  Company has  entered  into two  franchise
agreements,  one for a location at Roosevelt Field Mall, Long Island,  New York,
and the second for the Cherry Creek Mall, Denver, Colorado.  Certain officers of
the Company hold an  approximately  22% equity  interest in the Roosevelt  Field
Mall franchisee.  See "Certain Transactions." Both locations are currently open.
In addition,  the Company has entered into an option  agreement (the  "Franchise
Option  Agreement")  for a  franchise  location in the Los  Angeles,  California
metropolitan area. Under

                                      -11-

<PAGE>
the terms of both  franchise  agreements,  the franchisee has paid the Company a
$12,500 initial, non-recurring,  non-refundable, franchise fee and has agreed to
pay a monthly royalty equal to 6% of the franchise's  gross monthly revenues (as
such  term is  defined  in the  Franchise  Agreement).  Under  the  terms of the
Franchise   Option   Agreement,   the   optionee  has  paid  to  the  Company  a
non-refundable  fee of $5,000 (to be applied to the $12,500 franchise fee in the
event the optionee enters into a franchise agreement within 120 days of the date
of the  Franchise  Option  Agreement)  and the Company has given the optionee an
exclusive right to open a Great American  BackRub  franchise  within Los Angeles
and Orange Counties,  California for a period of 120 days. In the event that the
optionee  identifies a site within those counties that is acceptable to both the
Company  and the  optionee,  the Company  and the  franchisee  will enter into a
Franchise Agreement with terms identical to those described above.

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

         On February 8, 1996, the Company entered into a Financial  Advisory and
Consulting  Agreement (the "Financial Advisory Agreement") with the Underwriter.
The Financial  Advisory  Agreement  expires on January 31, 1997. As compensation
for the services to be performed by the  Underwriter to the Company  pursuant to
the  Financial  Advisory  Agreement,  the  Company  paid  to the  Underwriter  a
financial  consulting fee of $100,000,  and issued warrants to purchase  100,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise  price of $1.00 per share,  exercisable to
and  including  January 31,  1997,  and warrants to purchase  200,000  shares of
Common  Stock at an  exercise  price  of $2.50  per  share,  exercisable  to and
including  January 31, 1998 (all of which have been exercised).  The Company has
registered  for resale the shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon  exercise  of
warrants under the Securities Act.

         During the term of the Financial  Advisory  Agreement,  the Underwriter
will provide the Company with such regular and customary consulting advice as is
reasonably  requested by the Company. The Underwriter's duties will include, but
will not  necessarily  be limited to (i) providing  sponsorship  and exposure in
connection with the dissemination of corporate information regarding the Company
to the investment  community at large,  (ii) arranging  meetings with securities
analysts,  (iii) assisting in the Company's  financial public relations and (iv)
rendering  advice regarding a future public or private offering of securities of
the Company or of any of its subsidiaries.  In this regard,  the Underwriter has
agreed to use its best efforts to assist the Company in arranging  for a private
placement or public offering of securities with gross proceeds to the Company of
at least $2 million.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>
                          SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         The summary  financial  information set forth below is derived from the
financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, which statements as
at and for the  nine-month  periods  ended  September  30,  1995  and  1996  are
unaudited.  The summary financial information should be read in conjunction with
such financial statements, including the notes thereto.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                             December 18, 1992
                                                                                                               (Inception) to
                                                                                                               September 30,
                                           Year Ended December 31,        Nine Months Ended September 30,         1996
                                      ---------------------------------   --------------------------------   ------------------
                                         1994                1995              1995                1996
                                         ----                ----              ----                ----
<S>                                  <C>                <C>               <C>                 <C>            <C>         
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  Services..........................  $   525,898        $   874,320       $   535,977         $ 1,527,390    $ 2,993,245
  Products..........................      136,873            326,012            99,694             442,114        945,011
  Royalties,
    franchise
    fees and
    other...........................       44,949              1,609             2,035                 ---         46,558
                                      -----------        -----------       -----------         -----------    -----------
  Total
  revenues..........................      707,720          1,201,941           637,706           1,969,504      3,984,814
                                      -----------        -----------       -----------         -----------    -----------
Expenses:
  General and
  administrative....................      589,076          1,521,672           868,473           1,356,342      3,577,615
  Other expenses....................    1,237,619          2,327,524         1,267,923           2,158,440      6,130,027
                                      -----------        -----------       -----------         -----------    -----------
Net loss............................ $(1,118,975)       $(2,647,255)      $(1,498,690)        $(1,545,278)   $(5,722,828)
                                     ============       ============      ============        ============
Net loss per
  common
  share and
  equivalents.......................      $(1.70)            $(1.67)           $(0.99)             $(0.83)            ---
Weighted average
  number of
  common
  shares and
  equivalents
  outstanding
  during the
  period............................      658,750          1,582,250         1,507,500           1,859,506            ---
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
BALANCE SHEET DATA:                                       ACTUAL             PRO FORMA(1)        AS ADJUSTED
                                                          ------             ------------        -----------
                                                                                                   (1)(2)
                                                                                                   ------

<S>                                                       <C>                 <C>                  <C>        
Current assets........................................... $1,826,405           2,001,405           $3,738,738
Total assets.............................................  3,136,922           3,311,922            5,049,255
Working capital..........................................  1,377,331           1,552,331            3,289,664
Total liabilities........................................    634,182             634,182              634,182
Total shareholders' equity...............................  2,502,740           2,677,740            4,415,073
Deficit accumulated during the development stage......... (5,722,828)         (5,722,828)          (5,985,495)
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1)      Gives  effect to the  consummation  of the  Bridge  Financing  (sale of
         $262,667 of Bridge Notes for $262,667 and 4,000,000 Bridge Warrants for
         $4,000)  including  the  recording  of $262,667 of loan  discount as an
         increase  in  additional  paid-in  capital and  charging to  additional
         paid-in capital of financing  expenses of $91,667 related to the Bridge
         Financing.

(2)      As adjusted to reflect:  (i) the issuance of 270,000 shares of Series B
         Convertible  Preferred  Stock  offered  by the  Company  hereby and the
         anticipated  use of proceeds to satisfy the  $262,667 of Bridge  Notes;
         and  (ii) the  write-off  of  $262,667  of loan  discount.  See "Use of
         Proceeds."

                                      -13-

<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS

         THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE SPECULATIVE AND INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE
OF RISK. EACH PROSPECTIVE  INVESTOR SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK
FACTORS INHERENT IN, AND AFFECTING THE BUSINESS OF, THE COMPANY BEFORE MAKING AN
INVESTMENT DECISION.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS CONTAINING AN EXPLANATORY
PARAGRAPH THAT INDICATES GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTIES

         The Company's independent certified public accountants have included an
explanatory  paragraph in their  report on the  Company's  Financial  Statements
stating that the Financial Statements have been prepared based on the assumption
that the Company will continue as a going concern and that the Company's  losses
from operations since inception raise substantial doubt about the ability of the
Company  to  continue  as a going  concern.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and
Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operations"  and  Financial
Statements.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY;  LIMITED  OPERATING HISTORY AND REVENUES;  HISTORICAL
AND
ANTICIPATED LOSSES; ACCUMULATED DEFICIT

         The Company was  organized in December  1992,  commenced  operations in
August 1993, opened its first  Company-owned store in October 1993 and therefore
has a limited operating history upon which an evaluation of the Company's future
performance  and  prospects  can  be  made.  The  Company's  prospects  must  be
considered in light of the risks,  expenses,  delays,  problems and difficulties
frequently encountered in the establishment of a new business in an emerging and
evolving industry.  Since inception,  the Company has generated limited revenues
and has incurred significant losses, including losses of $1,118,975,  $2,647,255
and $1,545,278, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1996 resulting, at September 30, 1996,
in an accumulated deficit of $5,722,828.  Losses are continuing through the date
of this  Prospectus.  Inasmuch as the Company will continue to have a high level
of  operating  expenses  following  the  Offering  and will be  required to make
significant up-front expenditures in connection with its proposed expansion, the
Company  anticipates  that losses will  continue for at least the next 12 months
and until such time,  if ever,  as the  Company is able to  generate  sufficient
revenues to finance its operations and the costs of continuing expansion.  Since
inception,  the Company's  operations have generated  negative cash flow, as its
expenses  have  exceeded  revenues,  and the  Company's  ability to continue its
operations has been dependent upon debt and equity  financings.  There can be no
assurance  that the  Company  will be able to generate  significant  revenues or
achieve profitable operations or that its operations will generate positive cash
flow.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition  and
Results of Operations" and Financial Statements.

NEW INDUSTRY; UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE

         As is  typically  the case in an emerging  industry,  demand and market
acceptance  for newly  introduced  services  and  products are subject to a high
level of uncertainty.  The Company has not yet commenced  significant  marketing
activities  or studies and  currently  has limited  marketing  experience in the
retail back rub business and limited financial, personnel and other resources to
undertake extensive marketing activities or studies. The Company does not intend
to  conduct  any  formal  marketing  or other  concept  feasibility  studies  to
determine the potential  commercial  viability of its concept.  Achieving market
acceptance  for the  Company's  services and products  will require  substantial
marketing  efforts and expenditure of significant  funds to create awareness and
demand.  The Company's  success  depends in large part on its ability to attract
suitable  franchisees  and will also be dependent on the level of acceptance and
usage of the  Company's  services and products by consumers.  Because  demand by
prospective franchisees and consumers may be interrelated, any lack or lessening
of demand by any one of these could adversely  affect market  acceptance for the
Company's  services and products.  In light of the  relatively  undeveloped  and
emerging  markets  for  retail  back  rubs,  there  can be no  assurance  that a
substantial market

                                      -14-

<PAGE>
for the Company's services and products will develop and grow. See "Business--
Intended Expansion."

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GROWTH STRATEGY AND RAPID EXPANSION

         The Company has achieved only limited growth to date. Implementation of
the Company's proposed expansion will be substantially dependent on, among other
things, the Company's ability to identify and secure advantageous  locations and
leases for its  Company-owned  and  franchised  stores on a timely  basis and on
favorable terms; hire and retain skilled  management,  financial,  marketing and
other  personnel;   and  successfully   manage  growth   (including   monitoring
operations,  controlling costs and maintaining effective quality,  inventory and
service controls).  The Company's prospects will also be significantly  affected
by  its  ability  to  successfully  develop  and  maintain   relationships  with
franchisees.  The Company's growth strategy and plans are subject to change as a
result of a number of factors,  including  progress  or delays in the  Company's
marketing efforts,  changes in market conditions and competitive factors.  There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully  implement its
business strategy or otherwise expand its operations. See "Use of Proceeds".

FRANCHISING

         The  Company's  success  will be  dependent  upon the  development  and
implementation   of  an  effective   franchise   program,   which  would  afford
unaffiliated  parties the opportunity to own and operate Great American  BackRub
Stores using the Company's  concept.  The Company's initial efforts to develop a
franchise  program did not prove  successful.  One franchise store was opened in
July 1994,  but the franchise  agreement was  subsequently  terminated  with the
Company's  consent and the store  closed,  and  options for two other  franchise
stores have been  terminated.  Recently,  the  Company  entered  into  franchise
agreements  for two  locations  and  granted  an option  for a third  franchise.
However,  no assurance  can be given that the Company  will open any  additional
franchises  or  that  the  Company  will  be  able  to  manage  such  a  program
effectively,  that its franchisees will have the ability or resources  necessary
to  successfully  develop and  operate  their  stores or that such  franchisees'
stores will be well operated and promoted.  In addition,  the Company intends to
lease  the  space for any  franchised  stores  directly  from the  landlord  and
sublease to the  franchisee.  The Company will be primarily  liable for any such
leases and may be required to pay the landlord  directly if the franchisee fails
to do so. See "Business--Franchise Development."

DEPENDENCE ON OFFERING PROCEEDS TO FINANCE EXPANSION AND WORKING CAPITAL;
POSSIBLE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING

         To date the Company's operations have not generated positive cash flow.
The Company is dependent on the proceeds of this Offering or other  financing to
implement   its  proposed   expansion   and  to  finance  its  working   capital
requirements.  The Company  anticipates,  based on currently  proposed plans and
assumptions relating to its operations  (including the costs associated with its
proposed  expansion),  that the net proceeds of this Offering will be sufficient
to satisfy its anticipated  cash  requirements  for at least 12 months following
the consummation of this Offering. In the event that the Company's plans change,
its  assumptions  change  or  prove to be  inaccurate  or the  proceeds  of this
Offering  prove to be  insufficient  to fund the  Company's  operations  (due to
unanticipated  expenses,  delays,  problems,  difficulties  or  otherwise),  the
Company will be required to seek additional financing sooner than anticipated to
implement   its  proposed   expansion   and  to  finance  its  working   capital
requirements.  The  Company  may  determine,  depending  upon the  opportunities
available to it, to seek additional debt or equity financing to fund the cost of
continuing  expansion.  To the extent that the Company  incurs  indebtedness  or
issues debt  securities,  the Company will be subject to risks  associated  with
incurring substantial indebtedness,  including the risks that interest rates may
fluctuate and cash flow may be insufficient to pay principal and interest on any
such indebtedness.  The Company has no current  arrangements with respect to, or
sources  of,  additional  financing,  and it is not  anticipated  that  existing
shareholders  will  provide  any  portion  of  the  Company's  future  financing
requirements.  There  can be no  assurance  that  additional  financing  will be
available to the Company on commercially

                                      -15-

<PAGE>
reasonable  terms or at all.  If the  Company  is unable  to  obtain  additional
financing,  its ability to meet its current  obligations  and current  plans for
expansion  could be  materially  adversely  affected.  See "Use of Proceeds" and
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations."

POTENTIAL LIABILITY; INSURANCE

         The Company is engaged in a business  which could expose it to possible
liability  claims from others,  including  personal  injury claims.  The Company
maintains a general  liability  insurance policy that is subject to a $1,000,000
per occurrence limit with a $1,000,000 aggregate limit.  Currently,  the Company
requires  all  of  its  employee/therapists  to  obtain  professional  liability
insurance (in the minimum amount of $1,000,000)  through one of two professional
massage  organizations.  In some  cases,  the  Company  is  permitted  under the
applicable policy to be named as an additional insured. In addition, the Company
has  obtained  a  professional  liability  policy for an  additional  $1,000,000
covering all of its  employees.  There can be no  assurance,  however,  that the
Company's  insurance  will be  sufficient to cover  potential  claims or that an
adequate level of coverage will be available in the future at a reasonable cost.
A partially insured or completely uninsured successful claim against the Company
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

REGULATION

         Certain states in which the Company intends to operate,  as well as the
States of  Illinois  and New York,  in which the Company  currently  operates 13
Company-owned  stores,  require the licensing of massage therapists.  The offer,
sale,  termination  or renewal of  franchises in the United States is subject to
requirements  established  by the  Federal  Trade  Commission  (the  "FTC").  In
addition to the requirements of the FTC, certain states require that franchisors
register in the state prior to offering  franchises in such states.  The Company
believes that it is in compliance  with all applicable  laws and regulations and
has all required licenses to conduct its business.  However, no assurance can be
given that current laws or regulations applicable to the Company's business will
not change. Any such new laws or regulations or the Company's expansion into new
geographic  areas could  subject the  Company to  substantial  costs in order to
comply with such applicable  laws or regulations.  Any failure by the Company to
comply with any new or existing laws or regulations could subject the Company to
substantial penalties. See "Business--Regulation."

COMPETITION

         Management of the Company believes that no other multi-unit retailer is
in the business in which the Company operates.  Competition consists of numerous
independent  massage  therapists,  spas,  salons and health clubs providing full
body massage and a limited number of massage therapists providing seated massage
in non-retail "off-site"  environments.  However, due to the relatively low cost
of,  and lack of other  barriers  to,  entry  into the  Company's  business,  no
assurance can be given that others will not develop  multi-unit  retail concepts
or stores  similar to or  competitive  with the Company's  concept and stores or
that the Company will successfully  compete with any such  competitors,  some of
whom may have  substantially  greater  financial  and other  resources  than the
Company. See "Business--Competition."

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL; ATTRACTION AND RETENTION OF KEY PERSONNEL

         The  Company  is  dependent  to a  great  extent,  on  the  experience,
abilities and continued  services of Mr. Zanker,  the Company's  Chairman of the
Board and President,  and Mr. Murray,  the Company's  Chief  Executive  Officer.
While the Company's  management has  substantial  national  retail and franchise
experience, no assurance can be given that such prior experience will assure the
Company's success. In addition, the Company's management has no prior experience
with companies  offering  products and services  similar to those offered by the
Company. The Company has entered into three-year employment agreements with each
of Messrs.  Zanker and Murray.  See  "Management."  The loss of the  services of
Messrs.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>
Zanker and  Murray  could have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company.  The
Company has  obtained  $2,000,000  of key man  insurance on the lives of each of
Messrs.  Zanker and Murray.  The Company's success also depends upon its ability
to  attract  and  retain  qualified  massage  therapists  and  other  additional
qualified  personnel.  While the Company  believes there are numerous  qualified
massage  therapists  currently  available,  competition  for such  personnel may
become  intense.  There can be no  assurance  that the  Company  will be able to
attract and retain qualified personnel.

DILUTION

         If the Preferred  Stock offered  hereby were converted to Common Stock,
purchasers  of the  Preferred  Stock would incur an  immediate  and  substantial
dilution in the net  tangible  book value of such Common  Stock.  Such  dilution
represents  the difference  between the public  offering price for the Preferred
Stock sold hereby and the pro forma net tangible  book value per share of Common
Stock after the Offering,  assuming  conversion of the Preferred Stock to Common
Stock. Additional dilution to future net tangible book value per share may occur
upon the  exercise of the  Redeemable  Warrants,  the  Underwriter's  Option and
certain options that may be issued or exercised under the Company's stock option
plans. If the Preferred Stock were converted,  the immediate  dilution per share
of Common Stock to  purchasers of the  Preferred  Stock offered  hereby would be
$8.68 per share.

SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF NET PROCEEDS ALLOCATED FOR WORKING CAPITAL

         Approximately  27%  ($537,333)  of the  net  proceeds  received  by the
Company  in the  Offering  has  been  allocated  to  working  capital  purposes.
Management  will have  significant  discretion  as to how such  proceeds will be
used. See "Use of Proceeds."

POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS

         It is  currently  anticipated  that a portion of the  Company's  future
growth  will  result  from   acquisitions  of  other  similar  or  complementary
businesses. The Company has no current plan or agreement to acquire any business
and there can be no assurance that any such  transaction  will be consummated or
will result in increased  levels of profit for the Company.  In addition,  there
can be no  assurance  that  the  Company  will be able to  integrate  or  manage
successfully  acquired businesses.  Any such acquisitions may involve the use of
cash or the issuance of additional debt or equity  securities which could have a
dilutive effect on the then  outstanding  capital stock of the Company,  and may
result in  accumulation  of substantial  goodwill and intangible  assets,  which
would result in amortization charges to the Company.

NO DIVIDENDS

         The Company has never paid a dividend on its Common  Stock and does not
intend to pay any dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable  future.  The
Company  does not  intend  to pay  dividends  on the  Preferred  Stock  prior to
redemption  thereof, if any. The Company currently intends to reinvest earnings,
if any, in the development and expansion of its business. See "Dividend Policy."

NO PUBLIC MARKET; PRICE OF PREFERRED STOCK; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF MARKET

         No public  market  exists for the  Preferred  Stock and there is only a
limited  trading  market for the Common  Stock on Nasdaq.  The Company  does not
intend to apply for listing of the Preferred Stock on any securities exchange or
the Nasdaq National Market or SmallCap Market.  Although it intends to apply for
quotation on the NASD OTC  Bulletin  Board,  no assurance  can be given that the
Preferred Stock will be accepted for listing on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board. The
initial  public  offering  price  and  terms of the  Preferred  Stock  have been
determined by  negotiation  between the Company and the  Underwriter  and do not
necessarily bear any relationship to the Company's assets,  book value,  results
of operations or other established criteria of valuation. See "Underwriting". In
addition,  the market  prices of the  Preferred  Stock and  Common  Stock may be
highly volatile as

                                      -17-

<PAGE>
has been the case with the securities of many emerging  companies.  Factors such
as the  Company's  operating  results  and  announcements  by the Company or its
competitors  of new products or services may have a significant  impact upon the
market price of the Company's  securities.  In addition,  in recent  years,  the
stock market has  experienced  a high level of price and volume  volatility  and
market prices for the securities of many companies have  experienced  wide price
fluctuations  not  necessarily  related  to the  operating  performance  of such
companies.

LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF UNDERWRITER

         Although the Underwriter commenced operations in 1969, it does not have
extensive  experience as an underwriter of public  offerings of securities.  Its
inexperience  as a managing  underwriter  could  have an  adverse  effect on its
ability to market the securities offered hereby.

UNDERWRITER'S POTENTIAL INFLUENCE ON THE MARKET

         It is anticipated that a significant amount of the Preferred Stock will
be sold to customers of the  Underwriter.  Although the  Underwriter has advised
the  Company  that it  intends to make a market in the  Preferred  Stock and the
Common  Stock,  it will  have no legal  obligation  to do so and,  since it is a
relatively small firm, may be unable to do so. The Underwriter,  if it becomes a
market  maker,  could be a dominating  influence in the market for the Preferred
Stock if one develops and the Common Stock.  The prices and the liquidity of the
Preferred  Stock and the  Common  Stock  may be  significantly  affected  by the
degree, if any, of the  Underwriter's  participation in the market. No assurance
can be given that any market activities of the Underwriter,  if commenced,  will
be continued. See "Underwriting."

         In addition,  the Company has agreed to pay the  Underwriter  a warrant
exercise fee of 5% of the exercise price of each  Redeemable  Warrant  exercised
after the first  anniversary  of the  Effective  Date. If the  Underwriter  is a
market maker of the Redeemable Warrants, the Preferred Stock or the Common Stock
at  the  time  the  Redeemable  Warrants  are  exercisable,  a  decision  by the
Underwriter  to solicit  the  exercise  of  Redeemable  Warrants  and receive an
exercise fee may result in a  distribution  of the  underlying  Preferred  Stock
issued upon the exercise of such Redeemable Warrants, depending on the amount of
such stock  issuance.  Rule 10b-6 under the Exchange Act would  require that the
Underwriter cease its market-making activities during any such distribution, and
for two or nine business days preceding the  commencement  of the  distribution,
depending  on the  price of the stock and size of its  public  float.  If such a
cessation in the  Underwriter's  market-making  activities occurs at a time when
there  is no  other  broker-dealer  making  a  market  in such  securities,  the
liquidity in the market for such  securities  may be adversely  affected  during
such time.

EFFECT OF OUTSTANDING OPTIONS AND WARRANTS, COMPANY'S STOCK OPTION PLAN AND
REPRESENTATIVE'S WARRANTS; DILUTIVE EFFECTS

         As of the date of this Prospectus,  options and warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 518,500 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding,  held by
the Company's executive officers, a former executive officer,  consultants and a
former  consultant  to the Company and  warrants to purchase  110,000  shares of
Common Stock are outstanding,  granted in connection with a previous  financing.
In connection with the Bridge Financing,  the Company issued the Bridge Warrants
which the Company will exchange for 2,000,000 New Warrants  which the Company is
registering pursuant to a separate Registration Statement. Each New Warrant will
be exercisable for one share of Preferred Stock.  See "Concurrent  Offering." In
addition,  the Company may from time to time issue  options  under the  Employee
Plan to purchase up to 75,000 shares of Common Stock.  Options to purchase 8,500
shares of Common Stock are presently  outstanding  under such Plan.  The Company
agreed with the  underwriters  of its initial  public  offering  not to grant or
issue  options to  purchase  more than 37,500  shares of Common  Stock under the
Employee Plan prior to February 28, 1997. See  "Management--1994  Employee Stock
Option  Plan." The Company  granted  options to purchase an  aggregate of 50,000
shares  of  Common  Stock  to  directors  of  the  Company.   See  "Management--
Compensation of

                                      -18-

<PAGE>
Directors."  In  connection  with the Company's  initial  public  offering,  the
Company  issued  and  sold  to  a  representative   of  the  underwriters   (the
"Representative") for nominal consideration the Representative's  Warrants which
entitle the  Representative to purchase an aggregate of 125,000 shares of Common
Stock. The Representative's  Warrants are exercisable through February 25, 2000,
at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The holders of the options and warrants
presently  outstanding,  holders of any subsequently issued options and warrants
of the  Company,  as well as the  Representative  will have the  opportunity  to
profit from a rise in the market price of the Common Stock without  assuming the
risk of ownership. Messrs. Murray and Dee who upon consummation of this Offering
will hold an aggregate  of 449,600 New Warrants  have agreed not to sell any New
Warrants,  Preferred  Stock issuable upon the exercise of New Warrants or Common
Stock into which Preferred Stock may be converted for 24 months from the date of
this Prospectus  without the  Underwriter's  prior written consent.  The sale of
Common Stock or other  securities  held by or issuable to any such  holders,  or
merely the potential of such sales,  could have an adverse  effect on the market
price of the Common  Stock.  The  Company  may find it more  difficult  to raise
additional  equity  capital,  if it  should be needed  for the  business  of the
Company,  while any of such  securities  are  outstanding.  At any time when the
holders thereof might be expected to convert or exercise them, the Company would
probably be able to obtain  additional  equity  capital on terms more  favorable
than those provided by such  securities.  To the extent that any such securities
are  converted or  exercised,  as the case may be, the  percentage  of ownership
interest  of  the  Company's  shareholders  will  be  diluted.  See  "Dilution,"
"Management--1994 Employee Stock Option Plan,"  "Management--Nonqualified  Stock
Options,"   "Management--Compensation   of  Directors"   and   "Description   of
Securities--Bridge Warrants."

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

         Of the 2,393,354 shares of Common Stock outstanding, 144,812 shares are
"restricted  securities"  within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, which are being registered pursuant to a
separate registration  statement (see "Concurrent Offering") and 500,000 shares,
which  represent  shares  of  Common  Stock  sold by the  Company  in a  private
placement  in June  1993,  are  freely  tradeable  and  not  subject  to  lockup
restrictions.  All of the  Company's  officers  and  directors  (who own 154,812
shares of Common  Stock in the  aggregate)  have  agreed not to sell,  assign or
transfer  shares of  Preferred  Stock for a period of 36 months from the date of
this Prospectus (except for Messrs.  Zanker,  Murray and Dee who have agreed not
to sell any shares of the Preferred Stock or Common Stock for 24 months from the
date of this Prospectus) without the Underwriter's  prior written consent.  When
freed of these  restrictions,  sales of such  shares by the  Company's  existing
shareholders could have a depressive effect on the price of the shares of Common
Stock in the public market. Such sales could also adversely affect the Company's
ability to raise capital at that time through the sale of its equity securities.
The holders of the  Representative's  Warrants and the Underwriter's Option have
certain  registration  rights with  respect to the  securities  underlying  such
Warrants and Option, commencing February 28, 1996 and respectively.  See "Shares
Eligible for Future Sale."

         In  addition,  the Company  has agreed that  without the consent of the
Underwriter,  it will not sell or offer for sale any of its securities within 24
months (in the case of a public  offering) or within 36 months (in the case of a
private placement) of the date of this Prospectus,  except for securities issued
pursuant to  outstanding  options and warrants,  up to 75,000  options under the
Employee Plan and up to 200,000 options to senior executives of the Company.

NO PUBLIC TRADING MARKET; POSSIBLE DELISTING FROM NASDAQ SMALLCAP MARKET;
DISCLOSURE RELATING TO LOW PRICED STOCKS

         Prior to the Offering,  there has been no public trading market for the
Preferred  Stock and no  assurance  can be given that such a market will develop
or, if developed, that it will continue to be maintained. In addition, there can
be no  assurance  that the  Company  will  meet  the  maintenance  criteria  for
continued  quotation  of its Common  Stock on Nasdaq.  The  continued  quotation
criteria for

                                      -19-

<PAGE>
Nasdaq include,  among other things,  $2,000,000 in total assets,  $1,000,000 in
capital and surplus,  a public float of 100,000 shares with a market value equal
to  $200,000,  two market  makers and a minimum  bid price of $1.00 per share of
common stock.  If an issuer does not meet the $1.00 minimum bid price  standard,
it may, however,  remain on Nasdaq if the market value of its public float is at
least $1,000,000 and the issuer has at least $2,000,000 in equity.  In addition,
Nasdaq has recently proposed changes to the maintenance  requirements  which, if
adopted,  would  replace the total assets and total equity  requirements  with a
requirement  of  net  tangible   assets  (total  assets  less   liabilities  and
intangibles) of $2,000,000 or net income of at least $500,000 in two of the last
three years or a market capitalization of at least $35,000,000.  There can be no
assurance that the Company will continue to satisfy the maintenance  criteria of
Nasdaq. If the Company became unable to meet the continued  maintenance criteria
of Nasdaq and was removed therefrom,  trading, if any, in the Common Stock would
thereafter have to be conducted in the over-the-counter  market in the so-called
"pink sheets" or, if then  available,  Nasdaq's OTC Bulletin Board. As a result,
an investor would find it more  difficult to dispose of, and to obtain  accurate
quotations as to the value of, such securities.

         In addition,  if the trading price of the Preferred  Stock is less than
$5.00 per share,  or if the Common Stock is delisted  from trading on Nasdaq and
the trading  price of the Common Stock is less than $5.00 per share,  trading in
the  Preferred  Stock or the  Common  Stock,  as the case may be,  would also be
subject to the  requirements of Rule 15g-9  promulgated  under the Exchange Act.
Under such rule,  broker/dealers  who recommend  such  low-priced  securities to
persons other than established  customers and accredited  investors must satisfy
special sales practice  requirements,  including a requirement that they make an
individualized  written suitability  determination for the purchaser and receive
the  purchaser's  written  consent  prior  to the  transaction.  The  Securities
Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 also requires additional
disclosure  in connection  with any trades  involving a stock defined as a penny
stock (generally, according to recent regulations adopted by the Commission, any
equity  security not traded on an exchange or quoted on Nasdaq that has a market
price of less than $5.00 per share,  subject to certain  exceptions),  including
the delivery,  prior to any penny stock  transaction,  of a disclosure  schedule
explaining  the penny  stock  market and the risks  associated  therewith.  Such
requirements  could severely limit the market  liquidity of the Preferred  Stock
and the Common Stock and the ability of purchasers in the Offering to sell their
securities in the secondary  market.  There can be no assurance  that the Common
Stock will not be delisted or that the Preferred  Stock or the Common Stock will
not be treated as a penny stock.

DEPENDENCE ON TRADEMARKS

         The trademark THE GREAT AMERICAN  BACKRUB has been  registered with the
United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company presently intends to make
all appropriate  filings and  registrations and take all other actions necessary
to protect its intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance, however,
that the Company will be able to effectively  protect such property rights.  The
failure  by the  Company to protect  such  rights  from  unlawful  and  improper
appropriation may have a material adverse effect on the Company.  If the Company
becomes  involved in litigation  to protect its  intellectual  property,  it may
divert significant Company resources, which could have a material adverse effect
on the  Company  and its  results  or  operations,  and,  if  such a  claim  was
unsuccessful, the Company's business could be materially adversely affected. See
"Business--Trademark Protection."

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This Prospectus contains forward-looking  statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the  Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which
are intended to be covered by the safe harbors  created  thereby.  Investors are
cautioned that all  forward-looking  statements  involve risks and  uncertainty.
Although   the   Company   believes   that  the   assumptions   underlying   the
forward-looking   statements  contained  herein  are  reasonable,   any  of  the
assumptions could be inaccurate and,  therefore,  there can be no assurance that
the forward-looking

                                      -20-

<PAGE>
statements  included in this Prospectus  will prove to be accurate.  In light of
the  significant  uncertainties  inherent  in  the  forward-looking   statements
included herein,  the inclusion of such information  should not be regarded as a
representation  by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans
of the Company will be achieved.

                                      -21-

<PAGE>
                               CONCURRENT OFFERING

         The  Company  has filed a  registration  statement  with  respect to an
offering of 2,000,000  Redeemable  Warrants (sometimes referred to herein as the
"New Warrants"), 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock underlying the New Warrants
and up to  16,144,812  shares of Common  Stock  consisting  of up to  16,000,000
shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of  the  Preferred  Stock
underlying the New Warrants and 144,812 shares of Common Stock, owned by certain
selling  securityholders  (the  "Holders").  Such New  Warrants,  such shares of
Common Stock and such shares of Preferred  Stock may be sold in the open market,
in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise,  directly by the Holders. The
Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of such Redeemable  Warrants
or shares. Expenses of the Concurrent Offering,  other than fees and expenses of
counsel to the  Holders and selling  commissions,  will be paid by the  Company.
Sales of such New Warrants or shares of Common  Stock or Preferred  Stock by the
Holders or the potential of such sales may have an adverse  effect on the market
price  of  the  securities  offered  hereby.  See  "Risk  Factors  -  Effect  of
Outstanding   Options   and   Warrants,   Company's   Stock   Option   Plan  and
Representative's  Warrants;  Dilutive  Effects" and "Description of Securities -
Description of Bridge Warrants and New Warrants."

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         The net  proceeds to be  received  by the Company  from the sale of the
Preferred Stock offered hereby at an assumed public offering price of $10.00 per
Share,  after  deducting  underwriting  discounts  and  expenses  payable by the
Company,  are  estimated  to be  $2,000,000  ($2,400,000  if  the  Underwriter's
over-allotment  option is exercised in full). The Company  presently  intends to
use the net proceeds as follows:

      APPLICATION OF NET             APPROXIMATE           PERCENTAGE OF
           PROCEEDS                     AMOUNT              NET PROCEEDS
           --------                     ------              ------------

Construction of Stores(1)........     $1,200,000                  60

Satisfaction of Bridge
Notes(2).........................        262,667                  13

Working Capital(3)...............        537,333                  27
                                       ---------                  --

                  Total..........     $2,000,000                 100%
                                       =========                 ====

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

(1)      Store construction cost is assumed to be $100,000 per store,  including
         pre-opening costs (such as brokerage,  lease security deposits,  etc.),
         leasehold  improvements,   fixtures,  promotion,  equipment  and  store
         inventory;  assumes  construction of 12 stores over the next two years.
         The  Company  will  incur  these  construction  expenses  directly  for
         Company-owned stores and, in order to facilitate the opening of certain
         initial franchise locations,  the Company may agree to loan to selected
         franchisees  a portion of the  anticipated  cost of opening a franchise
         location.  Currently,  the Company does not  anticipate  offering  such
         financing for more than five  franchise  locations.  In each case,  the
         maximum amount of any such loan would be $50,000. Terms are anticipated
         to be interest only (at prime plus two points, adjusted annually) for a
         period of two years with the balance fully amortized over the following
         three years.  All loans would be secured by the assets of the franchise
         location and the franchise agreement itself.

(2)      Represents  satisfaction  of Bridge  Notes in the  aggregate  principal
         amount of $262,667  issued by the Company in the Bridge  Financing  for
         working
                                      -22-

<PAGE>



         capital  and  general  corporate  purposes,  which  Bridge  Notes  bear
         interest  at the rate of 10% per annum and  mature  on the  earlier  to
         occur of completion of the Offering or December 27, 1997.

(3)      The Company may seek to utilize funds  allocated to working capital for
         business or product acquisitions. See "Business--Intended Expansion and
         Marketing  Strategy." The Company may seek to acquire,  where feasible,
         businesses that are compatible  with those of the Company.  The Company
         does not currently have any  agreements,  commitments  or  arrangements
         with respect to any  proposed  acquisitions,  and no  assurance  can be
         given  that any  acquisition  opportunity  will be  consummated  in the
         future.

         The  allocation  of the net  proceeds of the  Offering  set forth above
represents  the Company's best estimate based upon its present plans and certain
assumptions regarding general economic and industry conditions and the Company's
future revenues and  expenditures.  The Company reserves the right to reallocate
these  proceeds  within the  above-mentioned  categories or to other purposes if
management  believes  it is in  the  Company's  best  interests  because  of any
unpredictable  factors such as possible  delays in finding and opening  suitable
Company-owned and franchised locations and variances in estimated costs relating
to the construction and opening of stores.

         Any  additional  net  proceeds   realized  from  the  exercise  of  the
Underwriter's over-allotment option (up to approximately $400,000) will be added
to the Company's working capital.

         The  Company  will  not  receive  any  proceeds  from the sale of up to
2,000,000 New Warrants,  2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock or 8,144,812 shares
of  Common  Stock  offered  by the  Holders  in  the  Concurrent  Offering.  See
"Concurrent Offering."

         Proceeds not immediately required for the purposes described above will
be invested  principally  in United  States  government  securities,  short-term
certificates  of deposit,  money market funds and  interest-bearing  savings and
management accounts.

                                    DILUTION

         At September  30, 1996,  the net tangible book value of the Company was
$2,465,240 or $1.11 per share of Common Stock based on the  2,226,342  shares of
Common Stock then outstanding.  Net tangible book value per share represents the
amount of the Company's  total assets less the amount of  intangible  assets and
liabilities,  divided by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. After
giving  retroactive  effect  to the Pro Forma  Adjustments  (see  footnote  1 of
Prospectus Summary - Summary Financial Information),  the pro forma net tangible
book value of the Company at September  30, 1996 would have been  $2,640,240  or
$1.19 per share of Common  Stock.  After also giving  retroactive  effect to the
receipt of net proceeds (estimated to be approximately $2,000,000) from the sale
of the Preferred  Stock offered  hereby at an assumed  public  offering price of
$10.00 per Share,  and  assuming  that the  270,000  shares of  Preferred  Stock
included in the Offering were converted to 1,080,000 shares of Common Stock, the
pro forma net  tangible  book value of the Company at  September  30, 1996 would
have been $4,377,573 or $1.32 per share of Common Stock,  representing immediate
dilution of $8.68 per share to new investors (i.e.,  the difference  between the
assumed  public  offering  price  per share of the  Preferred  Stock and the net
tangible book value of the Common Stock after giving effect to this Offering and
the assumed  conversion of the Preferred Stock). The following table illustrates
the per share dilution:

                                      -23-

<PAGE>

Assumed public offering price per share of
         Preferred Stock...........................                $10.00
Net tangible book value per share before Pro
         Forma Adjustments.........................    $1.11
Increase attributable to Pro Forma Adjustments.....      .08
                                                       -----
Pro Forma net tangible book value before
         offering..................................     1.19
Increase attributable to new investors.............      .13
                                                       -----
Adjusted pro forma net tangible book value
         after offering............................                 $1.32
                                                                    =====
Dilution to new investors..........................                 $8.68
                                                                    =====



                                      -24-

<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

         The  following  table sets forth the  capitalization  of the Company at
September  30,  1996 and as adjusted  to reflect  the  issuance  and sale by the
Company of the Preferred  Shares offered  hereby at an assumed  public  offering
price of $10.00 per Share and satisfaction of the Bridge Notes with a portion of
the proceeds of this Offering. See "Use of Proceeds."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                             September 30, 1996
                                                            ------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                        AS
                                                             Actual             Pro Forma(1)        Adjusted(1)(2)
                                                             ------             ------------        --------------

<S>                                                          <C>               <C>                  <C>       
Bridge Notes................................................ $      -0-        $      -0- (3)       $      -0-
                                                             ----------        ----------           ----------

Shareholders' equity

      Common Stock, 20,000,000 shares
      authorized; 2,226,342 shares issued
      and outstanding(3)....................................      2,226             2,226                2,226

      Preferred Stock, $.001 par value,
      15,000,000 shares authorized; as
      adjusted, 270,000 shares                                                                             270
      outstanding...........................................

      Additional paid-in-capital............................  8,223,342         8,398,342           10,398,072

      Deficit...............................................(5,722,828)       (5,722,828)          (5,985,495)
                                                            -----------       -----------          -----------

Total shareholders equity ..................................  2,502,740         2,677,740            4,415,073
                                                              ---------         ---------            ---------

Total capitalization........................................ $2,502,740        $2,677,740           $4,415,073
                                                             ==========        ==========           ==========
</TABLE>
- -----------------------------

(1)      Gives effect to the consummation of the Bridge  Financing  (issuance of
         $262,667 of Bridge Notes for $262,667 and 4,000,000 Bridge Warrants for
         $4,000)  including  the  recording  of $262,667 of loan  discount as an
         increase  in  additional  paid-in  capital and  charging to  additional
         paid-in capital of financing  expenses of $91,667 related to the Bridge
         Financing.

(2)      Adjusted to  reflect:  (i) the  issuance of 270,000  shares of Series B
         Convertible  Preferred  Stock  offered  by the  Company  hereby and the
         anticipated  use of proceeds to satisfy the  $262,667 of Bridge  Notes;
         and (ii) the write-off of $262,667 of loan discount.

(3)      Net of $262,667 of loan discount.

(4)      Does not include  370,000  shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
         upon exercise of certain  outstanding  options granted to the Company's
         executive officers and a former officer,  75,000 shares of Common Stock
         reserved for issuance  pursuant to the Company's  1994  Employee  Stock
         Option Plan (the  "Employee  Plan")  (8,500 of which  options have been
         granted to date),  110,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
         upon exercise of certain warrants granted in connection with a previous
         financing,  an aggregate of 125,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
         issuance upon exercise of warrants granted to the representative of the
         underwriters in connection with the Company's  initial public offering,
         an  aggregate of 50,000  shares of Common  Stock  reserved for issuance
         upon exercise of certain options issued to directors of the Company, an
         aggregate of 148,500  shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon
         exercise of outstanding  options  granted to  consultants  and a former
         consultant to the Company and an aggregate of 100,000  shares of Common
         Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of  outstanding  warrants
         granted to a consultant to the Company.  See  "Management--Nonqualified
         Stock   Options,"   "Management--1994   Employee  Stock  Option  Plan,"
         "Management--Compensation    of   Directors"   and    "Description   of
         Securities--Bridge Warrants."

                                      -25-

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

         The following  discussion  and analysis  should be read in  conjunction
with the Company's  Financial  Statements and the related notes thereto included
elsewhere herein.

GENERAL

         The Company's revenues are derived primarily from the service of seated
fully  clothed  back  rubs and the sale of back  related  and  stress  reduction
products. The Company began operations in August 1993 and opened its first store
for business in October  1993.  As of September  30, 1996,  the Company had nine
Company-owned  retail stores in New York City and one in The Westchester mall in
White Plains, New York.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The following  table sets forth the  percentage  relationship  to total
revenues of certain items included in the Company's Statement of Operations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    December 18,
                                                                                              Nine Months Ended       1992
                                                         Year Ended December 31,                September 30,       (Inception) to
                                                      ----------------------------      -----------------------     September 30,
                                                          1994              1995         1995          1996             1996
                                                      ------------        --------      -------       ---------     -------------

<S>                                                      <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>      
Revenues:
  Services......................................           74.31            72.74         84.05        77.55          75.12
  Products......................................           19.34            27.12         15.68        22.45          23.72
  Royalties, franchise fees
        and other...............................            6.35             0.14          0.32            -           1.16
                                                          ------           ------         ------         -----        -----

Total revenues..................................          100.00%          100.00%       100.00%      100.00%        100.00%
                                                          -------          -------       -------      -------        -------

Operating Expenses:
      Salaries and wages........................           63.24           102.38        111.93        50.34          71.75
      Cost of products sold,
       buying and occupancy.....................           12.50            22.40          7.92        15.25          18.03
      Rental Expense............................           30.49            34.10         31.27        22.55          28.50
      Advertising and
       promotion................................            5.24            13.20         11.91         3.75           9.43
      General and
       administrative...........................           83.24           126.60        136.19        87.63          98.50
      Depreciation..............................            2.92             5.43          2.25         3.13           3.80
      Waived salaries...........................           45.22             2.50          4.70           -            8.78
                                                           -----           ------        ------         ------        -----
Total expenses..................................          242.85%          305.62%       306.17%      182.65%       (238.85)%
                                                          -------          -------       -------      -------       ---------

Net loss from operations........................         (142.85)%        (205.62)%     (206.17)%     (82.65)%      (138.85)%
                                                         ---------        ---------     ---------     --------      ---------

Other Income (Expense):
  Interest Income                                           0.00            12.45         20.35         4.19           5.83
  Interest (Expense)                                      (15.26)          (26.10)       (49.19)           -         (10.58)
                                                          -------          -------       -------         -----       -------

Total Interest (Expense)                                  (15.26)%         (13.65)%      (28.84)%       4.19%       (  4.75)%
                                                          --------         --------      --------     -------       ---------

Net loss                                                 (158.11)%        (219.27)%     (235.01)%     (78.46)%      (143.60)%
                                                         =========        =========     =========     ========      =========
</TABLE>

         The  Company is in the  development  stage and has not had  significant
revenues since the  commencement of its retail store operations in October 1993.
From this time through September 30, 1996, the Company has generated  cumulative
revenues of $3,984,814 while incurring cumulative net losses of $5,722,828.  The
loss has been  primarily due to the Company's  establishment  of a corporate and
administrative  infrastructure  to  position  itself to open  additional  retail
stores. The Company expects to incur operating losses for the next 12 months and
possibly longer as it embarks on its planned expansion.

                                      -26-

<PAGE>
         The Company presently sells services, in the form of its back rubs, and
products,  in the form of a variety of massage and stress reduction products, in
its retail stores. Since inception,  sales of services have accounted for 75% of
total revenue,  products for 24% and the remaining 1% from other sources.  Since
the Company is still a  development  stage  enterprise,  it is not clear whether
these percentages are indicative of future ratios in a larger operation.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995

         For the nine months ended  September  30, 1996,  revenues from services
and products at the  company's  stores  increased  209% to  $1,969,504  from the
corresponding  1995 period.  This  increase was mainly  attributed  to increased
traffic and the opening of  additional  stores as compared to the  corresponding
1995 period.  Operating expenses were $3,597,389 for the nine month period ended
September  30, 1996 as compared to  $1,952,457  for the same period in the prior
year, an increase of 84%. This increase was primarily due to the  development of
a  management  team,  operational  systems,  marketing  and design  plans in the
implementation of the Company's expansion plans and non cash charges relating to
the issuance of options of approximately  $350,000. As a result of the increased
operating expenses,  net loss for the nine month period ended September 30, 1996
increased to $1,545,278  compared to $1,498,690 for the prior year. No provision
for  income  taxes  was  required  during  either  period  due to the  Company's
incurrence of net operating losses.

         While general and administrative  expenses are expected to increase due
to the  need  for  additional  management  and  administrative  support  for the
Company's expanding operations,  these expenses as a percentage of total revenue
are expected to decline as total revenue increases. Other expense items, such as
advertising and promotion,  salaries and wages, cost of products,  however,  are
related to retail operations  themselves and their relative percentages to total
revenues  are  likely  to remain  fairly  constant  in the near term but  should
decrease as the Company streamlines it operations.

FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1994

         For the year ended  December  31,  1995,  revenues  from  services  and
products at the Company's  stores  increased to $1,201,941  compared to $707,720
for  the  prior  year.  This  net  increase  of  $494,221  (70%)  was  primarily
attributable to increased traffic and the opening of seven new stores. Operating
expenses  were  $3,685,191  for the year ended  December 31, 1995 as compared to
$1,718,695 for the prior year, an increase of $1,966,496  (114%).  This increase
was primarily due to the development of a management team,  operational systems,
and marketing and design plans in the implementation of the Company's  expansion
plans.  As a result of the increased  operating  expenses,  the net loss for the
year ended December 31, 1995 increased to $2,647,255  compared to $1,118,975 for
the prior year.  No provision  for income taxes was required  during either year
due to the Company's incurrence of net operating losses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The Company had $1,377,331 in working capital as of September 30, 1996,
compared  with  working  capital of  $2,941,345  as of September  30, 1995.  The
decrease is primarily due to amounts spent on property,  equipment and leasehold
improvements  to fund the  Company's  initial  nine stores and amounts  spent on
operations in the development of a corporate  infrastructure  in anticipation of
the Company's growth strategy.

         From  inception  to September  30, 1996,  the Company has used cash for
operating  activities of $4,323,426  and spent an additional  $1,186,577 for the
purchase of property,  equipment,  purchased leases,  leasehold improvements and
investments.  These  expenditures  have been offset by the net cash  provided by
financing activities, principally from the Company's October 1993 private

                                      -27-

<PAGE>
placement  of Common  Stock  aggregating  $870,000,  the  December  1994  bridge
financing in the principal  amount of $275,000,  the Company's March 1995 public
offering  of  common  stock  resulting  in the  net  proceeds  of  approximately
$5,127,732  and the  issuance of Common  Stock to warrant and option  holders of
approximately  $848,447.  Since the  Company  continues  to have a high level of
operating   expenses  and  will  be  required  to  make   significant   up-front
expenditures in connection with its proposed expansion,  the Company anticipates
that losses will  continue  for at least the next 12 months and until such time,
if ever,  as the  Company is able to  generate  significant  revenues or achieve
profitable  operations.  As a result, in their report of the Company's financial
statements as of December 31, 1995, the Company's  independent  certified public
accountants  have  included an  explanatory  paragraph  that  describes  factors
raising  substantial  doubt about the  Company's  ability to continue as a going
concern.

INFLATION

         The Company  believes that  inflation has not had a material  effect on
its operations to date.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking  statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities  Act and  Section 21E of the  Exchange
Act,  which are  intended  to be covered by the safe  harbors  created  thereby.
Although   the   Company   believes   that  the   assumptions   underlying   the
forward-looking   statements  contained  herein  are  reasonable,   any  of  the
assumptions could be inaccurate,  and therefore,  there can be no assurance that
the  forward-looking  statements  included in this  Prospectus  will prove to be
accurate.  Factors  that could cause  actual  results to differ from the results
discussed in the forward- looking  statements  include,  but are not limited to,
those  discussed in "Risk  Factors." In light of the  significant  uncertainties
inherent in the forward- looking  statements  included herein,  the inclusion of
such information  should not be regarded as a  representation  by the Company or
any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved.

                           PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

         On February  28,  1995,  the Common  Stock was listed for  quotation on
Nasdaq under the symbol "RUBB." Prior to such listing, the Common Stock had been
traded on the OTC Bulletin  Board since October 18, 1993.  The  following  table
sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low bid for the Common Stock
as  reported  by the OTC  Bulletin  Board (as  adjusted  to reflect  the 1 for 8
reverse stock split effected on February 23, 1995),  as well as the high and low
bid for the Common Stock on Nasdaq.  Quotations  reflect prices between dealers,
without  retail  mark-up,  mark-down  or  commissions  and may  not  necessarily
represent actual transactions.

                                    High Bid       Low Bid
                                   ----------   ------------

1994
        1st Quarter.............      $24.00        $ 9.52
        2nd Quarter.............      $24.00        $ 6.00
        3rd Quarter.............      $16.00        $ 3.50
        4th Quarter.............      $12.00        $ 4.00

1995
        1st Quarter.............      $ 9.00        $ 2.75
        2nd Quarter.............      $ 3.94        $ 1.84
        3rd Quarter.............      $ 2.94        $ 1.88
        4th Quarter.............      $ 4.00        $ 1.75

1996
        1st Quarter.............      $ 4.125       $ 3.06


                                      -28-

<PAGE>

        2nd Quarter............       $ 6.63         3.25
        3rd Quarter............       $ 4.88         2.50
        4th Quarter............       $ 4.625        3.25


         On _________, 1997, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on
Nasdaq was $_____.

         As of  January  7, 1997,  the  Company  had 96 holders of record of its
Common Stock.

         Application  has been made to have the shares of Common Stock  issuable
upon  conversion of the Preferred  Stock  approved for quotation on Nasdaq under
the symbol "RUBB".

                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

         The Company has not declared or paid any  dividends on the Common Stock
and does not intend to declare or pay any  dividends  on the Common Stock in the
foreseeable future. The Company currently intends to reinvest earnings,  if any,
in the development  and expansion of its business.  The declaration of dividends
in the future will be at the election of the Board of Directors  and will depend
upon the earnings,  capital  requirements and financial position of the Company,
general economic conditions and other relevant factors.

                                    BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

         The Company is a development stage company engaged in the creation of a
national  chain of stores  under the name "The Great  American  BackRub  Store,"
which offer  reasonably-priced  back rubs to customers while they are seated and
fully  clothed in a clean,  open,  non-threatening  environment.  The  Company's
stores  will also  offer  back rub  services  off-site,  to  corporate  offices,
convention  centers and tourist  attractions.  The  Company  currently  owns and
operates 11 retail stores in New York City, one in The Westchester mall in White
Plains,  New York,  and one at the  Woodfield  Mall in the Chicago  metropolitan
area. In addition,  the Company recently  entered into franchise  agreements for
two locations,  one at the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, New York and the
other at the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver,  Colorado, and granted an option for a
third franchise in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area.

         The  Company's  growth  strategy  is to  be  implemented  primarily  by
Terrance Murray, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, who previously served as
the executive vice president, operations of Supercuts, Inc. Supercuts, Inc. is a
hair care chain with in excess of 1,000  company-owned  and franchised stores in
43 states and Puerto Rico. The Company  believes that the  substantial  national
retail and franchise experience of Mr. Murray will be an asset to the Company.

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

         With  the  increasing   awareness  that  health  is  a  key  factor  in
determining  worker  productivity,  a number of businesses  have emerged to help
promote physical and mental well-being.  This health consciousness  movement has
led to the rapid  expansion  of  businesses  such as health  clubs,  spas,  diet
centers/alternative  education schools,  health and fitness magazines and health
equipment manufacturers.

         Back pain and stress have become  increasingly  serious health concerns
in modern society.  The effects of poor posture,  long hours at desks/keyboards,
and increased  stress and work related  pressures have all resulted in a society
that suffers  from chronic  backaches  and muscular  tension.  The July 14, 1994
issue of THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE reported that backaches rank second
only to respiratory infections as the leading cause of work absences and are the
number one basis for  worker's  compensation  claims and that over 80 percent of
the American adult population suffers from back pain on an occasional basis.

                                      -29-

<PAGE>
         In recent years,  preventive health care has taken on new meaning, both
for the consumer and many employers. The December 25, 1994 issue of THE NEW YORK
TIMES  reported that a small but growing  number of  corporations  are including
massage in their employee health programs.

         Although the number is increasing, only a small percentage of Americans
utilize massage on a regular basis.  Management believes that this is so because
of the  consumer's  perception  that the typical  back rub is high  priced,  not
convenient  to schedule or travel to, and requires the customer to be undressed.
The Company  believes that The Great American  BackRub Store is sensitive to and
addresses all of these concerns.  The pricing structure ($8.95,  $16.95, $28.95,
$38.95 and $49.95,  respectively  for 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 minute back rubs) is
perceived by customers to be very  reasonable.  Stores are located in convenient
locations and no appointments  are required.  The customer remains fully clothed
during the entire back rub sequence  and,  because of the openness of the entire
location, is confident of the "safeness" of the experience.

         Results  from the  Company's  computerized  point-of-sale  (POS) system
indicate  that repeat  customers  account for an average of 60% of the Company's
daily customers.  A majority (60%) of the customers are women,  with the typical
customer being between the ages of 25 and 50.

CONCEPT

         By design, The Great American BackRub Store is a specialty  interactive
retailer  offering a wide range of massage  and stress  reduction  products.  In
addition to experiencing the hands-on interaction of the back rub, customers are
able to view the entire process from both the street and inside the store.  Once
inside, customers are encouraged to sample and test the products on display. The
Company therefore believes that the combination of the boutique retailer concept
with back rub services makes The Great American  BackRub Store a unique shopping
experience.

         The  Company's  concept  is to provide a clean,  open,  non-threatening
environment  where  people  can enjoy the  benefits  of a back rub as a daily or
weekly  stress  relaxation  technique  without  having to  undress  and  without
incurring  the time and  expense  of a  conventional  massage.  Integral  to the
Company's  strategy is the sale of massage and stress reduction products in each
of its stores,  including  oils,  bath salts,  back supports and  electronic and
mechanical stress reduction devices.

         The focus of the  Company's  service  business is a 5, 10, 20, 30 or 45
minute back rub that consists of an 18-step massage  sequence of the back, neck,
shoulders, arms and hands conducted on the Company's specially designed back rub
chair.  These areas  represent  eighty percent of the areas  normally  worked on
during a full body massage, without the space-consuming tables or necessity that
the customer undress. In the 20, 30 and 45 minute sequences,  additional time is
spent on  particular  areas where either the customer or the  therapist  detects
stress or tension.  The  percentage  of customers  purchasing  the 20, 30 and 45
minute  sequences  has  increased  to almost 50% of services.  In addition,  the
Company  offers  scalp  massages  and has  designed  a foot rub  sequence  which
involves the customer wearing a disposable sock during a reflexology treatment.

STORE DESIGN, OPERATIONS AND CONTROLS

         The  typical  Great  American   BackRub  Store  location   consists  of
approximately  600 to 1,200  square  feet,  including  300 to 600 square feet of
retail space. Customers are seated on a specially-designed  chair which provides
cushioned  support  for the  chest,  arms and head.  The  Company's  stores  are
designed to permit people both inside and outside the store to view the back rub
process and at the same time maintain the privacy of the back rub customer.

         Each of the Company's  stores will typically be staffed with a manager,
an assistant manager, and between ten and twenty part-time therapists, depending
upon the size of the store.

                                      -30-

<PAGE>

         The Company's stores, as well as intended  franchisee-operated  stores,
will be located in leased  facilities  with high pedestrian  traffic,  including
metropolitan  areas,  shopping malls,  popular tourist attractions and specialty
locations  such  as  airports,  casinos  and  convention  centers.  Stores  will
generally be open seven days a week from early morning to late evening.

         The back rub services  are  provided by licensed or  certified  massage
therapists  who, as  employees,  earn  between  $10.00 and $16.00 per hour.  All
therapists are required to wear the Company's  standard uniform:  Company shirt,
white pants and white athletic shoes. See "Employees; Employee Training."

         Management has installed  certain  store-level  internal controls which
minimize  incidents of employee  theft and  maximize the flow of pertinent  data
from the store to the Company's accounting department.  When a customer enters a
store, the receptionist greets the customer,  answers any questions the customer
may have, and then prepares a pre-numbered "ticket" on which the customer's name
and requested  service(s) are printed.  The next available  therapist then takes
the ticket from the  receptionist,  leads the  customer to the back rub area and
performs one of three back rub  sequences.  At the end of the back rub sequence,
the therapist verifies the ticket,  escorts the customer to the receptionist and
returns  the  ticket.  The  receptionist  collects  the payment due and issues a
receipt to the customer. At no time does the therapist collect any payments from
the customer.  At the end of the day, all pre-numbered tickets must be accounted
for, and cash  deposits  must balance with reports  generated by the store's POS
system.

         The POS system  currently being used by management is that used in over
800 Supercuts stores. In addition to normal cash register functions,  the system
generates  a  sophisticated  array of reports  and cross  checks  which  provide
management  with immediate  access to sales data,  labor  scheduling,  inventory
changes,   cash  shortages  and  employee   productivity.   The  information  is
automatically  downloaded every night to the Company's office in New York and is
available for management's review and use the following day.

NEW YORK AND ILLINOIS LOCATIONS--COMPANY-OWNED STORES

         The Company currently has 11 New York City Great American BackRub Store
locations,  one location in The Westchester  mall in White Plains,  New York and
one  location  in the  Woodfield  Mall in  Schaumberg,  Illinois  near  Chicago.
Together,  these stores  employ a total of  approximately  90 full and part-time
employees. See "Employees; Employee Training."

         The location and lease  expiration date of each of the Company's stores
are summarized below:

     LOCATION                        LEASE EXPIRATION DATE
     --------                        ---------------------

958 Third Avenue                         August 31, 2003
New York, New York

323-5 Bleecker Street                    May 31, 2005
New York, New York

527 Third Avenue                         January 31, 2002
New York, New York

160 Spring Street                        February 28, 2005
New York, New York

1573 Second Avenue                       July 31, 2005
New York, New York

514 Columbus Avenue                      December 31, 2004
New York, New York


                                      -31-

<PAGE>

2265 Broadway                            October 31, 2005
New York, New York

Westchester-Store Mall                   July 14, 2005
White Plains, New York

138 7th Avenue                           May 11, 2003
Brooklyn, New York

171 West 71st Street                     June 30, 2006
New York, New York

250 West 91st Street                     October 31, 2006
New York, New York

2195 Broadway                            October 31, 2006
New York, New York

Woodfield Mall                           December 30, 2004
Schaumberg, Illinois

         The Company's  corporate office is leased and is located at 425 Madison
Avenue,  New York, New York.  The Company  believes that this office is adequate
for its current and presently  foreseeable  needs or that  adequate  replacement
space is available.

INTENDED EXPANSION

         Although no assurance can be given, the Company plans to open a minimum
of 40  Company-owned  and/or  franchised  stores  during  the  next  two  years.
Management  believes an important  element of  "marketing"  is the  selection of
prime  locations with heavy traffic  patterns.  During the initial  expansion of
both Company and  franchised  stores,  sites will be  generally  limited to high
traffic locations such as malls, popular tourist attractions, and busy specialty
locations (e.g. airports, casinos and convention centers).

         Management   estimates  that  its  current   average  cost  to  open  a
Company-owned store location is approximately  $100,000,  including  pre-opening
costs,  leasehold  improvements,  fixtures,  equipment and store inventory.  The
Company,  in  its  franchise  offering  circular,  estimates  that  the  initial
investment  required by a franchisee,  including the initial  franchise  fee, is
approximately  $70,000  to  $135,000,  depending  upon a  number  of  variables,
including  leasehold  related  costs  and  improvements,  inventory,  equipment,
training fees and staffing.

         The Company  supplements its retail  operations with corporate or other
off-site service and intends to actively  increase this portion of its business.
This service  involves  having one or more therapists  taking  portable  massage
chairs to a place of business,  convention center or tourist  attraction.  Since
the  only  operating   costs   associated   with  this  service  are  labor  and
transportation,  the profit margins on such corporate and other offsite work are
significant.

         To encourage  repeat  business,  the Company has  developed a "Frequent
Rub"  program  which  rewards  repeat  customers  with a free back rub after the
purchase of nine back rubs. The Company also actively  promotes the sale of gift
certificates by giving a similar discount on the purchase of nine  certificates.
As  an  extension  of  the  gift  certificate  program,  the  Company  tested  a
Valentine's  Day card  which  included  a gift  certificate.  As a result of the
success of this program, the Company has expanded such program to include a line
of gift and holiday certificates.

         The Company may also seek to acquire,  where feasible,  companies whose
business is compatible with that of the Company.  The Company does not currently
have any agreements,  commitments or  arrangements  with respect to any proposed
acquisitions,  and no assurance  can be given that any  acquisition  opportunity
will  be  consummated  in the  future.  The  Company  is  also  considering  the
development or

                                      -32-

<PAGE>
acquisition  of a mail  order  catalog  to sell  products  related to its retail
operations under The Great American BackRub name.

FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT

         The Company  anticipates  that a  significant  portion of the Company's
growth will be through  franchising.  Management  has  developed  a  franchising
program which is based largely on management's  prior experience with Supercuts,
Inc. See  "Management." The franchise plan calls for the sale of individual unit
franchises as opposed to territorial  sales, to control the respective sites and
to limit the impact of a franchisee whose operating standards are not acceptable
to  management.  Although  sold as  individual  units,  the intention is to sell
multiple  units  within  a market  area to one  franchisee  in order to  achieve
economies of scale.

         Under the  terms of the  Company's  current  franchise  agreement,  the
franchise fee generally is $12,500 per unit. In all cases, the royalty fee is 6%
of gross  revenues  (both  services and products) and 3% of gross revenues (both
services and products) which must be paid to a cooperative advertising fund. The
initial  term of the  franchise  agreement  is five years,  with  options  (upon
payment of a fee) to extend the term for an additional five years. The franchise
agreement  places  strict  limitations  on the  operations  of the  business and
requires the  franchisee to conform to all operations  standards  established by
the Company.  The  franchise  agreement  also requires that all employees of the
franchisee  attend and complete a training  course  conducted or approved by the
Company. In the event the Company conducts the training class, the franchisee is
required to pay the Company a fee for each employee trained.

         The Company's first  franchised store (the "Las Vegas Store") opened in
July 1994 in Las Vegas,  Nevada. The Company entered into a franchise  agreement
(the "Franchise  Agreement") with its Las Vegas franchisee (the "Franchisee") on
June 1, 1994.  Pursuant to the  Franchise  Agreement,  the  Franchisee  paid the
Company an initial,  non-recurring,  non-refundable franchise fee of $10,000. In
addition,  the Franchisee  paid the Company a monthly royalty fee equal to 8% of
the  Franchisee's  gross  monthly  revenues  (as  such  term is  defined  in the
Franchise Agreement). The Franchisee also paid to the Company an advertising and
sales  promotion  fee which is equal to the  greater  of 3% of the  Franchisee's
gross  monthly  revenues  or  $1,000.  On May  30,  1995,  the  Company  and the
Franchisee  entered  into a  franchise  termination  agreement  whereby  (i) the
Franchise  Agreement  and related  sublease  were  terminated,  (ii) the Company
purchased  certain  assets  from the  Franchisee  and (iii) the  Company and the
Franchisee  provided for the mutual  release of any  obligations  of each to the
other whether arising out of the Franchise Agreement, the sublease or otherwise.
The purchase price for the assets  conveyed by the Franchisee to the Company was
$25,000 and 18,185  shares of Common  Stock.  Simultaneously  with the Franchise
Termination Agreement, the Company closed the Las Vegas Store.

         The Company  entered into two option  agreements  (the "Bay Area Option
Agreements")  with  Bay Area  Backs I, a  California  limited  partnership  (the
"Optionee"),  on June 20, 1994 and June 21, 1994, respectively,  for the opening
of two  franchised  stores in the San Francisco  area.  Pursuant to the Bay Area
Option  Agreements,  the  Optionee  paid to the  Company  $5,000 for each of two
options (the "Bay Area  Options") to require the Company to enter into franchise
agreements  with the  Optionee.  On May 30,  1995,  the Company and the Optionee
entered  into an option  termination  agreement  whereby (i) the Bay Area Option
Agreements were terminated,  (ii) the Company  purchased certain assets from the
Optionee and (iii) the Company and the Optionee  provided for the mutual release
of any  obligations  of each to the other  whether  arising  out of the Bay Area
Option  Agreements or otherwise.  The purchase price for the assets  conveyed by
the  Optionee  to the Company and the  termination  of the Bay Area  Options was
$27,300.

         Upon  termination  of the franchise and the options  referred to above,
the Company  suspended  its  franchise  program and  focused on  developing  its
Company-  owned  stores.  Starting in September  1996,  the Company  resumed the
marketing of its franchise program.

                                      -33-

<PAGE>
         As of the date  hereof,  the  Company has  entered  into two  franchise
agreements,  one for a location at Roosevelt Field Mall, Long Island,  New York,
and the second for the Cherry Creek Mall,  Denver,  Colorado.  In addition,  the
Company has entered into an option agreement (the "Franchise Option  Agreement")
for a franchise location in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area. Under
the terms of both  franchise  agreements,  the franchisee has paid the Company a
$12,500 initial, non-recurring,  non-refundable, franchise fee and has agreed to
pay a monthly royalty equal to 6% of the franchise's  gross monthly revenues (as
such  term is  defined  in the  Franchise  Agreement).  Under  the  terms of the
Franchise   Option   Agreement,   the   optionee  has  paid  to  the  Company  a
non-refundable  fee of $5,000 (to be applied to the $12,500 franchise fee in the
event the optionee  signs a franchise  agreement  within 120 days of the date of
the  Franchise  Option  Agreement)  and the  Company  has given the  optionee an
exclusive right to open a Great American  BackRub  franchise  within Los Angeles
and Orange Counties,  California for a period of 120 days. In the event that the
optionee  locates a site within said  counties  that is  acceptable  to both the
Company  and the  optionee,  the Company  and the  franchisee  will enter into a
Franchise Agreement with terms identical to those described above.

COMPETITION

         Management  does  not  know of any  other  multi-unit  retailer  in the
business  in which the  Company  operates.  Competition  currently  consists  of
numerous independent massage therapists, spas, salons and health clubs providing
full body massage,  and a limited number of massage therapists  providing seated
massage  in  non-retail   "off-site"   environments.   As  competition   may  be
anticipated,  however,  due to the  relatively  low cost of entry and absence of
substantial  barriers  into such  business,  no assurance  can be given that the
Company will successfully  compete with any such  competitors,  some of whom may
have substantially greater financial and other resources than the Company.

REGULATION

         The sales of  franchises  in the  United  States is  subject to certain
requirements  established by the FTC. These requirements generally relate to the
disclosure of information  regarding the  franchisor and the rights,  duties and
obligations of the prospective  franchisee.  These  disclosures and explanations
are set forth in a document called a Uniform Franchise  Offering Circular (which
is commonly  referred to as a "UFOC").  Effective  in 1995,  the FTC revised the
disclosure  requirements  for a UFOC to  require,  among  other  things,  "plain
English  language"  disclosures.  The Company  believes it is in compliance with
these changes.

         In addition to the requirements of the FTC, certain states require that
franchisors register in the state and submit a modified UFOC for approval before
offering  franchises  in such  state.  These  state  UFOCs must  comply with the
applicable  state laws, which vary from state to state. The Company is currently
registered in New York, California and Illinois.

         Certain states in which the Company  intends to operate,  including the
States of  Illinois  and New York,  in which the Company  currently  operates 13
Company-owned stores,  require the licensing of massage therapists.  The Company
and its massage  therapist  employees  will also be subject to various state and
local laws and ordinances.

         The Company  believes that it is in compliance with all applicable laws
and regulations and has all required licenses to conduct its business.  However,
no assurances  can be given that current laws or  regulations  applicable to the
Company's  business  will not change.  Any such new laws or  regulations  or the
Company's  expansion  into new  geographic  areas  could  subject the Company to
substantial  costs in order to comply with such  applicable laws or regulations.
Any  failure  by the  Company  to  comply  with  any  new or  existing  laws  or
regulations could subject the Company to substantial penalties.


                                      -34-

<PAGE>
EMPLOYEES; EMPLOYEE TRAINING

         As of December 31, 1996, the Company had 130  employees,  consisting of
three  full-time  members of  management,  10 full-time  managers,  60 full-time
employees and 57 part-time employees,  which includes employees in the Company's
nine New York City store  locations  and one White  Plains,  New York  location.
Other than  members of  management  and the  stores'  manager  who are  salaried
employees, all full and part-time personnel are hourly employees.

         The Company requires each new therapist to participate in the Company's
three to five day  training  program as a condition to  employment.  The program
includes  extensive  training  relating  to the  Company's  5, 10, 20, 30 and 45
minute massage sequences,  product knowledge and customer service.  All back rub
services are  provided by  therapists  who are either  licensed (in states where
such licensing is required) or have completed  training at a school certified by
a recognized trade association.

         It is estimated by the American  Massage  Therapists  Association  that
there are over 120,000 licensed/certified massage therapists in the country. The
Company's  experience has shown that most therapists are  under-employed and are
seeking  part-time  employment to supplement their existing  private  clientele.
This need for part-time employment allows the Company to use flexible scheduling
and minimizes payroll and benefit costs associated with full-time employment.

         Currently,  the  Company  requires  all of its  employee/therapists  to
obtain  professional  liability  insurance in the minimum  amount of  $1,000,000
through one of two professional massage organizations. In some cases the Company
is permitted under the applicable  policy to be named as an additional  insured.
In addition,  the Company has obtained a  professional  liability  policy for an
additional $1,000,000 covering all of its employees.

         All of the Company's employees are non-union. The Company considers its
relationship with its employees to be satisfactory.

TRADEMARK PROTECTION

         The mark THE GREAT  AMERICAN  BACKRUB is the subject of U.S.  Trademark
Registration No. 1,922,629, issued September 26, 1995. The registration includes
the  statement  that the Company does not claim  exclusive  rights to use of the
term  "BACKRUB"  alone,  apart  from  the  trademark  as  shown.  The  trademark
registration  will  remain in full force and effect for a term of ten years from
the date of issue.  However, a declaration of continued use must be filed in the
Trademark  Office no earlier  than the fifth  anniversary  and no later than the
sixth  anniversary of the  registration  in order to avoid  cancellation  of the
registration.   The  registration  gives  the  company  prima  facie  nationwide
exclusivity  to the mark THE GREAT  AMERICAN  BACKRUB as against any third party
adopting a confusingly similar mark after the date of issue.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings which, individually
or in the aggregate, are believed to be material to the Company's business.

                                   MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         The  directors and  executive  officers of the Company,  their ages and
present positions with the Company are as follows:

                                      -35-

<PAGE>

NAME                          AGE         POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
- ----                          ---         -------------------------

William Zanker                 42         Chairman of the Board and President

Terrance C. Murray             47         Chief Executive Officer and Director

Keith Dee                      39         Chief Financial Officer and
                                          Secretary

Stephen Seligman               42         Director

Edward E. Faber                63         Director

Andrew L. Hyams                42         Director

Donald R. Fleischer            42         Director

Peter Hanelt                   51         Director


         All directors of the Company hold office until the next annual  meeting
of the  shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
The  officers of the Company are elected by the Board of  Directors at the first
meeting after each annual meeting of the Company's shareholders, and hold office
until  their  death,  until  they  resign or until they have been  removed  from
office.

         The following is a brief summary of the background of each director and
executive officer of the Company:

         WILLIAM  ZANKER  founded the Company in December 1992 and has served as
the Chairman of the Board of Directors and President  since that time.  Prior to
founding the Company,  Mr. Zanker was the founder and from 1980 to December 1991
the  Chairman  of the Board of  Directors  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of The
Learning Annex, Inc., a national chain offering short,  inexpensive  educational
programs in a variety of subjects.  In December 1991, an involuntary petition in
bankruptcy  was filed  against The Learning  Annex,  Inc.  (Case No.  91-B-12582
(SDNY).  From December 1991 to December 1992, Mr. Zanker was a consultant to The
Learning Annex, Inc.

         TERRANCE C. MURRAY has been a director and Chief  Executive  Officer of
the Company since December 1993.  From February 1993 through  November 1993, Mr.
Murray was a management  consultant.  From May 1991 through  January  1993,  Mr.
Murray was Executive Vice President,  Operations of Supercuts,  Inc., a national
chain of company-owned  and franchised hair care salons with headquarters in San
Francisco,  California.  From July 1985 through  April 1991,  Mr.  Murray was an
attorney  with  the  law  firm  Foley,  McIntosh  &  Foley  located  in  Albany,
California.

         KEITH R. DEE has been the Company's Chief Financial  Officer since July
1995.  From  January 1988 to June 1995,  Mr. Dee was a partner in the  certified
public accounting firm of Elwell, Cangiano, Zdon & Dee LLC. Prior to forming his
partnership,  Mr. Dee was  employed as a  Certified  Public  Accountant  at both
National and Regional accounting firms.

         STEPHEN  SELIGMAN  has been a director  of the Company  since  February
1994.  He has been Chief  Executive  Officer of The Learning  Annex - California
from January 1991 to the present.  From October 1989 through  December 1990, Mr.
Seligman was Chief Executive Officer of The Learning Annex - New York. From 1986
through September 1989, Mr. Seligman was Chief Operating Officer of Hema Systems
Limited, a blood service management company located in New York, New York.

         EDWARD E. FABER became a director of the Company on March 7, 1995.  Mr.
Faber was the  President,  Chief  Executive  Officer and Deputy  Chairman of the
Board of  Directors  of  Supercuts,  Inc.  from June 1991 until he retired  from
active  management in December 1992.  During his tenure at Supercuts,  Mr. Faber
had primary  responsibility for franchise  development and marketing.  From 1976
through  January 1990, he held various  executive  positions with  ComputerLand,
including  President from 1976 to 1983,  President and Chief  Executive  Officer
from  1985 to 1986,  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  from  1986  until
Computerland

                                      -36-

<PAGE>

was sold in 1987,  and Vice Chairman  from 1987 to January  1990.  From February
1990 to April 1991, he was Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer of Dataphaz,  a
ComputerLand franchisee, which was sold to ComputerLand. Additionally, from 1957
to 1969, Mr. Faber held various positions with International  Business Machines.
Mr. Faber also served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

         ANDREW L. HYAMS became a director of the Company on March 7, 1995.  Mr.
Hyams has been a  strategic  planner  for the  Boston  Department  of Health and
Hospitals  since  September  1992 and since  June 1991 has been in  private  law
practice in health law and policy in  Massachusetts.  From September 1990 to May
1991, he attended the Harvard School of Public Health. From 1985 to August 1990,
he served as  general  counsel to the  Massachusetts  Board of  Registration  in
Medicine.  Mr. Hyams has practiced law in New York and Massachusetts in both the
public and private  sectors,  specializing  in health law and regulation and has
written and lectured in this field. Mr. Hyams is also a visiting lecturer at the
Harvard School of Public  Health.  Mr. Hyams holds law and public health degrees
from Harvard Law School and Harvard School of Public Health, respectively.

         DONALD R. FLEISCHER  became a director of the Company on March 7, 1995.
In 1981, Mr. Fleischer co-founded First Moments, Inc., an advertising firm which
is a leader in the marketing and delivery of sample kits to targeted groups, and
has served as its Executive  Vice President  since then.  Mr.  Fleischer is also
President of Additions,  Inc., which specializes in direct  marketing,  contract
packaging and product fulfillment.

         PETER  HANELT  became a director of the  Company on March 7, 1995.  Mr.
Hanelt has been Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Esprit de
Corp., an international women's apparel manufacturer and retailer, since October
1993, and was a consultant in the  development of Esprit's  turnaround  strategy
between April and October 1993.  During his  nineteen-year  career in operations
and finance,  Mr. Hanelt has held a number of Chief Operating  Officer and Chief
Financial  Officer  positions with such  companies as Post Tool,  Inc., a multi-
store,  multi-state  retail chain (from September 1990 to December 1992);  Sam &
Libby,  Inc.,  retailer and  wholesaler of women's shoes (from  February 1990 to
August 1990); and Manetti-Farrow, Inc., the exclusive U.S. wholesaler for Gucci,
Fendi and Mark Cross  accessories and leather goods (from 1983 to January 1990).
In  addition,  Mr.  Hanelt held  executive  financial  positions  at various San
Francisco hospitals,  where he was responsible for a public bond refinancing and
negotiation of a hospital affiliation. He was a certified public accountant with
Deloitte & Touche in San Francisco  from 1975 to 1979.  Mr. Hanelt  received his
undergraduate  degree from the U.S.  Military Academy at West Point in 1967, and
his M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1975.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

         Each Director who is not an employee of the Company will receive $1,000
for each Board or committee meeting  attended.  Employees of the Company receive
no additional  compensation  for service as a director.  All  directors  will be
reimbursed for their reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred in connection
with their duties to the Company.

         The Company  granted  options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock
to each of Messrs.  Seligman,  Faber,  Hyams,  Fleischer  and Hanelt on March 7,
1995.  The options have a per share  exercise  price of $5.00 and vest one-third
upon issuance, one-third on March 7, 1996 and one-third on March 7, 1997.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

         The  Board of  Directors  has  authorized  three  standing  committees:
Executive Committee,  Audit Committee,  and Compensation  Committee (which shall
also function as the Stock Option  Committee).  The Audit Committee  members are
Donald Fleischer, Peter Hanelt (Chairman) and Stephen Seligman. The Compensation
Committee  members are Andrew Hyams  (Chairman) and Edward Faber.  The Executive
Committee members are William Zanker, Terrance Murray and Stephen Seligman. Only
independent   directors  will  be  appointed  to  the  Audit  and   Compensation
Committees.


                                      -37-

<PAGE>

1994 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

         At the Company's 1994 annual meeting of  shareholders  held on July 18,
1994, the Company's  shareholders approved the Employee Plan. The purpose of the
Employee  Plan is to promote the  success of the  Company by  providing a method
whereby  eligible  employees  of the  Company and its  subsidiaries,  as defined
therein, may be awarded additional  remuneration for services rendered,  thereby
increasing  their  personal  interest in the Company.  The Employee Plan is also
intended to aid in attracting persons of suitable ability to become employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries.

         The Employee Plan provides that the maximum  number of shares of Common
Stock  reserved for awards  thereunder  shall be 75,000.  As of the date of this
Prospectus,  options to purchase  8,500 shares of Common  Stock are  outstanding
under the Employee Plan at a weighted average exercise price of $3.50 per share.
The  Employee  Plan  provides  for the grant of (i) options that are intended to
qualify as  incentive  stock  options  ("Incentive  Stock  Options")  within the
meaning of Section 422A of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended,  and
(ii) options not intended to so qualify.  The exercise price of options  granted
under the  Employee  Plan may be more than or equal to the fair market  value of
such shares on the date of grant; provided,  however, that the exercise price of
an  Incentive  Stock  Option at the time of grant  thereof  shall  (i),  if such
Incentive Stock Option is being granted to a 10%  shareholder,  be at least 110%
of the fair market value on the date of grant and (ii), if such Incentive  Stock
Option is being granted to any other person, be at least 100% of the fair market
value on the date of grant.  The  Company  agreed with the  underwriters  of its
initial  public  offering  not to grant or issue  options to purchase  more than
37,500  shares of Common Stock prior to February 28, 1997.  Any options  granted
under the Employee  Plan that shall  expire,  terminate or otherwise be annulled
for any reason  without  having  been  exercised  shall again be  available  for
purposes of the Employee Plan.

         The Employee Plan is to be administered by a committee comprised of not
less than two  persons.  Each member of the  committee  shall be a member of the
Company's  Board of Directors who during the one year period prior to service on
the  committee  was not, and during such service is not,  granted or awarded any
equity securities pursuant to the Employee Plan or any other plan of the Company
if such grant or award or participation in such Employee Plan would prevent such
member from being a "disinterested person" with respect to the Employee Plan for
purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The committee will have the power
and  authority to grant to eligible  persons  options to purchase  shares of the
Company's   Common  Stock  under  the  Employee   Plan  and  to  determine   the
restrictions,  terms and  conditions  of all such options  granted as well as to
interpret the provisions of the Employee Plan, any agreements relating to awards
granted  under the Employee  Plan,  and to supervise the  administration  of the
Employee Plan.

         No Incentive  Stock  Options may be granted to any person for which the
"fair market value," as defined  within the Employee Plan,  determined as of the
time an Incentive  Stock  Option is granted to such person,  of the Common Stock
with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time
by such person  during any calendar  year under all plans of the Company and its
subsidiaries, shall exceed $100,000.

         Subject to the  provisions  of the Employee Plan with respect to death,
retirement and  termination of employment,  the term of each option shall be for
such period as the  committee  shall  determine  as set forth in the  applicable
option agreement, but not more than (i) five years from the date of grant in the
case of Incentive Stock Options held by 10% or greater shareholders and (ii) ten
years from the date of grant in the case of all other Incentive Stock Options.

         The Employee Plan is intended to comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange  Act. No option  grants have been awarded  under the Employee
Plan as of the date of this Prospectus.

                                      -38-

<PAGE>

         It is  currently  contemplated  that  approval of an  amendment  to the
Employee  Plan  increasing  the number of shares of Common Stock  available  for
issuance  thereunder  will be sought at the Company's next annual  Shareholders'
Meeting which is expected to occur in May 1997.

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

         In  December  1994,  the Company  granted ten year  options to purchase
120,000  shares of Common  Stock to each of  Messrs.  Zanker,  Murray and Steven
Thompson,   then  the  Company's  Chief  Financial  Officer.  Such  options  are
exercisable  at a price of $3.75 per share.  One-third  of such  options  became
exercisable  in March 1995,  one-third  became  exercisable in December 1995 and
one-third  becomes  exercisable  in  December  1996.  In July 1995,  the Company
granted  five-year options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock to each of
Messrs.  Zanker and Murray, each exercisable at a price of $1.875 per share. All
such options have been  exercised.  In July 1995, the Company granted options to
purchase  10,000 shares of Common Stock to Mr. Dee. Such options are exercisable
at a price of $2.5625  per share.  Options to  purchase  5,000  shares  vest and
become  exercisable  in July 1996 and options to purchase  an  additional  5,000
shares vest and become  exercisable in July 1997. All such options expire on the
day before the 5-year anniversary of vesting. In March 1995, the Company granted
ten year options to purchase  100,000  shares of Common Stock to a consultant to
the Company.  Such options are  exercisable  at a price of $5.00 per share.  All
such  options are  currently  exercisable.  In July 1995,  the  Company  granted
five-year  options to purchase  65,000 shares of Common Stock to  consultants to
the Company.  Such options are  exercisable  at a price of $4.00 per share.  All
such options are  currently  exercisable.  In August 1995,  the Company  granted
three-year options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock to a consultant to
the Company of which options to purchase 76,500 shares have been exercised. Such
options are  exercisable  at a price of $2.375 per share.  All such  options are
currently  exercisable.  In  February  1996,  the  Company  granted  warrants to
purchase  300,000  shares of Common Stock to the  Underwriter,  100,000 of which
were  exercisable  at a  price  of  $1.00  per  share,  200,000  of  which  were
exercisable at a price of $2.50 per share, and all of which have been exercised.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

         The Company has entered into an agreement  with Mr. Zanker  pursuant to
which he is employed  full-time  as the  President  of the Company for a term of
three years,  commencing as of November 1, 1994.  Mr. Zanker will be required to
devote  substantially  all of his business  time and attention to the affairs of
the Company.  Mr.  Zanker will receive an annual base salary of $120,000 for the
first two years of the  agreement.  The salary for the third year will be set by
the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.  Mr. Zanker will
also be entitled to receive an annual  bonus,  if, when and as may be determined
by the  Company's  Board of  Directors.  In addition,  Mr. Zanker will receive a
bonus ("Performance  Bonus") of $100,000 payable anytime during the initial term
of  the  employment  agreement  upon  (i)  the  opening  of an  aggregate  of 40
Company-owned  and/or  franchised  stores or (ii) the  Common  Stock  trading at
$10.00 per share for 30  consecutive  trading  days at any time after August 28,
1995,  or (iii) the Company's  revenues for any of the years ended  December 31,
1995, 1996 or 1997 equalling or exceeding  $12.5 million,  exclusive of revenues
from  acquired  companies.  The  employment  agreement  contains  a  non-compete
provision  during the term of the  agreement  and for two years  thereafter.  In
addition, Mr. Zanker shall be entitled to receive such benefits as are generally
provided from time to time by the Company to its senior management employees, as
well as to  participate  in the Company's  stock option plan as may from time to
time be in effect.

         The Company has entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr.
Murray similar to that of Mr. Zanker,  commencing  November 1, 1994,  containing
generally  the same  terms and  conditions  as  provided  for  above;  provided,
however,  that Mr.  Murray shall be entitled to receive a  Performance  Bonus of
$130,000  payable  on  the  achievement  of the  same  performance  criteria  as
described above. Mr. Murray's employment agreement provides for Mr. Murray to be
employed as Chief Executive Officer.


                                      -39-

<PAGE>

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The  following  table  sets  forth  information  concerning  the annual
compensation of the Company's  chief  executive  officer and one other executive
officer for services in all  capacities to the Company during the Company's last
three fiscal years.

         SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


                                              Annual Compensation
                                  --------------------------------------------


                                  YEAR                                  SALARY
                                  ----                                  ------

William Zanker                    1993                                     *
  Chairman of the Board           1994                                     *
                                  1995                                 $108,308

Terrance C. Murray                1993                                     *
  Chief Executive Officer         1994                                     *
                                  1995                                 $108,308


- ------------------
*        Messrs. Zanker and Murray received no compensation for either of fiscal
         year 1993 or 1994.


                     OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

         The following  table sets forth  certain  information  regarding  stock
option  grants made to each of the named  executive  officers  during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              Potential Realizable
                                                                                                               Value at Assumed
                                                                                                               Annual Rates of
                                                         Individual Grants for Option Term                    Stock Appreciation
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------


                             Number of
                             Shares of
                            Common Stock             % of Total
                             underlying             Options/SARs
                              Options/               Granted to          Exercise of
                            SARs Granted            Employees in         Base Price       Expiration
        Name                    (#)                 Fiscal Year          ($/Share)            Date            5% ($)      10% ($)
        ----                ---------------         --------------       ------------     -----------         ------      -------

<S>                           <C>                       <C>                <C>             <C>                <C>         <C>
William Zanker                100,000                   21.5%              $1.875          7/18/00            $51,500     $114,500

Terrance C. Murray            100,000                   21.5%              $1.875          7/18/00            $51,500     $114,500
</TABLE>


               AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                      AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES

         The following  table provides  information on options/SAR  exercises in
1995 by the named executive officers and the value of such officers' unexercised
options/SARs at December 31, 1995.


                                      -40-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


 Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year, and Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Value Table
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                               Number of
                                                               Securities
                                                               Underlying         Value of
                                                               Unexercised        Unexercised
                                                               Options/SARs at    in-the-Money
                                                               Fiscal Year End    Options/SARs
                        Shares Acquired      Value Realized    Exercisable/       Exercisable/
                        on Exercise (#)           ($)          Unexercisable     Unexercisable
NAME                    ------------------   --------------    ----------------  ---------------
- ----

<S>                            <C>                 <C>         <C>               <C>
William Zanker                 0                   0           140,000/80,000    $205,000/10,000

Terrance C. Murray             0                   0           140,000/80,000    $205,000/10,000
</TABLE>


         The  Company  has  obtained  individual  term life  insurance  policies
covering Messrs.  Zanker and Murray in the amount of $2,000,000 per person.  The
Company is the sole  beneficiary  under these policies and the Company will keep
such policies in force for a minimum of three years from March 7, 1995.

                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

         In June 1993,  the Company  issued to Debbie  Dworkin,  the wife of the
Company's Chairman of the Board, William Zanker,  187,500 shares of Common Stock
for nominal  consideration  upon the  founding of the Company.  Ms.  Dworkin has
transferred  an  aggregate  of  105,188 of such  shares to certain  individuals,
including 34,375 shares sold to Terrance Murray and 21,875 shares sold to Steven
Thompson.

         In  December  1994,  each of Messrs.  Zanker and  Murray  waived  their
respective salaries which had accrued since January 1994 in the aggregate amount
of $220,000 as of December  31, 1994 and worked  without  salary  until March 1,
1995.  Each has been  subsequently  compensated in accordance  with the terms of
their respective employment agreements. See "Management."

         On March 9, 1995, the Company entered into a consulting  agreement with
A. Clinton Allen (the "Consulting  Agreement"),  pursuant to which Mr. Allen was
paid $3,000 per month,  plus expenses.  In addition,  the Company granted to Mr.
Allen  options to purchase  100,000  shares of Common  Stock  exercisable  for a
period of 10 years at a price of $5.00  per share and was to grant to Mr.  Allen
an option to purchase  25,000  shares of Common  Stock at the  beginning of each
calendar year during the term of the  Consulting  Agreement.  Mr. Allen became a
director  of the Company on March 9, 1995.  On  December  18,  1995,  Mr.  Allen
resigned  from his position as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company
and the Consulting Agreement was terminated.

         On December 7, 1995, the Company entered into an option  agreement with
Laidlaw Equities,  Inc. and Laidlaw  Holdings,  Inc.  (collectively,  "Laidlaw")
pursuant to which  Laidlaw  granted  the  Company  options  (the  "Options")  to
purchase an aggregate of 475,000 shares (the "Option Shares"). Such options were
exercisable  at any time or from time to time prior to  September  7, 1996 at an
exercise price of $4.00 per share.

         On February 1, 1996, the Company  engaged Horatio  Management  Services
Corp., an affiliate of the Underwriter,  as the Company's management  consultant
for a period of 24 months  commencing  February 1, 1996,  at a fee of $5,000 per
month (exclusive of any accountable out-of-pocket expenses), $60,000 of which is
payable on the  closing of the  Offering  and $60,000 of which is payable on the
first anniversary thereof.

         On April 9, 1996, Laidlaw granted the Underwriter an option to purchase
100,000 of the Option  Shares,  exercisable  at any time to and including May 9,
1996,  for an exercise  price of $3.00 per share and the Company  simultaneously
released  Laidlaw from the Options with respect to such shares.  The Underwriter
exercised such option.

                                      -41-

<PAGE>

         On April 24, 1996, the Company granted certain individuals unaffiliated
with the Company (the  "Grantees")  the right (the "Right") to cause the Company
to assign the Options  with  respect to 375,000 of the Option  Shares to them at
any time prior to June 7, 1996  (subsequently  extended to  September  7, 1996);
provided,  however, that the exercise price with respect to such shares would be
$5.00 per share.  The Underwriter  purchased  50,000 of such shares from Laidlaw
and simultaneously therewith the Company released Laidlaw from the Options as to
such 50,000  shares and the  Grantees  released the Company from the Right as to
such 50,000 shares.

         Except as described above, the Options expired unexercised on September
7, 1996.

         On November 15, 1996,  the Company  entered into a franchise  agreement
with Roosevelt Field Partners.  See "Business - Franchise  Development." Messrs.
Zanker, Murray and Dee own,  collectively,  an approximately 22% equity interest
in Roosevelt Field Partners.

         On December 27, 1996, the Company consummated the Bridge Financing (the
net  proceeds  of which were  approximately  $175,000),  consisting  of five and
one-third  investment  units,  each such unit  comprising  a Bridge  Note in the
principal  amount  of  $49,250  and  750,000  Bridge  Warrants.  In  the  Bridge
Financing,  William Zanker, President of the Company,  Terrance C. Murray, Chief
Executive  Officer of the Company,  and Keith R. Dee, Chief Financial Officer of
the  Company,  purchased an  aggregate  of one and  one-third of the  investment
units. On January 27, 1997, Mr. Zanker and the Company entered into an agreement
whereby Mr. Zanker rescinded his investment in the Bridge Financing,  consisting
of  .73387  investment  units,  and an equal  number  of units  were sold by the
Company to another  investor.  See  "Description of  Securities--Description  of
Bridge Warrants and New Warrants."

         All future and ongoing transactions and loans with officers,  directors
and  principal  shareholders  of the Company will be on terms no less  favorable
than could be obtained from independent  third parties and will be approved by a
majority of the disinterested directors of the Company.

                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

         The  following  table  sets  forth  information  as of the date of this
Prospectus  with respect to the beneficial  ownership of the Common Stock by (i)
each person known by the Company to be the  beneficial  owner of more than 5% of
the Company's outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each Director of the Company, (iii)
each  executive  officer of the Company,  and (iv) all  Directors  and executive
officers as a group.

                                                Amount and
                                                 Nature of
                                                Beneficial       Percent of
            NAME AND ADDRESS(1)                Ownership(2)       Class(3)
                                             ---------------    -----------

Laidlaw Holdings, Inc........................  157,652(4)         6.7
Laidlaw Equities, Inc........................  149,564(4)         6.3
Debbie Dworkin...............................   63,562(5)         2.8
William Zanker...............................  143,562(6)         6.2
Terrance C. Murray...........................  139,375(7)         6.0
Stephen Seligman.............................   11,667(8)          *
Andrew L. Hyams..............................    8,542(9)          *
Edward E. Faber..............................    6,667(10)         *
Donald R. Fleischer..........................   22,292(11)         *
Peter Hanelt.................................    6,667(10)         *
Keith Dee....................................   26,875(12)        1.2
Cumberland Associates........................  130,000(13)        5.8
All executive officers and directors as a
 group (8 persons)...........................  365,647(14)        8.8


                                      -42-

<PAGE>
- --------------------
*        Less than 1%
(1)      Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o
         the Company, 425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
(2)      Beneficial  ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3
         under the Exchange Act ("Rule 13d-3") and unless  otherwise  indicated,
         represents  shares for which the  beneficial  owner has sole voting and
         investment power.
(3)      The percentage of class is calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3 and
         assumes that the  beneficial  owner has  exercised any options or other
         rights to subscribe  which are  exercisable  within sixty (60) days and
         that no other  options or rights to  subscribe  have been  exercised by
         anyone else.
(4)      These shares consist of (i) 8,088 shares held by Laidlaw Holdings, Inc.
         and (ii) 24,564  shares held by, and 125,000  shares  issuable upon the
         exercise of warrants held by, its subsidiary Laidlaw Equities, Inc. The
         address for each of Laidlaw Equities,  Inc. and Laidlaw Holdings,  Inc.
         is 100 Park Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
(5)      Debbie Dworkin is the wife of William Zanker, the Company's Chairman of
         the Board and President.
(6)      These shares consist of (i) 63,562 shares held by Debbie  Dworkin,  Mr.
         Zanker's  wife,  and (ii) 80,000  shares  issuable upon the exercise of
         options.  Mr. Zanker  disclaims any beneficial  ownership of the shares
         held by Ms. Dworkin.
(7)      Includes 80,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(8)      These shares  consist of (i) 5,000 shares held by Stephen  Seligman and
         his wife, Beth Greer,  as joint tenants with right of survivorship  and
         (ii) 6,667 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(9)      These  shares  consist of (i) 1,875  shares  held by Mr.  Hyams and his
         wife,  Tracey Hyams,  as joint tenants with right of  survivorship  and
         (ii) 6,667 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(10)     Represents 6,667 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(11)     These shares  consist of (i) 3,125 shares held by Mr.  Fleischer,  (ii)
         6,667  shares  issuable  upon the  exercise of options and (iii) 12,500
         shares issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants  purchased by Mr.
         Fleischer.
(12)     Includes 5,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(13)     The address for  Cumberland  Associates is 1114 Avenue of the Americas,
         New York, New York 10036.
(14)     Includes  198,335  shares  issuable  upon the  exercise  of options and
         warrants.

                            DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

GENERAL

         The authorized capital stock of the Company includes  15,000,000 shares
of preferred  stock,  $.001 par value,  to be issued from time to time in one or
more  series.  As of the  date of this  Prospectus,  there  were  no  shares  of
preferred stock outstanding.

         The  Board of  Directors  is  authorized,  subject  to any  limitations
prescribed  by New York law, to provide for the issuance of  preferred  stock in
one or more series,  to  establish  from time to time the number of shares to be
included in each such series,  to fix the rights,  preferences and privileges of
the shares of each wholly unissued series and any qualifications, limitations or
restrictions  thereon,  and to increase or decrease  the number of shares of any
such   series  (but  not  below  the  number  of  shares  of  such  series  then
outstanding),  without any further vote or action by shareholders.  The Board of
Directors  may  authorize  and issue  preferred  stock with voting or conversion
rights  that could  adversely  affect the  voting  power or other  rights of the
holders of Common Stock,  because the terms of the preferred stock that might be
issued could  conceivably  prohibit the  Company's  consummation  of any merger,
reorganization,  sale of  substantially  all its  assets,  liquidation  or other
extraordinary corporate transaction absent

                                      -43-

<PAGE>

approval of the  outstanding  shares of preferred  stock.  Thus, the issuance of
preferred  stock may have the effect of  delaying,  deferring  or  preventing  a
change in control of the Company.

RANKING

         The Preferred Stock will rank prior to the Company's Common Stock.

DIVIDEND RIGHTS

         The holders of the Preferred  Stock offered  hereby will be entitled to
receive,  when,  as and if declared by the  Company's  Board of Directors out of
funds of the Company legally  available  therefor (and subject to the limitation
described in the last sentence of this paragraph),  cumulative  dividends at the
rate of $.70 per annum per share, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1
in each  year,  either (at the  option of the  Company)  in cash or in shares of
Common Stock based on the average  closing  price of the Common Stock for the 10
consecutive  trading  days  ending on the last  trading  day prior to the record
date. Such dividends shall be cumulative from the date of issue of the Preferred
Stock.  The Company will pay each such  dividend to the holders of record of the
Preferred  Stock as they appear on its stock register on the record date,  which
shall not be more than 30 nor less than 10 days  preceding the dividend  payment
date. If a holder converts shares of Preferred Stock after the close of business
on the record  date for a dividend  and before the  opening of  business  on the
payment  date for such  dividend,  the  holder  will be  required  to pay to the
Company at the time of such  conversion the amount of such dividend  (unless the
shares were converted  after the issuance of a notice of redemption with respect
to  such  shares,  which  shares  will  be  entitled  to  such  dividend).   See
"--Conversion Rights" below.

         If  dividends  are not paid in full,  or  declared in full and sums set
apart for the payment thereof,  upon the Preferred Stock and any other preferred
stock  ranking  on a parity  as to  dividends  with  the  Preferred  Stock,  all
dividends  declared  upon the  Preferred  Stock  and any other  preferred  stock
ranking on a parity as to dividends will be paid or declared PRO RATA so that in
all cases the amount of dividends  paid or declared  per share on the  Preferred
Stock and such other preferred stock will bear to each other the same ratio that
accumulated  dividends per share,  including dividends accrued or in arrears, if
any, on the Preferred  Stock and such other  preferred stock bear to each other.
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, unless cumulative dividends on the
Preferred  Stock have been paid or  declared  in full and sums set aside for the
payment  thereof,  no dividends  (other than  dividends in Common Stock or other
shares of the Company's  capital stock ranking junior to the Preferred  Stock as
to dividends and  liquidation  preference) may be paid or declared and set aside
for the payment or other  distribution  made upon the Common Stock or, except as
provided  above,  on any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or
on parity with the preferred Stock as to dividends,  nor may any Common Stock or
any other  capital  stock  ranking  junior to or on a parity with the  Preferred
Stock as to  dividends be  redeemed,  purchased  or  otherwise  acquired for any
consideration  (or any payment made to or  available  for a sinking fund for the
redemption of any shares of such stock) by the Company or any  subsidiary of the
Company  (except by conversion into or exchange for capital stock of the Company
ranking  junior  to  the  Preferred   Stock  as  to  dividends  and  liquidation
preference).

         Dividends  payable on the  Preferred  Stock for any period  less than a
full  semi-annual  period  will be  computed  on the basis of a 360-day  year of
twelve 30- day months  and the actual  number of days  elapsed in the period for
which payable.

CONVERSION RIGHTS

         Holders of Preferred Stock will have the right, exercisable at any time
after ____________, 1998 [12 months from the date of this Prospectus], except in
the case of  Preferred  Stock  called for  redemption,  to convert each share of
Preferred  Stock into the greater of four shares of Common  Stock or a number of
shares of Common Stock equal to $16.00  divided by average of the closing  price
(or if there is no  reported  sale,  the  average of the  closing  bid and asked
prices) of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on the

                                      -44-

<PAGE>
third  trading day  preceding  the date of  conversion  up to a maximum of eight
shares  of  Common  Stock.  In  the  case  of the  Preferred  Stock  called  for
redemption,  conversion  rights  will  expire  at the close of  business  on the
business day immediately  preceding the date fixed for redemption.  Notice of an
optional  redemption  must be mailed  not less than 30 days and not more than 60
days prior to the redemption date. Upon conversion, adjustment or repayment will
be made for dividends,  but if any holder  surrenders a share of Preferred Stock
for conversion after the close of business on the record date for the payment of
a dividend  and prior to the opening of business  on the next  dividend  payment
date,  then,  notwithstanding  such  conversion,  the  dividend  payable on such
dividend  payment  date will be paid to the  registered  holder of such share on
such record date. In such event,  such share,  when  surrendered for conversion,
must be  accompanied  by payment of an amount equal to the  dividend  payable on
such  dividend  payment  date on the share so  converted  (unless  the share was
converted  after the  issuance of a notice of  redemption  with  respect to such
share,  which share will be entitled to such dividend).  No fractional shares of
Common Stock will be issued upon conversion and, if the conversion  results in a
fractional  interest,  an amount will be paid in cash equal to the value of such
fractional  interest  based on the market  price of the Common Stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of conversion.

         If the Company reclassifies or changes its outstanding Common Stock, or
consolidates with or merges into or transfers or leases all or substantially all
its assets to any person, or is a party to a merger that reclassifies or changes
its outstanding  Common Stock, the Preferred Stock will become  convertible into
the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets which the holders of the
Preferred  Stock  would  have owned  immediately  after the  transaction  if the
holders had converted the Preferred Stock immediately  before the effective date
of the transaction.

         Conversion  of shares of Preferred  Stock may be effected by delivering
certificates  evidencing such shares, together with written notice of conversion
and a proper  assignment of such certificates to the Company or in blank, to the
office or agency to be maintained by the Company for that purpose.

LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE

         In the  event of any  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding  up of the
affairs  of the  Company,  whether  voluntary  or  otherwise,  after  payment or
provision for payment of the Company's debts and other liabilities,  the holders
of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive,  out of the remaining net assets
of the Company,  the amount of $10.00 in cash for each share of Preferred Stock,
plus an amount in cash equal to all  dividends  accrued  and unpaid on each such
share up to the date fixed for  distribution  before any distribution is made to
the holders of Common Stock or any other  capital  stock of the Company  ranking
(as to any  such  distribution)  junior  to the  Preferred  Stock.  If upon  any
liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the Company, the assets distributable
among the holders of shares of Preferred  Stock and all other classes and series
of preferred  stock ranking (as to any such  distribution)  on a parity with the
Preferred Stock are insufficient to permit the payment in full to the holders of
all such shares of all  preferential  amounts payable to all such holders,  then
the entire assets of the Company thus distributable will be distributed  ratably
among the  holders  of the  Preferred  Stock and of all  classes  and  series of
preferred  stock  ranking  (as to any such  distribution)  on a parity  with the
Preferred  Stock in proportion to the  respective  amounts that would be payable
per share if such assets were sufficient to permit payment in full.

         For  purposes  of  this  section,  a  distribution  of  assets  in  any
dissolution, winding up or liquidation will not include (i) any consolidation or
merger of the Company with or into any other corporation,  (ii) any dissolution,
liquidation, winding up or reorganization of the Company immediately followed by
reincorporation  of another  corporation or (iii) a sale or other disposition of
all or  substantially  all of  the  Company's  assets  to  another  corporation;
provided that, in each case,  effective  provision is made in the certificate of
incorporation  of the resulting and surviving  corporation  or otherwise for the
protection of the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock.

                                      -45-

<PAGE>

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

         The  Preferred  Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Company,  in
whole  or  from   time  to  time  in  part,   at  any  time  on  and  after  (i)
_________________,  1999 [two years from the date of this  Prospectus]  with the
consent of the  Underwriter  or upon the closing of a public  offering of equity
securities of the Company or (ii)  ___________,  2002 [five years after the date
of this Prospectus],  at a redemption price equal to $__________ per share [105%
of the public  offering  price per share],  plus,  in each case,  all  dividends
accrued and unpaid on the Preferred  Stock up to the date fixed for  redemption.
If fewer than all the outstanding  shares of Preferred Stock are to be redeemed,
the shares to be redeemed will be determined pro rata or in such other manner as
prescribed by the Company's Board of Directors.

         At least 30 days but not more than 60 days  prior to the date fixed for
redemption,  a  written  notice  will be  mailed  to each  holder  of  record of
Preferred Stock to be redeemed,  notifying such holder of the Company's election
to redeem  such  shares,  stating  the date fixed for  redemption  thereof  (the
"Preferred Stock Redemption  Date") and calling upon such holder to surrender to
the Company on the Preferred Stock  Redemption  Date at the place  designated in
such notice the  certificate or certificates  representing  the number of shares
specified therein.

         On or after  the  Preferred  Stock  Redemption  Date,  each  holder  of
Preferred  Stock to be redeemed must present and surrender  his  certificate  or
certificates  for such  shares to the  Company at the place  designated  in such
notice and thereupon the  redemption  price of such shares will be paid to or on
the order of the person whose name appears on such  certificate or  certificates
as the owner thereof and each surrendered  certificate will be canceled.  Should
fewer than all the shares represented by any such certificate be redeemed, a new
certificate will be issued  representing the unredeemed  shares.  From and after
the Preferred Stock  Redemption Date (unless the Company  defaults in payment of
the  redemption  price),  all  dividends  on the shares of the  Preferred  Stock
designated  for redemption in such notice will cease to accrue and all rights of
the holders thereof as shareholders of the Company,  except the right to receive
the redemption  price thereof  (including all accrued and unpaid dividends up to
the Preferred Stock Redemption  Date),  will cease and terminate and such shares
will not thereafter be  transferred  (except with the consent of the Company) on
the Company's  books,  and such shares shall not be deemed to be outstanding for
any purpose  whatsoever.  At its election,  the Company,  prior to the Preferred
Stock  Redemption  Date, may deposit the  redemption  price of the shares of the
Preferred Stock so called for redemption in trust for the holders thereof with a
bank or trust company, in which case such notice to holders of the shares of the
Preferred  Stock to be redeemed  will (i) state the date of such  deposit,  (ii)
specify the office of such bank or trust  company as the place of payment of the
redemption  price and (iii) call upon such holders to surrender the certificates
representing  such  shares  at such  place  on or after  the date  fixed in such
redemption  notice (which may not be later than the Preferred  Stock  Redemption
Date), against payment of the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid
dividends up to the Preferred Stock  Redemption  Date).  Any moneys so deposited
which remain  unclaimed by the holders of the Preferred  Stock at the end of two
years after the Preferred Stock Redemption Date will be returned by such bank or
trust company to the Company.

VOTING RIGHTS

         The  holders of  Preferred  Stock  shall not be entitled to vote on any
matter except as required by law.

PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

         No holder of Preferred Stock will have  preemptive  rights to subscribe
for or acquire any unissued  shares of the Company or  securities of the Company
convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares.

                                      -46-

<PAGE>

TRANSFER AGENT

         The Registrar,  Transfer  Agent and Conversion  Agent for the Preferred
Stock will be Continental  Stock  Transfer & Trust Company,  New York, New York.
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will also act as Paying Agent for the
Preferred Stock. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company is also the transfer
agent,  warrant  agent and  registrar  for the Common  Stock and the  Redeemable
Warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

         The Company's Certificate of Incorporation,  as amended, authorizes the
issuance of  20,000,000  shares of common  Stock,  $.001 par value (the  "Common
Stock").  As of the date of this Prospectus,  there were 2,393,354 shares of the
Common Stock issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are,
and  the  shares  offered  hereby  will  be,  validly  issued,  fully  paid  and
non-assessable.  Holders of Common Stock are  entitled to share  ratably in such
dividends and distributions as may from time to time be declared by the Board of
Directors  of the  Company  from  funds  legally  available  therefor  and  upon
liquidation  will be  entitled  to share  ratably in any  assets of the  Company
legally available for distribution to holders of the Common Stock. The Company's
Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as  amended,  and  By-Laws  do not  confer  any
preemptive,  subscription,  redemption  or  conversion  rights on the holders of
Common  Stock.  Holders of Common  Stock are  entitled to cast one vote for each
share held of record on each matter submitted to a vote of  shareholders.  There
is no  cumulative  voting,  which means that holders of a majority of the voting
power may elect all of the directors.

DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGE WARRANTS AND NEW WARRANTS

         On December 27, 1996, the Company  consummated a financing (the "Bridge
Financing"),  consisting of five and one-third  investment  units  comprising an
aggregate  of  $266,666.67  principal  amount of  promissory  notes (the "Bridge
Notes") and 4,000,000  warrants (the "Bridge  Warrants").  The Bridge Notes bear
interest at the rate of 10% per annum and are due and  payable  upon the earlier
of (a) the consummation of a public financing of the Company through the sale of
securities  or (b)  December  27, 1997  (January 27, 1998 in the case of the New
Investor).  Each Bridge  Warrant  entitles  the holder to purchase  one share of
Series A  Preferred  Stock at an initial  exercise  price of $5.00  (subject  to
adjustment upon the occurrence of certain  events) during the three-year  period
commencing December 27, 1997 (January 27, 1998 in the case of the New Investor).
See "Certain  Transactions." The net proceeds of approximately $175,000 from the
Bridge  Financing  were  applied by the Company to reduce  accounts  payable and
accrued liabilities.

         Upon   consummation   of  the  Offering   each  Bridge   Warrant  shall
automatically,  without  any action by the holder  thereof,  be  converted  into
one-half  of a warrant  (referred  to herein as a  "Redeemable  Warrant" or "New
Warrant"),  each New Warrant  entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share
of the Series B Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share (subject
to   adjustment   upon  the   occurrence  of  certain   events)   commencing  on
_____________,  1998  [12  months  from  the  date  of  this  Prospectus]  until
____________, 2001 [four years from the date of this Prospectus].  Commencing 12
months  after  the  date of  this  Prospectus  (subject  to the  consent  of the
Underwriter if notice of redemption is given prior to 24 months from the date of
this  Prospectus),  the Company  shall have the right at any time to redeem all,
but not less than all,  of the  Redeemable  Warrants  at a  redemption  price of
$0.001 per Warrant,  upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice,  provided
that the  closing  price of the  Common  Stock for each of the 10  trading  days
ending on the third trading day  immediately  prior to the notice of redemption,
equals or exceeds 120% of the then exercise  price of the New Warrants.  The New
Warrants,  the shares of  Preferred  Stock  issuable  upon  exercise  of the New
Warrants and the shares of Common Stock into which such  Preferred  Stock may be
converted are being  registered  under the Securities Act pursuant to a separate
Registration Statement.  The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds of
this Offering to repay the entire  principal amount of, and accrued interest on,
the Bridge Notes. See "Use of Proceeds."

                                      -47-

<PAGE>

         In  connection  with  the  Bridge  Financing,   the  Company  paid  the
Underwriter,  as placement agent, $26,666.67 in commissions and a nonaccountable
expense allowance of $8,000. The Company also paid the fees and disbursements of
the Underwriter's legal counsel.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

         As permitted by the New York Business  Corporation  Law ("NYBCL"),  the
Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,   as  amended,  limits  the  personal
liability of directors  of the Company or its  stockholders  for damages for any
breach  of  duty in  such  capacity.  Liability  is not  eliminated  for (i) the
liability of any director if a judgment or other final  adjudication  adverse to
him  establishes  that  his acts or  omissions  were in bad  faith  or  involved
intentional  misconduct  or a  knowing  violation  of law or that he  personally
gained in fact a financial  profit or other advantage to which he is not legally
entitled or (ii) the liability of any director for any act or omission  prior to
the adoption of a provision authorized by Section 402(b) of the NYBCL.

NEW YORK BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW

         The Company is subject to the NYBCL.  Section 1600 of the NYBCL,  known
as the "Security Takeover Disclosure Act," applies to "takeover bids," generally
defined to mean the  acquisition  of or offer to  acquire by an offeror  from an
offeree,  pursuant to a tender offer or request or invitations for tenders,  any
equity security of a target company, if after acquisition  thereof,  the offeror
would,  directly or  indirectly,  be a  beneficial  owner of more than 5% of any
class of the issued and outstanding equity securities of such target company.

         No offeror shall make a takeover bid unless as soon as  practicable  on
the date of commencement on the takeover bid he files with the New York Attorney
General and delivers to the target company at its principal  executive offices a
registration  statement containing certain specified information as set forth in
Section 1603 of the NYBCL.

         The  foregoing  discussion  of  certain  provisions  of  the  NYBCL  is
qualified in its entirety by  reference to those NYBCL  provisions.  The area of
state  anti-takeover law has been rapidly changing in recent years. For example,
certain state  statutes have been  contested on the basis of federal  preemption
and other theories.  Moreover, the anti-takeover laws do not completely insulate
corporations  from hostile  takeovers and do not change  existing law concerning
directors' fiduciary duties to shareholders. Shareholders are therefore urged to
consult their respective legal counsel  regarding  applicable  antitakeover laws
and their effect on the Company and its shareholders.

TRANSFER AND WARRANT AGENT AND REGISTRAR

         The Company has appointed  Continental  Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
New York,  New York,  as Transfer  Agent and  Registrar for the Common Stock and
Warrant Agent for the Redeemable Warrants.

LISTING ON NASDAQ

         The  Company's  Common  Stock is  currently  listed on Nasdaq under the
symbol "RUBB".  Application  has been made for, and it is anticipated  that upon
consummation  of the Offering,  the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Preferred  Stock  will be  approved  for  quotation  on Nasdaq  under the symbol
"RUBB".

                         SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

         Of  the  2,393,354  shares  of  Common  Stock  currently   outstanding,
2,248,542 shares of Common Stock are freely  transferable,  without restriction,
under the Act,  unless  acquired by an affiliate  (as that term is defined under
the Act) of the Company,  who is subject to the resale  limitations  of Rule 144
under the Act. The remaining 144,812 shares are "restricted  securities"  within
the meaning of the Act, but all of such shares are being registered  pursuant to
a separate

                                      -48-

<PAGE>
Registration  Statement.  All of the Company's  officers and directors  (who own
154,812 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate) have agreed not to sell, assign
or  transfer  Preferred  Stock for a period  of 36 months  from the date of this
Prospectus  (except for Messrs.  Zanker,  Murray and Dee, who have agreed not to
transfer  any shares of  Preferred  Stock or Common Stock for 24 months from the
date of this Prospectus)  without the  Underwriter's  prior written consent.  In
addition,  Messrs.  Murray and Dee (who upon  consummation  of the Offering will
hold an  aggregate  of 449,600  New  Warrants)  have  agreed not to sell any New
Warrants,  Preferred  Stock issuable upon the exercise of New Warrants or Common
Stock into which Preferred Stock may be converted for 24 months from the date of
this Prospectus without the Underwriter's prior written consent.

         There has been only an extremely  limited  public market for the Common
Stock. The Company cannot predict the number of shares of Common Stock which may
be sold in the future  pursuant  to the  exercise  of  outstanding  options  and
warrants,  registration  rights,  or  pursuant  to Rule 144 or other  applicable
exemptions from the registration requirements of the Act because such sales will
depend on whether  persons choose to exercise any  registration  rights they may
have,  the market price of the Common Stock,  the  individual  circumstances  of
holders thereof and other factors.  Nevertheless,  there is the possibility that
substantial  amounts of  restricted or  registrable  shares may be resold in the
public market which may adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common
Stock.

                  CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

         The following  discussion is a summary of certain United States federal
tax  considerations  relevant to the  purchase,  ownership  and  disposition  of
Preferred  Stock  but does not  purport  to be a  complete  analysis  of all the
potential  tax  effects  thereof.  The  discussion  is limited to United  States
federal income tax matters.  The  discussion is based upon the Internal  Revenue
Code of 1986,  as amended  (the  "Code").  Treasury  regulations,  and  Internal
Revenue  Service ("IRS")  rulings and judicial  decisions now in effect,  all of
which are subject to change at any time,  possibly with retroactive  effect,  by
legislative,  judicial or administrative  action. Except as otherwise indicated,
references to Common Stock are to the Common Stock  issuable upon  conversion of
the Preferred Stock.

         The information  provided herein is directed to investors who will hold
the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion thereof as
capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. In addition,  the
tax  consequences to a particular  holder  (including life insurance  companies,
tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, dealers in securities, foreign
corporation and nonresident  alien  individuals)  may be affected by matters not
discussed herein.

         This discussion has been reviewed by Olshan Grundman Frome & Rosenzweig
LLP,  counsel to the Company,  who has given their opinion that such discussion,
insofar as it concerns  conclusions of law, is an accurate general  description,
subject to the assumptions  and limitations set forth therein,  of the principal
United States federal  income tax  consequences  of the purchase,  ownership and
disposition  of the  Preferred  Stock.  The Company has not sought,  nor does it
intend to seek,  a ruling from the IRS as to any of the  matters  covered by the
discussion,  and there can be no  assurance  that the IRS will not  successfully
challenge  certain of the  conclusions  reached in the  discussion.  BECAUSE THE
UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES DISCUSSED BELOW DEPEND UPON EACH HOLDER'S
PARTICULAR  TAX STATUS,  AND DEPEND FURTHER UPON UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX LAWS,
REGULATIONS,  RULINGS AND DECISIONS  WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE (WHICH  CHANGES
MAY BE RETROACTIVE IN EFFECT),  PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS  SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN
TAX ADVISORS  REGARDING THE PARTICULAR TAX  CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE
PREFERRED STOCK INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF ANY
STATE,  LOCAL,  FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS THE  CONSEQUENCES  OF ANY
RECENT, PENDING OR PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE APPLICABLE LAWS.

                                      -49-

<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTIONS ON PREFERRED STOCK

         Distributions  by the Company with respect to the Preferred  Stock will
be  characterized  as dividends  taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the
Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits, if any, as determined for
United States federal income tax purposes.  To the extent that a distribution on
the  Preferred  Stock to a holder  exceeds the holder's  allocable  share of the
Company's  current or accumulated  earnings and profits,  such distribution will
first be treated as a return of capital that will reduce the  holder's  adjusted
tax basis in such  Preferred  Stock,  the excess will be taxed as a capital gain
and will be long-term  capital gain if the holder's holding period for Preferred
Stock is more than one year.

         The  Company  believes  that  it is  likely  that it has a  deficit  in
accumulated  earnings  and profits.  Therefore,  whether a  distribution  on the
Preferred  Stock will be treated as a dividend  generally  will  depend upon the
presence  of current  earnings  and profits in any year.  It is not  possible to
predict  whether the  Company  will have  current or  accumulated  earnings  and
profits in subsequent  years.  Thus,  there can be no assurance  that all or any
portion of a distribution  of the Preferred  Stock will be  characterized  as of
dividend for United States federal income tax purposes.  Corporate  stockholders
will not be entitled to claim the  dividends-received  deduction with respect to
distributions that do not qualify as dividends. See the discussion regarding the
dividends-received  deduction below.  For the remainder of this discussion,  the
term  "dividend"  refers to a  distribution  paid  entirely out of the Company's
current or accumulated earnings and profits.

         A   corporate   holder   will   generally   be   entitled   to  a   70%
dividends-received  deduction with respect to distributions  that are treated as
dividends on shares of Preferred Stock that the corporate holder has held for at
least  46 days (91 days in the case of  dividends  attributable  to a period  or
periods  aggregating more than 366 days). A taxpayer's  holding period for these
purposes is reduced by periods  during  which the  taxpayer's  risk of loss with
respect to the shares is  considered  diminished  by reason of the  existence of
certain  options,  contracts to sell or other similar  transactions.  Also,  the
dividends-received  deduction may be reduced or eliminated if a corporation  has
indebtedness  "directly attributable to its investment" in portfolio stock (such
as the Preferred Stock).

         A corporate holder is required to reduce its basis (but not below zero)
in stock by the  non-taxed  portion  (generally  the  portion  eligible  for the
dividends-received deduction described above) of any "extraordinary dividend" as
defined in Code Section 1059, if the holder has not held such stock subject to a
risk of loss for more than two years before the Company declares,  announces, or
agrees to, the amount or payment of such dividend, whichever is earliest. If any
part of the non-taxed portion of an extraordinary  dividend has not been applied
to reduce basis as a result of the limitation on reducing basis below zero, such
part will be treated as gain from the sale or  exchange of stock when such stock
is disposed of or sold.

         In  addition,  for purposes of computing  its  alternative  minimum tax
liability,  a corporate  holder  may, in general,  be required to include in its
alternative minimum taxable income a portion of any dividends-received deduction
allowed in computing regular taxable income.

         Under  certain  circumstances,  the operation of the  conversion  price
adjustment provisions of the Preferred Stock, or the failure to adjust fully the
conversion  price for the Preferred  Stock to reflect a  distribution  of stock,
stock  warrants or stock rights with respect to the Common  Stock,  or a reverse
stock  split,  may result in the deemed  receipt of a dividend by the holders of
the  Preferred  Stock or the  Common  Stock if the  effect is to  increase  such
holders' proportionate interests in the Company. However, adjustments to reflect
nontaxable stock splits or distribution of stock, stock warrants or stock rights
will,  generally,  not  be so  treated.  Any  such  constructive  dividends  may
constitute (and cause other dividends to constitute)  extraordinary dividends to
corporate holders.

         If the redemption  price of preferred stock that is subject to optional
redemption by the issuer exceeds its issue price, and if such excess is not

                                      -50-

<PAGE>
considered  "reasonable",  the entire amount of the  redemption  premium will be
treated as being distributed to the holder of such stock, on an economic accrual
basis,  over the period from  issuance of such stock until the date the stock is
first redeemable. In this respect, the regulations provide as a safe harbor that
a  redemption  premium  not in excess of ten  percent of the issue  price of the
stock  which  is not  redeemable  for  five  years  from  the  date of  issue is
considered  reasonable  for this purpose.  Even if the precise tests of the safe
harbor cannot be met, however,  a call premium will be regarded as reasonable if
such  premium is in the nature of a penalty  for a premature  redemption  of the
preferred  stock and such premium does not exceed the amount the issuer would be
required to pay for the right to make such premature redemption under the market
conditions existing at the time of issuance.  Although the Company believes that
the  premium  it may pay upon a call of the  Preferred  Stock is  equivalent  to
premium rates presently payable on comparable stock paying comparable dividends,
there can be no assurance  that such premium will not be deemed  includible as a
constructive  dividend  in  accordance  with  the  general  rule  stated  above.
Principles  similar to the foregoing will apply to distributions with respect to
the Common Stock.

CONVERSION OF PREFERRED STOCK INTO COMMON STOCK

         No gain or loss will be recognized  upon  conversion of Preferred Stock
solely into shares of Common Stock.  However,  gain realized upon the receipt of
cash  paid  in  lieu  of  fractional  shares  of  Common  Stock  will  be  taxed
immediately.  Except to the extent of cash paid in lieu of fractional  shares of
Common  Stock,  the adjusted  tax basis for the shares of Common Stock  received
upon the  conversion  will be equal to the adjusted  tax basis of the  Preferred
Stock  converted,  and the  holding  period of the  shares of Common  Stock will
include the holding period of the Preferred Stock converted.

REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

         Gain or loss  recognized  by a holder on a redemption  of the Preferred
Stock  will be  treated  as a gain or loss  from  the  sale or  exchange  of the
Preferred Stock (see "Other  Disposition"  below), if, taking into account stock
that is actually or constructively  owned under the rules of Code Section 318 by
such holder,  either (i) the holder's common and preferred stock interest in the
Company  is  completely  terminated  as a result  of the  redemption,  (ii) such
holder's  percentage  ownership of the Company's Common Stock  immediately after
the redemption is less than 80% of such percentage ownership  immediately before
the  redemption,  or (iii) the  redemption is "not  essentially  equivalent to a
dividend".  Whether a redemption  is not  essentially  equivalent  to a dividend
depends on each holder's facts and circumstances,  but in any event,  requires a
"meaningful reduction" in such holder's interest in the Company.

         If none of the above conditions is satisfied,  the entire amount of the
cash  received  on a  redemption  of the  Preferred  Stock  will be treated as a
dividend.  The holder's  basis in the redeemed  Preferred  Stock would,  in such
case, be transferred to the holder's remaining shares of Company stock (if any).
The amount of cash  received  that is treated as a dividend  will  represent  an
extraordinary  dividend subject to Section 1059, with  consequences as discussed
above, irrespective of the period of time that the holder has held the Preferred
Stock, if such redemption is not pro rata as to all shareholders.

OTHER DISPOSITION

         Upon the taxable sale or exchange of shares of Preferred  Stock,  or of
shares of Common Stock acquired upon conversion of shares of Preferred  Stock, a
holder will recognize  capital gain or loss equal to the difference  between the
amount realized on such sale or exchange and the holder's  adjusted tax basis in
such stock.  Any capital gain or loss  recognized  will  generally be treated as
long-term  capital  gain or loss if the holder held such stock for more than one
year. For this purpose,  the period for which the Preferred Stock was held would
be included in the holding period of the Common Stock received upon conversion.


                                      -51-

<PAGE>
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING

         A  noncorporate  holder  of the  Preferred  Stock or the  Common  Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock who is not otherwise exempt from
backup  withholding may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% with
respect to dividends paid on, or the proceeds of a sale,  exchange or redemption
of, the  Preferred  Stock or the Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion of the
Preferred Stock.  Generally,  backup withholding  applies only when the taxpayer
(i) fails to furnish or certify his correct  taxpayer  identification  number to
the  payor in the  manner  requested,  (ii) is  notified  by the IRS that he has
failed to report  payments  of interest or  dividends  properly,  or (iii) under
certain circumstances, fails to certify that he has not been notified by the IRS
that he is subject to backup  withholding  for  failure  to report  interest  or
dividend payments.  Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from
a payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit  against the holder's  federal
income tax liability or as a refund,  provided that the required  information is
furnished to the IRS.  Holders should  consult their own tax advisors  regarding
their  qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for
obtaining any applicable exemption.

                                  UNDERWRITING

         The  Underwriter  has  agreed,  subject  to the  terms  and  conditions
contained  in the  Underwriting  Agreement  (the  "Underwriting  Agreement")  to
purchase from the Company, and the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriter
on a firm commitment  basis,  270,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The Underwriter
is committed to purchase all the Preferred Stock offered  hereby,  if any of the
Preferred  Stock is  purchased.  The  Underwriting  Agreement  provides that the
obligations of the Underwriter are subject to the conditions precedent specified
therein.

         The Company has been advised by the  Underwriter  that the  Underwriter
proposes to offer the Preferred Stock to the public at the public offering price
set forth on the cover  page of this  Prospectus  and that the  Underwriter  may
allow  to  certain  dealers  who are  members  of the  National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  (the "NASD")  concessions  not in excess of $.50 per
share,  of which  amount a sum not in  excess  of $.30 per  share may in turn be
reallowed  by such  dealers  to other  dealers.  After the  commencement  of the
Offering, the public offering price, the concessions and the reallowances may be
changed.

         The Company will pay to the Underwriter the underwriting commission set
forth on the  cover  page of this  Prospectus  upon  payment  for the  shares of
Preferred  Stock  by the  Underwriter.  The  Company  has  agreed  to pay to the
Underwriter  a  non-accountable  expense  allowance  equal  to 3% of  the  gross
proceeds  derived from the sale of the shares of Preferred  Stock  underwritten,
including the shares of Preferred Stock purchased pursuant to the over-allotment
option,  $25,000 of which has been paid to date. The  Underwriter  will bear any
expenses  incurred by it in excess of such  allowance.  If its expenses are less
than the allowance, the difference may be deemed underwriting compensation.

         The  Company  has  granted to the  Underwriter  an option,  exercisable
within 30 days of the date of this  Prospectus,  to purchase from the Company at
the offering price less underwriting  discounts and the non-accountable  expense
allowance, up to an aggregate of 40,500 additional shares of Preferred Stock for
the sole purpose of covering over-allotments, if any.

         The Company and the  Underwriter  have agreed to  indemnify  each other
against  certain  liabilities in connection with the  Registration  Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
be provided to officers,  directors  or persons  controlling  the  Company,  the
Company  has  been  informed  that,  in  the  opinion  of the  Commission,  such
indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.

         Upon the  exercise of any  Redeemable  Warrants,  and to the extent not
inconsistent  with the  guidelines of the NASD and the Rules and  Regulations of
the

                                      -52-

<PAGE>

Commission,  the Company has agreed to pay a warrant exercise fee equal to 5% of
the aggregate exercise price of such Redeemable Warrants in connection with bona
fide services provided by the Underwriter relating to any warrant  solicitation.
In addition,  the individual must designate the firm entitled to payment of such
warrant  solicitation  fee. The Underwriter will be designated by the Company as
sole soliciting agent for the exercise of the Redeemable  Warrants.  However, no
compensation  will be paid to the Underwriter in connection with the exercise of
the  Redeemable  Warrants if (i) the market  price of the Common  Stock is lower
than  the  exercise  price,  (ii)  the  Redeemable   Warrants  were  held  in  a
discretionary  account,  or (iii) the  Redeemable  Warrants are  exercised in an
unsolicited transaction.  Unless granted an exemption by the Commission from its
Rule 10b-6  under the  Exchange  Act the  Underwriter  will be  prohibited  from
engaging in any market-making activities with regard to the Company's securities
for the period from 9 business  days (or other such  applicable  periods as Rule
10b-6 may provide) prior to any  solicitation  of the exercise of the Redeemable
Warrants until the later of the termination of such solicitation activity or the
termination  (by waiver or otherwise) of any right the  Underwriter  may have to
receive a fee. As a result, the Underwriter may be unable to continue to provide
a market for the Preferred  Stock,  Common Stock or Redeemable  Warrants  during
certain  periods  while  the  Redeemable   Warrants  are  exercisable.   If  the
Underwriter has engaged in any of the activities prohibited by Rule 10b-6 during
the periods described above, the Underwriter undertakes to waive unconditionally
its rights to receive a commission on the exercise of such Redeemable Warrants.

         Of  the  2,393,354  shares  of  Common  Stock  to be  outstanding  upon
completion of the Offering,  the holders of 144,812  shares of Common Stock have
agreed not to,  directly or indirectly,  issue,  offer to sell,  sell,  grant an
option for the sale of,  assign,  transfer,  pledge,  hypothecate  or  otherwise
encumber or dispose of (collectively, a "Transfer") any securities issued by the
Company,  including Common Stock or securities  convertible into or exchangeable
for or  evidencing  any right to purchase or subscribe  for any shares of Common
Stock for 24 months (and the holders of an additional  10,000 shares have agreed
not to  Transfer  any  Preferred  Stock  for 36  months)  from  the date of this
Prospectus,  without  the  prior  written  consent  of the  Underwriter  and the
Company.  In  addition,  the Company has agreed that  without the consent of the
Underwriter,  it will not sell or offer for sale any of its securities within 24
months (in the case of a public  offering) or within 36 months (in the case of a
private placement) of the date of this Prospectus,  except for securities issued
pursuant to  outstanding  options and warrants,  up to 75,000  options under the
Employee Plan and up to 200,000 options to senior executives of the Company.

         In connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to grant to the
Underwriter,  for nominal consideration,  an option (the "Underwriter's Option")
to purchase from the Company 27,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The Underwriter's
Option is initially exercisable at a price of $____ [120% of the public offering
price] per share.  The shares of Preferred  Stock  issuable upon exercise of the
Underwriter's  Option  are  identical  to  those  offered  to  the  public.  The
Underwriter's Option contains anti-dilution  provisions providing for adjustment
of the number of shares and  exercise  price under  certain  circumstances.  The
Underwriter's Option grants to the holder thereof certain rights of registration
of the securities issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter's Option.

         For a  period  of five  years  from the  date of this  Prospectus,  the
Company has agreed to recommend  and use its best efforts to elect a designee of
the Underwriter,  at the option of the  Underwriter,  either as a member of or a
non-voting advisor to its Board of Directors.

         Further,  the Company has engaged Horatio Management Services Corp., an
affiliate of the  Underwriter,  as the  Company's  management  consultant  for a
period of 24 months  commencing  February 1, 1996,  at a fee of $5,000 per month
(exclusive  of any  accountable  out-of-pocket  expenses),  $60,000  of which is
payable on the  closing of the  Offering  and $60,000 of which is payable on the
first anniversary thereof.

         The Company has agreed,  subject to any required regulatory  approvals,
to pay  the  Underwriter  a  finder's  fee in the  event  that  the  Underwriter
originates

                                      -53-

<PAGE>
within five years  following the  Effective  Date a merger,  acquisition,  joint
venture or other transaction to which the Company is a party, in an amount equal
to 5% of  the  first  $4,000,000,  4% of the  next  $1,000,000,  3% of the  next
$1,000,000 and 2% of the excess,  if any, over  $6,000,000 of the  consideration
actually received by the Company on such transaction.

         In addition,  during the  five-year  period  following the date of this
Prospectus,  the  Underwriter has been granted the right to purchase for its own
account or to sell for the account of the  Company's  officers and directors any
securities  sold pursuant to Rule 144. Each of the officers and directors of the
Company  (the "144  Seller")  has agreed to consult  with the  Underwriter  with
regard  to  any  such  sales  and  will  offer  the  Underwriter  the  exclusive
opportunity  to purchase or sell such  securities on terms at least as favorable
to the 144 Seller as he or she could secure elsewhere.

         On February 8, 1996, the Company entered into a Financial  Advisory and
Consulting  Agreement (the "Financial Advisory Agreement") with the Underwriter.
The Financial  Advisory  Agreement  expires on January 31, 1997. As compensation
for the services to be performed by the Underwriter for the Company  pursuant to
the  Financial  Advisory  Agreement,  the  Company  paid  to the  Underwriter  a
financial  consulting fee of $100,000,  and issued warrants to purchase  100,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise  price of $1.00 per share,  exercisable to
and  including  January 31,  1997,  and warrants to purchase  200,000  shares of
Common  Stock at an  exercise  price  of $2.50  per  share,  exercisable  to and
including January 31, 1998. These warrants have been exercised.

         During the term of the Financial  Advisory  Agreement  the  Underwriter
will provide the Company with such regular and customary consulting advice as is
reasonably  requested by the Company. The Underwriter's duties will include, but
will not  necessarily  be limited to (i) providing  sponsorship  and exposure in
connection with the  dissemination  of information  regarding the Company to the
investment community at large, (ii) arranging meetings with securities analysts,
(iii) assisting in the Company's  financial  public relations and (iv) rendering
advice  regarding  a future  public or private  offering  of  securities  of the
Company or of any of its  subsidiaries.  In this  regard,  the  Underwriter  has
agreed to use its best efforts to assist the Company in arranging  for a private
placement or public offering of securities with gross proceeds to the Company of
at least $2 million.

         Prior to the Offering  there has been a limited  public  market for the
Common Stock and no public market for the Preferred  Stock,  although the Common
Stock is currently traded on Nasdaq.  Consequently,  the initial public offering
price and terms of the Preferred  Stock were  determined by negotiation  between
the Company and the  Underwriter.  The factors  considered in  determining  such
price and terms,  in addition to  prevailing  market  conditions,  included  the
history of and the prospects for the industry in which the Company competes, the
market price of the Common Stock, an assessment of the Company's management, the
prospects of the Company,  its capital  structure and such other factors as were
deemed  relevant.  The offering price does not necessarily bear any relationship
to the assets, results of operations or net worth of the Company.

         The  foregoing is a summary of the  principal  terms of the  agreements
described above and does not purport to be complete. Reference is made to a copy
of  each  such  agreement  which  are  filed  as  exhibits  to the  Registration
Statement. See "Additional Information."

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The legality of the  securities  offered hereby and certain other legal
matters  will be  passed  upon  for  the  Company  by  Olshan  Grundman  Frome &
Rosenzweig  LLP,  505 Park  Avenue,  New York,  New York 10022.  Counsel for the
Underwriter in connection with this Offering is the Law Offices of Mark Schwarz,
545 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

                                      -54-

<PAGE>
                                     EXPERTS

         The financial  statements included in this Prospectus have been audited
by BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified public accountants, to the extent and
for the  periods  set  forth in their  report  (which  contains  an  explanatory
paragraph  regarding  uncertainties as to the ability of the Company to continue
as a going concern) appearing elsewhere herein, and is included in reliance upon
such report  given upon the  authority  of said firm as experts in auditing  and
accounting.

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         The Company has filed with the Commission a  Registration  Statement on
Form SB-2 under the Act with  respect to the  securities  offered  hereby  (such
Registration  Statement with all exhibits, and amendments thereto being referred
to hereinafter as the  "Registration  Statement").  This Prospectus,  which is a
part of the Registration Statement,  does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement. For further information with respect to the
Company  and the  securities  hereby,  reference  is  made  to the  Registration
Statement. The statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract or any other document in this Prospectus are not  necessarily  complete
and,  in each  instance,  reference  is made  to the  copy of such  Registration
Statement,  each such statement  being qualified in any and all respects by such
reference.  The Registration  Statement,  including  exhibits,  may be inspected
without charge and copied at the Commission's  Public Reference  Section located
at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549, its Midwest Regional Office,
500 West Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and its Northeast Regional
Office, 7 World Trade Center,  Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 upon payment
of the fees prescribed by the Commission.

                              CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS

         On November 28,1994,  the Company's prior auditors,  Elwell,  Cangiano,
Zdon & Dee, resigned.  The resignation was tendered solely on the basis that the
Company had decided to pursue a public  offering.  On the same date, the Company
engaged BDO Seidman,  LLP to audit its financial statements for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1994. The decision to change  principal
accountants was made with the approval of the Company's Board of Directors.

         The Company believes, and has been advised by Elwell,  Cangiano, Zdon &
Dee that it concurs in such belief,  that during the fiscal year ended  December
31,1993 and through November 28,1994, the Company and Elwell,  Cangiano,  Zdon &
Dee did not have any  disagreement  on any matter of  accounting  principles  or
practices,  financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreement,  if not resolved to the satisfaction of Elwell,  Cangiano,  Zdon &
Dee, would have caused it to make reference in connection with its report on the
Company's financial statements to the subject matter of the disagreement.

         No report of Elwell,  Cangiano,  Zdon & Dee on the Company's  financial
statements for either of the past two fiscal years contained an adverse opinion,
a disclaimer of opinion or a  qualification  or was modified as to  uncertainty,
audit scope or accounting principles.  During such fiscal periods, there were no
"reportable  events"  within the  meaning of Item  304(a)(1)  of  Regulation  SB
promulgated under the Act.

                                      -55-

<PAGE>

                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----


Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants                         F-2

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1995                                      F-3

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1994
  and 1995 and December 18, 1992 (Inception) to December 31, 1995          F-4

Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
  December 31 1994 and 1995 and December 18, 1992 (Inception) to
  December 31 1995                                                         F-5

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1994
  and 1995 and December 18, 1992 (Inception) to December 31, 1995          F-6

Summary of Accounting Policies                                             F-7

Notes to Financial Statements                                              F-9

Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1996                                     F-15

Statements of Operations for the nine month periods ended
  September 30, 1996 and 1995 and December 18, 1992 (Inception)
  to September 30, 1996                                                    F-16

Statements of Cash Flows for the nine month periods ended
  September 30, 1996 and September 30, 1995 and December 18,
  1992 (Inception) to September 30, 1996                                   F-17

Notes to Financial Statements                                              F-18


                                       F-1

<PAGE>

               REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Board of Directors
The Great American BackRub Store, Inc.
(a developmental stage company)
New York, New York

We have audited the  accompanying  balance sheet of The Great  American  BackRub
Store,  Inc. (a  development  stage  company),  as of December  31, 1995 and the
related statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows
for each of the two years in the period ended  December  31,  1995,  and for the
period from December 18, 1992 (date of  inception)  to December 31, 1995.  These
financial  statements are the  responsibility of the Company's  management.  Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the financial  position of The Great  American  BackRub
Store,  Inc. as of December 31, 1995,  and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended  December 31, 1995, and
for the period from  December 18, 1992 (date of  inception) to December 31, 1995
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

The  accompanying  financial  statements  have been  prepared  assuming that the
Company  will  continue  as a  going  concern.  As  discussed  in  Note 1 to the
financial statements,  the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations
and has a deficit which raises  substantial  doubt about its ability to continue
as a going  concern.  Management's  plans in  regard to those  matters  also are
described in Note 1. The  financial  statements  do not include any  adjustments
that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.




/S/  BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
     ----------------
BDO Seidman, LLP

New York, New York
February 23, 1996

                                       F-2

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                                  BALANCE SHEET

                             AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995

                                     ASSETS

Current assets:
         Cash and cash equivalents                            $ 1,221,737
         Certificate of deposit                                 1,000,000
         Accounts receivable                                        9,054
         Prepaid expenses                                         109,688
         Inventory                                                217,709
                                                              -----------
                              Total current assets              2,558,188

Property and equipment:
         Furniture and fixtures                                   253,195
         Leasehold improvements                                   520,574
         Purchased lease                                          120,000
         Computer equipment                                        33,318
                                                              -----------
                                                                  927,087
              Less, Accumulated depreciation                  (    61,196)
                                                              -----------
                                                                  865,891

Other assets:
         Lease and equipment deposits                             164,813
                                                              -----------
                      Total assets                            $ 3,588,892
                                                              ===========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
         Accounts payable                                     $   332,737
                                                               ----------
         Accrued expenses                                         305,663
         Deferred revenue                                         160,193
                                                              -----------
                                                                  798,593
                                                              -----------

Deferred rent                                                     115,728
                                                              -----------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
         Common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
         10,000,000 shares authorized, 1,785,266                    1,786
         shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1995
         Additional paid in capital                             6,848,980
         Deficit accumulated during the development stage      (4,176,195)
                                                               -----------
                                                                2,674,571
                                                               -----------
           Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          $ 3,588,892
                                                               ===========



              See accompanying summary of accounting policies and
                         notes to financial statements.

                                       F-3

<PAGE>
                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                        Year Ended
                                                                        December 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------          December 18, 1992
                                                                                                            (Inception) to
                                                                    1994                 1995              December 31, 1995
                                                              ----------------        -----------         ------------------

Revenues:
<S>                                                              <C>                   <C>                   <C>        
Services                                                         $  525,898            $  874,320            $ 1,466,799
Products                                                            136,873               326,012                501,954
Royalties, franchise fees and other                                  44,949                 1,609                 46,558
                                                                 ----------            ----------            -----------

              Total                                                 707,720             1,201,941              2,015,311
                                                                 ==========            ==========            ===========

Operating expenses:
Salaries and wages                                                  447,588             1,230,531              1,744,631
Cost of products sold, buying and occupancy                          88,498               269,261                377,564
Rental expense                                                      215,797               409,850                671,804
Advertising and promotion                                            37,057               158,657                295,672
General and administrative                                          589,076             1,521,672              2,390,242
Depreciation                                                         20,679                65,220                 89,588
Waived salaries                                                     320,000                30,000                350,000
                                                                 ----------            ----------            -----------

                      Total                                       1,718,695             3,685,191              5,919,501
                                                                 ----------            ----------            -----------

Net loss from operations                                       ( 1,010,975)          ( 2,483,250)          (  3,904,190)
                                                                ----------            ----------            -----------

Other income (expense):
Interest income                                                          --               149,691                149,691
Interest expense                                               (   108,000)          (   313,696)          (    421,696)
                                                                ----------            ----------            -----------

                      Total                                    (   108,000)          (   164,005)          (    272,005)
                                                                ----------            ----------            -----------

Net loss                                                       ($1,118,975)          ($2,647,255)           ($4,176,195)
                                                                ==========            ==========             ==========

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the
         period                                                    658,750             1,582,250
                                                                 ==========            ==========

Net loss per common share and equivalents                       $    (1.70)             (1.67)
                                                                 ==========          =========
</TABLE>
See  accompanying   summary  of  accounting  policies  and  notes  to  financial
statements

                                       F-4

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                  STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                          Deficit
                                                                                                                        Accumulated
                                                                                                       Additional        during the
                                                                           Common Stock                 Paid-in         Development
                                                                    Shares             Amount           Capital            Stage
                                                                  -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>               <C>               <C>         
Balance, December 18, 1992 (Inception)                                   --         $      --         $      --         $      --

Initial issuance of common stock for
services, June 1993                                                   375,000               375             2,625              --

Issuance of common stock in private
placement, October 1993, for cash at $8
per share, net of issuance costs                                      125,000               125           869,875              --

Net loss, year ended December 31, 1993                                   --                --                --            (409,965)
                                                                  -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

Balance, December 31, 1993                                            500,000               500           872,500          (409,965)

Issuance of warrants to Bridge
Note Investors                                                           --                --             106,000              --

Waived salaries                                                          --                --             320,000              --

Net loss, year ended December 31, 1994                                   --                --                --          (1,118,975)
                                                                  -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

Balance, December 31, 1994                                            500,000               500         1,298,500        (1,528,940)

Issuance of common stock in public offering,
  March 1995, for $5 per share, net of
   issuance costs                                                   1,250,000             1,250         5,029,771              --

Issuance of warrants to Bridge
Note Investors                                                           --                --             306,500              --

Waived salaries                                                          --                --              30,000              --

Issuance of common stock for additional
costs in connection with the March 7, 1995
public offering                                                        10,500                11            10,489              --

Options granted as compensation                                          --                --             106,830              --

Issuance of common stock to former
franchisee and consultant                                              24,766                25            66,890              --

Net loss, year ended December 31, 1995                                   --                --                --          (2,647,255)
                                                                  -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------

Balance, December 31, 1995                                          1,785,266       $     1,786       $ 6,848,980       ($4,176,195)
                                                                  ===========       ===========       ===========       ===========
</TABLE>

See  accompanying   summary  of  accounting  policies  and  notes  to  financial
statements.

                                       F-5

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Years ended            December 18, 1992
                                                                                           December 31,              (Inception) to
                                                                                       1994           1995        December 31, 1995
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
                                                                                                                    
<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>              <C>         
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                                               
     Net loss                                                                       ($1,118,975)   ($2,647,255)     ($4,176,195)
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used                                                             
        by operating activities:                                                                                    
        Depreciation and amortization                                                    20,679         65,220           74,696
        Salaries waived by officers                                                     320,000         30,000          350,000
        Warrant financing costs                                                         106,000        306,500          412,500
        Options granted as compensation                                                    --          106,830          106,830
        Common stock issued to former franchisee and                                                                
        consultant                                                                         --           66,915           66,915
        (Increase) decrease in:                                                                                     
             Accounts receivable                                                        (11,066)        37,742           (9,054)
             Prepaid expenses                                                            13,195       (109,688)        (109,688)
             Inventory                                                                    3,717       (204,515)        (217,709)
             Other assets                                                              (131,070)       191,122         (164,813)
        Increase (decrease) in:                                                                                     
              Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                     293,778        495,749          638,400
              Deferred revenues and rent                                                  7,141        177,442          275,921
              Accrued officer expenses                                                   67,040        (67,040)            --
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
                    Total adjustments                                                   689,414      1,096,277        1,423,998
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
                                                                                                                    
Net cash used by operating activities                                                  (429,561)    (1,550,978)      (2,752,197)
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                               
     Purchase of certificate of deposit                                                    --       (1,000,000)      (1,000,000)
     Purchased lease                                                                       --         (120,000)        (120,000)
     Purchase of property and equipment                                                 (41,223)      (599,350)        (807,087)
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
Net cash used in investing activities                                                   (41,223)    (1,719,350)      (1,927,087)
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                               
     Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock                                        --        5,031,021        5,901,021
     Proceeds from issuance of bridge notes and short-term debt                         275,000           --            605,000
     Payment of bridge notes and short-term debt                                           --         (605,000)        (605,000)
     Payment of officer loan payable                                                     15,000        (15,000)            --
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities                                               290,000      4,411,021        5,901,021
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                   (180,784)     1,140,693        1,221,737
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                          261,828         81,044             --
                                                                                    -----------    -----------      -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                            $    81,044    $ 1,221,737      $ 1,221,737
                                                                                    ===========    ===========      ===========
                                                                                                                    
Supplemental  disclosures of cash flow information:
     Cash paid during the period for:
           Interest                                                                 $    13,696    $     7,196      $    20,892
                                                                                    ===========    ===========      ===========
           Income taxes                                                             $     1,375    $     1,500      $     2,875
                                                                                    ===========    ===========      ===========
                                                                                                                
</TABLE>


          See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to
                              financial statements.

                                       F-6

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                         SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

The Great  American  BackRub  Store,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  formally  American
Pleasure,  Inc., is and  owner/operator  of retail stores which provide  seated,
fully clothed back rubs and sell back and stress related products.  The Company,
incorporated on December 28, 1992, began  operations in August,  1993 and opened
its first store for business in October,  1993.  As of December  31,  1995,  the
Company has eight retail stores in operation in the New York metropolitan area.

Management  believes  that  the  Company's  planned  principal  operations,  the
establishment of  company-owned  and franchised  stores  throughout the country,
have not yet  commenced.  The initial eight stores have been used to continue to
develop and modify the Company's retail concept.  Accordingly,  the accompanying
financial  statements  have been prepared as a  development  stage  company,  in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 7.

USE OF ESTIMATES

In  preparing  financial   statements  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles,  management is required to make estimates and assumption
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
revenues and expenses during the reporting  period.  Actual results could differ
from those estimates.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash  equivalents  represent all amounts held in banks and money market
accounts and short term  investments  such as United States  Treasury bills with
original maturities of less than three months.

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT

The Company has a certificate of deposit maturing in July, 1996 which is carried
at cost and approximates market value at December 31, 1995.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Financial  instruments  which  potentially  subject the  Company to  significant
concentration of credit risk consist  primarily of $1,000,000 of cash in a money
market  account  and a  $1,000,000  certificate  of  deposit  maintained  at one
financial institution.

INVENTORY

Inventories,  consisting of merchandise held for resale, are valued at the lower
of cost or market.  The Company uses the retail inventory method, on a first-in,
first-out(fifo) basis.

                                       F-7

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                         SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property  and  equipment  are  stated at cost,  less  accumulated  depreciation.
Expenditures  from  maintenance  and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation  is provided  using the  straight-line  method  over the  estimated
useful lifes of the assets as follows:

  Leasehold improvements     The lesser of 10 years,  or the  remaining  life of
                             the lease
  Purchased lease            The lesser of 10 years,  or the  remaining  life of
                             the lease
  Furniture and fixtures     5 - 10 years
  Computer equipment         5 years

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The  Company-owned  store revenues are recognized  when services are provided or
upon  the  sale of  products.  Sale of gift  certificates  are  recognized  when
redeemed or upon expiration.  Royalties are recognized as income in the month in
which franchisee services are rendered or products are sold by franchisees.  The
Company  recognizes  franchise  revenue in accordance with SFAS No. 45. Deferred
revenues represent unredeemed and unexpired gift certificates.

PER SHARE DATA

Net loss per common  share for the year ended  December  31, 1995 is computed by
dividing net loss by the weighted average common shares  outstanding  during the
year. The assumed  exercise of common share  equivalents  was not utilized since
the effect was anti-dilutive.

Net loss per common  share for the year ended  December  31, 1994 is computed by
dividing net loss by the  weighted  average  number of common  shares and common
share equivalents  outstanding,  adjusted for the effects of applying Securities
and Exchange  Commission  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin No. 83, using the treasury
stock method.

REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

In  conjunction  with the  Public  offering,  on March 7, 1995 (see Note 2), the
Board of Directors  declared a 1 for 8 reverse  stock split  effective as of the
business  on  February  23,  1995  (see  Note  2).  The  accompanying  financial
statements and all common shares and  equivalents and per share data included in
the  accompanying  financial  statements  and  footnotes  have been  restated to
reflect the reverse stock split for the year ended December 31, 1994.

                                       F-8

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                     NOTES TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - GOING CONCERN

The  accompanying  financial  statements  have been  prepared  assuming that the
Company  will  continue  as a going  concern;  they do not  include  adjustments
relating to the  recoverability of recorded asset amounts and  classification of
recorded  assets and  liabilities.  The Company has  incurred  losses  since its
inception  and has an  accumulated  deficit of  $4,176,195 at December 31, 1995.
Insomuch as the Company continues to have a high level of operating expenses and
will be required to make  significant  up-front  expenditures in connection with
its proposed expansion, the Company anticipates that losses will continue for at
least 12 months and until such time, if ever, as the Company is able to generate
sufficient  revenues  to  finance  its  operations  and the  costs of  continued
expansion.  Since inception,  the Company's  operations have generated  negative
cash flow, as its expenses have exceeded revenues,  and the Company's ability to
continue its operations is dependent upon additional  debt or equity  financing.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate  significant
revenues or achieve  profitable  operations or that its operations will generate
positive cash flow. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's
ability to continue as a going concern.

In  accordance  with  management's  plans,  the Company has retained  investment
banking counsel to advise it on the possible sale of equity securities,  as well
to as introduce and assist in the evaluation of potential  merge and partnership
opportunities.  Management  expects that these  efforts will result in either an
additional  equity  infusion or an  introduction to other parties with interests
and resources  which may be  compatible  with that of the Company.  However,  no
assurances  can be  given  that  the  Company  will  be  successful  in  raising
additional  capital or entering into a business alliance.  Further,  there is no
assurance,  assuming the Company  successfully raises additional funds or enters
into a  business  alliance,  that the  Company  will  achieve  profitability  or
positive cash flow.

The Company opened seven new stores in 1995.  Based on current  business  trends
from these new stores,  management projects that these operations will produce a
positive  cash  flow  contribution  to the  Company  during  fiscal  1996 and is
expected to substantially reduce the Company's operating losses during 1996.

If the Company is unable to obtain adequate additional financing or enter into a
business  alliance,  or  if  the  operating  stores  do  not  meet  projections,
management  will  be  required  to  sharply  curtail  its  expansion  plans  and
operations.

NOTE 2 - INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

In an initial  offering  completed on March 7, 1995,  the Company sold 1,250,000
shares of common stock for approximately $6,250,000 which, after commissions and
fees, provided the Company with net proceeds of approximately $5,000,000.

On January 4, 1995,  the Board of Directors  authorized a 1 for 8 reverse  stock
split of the Company's common stock  immediately  prior to the completion of the
public offering. This action was approved at the shareholders meeting on January
31, 1995. The reverse stock split was effected on February 23, 1995.

                                       F-9

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                      NOTES TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3 - SHORT-TERM DEBT

As of December 31, 1994, short-term debt consisted of the following:

Notes payable                             $330,000
Bridge notes payable                       275,000
                                          --------
      Total short-term debt               $605,000
                                          ========


Obligation  under  short-term  debt was fully satisfied from the proceeds of the
Company's initial public offering (Note 2) in March, 1995.

NOTES PAYABLE

At December 31, 1994, the Company had outstanding  three notes payable amounting
to $330,000 which were issued as consideration for (i) legal assistance with the
Company's public offering (See Note 2) and (ii) other services. These notes were
non-interest  bearing  and  were  paid on  completion  of the  Company's  public
offering.  In  addition,  certain  holders  of  these  notes,  in the  aggregate
principal  amount of $280,000,  agreed to give the Company a 10% discount on the
aggregate principal amount.

BRIDGE NOTES PAYABLE

Between October 1, 1994 and December 28, 1994, the Company had issued 12% Bridge
Notes in the principal  amount of $275,000,  which were paid upon the completion
of the Company's  public offering (Note 2). In connection with these notes,  the
Company also issued 137,500  warrants,  each warrant  representing  the right to
purchase  one share of common stock at one half the actual  public  offering per
share price.  The warrants are  exercisable  for three years from March 7, 1995.
Interest  expense of $106,000 and $306,500 for the years ended December 31, 1994
and 1995,  respectively,  reflects  non-cash  financing  costs  related  to such
warrants.

NOTE 4 - STOCK PLANS AND MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

The Company has employment  agreements with two executive  officers which expire
on October 31, 1997.  The aggregate  annual  commitment  for future  salaries at
December  31,  1995,  is  $240,000.  These  agreements  also provide for bonuses
aggregating $230,000 upon achievement of certain Company performance.

At the Company's 1994 annual meeting of shareholders  held on July 18, 1994, the
Company's  shareholders  approved the Employee Plan under which 75,000 shares of
common stock are authorized for issuance.  To date, none have been granted.  The
purpose  of the  Employee  Plan is to  promote  the  success  of the  Company by
providing  a  method  whereby   eligible   employees  of  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries,  as defined therein,  may be awarded  additional  remuneration for
services  rendered,  thereby  increasing their personal interest in the Company.
The  Employee  Plan is also  intended to aid in  attracting  persons of suitable
ability to become employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

                                      F-10

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                      NOTES TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - STOCK PLANS AND MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION (CONT'D)

In December  1994,  the Company  granted  ten year  options to purchase  120,000
shares of Common  Stock to executive  officers of the Company.  Such options are
exercisable  at a price of $3.75 per share.  One-third  of such  options  became
exercisable in March,  1995,  one-third became  exercisable in December 1995 and
one-third  becomes  exercisable  in  December  1996.  In July 1995,  the Company
granted  five-year  options  to  purchase  100,000  shares  of  Common  Stock to
executive  officers of the Company.  Such options are  exercisable at a price of
$1.875 per share. All such options are currently exercisable.  In July 1995, the
Company  granted  options  to  purchase  10,000  shares  of  Common  Stock to an
executive  officer of the Company.  Such options are  exercisable  at a price of
$2.5625 per share.  Options to purchase 5,000 shares vest and become exercisable
in July 1996 and options to purchase an additional  5,000 shares vest and become
exercisable  in July  1997.  All  options  expire on the day  before  the 5-year
anniversary  of  vesting.  In December  1995,  the  Company  granted  options to
purchase  90,000 shares of Common Stock to an executive  officer of the Company.
Such options are exercisable at a price of $2.375 per share.  In addition,  such
options resulted in non-cash charge of approximately  $107,000 in 1995.  Options
to purchase  45,000 shares are currently  exercisable and options to purchase an
additional  45,000  shares vest and become  exercisable  in December  1996.  All
options  expire on the day before the 5-year  anniversary  of vesting.  In March
1995, the Company granted ten year options to purchase  100,000 shares of Common
Stock to a consultant of the Company. Such options are exercisable at a price of
$5.00 per share. All such options are currently  exercisable.  In July 1995, the
Company granted five year options to purchase 25,000 and 40,000 shares of Common
Stock to consultants to the Company.  Such options are exercisable at a price of
$4 per share. All options are currently exercisable. In August 1995, the Company
granted  three year  options to  purchase  100,000  shares of Common  Stock to a
consultant to the Company. Such options are exercisable at a price of $2.375 per
share. All such options are currently exercisable.

                                      F-11

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                      NOTES TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - STOCK PLANS AND MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION (CONT'D)

Non-qualified stock option transactions during the years ended December 31, 1994
and 1995 are summarized below:

                               December 31, 1994          December 31, 1995
                               -----------------          -----------------
                                           Grant                       Grant
                            Shares         Price      Shares           Price
                            -------       --------    -------       ------------
Outstanding
options at
beginning of year              --          --         360,000       $       3.75

Options
granted                     360,000       $   3.75    565,000       $1.875-$5.00

Options
exercised                      --          --            --                 --

Options
forfeited                      --          --            --                 --

Outstanding
options at
end of year                 360,000       $   3.75    925,000       $1.875-$5.00
                            =======       ========    =======       ============

Exerciseable
options at
end of year                    --          --         345,000       $1.875-$5.00
                                                      =======       ============

NOTE 5 - INCOME TAXES

Income taxes are provided based on the liability  method of accounting  pursuant
to Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 109, "Accounting for
Income  Taxes."   Deferred   income  taxes  are  recorded  to  reflect  the  tax
consequences  on future  years  differences  between the tax bases of assets and
liabilities and their financial  reporting  amounts at each year-end.  Valuation
allowances are  established  for those income tax benefits whose  reliability is
uncertain.

Reconciliation  of the  difference  between income taxes computed at the Federal
statutory tax rates and the Company's effective tax rate are as follows:

                                                  Year ended December 31,
                                                   1994            1995
                                                   ----            ----
Income tax benefit computed at Federal
  statutory tax rates                              (34.0)%        (34.0)%
Other                                                 .1             .1
Valuation allowance of net deferred tax asset       33.9           33.9
                                                    ----           ----

Provision for income taxes                            -%             -%
                                                    ====           ====


                                      F-12

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                      NOTES TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5 - INCOME TAXES (CONT'D)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:

                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                ------------
                                                    1995
                                                    ----
Net operating loss carryforward                    $1,405,400
Other, net                                             (3,000)
                                                   ----------
Net deferred tax asset                              1,402,400
Valuation allowance                                (1,402,400)
                                                   -----------
                                                   $       --
                                                   ===========


For Federal tax purposes,  the Company had available,  at December 31, 1995, net
operating loss carryforwards of $4,176,000, which expire through 2010 subject to
certain annual limitations.

NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company reimbursed  expenses paid personally by a stockholder,  amounting to
$20,000  for the year ended  December  31,  1994 and $50,000 for the period from
December 18, 1992 (date of inception) to December 31, 1995.

A former officer of the Company owned a 12.5% limited partnership  interest in a
franchise  which opened July,  1994 and was  terminated  May,  1995. The Company
earned approximately  $35,000 in franchise and related fees during 1994. As part
of the termination  agreement,  this limited  partnership  received  $25,000 and
18,185  shares of Company  stock with a market  value of $55,000 on the date the
franchise termination agreement was executed.

At December 31, 1994, the Company had a non-interest bearing demand note payable
due to an officer of $15,000 and had amounts  due to officers  for  unreimbursed
expenses of $67,040.  These amounts were paid during the year ended December 31,
1995.

The  Company's  executive  officers  have  waived  payment  of their  respective
salaries for 1994 and 1995 aggregating $320,000 and $30,000,  respectively.  The
waived  salaries are included in the statement of operations for the years ended
December  31,  1994 and 1995,  and for the  period  from  December  18,  1992 to
December 31, 1995 in accordance with SAB Topic 1:B

                                      F-13

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                      NOTES TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 7 - COMMITMENTS

The Company leases retail stores and office equipment.  All of the retail stores
are leased under noncancellable agreements which expire at various dates through
the year 2005. The agreements,  which have been classified as operating  leases,
require the Company to pay insurance, taxes and other maintenance costs.

The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments which are required
under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms
in excess of one year as of December 31, 1995.

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,                     NET MINIMUM RENTALS
- ------------------------                     -------------------

1996                                               $   554,000
1997                                                   573,000
1998                                                   575,000
1999                                                   576,000
2000                                                   577,000
Thereafter                                           2,397,000
                                                  ------------
              Total                                $ 5,252,000
                                                   ===========



The  rental  expense,  including  deferred  rent,  under  operating  leases  was
$215,797,  $409,850, and $671,804 for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995
and the period from December 18, 1992 (date of inception) to December 31, 1995.

Deferred  rent  results as the Company  recognizes  the cost of leases with free
rent periods and accelerating  lease payments on a straight-line  basis over the
term of the lease.

In addition,  the Company is committed to pay future  salaries under  employment
agreements with two executive officers (See Note 4).

NOTE 8 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On  February  7,  1996,  the  Company  entered  into a  financial  advisory  and
consulting  agreement  with  an  investment  banking  firm to  advise  it on the
possible  sale of  additional  equity  securities,  as well as to introduce  and
assist in the evaluation of potential merger and partnering opportunities.

The  agreement  is for a period of one year  commencing  on February 1, 1996 and
included a $100,000 retainer paid on the execution of the agreement and warrants
to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of
$1.00 per share  exercisable  from the date of the  agreement  to and  including
January 31, 1997 and warrants to purchase  200,000 shares of common stock of the
Company at an exercise price of $2.50 per share exercisable from the date of the
agreement to and including January 31, 1998.

Such warrants will result in a non-cash charge of approximately $475,000 for the
year  ended  December  31,  1996 and  approximately  $50,000  for the year ended
December 31, 1997.

                                      F-14

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                             CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                            AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


Current assets:
<S>                                                                                          <C>        
         Cash and cash equivalents                                                           $ 1,239,465
         Prepaid expenses                                                                        293,462
         Inventory                                                                               293,478
                                                                                             -----------
                              Total current assets                                             1,826,405

Property and equipment:
         Furniture and fixtures                                                                  356,258
         Leasehold improvements                                                                  677,001
         Purchased lease                                                                         120,000
         Computer equipment                                                                       33,318
                                                                                             -----------
                                                                                               1,186,577
              Less, Accumulated depreciation                                                 (   122,896)
                                                                                             -----------
                                                                                               1,063,681

Other assets:
         Deferred offering costs                                                                  37,500
         Lease and equipment deposits                                                            209,336
                      Total other assets                                                         246,836

                              Total assets                                                   $ 3,136,922
                                                                                             ===========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
         Accounts payable                                                                    $   120,305
         Accrued expenses                                                                        279,324
         Deferred revenue                                                                         49,445
                                                                                             -----------
                      Total current liabilities                                                  449,074

Deferred rent                                                                                    185,108

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
         Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 10,000,000
         shares authorized                                                                         2,226
         2,226,342 shares issued and outstanding
         Additional paid in capital                                                            8,223,342
         Deficit accumulated during the development stage                                    ( 5,722,828)
                                                                                             -----------
                                                                                               2,502,740
                      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                             $ 3,136,922
                                                                                             ===========

</TABLE>

                See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      F-15

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Nine months ended
                                                                   September 30,                              December 18, 1992
                                                                                                                (Inception) to
                                                            1996                        1995                  September 30, 1996
                                                            ----                        ----                  ------------------

<S>                                                       <C>                        <C>                          <C>
Revenues:
Services                                                  $ 1,527,390                $   535,977                  $  2,993,245
Products                                                      442,114                     99,694                       945,011
Royalties, franchise fees and other                                 -                      2,035                        46,558
                                                         ------------               ------------                --------------

              Total                                         1,969,504                    637,706                    33,984,814
                                                        -------------               ------------                --------------

Operating expenses:
Salaries and wages                                            991,435                    713,770                     2,859,272
Cost of products sold, buying and occupancy                   300,252                     50,495                       718,446
Rental expense                                                463,798                    199,420                     1,135,589
Advertising and promotion                                      73,862                     75,937                       376,034
Non-cash financial advisory fees                              350,000                         --                       350,000
General and administrative                                  1,356,342                    868,473                     3,577,615
Depreciation                                                   61,700                     14,362                       151,288
Waived salaries                                                     -                     30,000                       350,000
                                                          -----------                -----------                   -----------

         Total                                              3,597,389                  1,952,457                     9,518,244
                                                           ----------                 ----------                    ----------

Net loss from operations                                  ( 1,627,885)               ( 1,314,751)                  ( 5,533,430)
                                                          ----------                 ----------                    ----------

Other income (expense):
Interest income                                                82,607                    129,757                       232,298
Interest expense                                                   --                (   313,696)                  (   421,696)
                                                           ----------                ----------                    ----------

              Total                                            82,607                (   183,939)                  (   189,398)
                                                           ----------                ----------                    ----------

Net loss                                                ($ 1,545,278)                ($1,498,690)                  ($5,722,828)
                                                         -----------                 ----------                    ----------

Weighted average number of shares
         outstanding during the period                      1,859,506                  1,507,500
                                                         ============               ============

Net loss per common share and equivalents                  $    (0.83)            $        (0.99)
                                                           ============             ============
</TABLE>


                 See accompanying notes to financial statements

                                      F-16

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Nine months ended  Nine months ended   December 18, 1992
                                                                        September 30,      September 30,      (Inception) to
                                                                           1996                1995          September 30, 1996
                                                                      -----------------  -----------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                 <C>                <C>         
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net loss                                                         ($1,545,278)        ($1,468,690)       ($5,722,828)
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used
        by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                                      61,700              14,362            137,751
        Salaries waived by officers                                             -              30,000            350,000
        Warrant financing costs                                                 -             306,500            412,500
        Options granted as compensation                                   525,000                   -            631,830
        Common stock issued to former franchisee and
        consultant                                                              -                   -             66,915
        (Increase) decrease in:
             Accounts receivable                                            9,054               9,641                  -
             Prepaid expenses                                         (   183,774)        (   181,130)       (   293,462)
             Inventory                                                (    75,769)        (   136,438)       (   293,478)
             Other assets                                             (    82,023)            146,873        (   246,836)
        Increase (decrease) in:
             Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    (   238,771)            135,701            399,629
             Deferred revenues and rent                               (    41,368)        (     4,134)           234,553
             Accrued officer expenses                                           -         (    67,040)                 -
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------
             Total adjustments                                        (    25,951)            254,335          1,399,402
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------

Net cash used in operating activities                                 ( 1,571,229)        ( 1,214,355)       ( 4,323,426)
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
     Purchase of certificate of deposit                                         -                   -        ( 1,000,000)
     Maturity of certificate of deposit                                 1,000,000                   -          1,000,000
     Purchased lease                                                            -                   -        (   120,000)
     Purchase of property and equipment                               (   259,490)        (   446,188)       ( 1,066,577)
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------
Net cash used in investing activities                                     740,510         (   446,188)       ( 1,186,577)
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock                       848,447           5,127,732          6,749,468
     Proceeds from issuance of bridge notes and short-term debt                 -                   -            605,000
     Payment of bridge notes and short-term debt                                -         (   605,000)       (   605,000)
     Payment of officer loan payable                                            -         (    15,000)                 -
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                                 848,447           4,507,732          6,749,468
                                                                      ------------        ------------       ------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                        17,728          2,847,189          1,239,465
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                           1,221,737             81,044                  -
                                                                      -------------       ------------       ------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                               $ 1,239,465         $2,928,233         $1,239,465
                                                                      =============       ============       ============

Supplemental  disclosures of cash flow information:
     Cash paid during the period for:
           Interest                                                              -         $   13,696         $   20,892
                                                                      =============        ===========        ==========
           Income taxes                                                $     1,500         $    1,375         $   12,686
                                                                      =============        ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      F-17

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                     NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

The Great  American  Backrub  Store,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  formerly  American
Pleasure,  Inc., is an  owner/operator  of retail  stores which provide  seated,
fully  clothed  back  rubs  and  sell  back  related   products.   The  Company,
incorporated on December 28, 1992, began  operations in August,  1993 and opened
its first store for business in October,  1993.  As of September  30, 1996,  the
Company has ten locations,  nine in New York City and one in White Plains, NY at
the "Westchester" mall.

Management  believes  that  the  Company's  planned  principal  operations,  the
establishment  of  Company-owned  stores and  franchised  stores  throughout the
country,  have not yet  commenced.  The  initial  nine  stores have been used to
continue to develop and modify the Company's  retail concept.  Accordingly,  the
accompanying  financial  statements  have been presented as a development  stage
company, in accordance with Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS)
No. 7.

NOTE 1 - INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

In an initial  public  offering  completed  on March 7, 1995,  the Company  sold
1,250,000  shares of common  stock for  approximately  $6,250,000  which,  after
commissions  and fees,  provided the Company with net proceeds of  approximately
$5,127,732.

NOTE 2 - CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The  condensed  balance  sheet  as of  September  30,  1996  and  the  condensed
statements  of  operations  and cash  flows  for the nine  month  periods  ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995,  and the period  December 18, 1992  (inception)  to
September  30,  1996 have been  prepared by the Company  without  audit.  In the
opinion of management,  all  adjustments  (which  include only normal  recurring
adjustments)  necessary to present  fairly the  financial  position,  results of
operations,  and changes in cash flows at September  30, 1996 ad for all periods
presented have been made.

Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures  normally  included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles
have been condensed or omitted.  These condensed financial  statements should be
read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements  and notes  thereto of the
Company as of December 31, 1995.

The results of operations for the nine month periods  ending  September 30, 1996
and 1995 are not  necessarily  indicative of the operating  results for the full
year.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash  equivalents  represent all amounts held in banks and money market
accounts and short-term  investments  such as United States  Treasury Bills with
original maturities of three months or less.

                                      F-18

<PAGE>
                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                     NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net loss per common share for the nine month period ended  September 30, 1996 is
computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average common shares  outstanding
during the period.  The assumed  exercise of common  share  equivalents  was not
utilized since the effect was anti-dilutive.

Net loss per common share for the nine month period ended  September 30, 1995 is
computed by dividing net loss by the weighted  average  number of common  shares
and common share equivalents  outstanding,  adjusted for the effects of applying
Securities and Exchange  Commission Staff Accounting  Bulletin No. 83, using the
treasury stock method.

NOTE 4 - STOCK OPTIONS

At the Company's 1994 annual meeting of shareholders  held on July 18, 1994, the
Company's  shareholders  approved the Employee Plan. The purpose of the Employee
Plan is to promote  the success of the  Company by  providing  a method  whereby
eligible employees of the Company and its subsidiaries,  as defined therein, may
be awarded  additional  remuneration for services  rendered,  thereby increasing
their  personal  interest in the Company.  The Employee Plan is also intended to
aid in attracting persons of suitable ability to become employees of the Company
and its  subsidiaries.  The plan  covers an  aggregate  of 75,000  shares of the
Company's  Common  Stock.  As of September 30, 1996,  options to purchase  8,500
shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the plan.

In December  1994,  the Company  granted  ten-year  options to purchase  120,000
shares of Common Stock to each of Messrs.  Zanker,  Murray and Steven  Thompson,
then the Company's  Chief Financial  Officer.  Such options are exercisable at a
price of $3.75 per share. One-third of such options became exercisable in March,
1995,  one-third  became  exercisable  in  December  1995 and  one-third  become
exercisable  in  December  1996.  In July 1995,  the Company  granted  five-year
options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock to each of Messrs. Zanker and
Murray,  each  exercisable at a price of $1.875 per share. All such options have
been  exercised.  In July 1995, the Company  granted  options to purchase 10,000
shares of Common Stock to Mr. Dee.  Such options are  exercisable  at a price of
$2.5625 per share.  Options to purchase 5,000 shares vest and become exercisable
in July 1996 and options to purchase an additional  5,000 shares vest and become
exercisable  in July 1997.  All such options expire on the day before the 5-year
anniversary of vesting.  In March 1995, the Company granted  ten-year options to
purchase  100,000  shares of Common Stock to a consultant  to the Company.  Such
options  are  exercisable  at a price of $5.00 per share.  All such  options are
currently  exercisable.  In July 1995, the Company granted  five-year options to
purchase  65,000  shares of Common Stock to  consultants  to the  Company.  Such
options  are  exercisable  at a price of $4.00 per share.  All such  options are
currently exercisable. In August 1995, the Company granted three-year options to
purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock to a consultant to the Company, of which
options to purchase  76,500 shares have been exercised to date. Such options are
exercisable  at a price of $2.375  per share.  All such  options  are  currently
exercisable. In February, 1996, the Company granted warrants to purchase 300,000
shares of Common  Stock to a financial  advisor and  consultant  to the Company,
100,000 of which are  exercisable  at a price of $1.00 per  share,  all of which
have been  exercised,  and 200,000 of which are  exercisable at a price of $2.50
per share, of which 100,000 have been exercised.

                                      F-19

<PAGE>

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                          (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
                     NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5 - LEASES

The Company leases retail stores and office equipment.  All of the retail stores
are leased under noncancellable agreements which expire at various dates through
the year 2005. The agreements,  which have been classified as operating  leases,
require the Company to pay insurance, taxes and other maintenance costs.

Rent expense  amounted to $463,798 and $199,420 for the nine month periods ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Rent expense from December 18, 1992
(inception) to September 30, 1996 was $1,135,589.

NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL ADVISORY AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT

On  February  7,  1996,  the  Company  entered  into a  financial  advisory  and
consulting  agreement  with an  investment  banking firm to, among other things,
advise the Company on the possible sale of additional securities,  as well as to
introduce  and assist in the  evaluation  of  potential  merger  and  partnering
opportunities.

The agreement is for a period of one year  commencing as of February 1, 1996 and
includes (i) a $100,000  retainer paid on the execution of the  agreement,  (ii)
warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise
price of $1.00 per share exercisable from the date of agreement to and including
January  31,  1997 (all of which  have been  exercised)  and (iii)  warrants  to
purchase  200,000  shares of the Company's  common stock at an exercise price of
$2.50 per share  exercisable  from the date of the  agreement  to and  including
January 31, 1998 (100,000 of which have been exercised).

Such warrants have resulted in a non-cash  charge of $350,000 for the nine month
period ended September 30, 1996.


                                      F-20

<PAGE>

No dealer,  salesperson or any other person is authorized in connection with any
offering made hereby to give any information or to make any  representation  not
contained  in this  Prospectus,  and if  given  or  made,  such  information  or
representation  must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company
or any of the Underwriters. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell
or the  solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities  offered hereby by
anyone in any state in which such offer or  solicitation is not authorized or in
which the person making the offer or  solicitation  is not qualified to do so or
to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither
the  delivery of this  Prospectus  nor any sale made  hereunder  shall under any
circumstance create any implication that information contained herein is correct
as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                          PAGE
Prospectus Summary..........................................................5
Risk Factors...............................................................14
Concurrent Offering........................................................22
Use of Proceeds............................................................22
Dilution...................................................................23
Capitalization.............................................................25
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
       Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......................26
Price Range of Common Stock................................................28
Dividend Policy............................................................29
Business...................................................................29
Management.................................................................35
Certain Transactions.......................................................41
Principal Shareholders.....................................................42
Description of Securities..................................................43
Shares Eligible for Future Sale............................................48
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences...............................49
Underwriting...............................................................52
Legal Matters..............................................................54
Experts....................................................................55
Additional Information.....................................................55
Change in Accountants......................................................55
Financial Statements......................................................F-1



                           270,000 SHARES OF SERIES B
                           CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK



                               THE GREAT AMERICAN
                               BACKRUB STORE, INC.



                                 [COMPANY LOGO]




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

                                   PROSPECTUS
             ------------------------------------------------------




                           INVESTORS ASSOCIATES, INC.


                                     [LOGO]




                                 _________, 1997


<PAGE>
                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 24.         INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         Section 722 of the New York Business Corporation Law ("NYBCL") permits,
in general,  a New York  corporation to indemnify any person made, or threatened
to be made, a party to an action or  proceeding by reason of the fact that he or
she was a director or officer of the  corporation,  or served  another entity in
any capacity at the request of the  corporation,  against any  judgment,  fines,
amounts paid in settlement and reasonable  expenses,  including  attorney's fees
actually and necessarily  incurred as a result of such action or proceeding,  or
any appeal therein,  if such person acted in good faith, for a purpose he or she
reasonably believed to be in, or, in the case of service for another entity, not
opposed to, to the best interests of the corporation and, in criminal actions or
proceedings,  in addition  had no  reasonable  cause to believe  that his or her
conduct was unlawful. Section 723 of the NYBCL permits the corporation to pay in
advance  of a final  disposition  of such  action  or  proceeding  the  expenses
incurred in defending  such action or proceeding  upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the  director  or officer to repay such amount as, and to the
extent,   required  by  statute.   Section  721  of  the  NYBCL   provides  that
indemnification  and  advancement of expense  provisions  contained in the NYBCL
shall not be deemed  exclusive  of any  rights to which a  director  or  officer
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled,  provided no
indemnification  may be made on behalf of any  director or officer if a judgment
or other final adjudication  adverse to the director or officer establishes that
his or her acts  were  committed  in bad  faith or were the  result of active or
deliberate  dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so  adjudicated,
or  that he or she  personally  gained  in  fact a  financial  profit  or  other
advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled.

         Article  Seventh of the  Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as
amended,  provides,  in general, that the personal liability of the directors of
the Company is eliminated to the fullest  extent  permitted by the provisions of
paragraph  (b) of  Section  402 of the  NYBCL,  as the same may be  amended  and
supplemented.  Section  402(b) of the NYBCL  provides  that the  certificate  of
incorporation of a New York corporation may set forth a provision eliminating or
limiting  the  personal  liability  of  directors  to  the  corporation  or  its
stockholders for damages for any breach of duty in such capacity,  provided that
no such provision  shall eliminate or limit (1) the liability of any director if
a judgment or other final adjudication  adverse to him establishes that his acts
or omissions were in bad faith or involved  intentional  misconduct or a knowing
violation  of law or that he  personally  gained in fact a  financial  profit or
other advantage to which he is not legally  entitled or (2) the liability of any
director for any act or omission prior to the adoption of a provision authorized
by Section 402(b) of the NYBCL.

         The  underwriting  agreement  between the  Company and the  Underwriter
contains,  among other  things,  provisions  whereby the  Underwriter  agrees to
indemnify  the Company,  each officer and director of the Company who has signed
the  Registration  Statement and each person who controls the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act  against  any  losses,  liabilities,  claims or
damages  arising  out of  alleged  untrue  statements  or alleged  omissions  of
material  facts with  respect to  information  furnished  to the  Company by the
Underwriter for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.


                                      II-1

<PAGE>

Item 25.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

         The  following  table  sets  forth the  various  expenses  (other  than
underwriting  discounts and commissions) which will be paid by the Registrant in
connection  with  the  issuance  and   distribution  of  the  securities   being
registered.  With the exception of the registration fee and NASD filing fee, all
amounts shown are estimates.


Registration fee..................................................     $1,022.73
NASD filing fee...................................................      3,200.00
Nasdaq listing expenses...........................................
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including legal and filing fees)......
Printing expenses (other than stock certificates).................
Printing and engraving of stock certificates......................
Transfer, Warrant Agent and Conversion Agent and register fees
and expenses......................................................
Legal fees and expenses (other than Blue Sky).....................
Accounting fees and expenses......................................
Miscellaneous expenses............................................           .
                                                                     ---------
                  TOTAL...........................................  $        .
                                                                     =========



Item 26.       RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

         (a) The following  securities  were issued by the Registrant  since its
inception and prior to the date of filing of this Registration Statement.  There
were no  underwriting  discounts  or  commissions  paid in  connection  with the
issuance of any of these securities, except as otherwise noted:


                                    Amount
  Dates of                        Securities       Offering
    Sale              Title         Sold             Price          Purchaser
- ----------------   ------------   -------------   --------------  -------------


   6/10/93         Common Stock    187,500          par value    Debbie Dworkin
   6/10/93         Common Stock     62,500          $166.67      Linda Amori
   6/10/93         Common Stock     62,500          $166.67      Michael Schub
   6/10/93         Common Stock     62,500          $166.67      Ron Rodriquez


1993 RULE 504 OFFERING

         On June 15, 1993, the Company sold 125,000 shares of Common Stock in an
offering  pursuant to Rule 504 at a price of $8.00 per share. The Company paid a
commission related to this Offering equal to $130,000.


                                      II-2

<PAGE>

DECEMBER 1994 BRIDGE NOTES AND WARRANTS


                             Amount of
                            Securities          Offering
           Title               Sold               Price       Purchaser
- --------------------------  -----------      ------------  -----------------


Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      Michael Monroe
                               12,500
Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      Fred Taylor Isquith
                               12,500
Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      Michael Charney
                               12,500
Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      Donald Fleischer
                               12,500
Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      Maurice/Barbara
                               12,500                      Kupritz
Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      Glenn/Dawn James
                               12,500
Promissory Note/Warrants     $50,000/         $50,000      John Davis
                               25,000
Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      Robert Leeds
                               12,500
Promissory Note/Warrants     $25,000/         $25,000      The Carnegie
                               12,500                      Partners
Promissory Note/Warrants     $12,500/         $12,500      Jules Leventhal
                                6,250
Promissory Note/Warrants     $12,500/         $12,500      Private Label
                                6,250                      Furniture



APRIL 1995 STOCK ISSUANCES

                             Amount of
                            Securities          Offering
           Title               Sold               Price       Purchaser
- --------------------------  -----------      ------------  -----------------

Common Stock                   7,500              *        Olshan Grundman
                                                           Frome & Rosenzweig

Common Stock                   2,800              *        Stephen Irwin

Common Stock                     200              *        Jeffrey Spindler



- -----------
*        In April  1995,  the Company  issued  such  shares in exchange  for the
         cancellation  of an  account  payable  in  the  approximate  amount  of
         $45,000.

                                      II-3

<PAGE>

OCTOBER 1995 STOCK ISSUANCES

                             Amount of
                            Securities          Offering
           Title               Sold               Price       Purchaser
- --------------------------  -----------      ------------  -----------------

Common Stock                   6,581               *       Peter Forbes &
                                                            Associates, Inc.

Common Stock                   3,637              **       Matthew Frazer

Common Stock                   7,273              **       Robert Garff

Common Stock                   3,637              **       W. Blair Garff

Common Stock                   1,819              **       Alan Luther

Common Stock                   1,819              **       Michael Luther



*        In October 1995, the Company issued such shares in connection  with the
         provision of consulting services to the Company.


**       In October 1995, the Company issued such shares in connection  with the
         buy-back of its Las Vegas franchise store.


DECEMBER 1996 AND JANUARY 1997 BRIDGE NOTES AND WARRANTS

         (a) December 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               Amount of Securities          Offering
        Title                         Sold                      Price             Purchaser
- -------------------------      ---------------------     -----------------   -------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>              <C>             <C>           
Promissory Note/Warrants         $36,142.94/550,440          $36,693.34      William Zanker
Promissory Note/Warrants         $19,115.57/291,100          $19,406.66      Terrance C. Murray
Promissory Note/Warrants         $10,408.16/158,500          $10,566.67      Keith Dee
Promissory Note/Warrants         $65,666.67/1,000,000        $66,666.67      Dune Holdings, Inc.
Promissory Note/Warrants         $65,666.67/1,000,000        $66,666.67      RAASAY, S.A.
Promissory Note/Warrants         $65,666.67/1,000,000        $66,666.67      HANDA, S.A.
</TABLE>



         (b) January 1997

             The purchase by William Zanker of the Promissory  Note and Warrants
described in (a) above was rescinded and a Promissory Note and Warrants in equal
amount were purchased by Harold Hochberger for the same price.

         (c)  The  sales  set  forth   above  are  claimed  to  be  exempt  from
registration  with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as transactions by an Issuer not
involving any public offering.  All certificates  representing the shares issued
and currently outstanding by the Registrant herein have been properly legended.


Item 27.       EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

EXHIBIT NO.                DESCRIPTION

 *1.1            Form  of  Underwriting   Agreement   between  the  Company  and
                 Investors Associates, Inc.

 *1.2.1          Form of Agreement Among Underwriters.


                                      II-4

<PAGE>

 *1.2.2          Form of Selected Dealer Agreement.

**3.1            Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended.

  3.2            Amendment  of  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company
                 (designating Series A Convertible Preferred Stock).

**3.3            Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company.

**4.1            Specimen Certificate of the Company's Common Stock.

*4.2.1           Form  of   Underwriter's   Preferred   Stock  Purchase   Option
                 Agreement.

*4.2.2           Form  of   Underwriter's   Preferred   Stock  Purchase   Option
                 Certificate.

**4.3            1994 Employee Stock Option Plan.

**4.4            Nonqualified Option Agreement of Mr. Zanker.

**4.5            Nonqualified Option Agreement of Mr. Murray.

**4.6            Nonqualified Option Agreement of Mr. Thompson.

**4.7            Form of Option  Agreement  for  Options to be issued to outside
                 directors upon completion of the Offering.

 *4.8            Form of Warrant Certificate.

 *4.9            Warrant  Agreement  between  Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
                 Company and the Company.

 *5.1            Opinion of Olshan  Grundman  Frome &  Rosenzweig  LLP as to the
                 legality of the securities.

**10.1           Employment Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between the Company
                 and William Zanker.

**10.1.1         Amendment  dated February 1, 1995 to the  Employment  Agreement
                 dated November 1, 1994 between the Company and William Zanker.

**10.1.2         Amendment  No.  2 dated  February  27,  1995 to the  Employment
                 Agreement  dated  November  1, 1994  between  the  Company  and
                 William Zanker.

**10.2           Employment Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between the Company
                 and Terrance C. Murray.

**10.2.1         Amendment  dated February 1, 1995 to the  Employment  Agreement
                 dated  November 1, 1994  between  the  Company and  Terrance C.
                 Murray.

**10.2.2         Amendment  No.  2 dated  February  27,  1995 to the  Employment
                 Agreement  dated  November  1, 1994  between  the  Company  and
                 Terrance C. Murray.

**10.3           Employment Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between the Company
                 and Steven J. Thompson.

**10.3.1         Amendment  dated February 1, 1995 to the  Employment  Agreement
                 dated  November  1, 1994  between  the  Company  and  Steven J.
                 Thompson.

                                      II-5

<PAGE>

**10.3.2         Amendment  No.  2 dated  February  27,  1995 to the  Employment
                 Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between the Company and Steven
                 J. Thompson.

**10.4           Franchise  Agreement  dated May 14, 1994 between Emerald Desert
                 Rub and the Company.

**10.5           Lease  Agreement  dated  August 25, 1993  between 175 East 57th
                 Street, Inc. and the Company concerning the Third Avenue Store.

**10.6           Lease   Agreement  dated  February  1994  between  Town  Sports
                 International,  Inc. and the Company  concerning  the East 86th
                 Street Store.

**10.7           Notice  of  Town  Sports  International,  Inc.  to the  Company
                 terminating the East 86th Street Store lease.

**10.7.1         Lease  Extension  dated  February 27, 1995 relating to the 86th
                 Street Store Lease.

**10.8           Lease Agreement dated May 15, 1994 between Martin Cable and the
                 Company.

**10.9           Sublease  Agreement  dated May 31, 1994 between the Company and
                 Emerald Desert Rub.

**10.10          Commercial  Lease and Deposit  Receipt dated  December 31, 1994
                 for the Company's San Rafael, California office.

**10.11          Promissory Note dated April 5, 1994 issued to Colonial  Capital
                 Corp. for $165,000.

**10.12          Substitute  Promissory  Note dated  November  1, 1994 issued to
                 Colonial Capital Corp. for $165,000.

**10.13          Letter  Agreement  dated  December 23, 1994 between the Company
                 and Colonial Capital, Inc.

**10.14          Promissory  Note dated  April 5, 1994  issued to Gary D. Lipson
                 for $50,000.

**10.15          Substitute  Promissory  Note dated  November  1, 1994 issued to
                 Gary D. Lipson for $50,000.

**10.16          Promissory  Note dated April 5, 1994  issued to Kipnis  Tescher
                 Lippman Valinsky and Kain for $115,000.

**10.17          Substitute  Promissory  Note dated  November  1, 1994 issued to
                 Kipnis Tescher Lippman Valinsky & Kain for $115,000.

**10.18          Letter  Agreement  dated  December 28, 1994 between the Company
                 and Kipnis Tescher Lippman Valinsky and Kain.

**10.19          Letter  of  Understanding  dated  December  16,  1994  from the
                 Company to Colonial Capital, Inc.

**10.20          Purchase  Agreement  dated  June  10,  1993  by and  among  the
                 Company,  Michael Schub,  Linda Amori,  Ron  Rodriguez,  Debbie
                 Dworkin and William Zanker.

**10.21          Mutual  Termination  Agreement  dated  November 15, 1994 by and
                 among the Company,  Michael Schub,  Linda Amori, Ron Rodriguez,
                 Debbie Dworkin and William Zanker.

**10.22          Option  Agreement  dated June 20, 1994 between Bay Area Backs I
                 and the Company relating to a potential franchise agreement.

                                      II-6

<PAGE>

**10.23          Option  Agreement  dated June 21, 1994 between Bay Area Backs I
                 and the Company relating to a potential franchise agreement.

**10.24          Letter  dated  October  19,  1994 from the  Company to Bay Area
                 Backs I extending the term of the Option Agreements.

**10.24.1        Letter  dated  February  13,  1995 from the Company to Bay Area
                 Backs I extending the term of the Option Agreements.

**10.25          Form of Bridge Note relating to December 1994 private placement
                 securities offering.

**10.26          The Company's Uniform  Franchise  Offering Circular dated April
                 1, 1994.

**10.27          Letter of Intent  dated June 9, 1994 between  Brookstone,  Inc.
                 and the Company.

**10.28          Letter of Intent dated October 6, 1994 between Brookstone, Inc.
                 and the Company.

**10.29          Assignment  of  Patent  Rights  dated  December  23,  1994 from
                 William Zanker to the Company.

**10.30          Consulting  Agreement  dated March 9, 1995  between the Company
                 and A. Clinton Allen.

**10.31          Option Agreement dated March 9, 1995 between the Company and A.
                 Clinton Allen.

**10.32          Indemnification  Letter dated March 9, 1995 from the Company to
                 A. Clinton Allen.

***10.33         Option  Agreement  dated December 7, 1995, by and among Laidlaw
                 Holdings, Inc., Laidlaw Equities, Inc. and the Company.

***10.34         Franchise  Termination  Agreement  dated as of May 30, 1995, by
                 and between the Company and Emerald Desert Rub.

***10.35         Option  Termination  Agreement dated as of May 30, 1995, by and
                 between the Company and Bay Area Backs I.

***10.36         Financial Advisory and Consulting Agreement between the Company
                 and Investors Associates, Inc.

10.37            Consulting agreement dated February 1, 1996 between the Company
                 and Horatio Management Services Corp.

*10.38           Form of Warrant  solicitation fee letter agreement  between the
                 Company and Investors Associates, Inc.

*10.39           Form of mergers  and  acquisitions  fee  agreement  between the
                 Company and Investors Associates, Inc.

***11.1          Statement regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings.

**16.1           Letter from Elwell,  Cangiano, Zdon & Dee relating to change in
                 accountants.

***21.1          Subsidiaries of the Company.

*23.1            Consent of Olshan  Grundman Frome & Rosenzweig LLP (included in
                 Exhibit 5.1).

23.2             Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, certified public accountants.


                                      II-7

<PAGE>



24.1             Powers  of  Attorney   (included  on  signature  page  to  this
                 Registration Statement).

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

*        To be filed by amendment.

**       Incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on
         Form SB-2 (File No. 33-88052).

***      Incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
         year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 0-25334).



                                      II-8

<PAGE>

Item 28.         UNDERTAKINGS

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") may be permitted to directors,  officers and
controlling  persons of the Company  pursuant to the  foregoing  provisions,  or
otherwise,  the Company has been advised that, in the opinion of the  Securities
and  Exchange  Commission,  such  indemnification  is against  public  policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for  indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other than the payment by the
Company of  expenses  incurred  or paid by a  director,  officer or  controlling
person  of the  Company  in  the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit  or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such  director,  officer or  controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel  the matter has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

             (a) To include any Prospectus  required by Section  10(a)(3) of the
Act;

             (b) To  reflect  in the  Prospectus  any  facts  or  events  which,
individually or together  represent a fundamental  change in the information set
forth in the Registration Statement;

             (c) To include any  additional or changed  material  information on
the plan of distribution;

         (2) That, for the purpose of determining  any liability  under the Act,
each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement
relating to the securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (3) To remove from  registration by means of  post-effective  amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

         (4) For the purpose of  determining  any liability  under the Act, each
post-effective  amendment that contains a form of prospectus  shall be deemed to
be a new Registration  Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such  securities  at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-9

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

         In accordance with the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the  requirements  of filing on Form SB-2 and  authorizes  this  Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,  the City of New York,
State of New York, on the 5th day of February, 1997.

                                        THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.


                                        By: /S/ William Zanker
                                            ------------------
                                            William Zanker
                                            Chairman of the Board and President

         KNOW  ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that  each  person  whose  signature
appears  below  constitutes  and appoints  William  Zanker,  his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments  (including  post-effective  amendments) to this registration
statement,  and to file the same, with all exhibits  thereto and other documents
in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  granting
unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing  requisite or necessary to be done in and about the
premises,  as  fully  to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent
or either of them or their or his substitute or substitutes,  may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement was signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates stated.


       SIGNATURE                 TITLE                        DATE

/S/ WILLIAM ZANKER           Chairman of the Board,        February 5, 1997
- --------------------------   President and Director
    William Zanker

/S/ TERRANCE C. MURRAY       Chief Executive Officer       February 5, 1997
- --------------------------   and Director (principal 
    Terrance C. Murray       executive officer)

/S/ KEITH DEE                Chief Financial Officer       February 5, 1997
- --------------------------   and Secretary
    Keith Dee                (principal financial
                             and accounting officer)

/S/ STEPHEN SELIGMAN         Director                      February 5, 1997
- --------------------------
    Stephen Seligman

/S/ EDWARD E. FABER          Director                      February 5, 1997
- --------------------------
    Edward E. Faber

/S/ PETER HANELT             Director                      February 5, 1997
- --------------------------
    Peter Hanelt

/S/ DONALD R. FLEISCHER      Director                      February 5, 1997
- --------------------------
    Donald R. Fleischer

/S/ ANDREW L. HYAMS          Director                      February 5, 1997
- ---------------------------
    Andrew L. Hyams



                                      II-10

<PAGE>

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


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549









                                    EXHIBITS




                                       TO


                                    Form SB-2



                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT


                                      UNDER


                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933





                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
               (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)








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


<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.                    DESCRIPTION
- -----------                    -----------

 *1.1             Form  of  Underwriting   Agreement  between  the  Company  and
                  Investors Associates Inc.

 *1.2.1           Form of Agreement Among Underwriters.


 *1.2.2           Form of Selected Dealer Agreement.

**3.1             Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended.

  3.2             Amendment  of  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Company
                  (designating Series A Convertible Preferred Stock).

**3.3             Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company.

**4.1             Specimen Certificate of the Company's Common Stock.

 *4.2.1           Form  of   Underwriter's   Preferred   Stock  Purchase  Option
                  Agreement.

 *4.2.2           Form  of   Underwriter's   Preferred   Stock  Purchase  Option
                  Certificate.

**4.3             1994 Employee Stock Option Plan.

**4.4             Nonqualified Option Agreement of Mr. Zanker.

**4.5             Nonqualified Option Agreement of Mr. Murray.

**4.6             Nonqualified Option Agreement of Mr. Thompson.

**4.7             Form of Option Agreement for Options to be issued to outside
                  directors upon completion of the Offering.

 *4.8             Form of Warrant Certificate.

 *4.9             Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
                  Company and the Company.

 *5.1             Opinion of Olshan  Grundman  Frome & Rosenzweig  LLP as to the
                  legality of the securities.

**10.1            Employment  Agreement  dated  November  1,  1994  between  the
                  Company and William Zanker.

**10.1.1          Amendment  dated February 1, 1995 to the Employment  Agreement
                  dated November 1, 1994 between the Company and William Zanker.

**10.1.2          Amendment  No. 2 dated  February  27,  1995 to the  Employment
                  Agreement  dated  November  1, 1994  between  the  Company and
                  William Zanker.

**10.2            Employment  Agreement  dated  November  1,  1994  between  the
                  Company and Terrance C. Murray.

**10.2.1          Amendment  dated February 1, 1995 to the Employment  Agreement
                  dated  November 1, 1994  between  the Company and  Terrance C.
                  Murray.


<PAGE>

**10.2.2          Amendment  No. 2 dated  February  27,  1995 to the  Employment
                  Agreement  dated  November  1, 1994  between  the  Company and
                  Terrance C. Murray.

**10.3            Employment  Agreement  dated  November  1,  1994  between  the
                  Company and Steven J. Thompson.

**10.3.1          Amendment  dated February 1, 1995 to the Employment  Agreement
                  dated  November  1, 1994  between  the  Company  and Steven J.
                  Thompson.

**10.3.2          Amendment  No. 2 dated  February  27,  1995 to the  Employment
                  Agreement  dated  November  1, 1994  between  the  Company and
                  Steven J. Thompson.

**10.4            Franchise  Agreement dated May 14, 1994 between Emerald Desert
                  Rub and the Company.

**10.5            Lease  Agreement  dated  August 25, 1993 between 175 East 57th
                  Street,  Inc.  and the  Company  concerning  the Third  Avenue
                  Store.

**10.6            Lease  Agreement  dated  February  1994  between  Town  Sports
                  International,  Inc. and the Company  concerning the East 86th
                  Street Store.

**10.7            Notice  of Town  Sports  International,  Inc.  to the  Company
                  terminating the East 86th Street Store lease.

**10.7.1          Lease  Extension  dated February 27, 1995 relating to the 86th
                  Street Store Lease.

**10.8            Lease  Agreement  dated May 15, 1994 between  Martin Cable and
                  the Company.

**10.9            Sublease  Agreement dated May 31, 1994 between the Company and
                  Emerald Desert Rub.

**10.10           Commercial  Lease and Deposit  Receipt dated December 31, 1994
                  for the Company's San Rafael, California office.

**10.11           Promissory Note dated April 5, 1994 issued to Colonial Capital
                  Corp. for $165,000.

**10.12           Substitute  Promissory  Note dated  November 1, 1994 issued to
                  Colonial Capital Corp. for $165,000.

**10.13           Letter  Agreement  dated December 23, 1994 between the Company
                  and Colonial Capital, Inc.

**10.14           Promissory  Note dated  April 5, 1994 issued to Gary D. Lipson
                  for $50,000.

**10.15           Substitute  Promissory  Note dated  November 1, 1994 issued to
                  Gary D. Lipson for $50,000.

**10.16           Promissory  Note dated April 5, 1994 issued to Kipnis  Tescher
                  Lippman Valinsky and Kain for $115,000.

**10.17           Substitute  Promissory  Note dated  November 1, 1994 issued to
                  Kipnis Tescher Lippman Valinsky & Kain for $115,000.

**10.18           Letter  Agreement  dated December 28, 1994 between the Company
                  and Kipnis Tescher Lippman Valinsky and Kain.

**10.19           Letter  of  Understanding  dated  December  16,  1994 from the
                  Company to Colonial Capital, Inc.


<PAGE>

**10.20           Purchase  Agreement  dated  June  10,  1993 by and  among  the
                  Company,  Michael Schub,  Linda Amori,  Ron Rodriguez,  Debbie
                  Dworkin and William Zanker.

**10.21           Mutual  Termination  Agreement  dated November 15, 1994 by and
                  among the Company,  Michael Schub, Linda Amori, Ron Rodriguez,
                  Debbie Dworkin and William Zanker.

**10.22           Option  Agreement dated June 20, 1994 between Bay Area Backs I
                  and the Company relating to a potential franchise agreement.

**10.23           Option  Agreement dated June 21, 1994 between Bay Area Backs I
                  and the Company relating to a potential franchise agreement.

**10.24           Letter  dated  October  19,  1994 from the Company to Bay Area
                  Backs I extending the term of the Option Agreements.

**10.24.1         Letter  dated  February  13, 1995 from the Company to Bay Area
                  Backs I extending the term of the Option Agreements.

**10.25           Form  of  Bridge  Note   relating  to  December  1994  private
                  placement securities offering.

**10.26           The Company's Uniform Franchise  Offering Circular dated April
                  1, 1994.

**10.27           Letter of Intent dated June 9, 1994 between  Brookstone,  Inc.
                  and the Company.

**10.28           Letter of Intent  dated  October 6, 1994  between  Brookstone,
                  Inc. and the Company.

**10.29           Assignment  of Patent  Rights  dated  December  23,  1994 from
                  William Zanker to the Company.

**10.30           Consulting  Agreement  dated March 9, 1995 between the Company
                  and A. Clinton Allen.

**10.31           Option  Agreement  dated March 9, 1995 between the Company and
                  A. Clinton Allen.

**10.32           Indemnification Letter dated March 9, 1995 from the Company to
                  A. Clinton Allen.

***10.33          Option  Agreement dated December 7, 1995, by and among Laidlaw
                  Holdings, Inc., Laidlaw Equities, Inc. and the Company.

***10.34          Franchise  Termination  Agreement dated as of May 30, 1995, by
                  and between the Company and Emerald Desert Rub.

***10.35          Option Termination  Agreement dated as of May 30, 1995, by and
                  between the Company and Bay Area Backs I.

***10.36          Financial  Advisory  and  Consulting   Agreement  between  the
                  Company and Investors Associates, Inc.

10.37             Consulting  agreement  dated  February  1,  1996  between  the
                  Company and Horatio Management Services Corp.

*10.38            Form of Warrant  solicitation fee letter agreement between the
                  Company and Investors Associates, Inc.

*10.39            Form of mergers and  acquisitions  fee  agreement  between the
                  Company and Investors Associates, Inc.

***11.1           Statement regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings.

<PAGE>

**16.1            Letter from Elwell, Cangiano, Zdon & Dee relating to change in
                  accountants.

***21.1           Subsidiaries of the Company.

*23.1             Consent of Olshan Grundman Frome & Rosenzweig LLP (included in
                  Exhibit 5.1).

23.2              Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, certified public accountants.

24.1              Powers  of  Attorney  (included  on  signature  page  to  this
                  Registration Statement).

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

*        To be filed by amendment.

**       Incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on
         Form SB-2 (File No. 33-88052).

***      Incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
         year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 0-25334).



                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.2

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                       OF

                        THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.

                Under Section 805 of the Business Corporation Law





                  FIRST:  The name of the corporation is The Great American
BackRub Store, Inc. (the "Corporation").  The name under which
the corporation was formed is American Backrub Stores, Inc.

                  SECOND:  The certificate of incorporation (the "Certificate
of Incorporation") of the corporation was filed by the Department
of State on December 18, 1992.

                  THIRD:  The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation
effected by this certificate of amendment is as follows:

                                    To add a provision  stating the designation,
number and relative  rights,  preferences,  privileges and  restrictions  of the
shares of Series A of preferred  stock of the  Corporation as fixed by the Board
of  Directors  of the  Corporation  (the "Board of  Directors")  pursuant to the
authorization contained in the Certificate of Incorporation.

                  FOURTH: To accomplish the foregoing  amendment,  the following
new  Article,   relating  to  the  designation,   number  and  relative  rights,
preferences,  privileges  and  restrictions  of the Series A preferred  stock is
inserted in the Certificate of Incorporation:

                  "FOURTH-A:    DESIGNATION,   NUMBER   AND   RELATIVE   RIGHTS,
PREFERENCES,  PRIVILEGES  AND  RESTRICTIONS  OF SERIES A  PREFERRED  STOCK.  The
designation,   number  and  relative   rights,   preferences,   privileges   and
restrictions of the Series A Preferred Stock are as follows:

                                    Section  1.  DESIGNATION,   NUMBER  AND  PAR
VALUE. A series of preferred stock of the Corporation (the "Preferred Stock") is
hereby  designated  as the Series A  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  (referred to
herein as the "Series A Preferred Stock"), and the number of shares of Preferred
Stock so
<PAGE>

designated  is  4,000,000  shares.  The par  value  of each  share  of  Series A
Preferred Stock shall be $.001.

                                    Section 2. DIVIDENDS.

                                    (a) The  holders  of shares of the  Series A
Preferred  Stock will be entitled to  receive,  when,  as and if declared by the
Board of Directors out of funds of the Corporation  legally  available  therefor
(and  subject  to  the  limitation  described  in  the  last  sentence  of  this
paragraph),  cumulative  dividends on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
at the rate of 7.0% (or $0.35) per annum per share of Series A  Preferred  Stock
outstanding, and no more, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 in each
year.  Such dividends shall be cumulative from the later of the date of issuance
of the Series A Preferred  Stock or the most  recent  dividend  payment  date on
which  dividends  have  been  paid  on  the  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  by the
Corporation. Dividends shall be payable either (at the Company's option) in cash
or in shares of Common  Stock on the basis of the  average  Closing  Prices  (as
defined in Section  6(c)) of the Common  Stock for the ten  consecutive  trading
days ending on the last trading day  preceding  the record date for the dividend
payment. Each such dividend shall be paid to the holders of record of the shares
of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock as they  appear on the stock  records  of the
Corporation  on such  record  date,  not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days
preceding the dividend  payment date thereof,  as shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors or a duly authorized  committee thereof.  If a holder converts a share
or shares of the Series A  Preferred  Stock  after the close of  business on the
record  date for a dividend  and before the  opening of  business on the payment
date for such dividend,  then,  pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the holder will be
required to pay to the  Corporation at the time of such conversion the amount of
such dividend  (unless the shares were converted  after the issuance of a notice
of  redemption  with respect to such  shares,  in which event the holder of such
shares  shall be  entitled  to the  dividend  payable  thereon on such  dividend
payment date).

                                    (b) If  dividends  are not paid in full,  or
declared in full and sums set apart for the payment thereof,  upon the shares of
the Series A Preferred  Stock and shares of any other preferred stock ranking on
a parity as to  dividends  with the  Series A  Preferred  Stock,  all  dividends
declared upon shares of the Series A Preferred  Stock and of any other preferred
Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends  shall be paid or declared PRO RATA so
that in all cases the  amount of  dividends  paid or  declared  per share on the
Series A Preferred  Stock and such other shares of preferred stock shall bear to
each other the same  ratio  that  accumulated  dividends  per  share,  including
dividends accrued or in arrears, if any, on the shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock and such other  shares of  preferred  stock bear to each other.  Except as
provided in the preceding sentence, unless cumulative


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

dividends  on the  shares  of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  have been paid or
declared in full and sums set aside for the payment thereof, no dividends (other
than dividends in shares of Common Stock (as  hereinafter  defined) or in shares
of any other capital  stock of the  Corporation  ranking  junior to the Series A
Preferred  Stock as to dividends and  distribution  of assets upon  liquidation)
shall be paid or declared and set aside for payment or other  distribution  made
upon the  Corporation's  Common  Stock,  par value $.001 per share (the  "Common
Stock"), or any other capital stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a
parity with the Series A Preferred  Stock as to dividends,  nor shall any shares
of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock of the Corporation  ranking
junior to or on a parity with the Series A Preferred  Stock as to  dividends  be
redeemed,  purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any payment
made to or available  for a sinking fund for the  redemption of any such shares)
by the  Corporation or any subsidiary of the  Corporation  (except by conversion
into or exchange for shares of capital stock of the  Corporation  ranking junior
to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends and  distribution of assets upon
liquidation).  Holders of shares of the Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall not be
entitled  to any  dividends,  whether  payable  in cash,  property  or shares of
capital  stock,  in excess of full  accrued and  cumulative  dividends as herein
provided.  No interest  or sum of money in lieu of interest  shall be payable in
respect  of any  dividend  payment  or  payments  on the  shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock that may be in arrears.

                                    The terms  "accrued  dividends,"  "dividends
accrued" and  "dividends  in arrears,"  whenever  used herein with  reference to
shares of preferred stock shall be deemed to mean an amount which shall be equal
to dividends  thereon at the annual  dividend rates per share for the respective
series thereof from the date or dates on which such dividends commence to accrue
to the end of the then  current  quarterly  dividend  period for such  preferred
stock  (or,  in the case of  redemption,  to the date of  redemption),  less the
amount of all  dividends  paid,  or  declared in full and sums set aside for the
payment thereof, upon such shares of preferred stock.

                                    (c)  Dividends  payable on the shares of the
Series A  Preferred  Stock for any period  less than a full  quarterly  dividend
period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve  30-day months
and the actual number of days elapsed in the period for which payable.

                                    Section 3. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

                                    (a) The  shares  of the  Series A  Preferred
Stock will be redeemable at the option of the  Corporation  by resolution of its
Board of  Directors,  in whole or from  time to time in part,  at any time on or
after the fifth anniversary of the date of original


                                       -3-
<PAGE>

issuance (the "Warrant  Issue Date") of Warrants to purchase  Series A Preferred
Stock pursuant to a Confidential  Private Offering Memorandum dated November 25,
1996, subject to the limitations set forth below, at a redemption price of $5.25
per share (the "Redemption Price"), plus all dividends accrued and unpaid on the
shares of the Series A Preferred Stock up to the date fixed for redemption, upon
giving notice as provided below.

                                    (b) If  less  than  all  of the  outstanding
shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed,  the number of shares
to be redeemed  shall be  determined by the Board of Directors and the shares to
be redeemed  shall be determined  pro rata or by lot or in such other manner and
subject to such  regulations  as the Board of Directors  in its sole  discretion
shall prescribe.

                                    (c) At least  30 days  but not more  than 60
days  prior to the date  fixed for the  redemption  of  shares  of the  Series A
Preferred  Stock,  a written  notice shall be mailed to each holder of record of
shares of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock to be  redeemed  in a postage  prepaid
envelope  addressed  to such holder at his post  office  address as shown on the
records  of the  Corporation,  notifying  such  holder  of the  election  of the
Corporation to redeem such shares, stating the date fixed for redemption thereof
(the  "Redemption  Date"),  and  calling  upon such holder to  surrender  to the
Corporation  on the Redemption  Date at the place  designated in such notice his
certificate or certificates  representing the number of shares specified in such
notice of redemption.  On or after the Redemption  Date each holder of shares of
the Series A Preferred  Stock to be redeemed  shall  present and  surrender  his
certificate  or  certificates  for such shares to the  Corporation  at the place
designated  in such notice and  thereupon  the  redemption  price of such shares
shall be paid to or on the  order  of the  person  whose  name  appears  on such
certificate  or  certificates   as  the  owner  thereof  and  each   surrendered
certificate shall be cancelled.  In case less than all the shares represented by
any  such  certificate  are  redeemed,   a  new  certificate   shall  be  issued
representing the unredeemed  shares.  From and after the Redemption Date (unless
default shall be made by the  Corporation in payment of the  redemption  price),
all  dividends  on the shares of the Series A  Preferred  Stock  designated  for
redemption  in such notice shall cease to accrue,  and all rights of the holders
thereof as  stockholders  of the  Corporation,  except the right to receive  the
redemption  price of such shares  (including all accrued and unpaid dividends up
to the  Redemption  Date) upon the surrender of  certificates  representing  the
same,  shall  cease  and  terminate  and such  shares  shall not  thereafter  be
transferred  (except  with the consent of the  Corporation)  on the books of the
Corporation,  and such  shares  shall not be deemed  to be  outstanding  for any
purpose  whatsoever.  At its election,  the Corporation  prior to the Redemption
Date may  deposit  the  redemption  price  (including  all  accrued  and  unpaid
dividends up to the Redemption Date) of shares of the Series A


                                       -4-
<PAGE>

Preferred Stock so called for redemption in trust for the holders thereof with a
bank  or  trust  company  (having  a  capital  surplus  and  undivided   profits
aggregating  not less than  $50,000,000)  in the Borough of Manhattan,  City and
State of New York,  or in any other  city in which the  Corporation  at the time
shall maintain a transfer agency with respect to such shares,  in which case the
aforesaid  notice to  holders of shares of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock to be
redeemed shall state the date of such deposit,  shall specify the office of such
bank or trust company as the place of payment of the redemption price, and shall
call upon such holders to surrender the certificates representing such shares at
such place on or after the date fixed in such redemption notice (which shall not
be later than the  Redemption  Date)  against  payment of the  redemption  price
(including  all accrued and unpaid  dividends up to the  Redemption  Date).  Any
interest  accrued on such funds  shall be paid to the  Corporation  from time to
time.  Any moneys so deposited  which shall  remain  unclaimed by the holders of
such  shares of the Series A  Preferred  Stock at the end of two years after the
Redemption  Date  shall  be  returned  by such  bank  or  trust  company  to the
Corporation.

                                    If a notice  of  redemption  has been  given
pursuant  to this  Section 3 and any holder of shares of this Series A Preferred
Stock shall,  prior to the close of business on the last  business day preceding
the Redemption Date, give written notice to the Corporation  pursuant to Section
6 below of the  conversion  of any or all of the shares to be  redeemed  held by
such holder  (accompanied by a certificate or certificates for such shares, duly
endorsed or assigned to the Corporation, and any necessary transfer tax payment,
as required by Section 6 below), then such redemption shall not become effective
as to such shares to be converted,  such  conversion  shall become  effective as
provided in Section 6 below and any moneys set aside by the  Corporation for the
redemption of such shares of converted  Series A Preferred Stock shall revert to
the general funds of the  Corporation  (unless such shares were converted  after
the close of business  on the record date for a dividend  and before the opening
of business on the payment date for such dividend, in which event the holders of
such shares shall be entitled to the dividend  payable  thereon on such dividend
payment date).

                                    (d) Shares of the Series A  Preferred  Stock
redeemed, repurchased or retired pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3 or
surrendered to the Corporation upon conversion or shall thereupon be retired and
may not be  reissued  as  shares  of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  but  shall
thereafter  have the status of authorized  but unissued  shares of the Preferred
Stock,  without  designation  as to  series  until  such  shares  are once  more
designated as part of a particular series of the Preferred Stock.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>

                                    Section 4. VOTING RIGHTS.

                                    The  holders  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock
shall not be entitled to vote on any matter  except (i) as provided in Section 8
and (ii) as required by law.


                                    Section 5. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.

                                    (a)  In  the   event  of  any   liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation,  whether  voluntary
or  otherwise,  after  payment or  provision  for payment of the debts and other
liabilities of the Corporation,  the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive,  in cash, out of the remaining net assets of
the Corporation, the amount of Five Dollars ($5.00) for each share of the Series
A Preferred  Stock held by them,  plus an amount equal to all dividends  accrued
and unpaid on each such share up to the date fixed for distribution,  before any
distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of Common Stock or any other
capital stock of the Corporation ranking (as to any such distribution) junior to
the Series A Preferred Stock. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Corporation,  the assets distributable among the holders of shares of the
Series A Preferred  Stock and all other  classes and series of  preferred  stock
ranking  (as to any such  distribution)  on a parity with the Series A Preferred
Stock are  insufficient to permit the payment in full to the holders of all such
shares of all preferential amounts payable to all such holders,  then the entire
assets of the Corporation thus distributable  shall be distributed ratably among
the holders of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and such other classes
and series of preferred stock ranking (as to any such  distribution) on a parity
with the Series A Preferred  Stock in proportion to the respective  amounts that
would be payable per share if such assets were  sufficient to permit  payment in
full.

                                    (b)  For  purposes  of  this  Section  5,  a
distribution of assets in any dissolution,  winding up or liquidation  shall not
include  (i) any  consolidation  or merger of the  Corporation  with or into any
other   corporation,   (ii)  any   dissolution,   liquidation,   winding  up  or
reorganization of the Corporation  immediately  followed by  reincorporation  of
another corporation or (iii) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the Corporation's assets to another corporation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
in each case, effective provision is made in the certificate of incorporation of
the resulting and surviving  corporation  or otherwise for the protection of the
rights of the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock.

                                    (c)   After   the   payment   of  the   full
preferential  amounts provided for herein to the holders of shares of the Series
A


                                       -6-
<PAGE>

Preferred Stock or funds necessary for such payment have been set aside in trust
for the holders  thereof,  such holders shall be entitled to no other or further
participation in the distribution of the assets of the Corporation.

                                    Section 6. CONVERSION.

                                    (a)  Holders  of  shares  of  the  Series  A
Preferred  Stock shall have the right,  exercisable at any time and from time to
time on or after the first  anniversary of the Warrant Issue Date, except in the
case of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption, to convert
all or any such shares of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of the Common
Stock  (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100th of a share) such
that each share of Series A Preferred  Stock shall be converted into the greater
of (i) two  shares of Common  Stock  (the "Base  Conversion  Rate"),  subject to
adjustment as described  below, or (ii) a number shares of Common Stock equal to
$8.00  divided by the average of the Closing  Prices (as defined in Section 6(c)
per share of the Common Stock for the ten (10)  consecutive  trading days ending
on the third trading day preceding  the  Conversion  Date (as defined in Section
6(b)).  In the  case of  shares  of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  called  for
redemption,  conversion  rights will expire at the close of business on the last
business day preceding the  Redemption  Date.  Notice of an optional  redemption
must be  mailed  not less  than 30 days and not more  than 60 days  prior to the
Redemption  Date.  Upon  conversion,  no  adjustment or payment will be made for
dividends,  but if any holder surrenders a share of the Series A Preferred Stock
for conversion after the close of business on the record date for the payment of
a dividend  and prior to the opening of business  on the next  dividend  payment
date,  then,  notwithstanding  such  conversion,  the  dividend  payable on such
dividend  payment  date will be paid to the  registered  holder of such share on
such record date. In such event,  such share,  when  surrendered  for conversion
during the period  between the close of business on any dividend  payment record
date and the opening of business on the  corresponding  dividend  payment  date,
must be  accompanied  by payment of an amount equal to the  dividend  payable on
such  dividend  payment  date on the share so  converted  (unless such share was
converted  after the  issuance of a notice of  redemption  with  respect to such
share,  in which  event such share shall be  entitled  to the  dividend  payable
thereon on such dividend payment date).

                                    (b) Any  holder  of share or  shares  of the
Series A Preferred  Stock electing to convert such share or shares thereof shall
deliver the certificate or certificates  therefor to the principal office of any
transfer  agent for the Common  Stock,  with the form of notice of  election  to
convert as the Corporation shall prescribe fully completed and duly executed and
(if so required by the Corporation or any conversion agent) accompanied


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

by instruments of transfer in form  satisfactory  to the  Corporation and to any
conversion  agent, duly executed by the registered holder or his duly authorized
attorney,  and transfer  taxes,  stamps or funds therefor or evidence of payment
thereof if required  pursuant to Section 6(d). The conversion right with respect
to any such  shares  shall be  deemed to have  been  exercised  at the date (the
"Conversion Date") upon which the certificates therefor accompanied by such duly
executed notice of election and instruments of transfer and such taxes,  stamps,
funds,  or evidence of payment shall have been so  delivered,  and the person or
persons  entitled to receive the shares of the Common Stock  issuable  upon such
conversion  shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of
such shares of the Common Stock upon said date.

                                    (c) No fractional shares of the Common Stock
or scrip  representing  fractional  shares  shall be issued upon  conversion  of
shares of the Series A Preferred  Stock.  If more than one share of the Series A
Preferred  Stock shall be  surrendered  for  conversion  at one time by the same
holder,  the number of full  shares of the Common  Stock which shall be issuable
upon conversion  thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate  number
of  shares  of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock so  surrendered.  Instead  of any
fractional  shares of the Common Stock which would  otherwise  be issuable  upon
conversion of any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation  shall
pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the same
fraction of the Closing  Price (as  defined  below) for the Common  Stock on the
last trading day  preceding the date of  conversion.  The Closing Price for each
day  shall be the last  reported  sale  price  regular  way or,  in case no such
reported sale takes place on such date, the average of the reported  closing bid
and asked prices regular way, on the principal national  securities  exchange on
which  Common  Stock is listed  or  admitted  to  trading  or, if not  listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange,  the closing sale price
of Common  Stock,  or in case no reported  sale takes place,  the average of the
closing  bid and asked  prices,  on the  Nasdaq  National  Market or the  Nasdaq
SmallCap Market (collectively, "NASDAQ"), the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board (the
"Bulletin Board") or any comparable system, or if the Common Stock is not quoted
on NASDAQ,  the Bulletin Board or any comparable  system, the closing sale price
or, in case no  reported  sale takes  place,  the average of the closing bid and
asked  prices,  as furnished by any two members of the National  Association  of
Securities Dealers,  Inc. selected from time to time by the Corporation for that
purpose.

                                    (d) If a holder  converts  a share or shares
of the Series A Preferred  Stock,  the  Corporation  shall pay any  documentary,
stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Common Stock upon the
conversion.  The holder, however, shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any
tax which is due


                                       -8-
<PAGE>

(or shall establish to the  satisfaction of the Corporation  payment thereof) if
the shares  are to be issued in a name  other  than the name of such  holder and
shall pay to the Corporation any amount required by the last sentence of Section
6(a) hereof.

                                    (e) The Corporation  shall reserve and shall
at all times have  reserved out of its  authorized  but  unissued  shares of the
Common Stock  sufficient  shares of the Common Stock to permit the conversion of
the then  outstanding  shares of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock.  All shares of
Common  Stock  which may be issued  upon  conversion  of shares of the  Series A
Preferred Stock shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  In order
that the  Corporation  may issue shares of the Common Stock upon  conversion  of
shares of the Series A Preferred  Stock, the Corporation will endeavor to comply
with all applicable  Federal and State securities laws and will endeavor to list
such shares of the Common Stock to be issued upon  conversion on each securities
exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.

                                    (f) The  conversion  rate in  effect  at any
time shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

                                                      (i)    In     case     the
                                    Corporation  shall  (1)  pay a  dividend  in
                                    shares of the Common Stock to holders of the
                                    Common  Stock,  (2) make a  distribution  in
                                    shares of the Common Stock to holders of the
                                    Common Stock,  (3) subdivide the outstanding
                                    shares of the  Common  Stock  into a greater
                                    number of shares of the Common  Stock or (4)
                                    combine the outstanding shares of the Common
                                    Stock into a smaller number of shares of the
                                    Common Stock, the Base Conversion Rate shall
                                    be   adjusted   to  be  equal  to  the  Base
                                    Conversion  Rate  immediately  prior to such
                                    event  multiplied by a fraction of which the
                                    numerator  shall be the  number of shares of
                                    Common Stock  outstanding  immediately after
                                    such  event  and of  which  the  denominator
                                    shall be the  number  of  shares  of  Common
                                    Stock outstanding  immediately prior to such
                                    event.  An adjustment  made pursuant to this
                                    Section   6(f)(i)  shall  become   effective
                                    immediately  after  the  record  date in the
                                    case of a dividend or distribution and shall
                                    become  effective   immediately   after  the
                                    effective  date in the case of a subdivision
                                    or combination.

                                                      (ii)    In    case     the
                                    Corporation  shall issue  rights or warrants
                                    to all holders of the Common Stock entitling
                                    them  (for a period  commencing  no  earlier
                                    than the record  date for the  determination
                                    of  holders  of  Common  Stock  entitled  to
                                    receive such rights or warrants and expiring
                                    not  more  than 45 days  after  such  record
                                    date) to subscribe for or purchase shares of
                                    the Common Stock (or securities  convertible
                                    into shares of the Common  Stock) at a price
                                    per share less than the current


                                       -9-
<PAGE>

                                    market  price  (as  determined  pursuant  to
                                    Section  6(f)(iv))  of the  Common  Stock on
                                    such record date, the Base  Conversion  Rate
                                    shall be  adjusted so that the same shall be
                                    equal to Base  Conversion  Rate  immediately
                                    prior to such  record date  multiplied  by a
                                    fraction of which the numerator shall be the
                                    number  of  shares  of  the   Common   Stock
                                    outstanding  on such  record  date  plus the
                                    number of  additional  shares of the  Common
                                    Stock offered (or into which the convertible
                                    securities so offered are convertible),  and
                                    of which the denominator shall be the number
                                    of shares of the Common Stock outstanding on
                                    such record date,  plus the number of shares
                                    of the  Common  Stock  which  the  aggregate
                                    offering  price of the offered shares of the
                                    Common  Stock (or the  aggregate  conversion
                                    price  of  the  convertible   securities  so
                                    offered)  would  purchase  at  such  current
                                    market price.  Such adjustments shall become
                                    effective   immediately  after  such  record
                                    date.

                                                      (iii)    In    case    the
                                    Corporation  shall distribute to all holders
                                    of the Common  Stock  shares of any class of
                                    capital  stock other than the Common  Stock,
                                    evidence  of  indebtedness  or other  assets
                                    (other than cash dividends out of current or
                                    retained  earnings),  or shall distribute to
                                    substantially  all  holders  of  the  Common
                                    Stock  rights or warrants to  subscribe  for
                                    securities  (other than those referred to in
                                    Section  6(f)(ii)),  then in each  such case
                                    the Base  Conversion  Rate shall be adjusted
                                    so that the same  shall be equal to the Base
                                    Conversion  Rate  immediately  prior  to the
                                    date of such  distribution  multiplied  by a
                                    fraction of which the numerator shall be the
                                    current market price (determined as provided
                                    in Section  6(f)(iv)) of the Common stock on
                                    the  record  date  mentioned  below,  and of
                                    which the denominator  shall be such current
                                    market price of the Common  Stock,  less the
                                    then fair market value (as determined by the
                                    Board  of  Directors,   whose  determination
                                    shall be  conclusive  evidence  of such fair
                                    market  value) of the  portion of the assets
                                    so  distributed  or  of  such   subscription
                                    rights or warrants  applicable  to one share
                                    of the Common Stock.  Such adjustment  shall
                                    become  effective   immediately   after  the
                                    record  date  for the  determination  of the
                                    holders  of the  Common  Stock  entitled  to
                                    receive such  distribution.  Notwithstanding
                                    the   foregoing,   in  the  event  that  the
                                    Corporation   shall  distribute   rights  or
                                    warrants  (other  than those  referred to in
                                    Section  6(f)(ii),  ("Rights")  pro  rata to
                                    holders of the Common Stock, the Corporation
                                    may,  in  lieu  of  making  any   adjustment
                                    pursuant  to this  Section  6(f)(iii),  make
                                    proper  provision  so that each  holder of a
                                    share  of  Series  A  Preferred   Stock  who
                                    converts such share after the


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                    record date for such  distribution and prior
                                    to  the  expiration  or  redemption  of  the
                                    Rights  shall be  entitled  to receive  upon
                                    such  conversion,  in addition to the shares
                                    of  the  Common  Stock  issuable  upon  such
                                    conversion  (the  "Conversion   Shares"),  a
                                    number  of  Rights  to  be   determined   as
                                    follows: (i) if such conversion occurs on or
                                    prior to the date  for the  distribution  to
                                    the   holder  of   Rights   of  a   separate
                                    certificate   evidencing  such  Rights  (the
                                    "Distribution  Date"),  the same  number  of
                                    Rights  to  which a holder  of a  number  of
                                    shares  of the  Common  Stock  equal  to the
                                    number of  Conversion  Shares is entitled at
                                    the time of such  conversion  in  accordance
                                    with  the  terms  and   provisions   of  and
                                    applicable  to the Rights;  and (ii) if such
                                    conversion  occurs  after  the  Distribution
                                    Date,  the same  number of Rights to which a
                                    holder of the number of shares of the Common
                                    Stock  into  which a share  of the  Series A
                                    Preferred Stock so converted was convertible
                                    immediately  prior to the Distribution  Date
                                    would have been entitled on the Distribution
                                    Date  in  accordance   with  the  terms  and
                                    provisions of and applicable to the Rights.

                                                      (iv)  The  current  market
                                    price per share of the  Common  Stock on any
                                    date  shall be deemed to be the  average  of
                                    the  daily   closing   prices   for   thirty
                                    consecutive    trading    days    commencing
                                    forty-five  trading  days  before the day in
                                    question.  The  closing  price  for each day
                                    shall  be  the  last   reported  sale  price
                                    regular  way or,  in  case no such  reported
                                    sale takes  place on such date,  the average
                                    of the reported closing bid and asked prices
                                    on   the   principal   national   securities
                                    exchange on which the Common Stock is listed
                                    or  admitted to trading or, if not listed or
                                    admitted   to   trading   on  any   national
                                    securities exchange,  the closing sale price
                                    of Common Stock, or in case no reported sale
                                    takes place,  the average of the closing bid
                                    and asked  prices,  on the  Nasdaq  National
                                    Market  or  the   Nasdaq   SmallCap   Market
                                    (collectively, "NASDAQ"), the OTC Electronic
                                    Bulletin Board (the "Bulletin Board") or any
                                    comparable system, or if the Common Stock is
                                    not quoted on NASDAQ,  the Bulletin Board or
                                    any  comparable  system,  the  closing  sale
                                    price or,  in case no  reported  sale  takes
                                    place,  the  average of the  closing bid and
                                    asked  prices,   as  furnished  by  any  two
                                    members  of  the  National   Association  of
                                    Securities Dealers,  Inc. selected from time
                                    to time by the Corporation for that purpose.

                                                      (v) In any  case in  which
                                    this   Section  6  shall   require  that  an
                                    adjustment be made  immediately  following a
                                    record date, the Corporation may elect to


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                                    defer  (but only until  five  business  days
                                    following   the   mailing   of  the   notice
                                    described  in Section  6(j))  issuing to the
                                    holder  of  any   share  of  the   Series  A
                                    Preferred  Stock converted after such record
                                    date the  shares  of the  Common  Stock  and
                                    other  capital  stock  of  the   Corporation
                                    issuable upon such conversion over and above
                                    the  shares  of the  Common  stock and other
                                    capital  stock of the  Corporation  issuable
                                    upon  such  conversion  only on the basis of
                                    the  conversion  rate  prior to  adjustment;
                                    and,  in lieu of the shares the  issuance of
                                    which is so deferred,  the Corporation shall
                                    issue or cause its transfer  agents to issue
                                    due bills or other  appropriate  evidence of
                                    the right to receive such shares.

                                    (g) No  adjustment  in the  Base  Conversion
Rate shall be required  until  cumulative  adjustments  result in a  concomitant
change of 1% or more of the Base  Conversion Rate as in effect prior to the last
adjustment of the Base Conversion Rate; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that any adjustments
which by  reason  of this  Section  6(g) are not  required  to be made  shall be
carried  forward  and taken  into  account  in any  subsequent  adjustment.  All
calculations  under this  Section 6 shall be made to the nearest  cent or to the
nearest  one-hundredth  of a share,  as the case may be.  No  adjustment  to the
conversion rate shall be made for cash dividends.

                                    (h) In the  event  that,  as a result  of an
adjustment  made pursuant to Section 6(f), the holder of any share of the Series
A Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to
receive any shares of capital stock of the Corporation  other than shares of the
Common  Stock,  thereafter  the number of such other shares so  receivable  upon
conversion  of any shares of the Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall be subject to
adjustment  from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly  equivalent  as
practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Stock contained in this
Section 6.

                                    (i) The  Corporation may make such increases
in the conversion rate, in addition to those required by Sections 6(f)(i),  (ii)
and (iii),  as it considers to be advisable in order than any event  treated for
Federal  income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be
taxable to the recipients thereof.

                                    (j)   Whenever   the   conversion   rate  is
adjusted, the Corporation shall promptly mail to all holders of record of shares
of the Series A Preferred Stock a notice of the adjustment and shall cause to be
prepared  a  certificate  signed  by  a  principal   financial  officer  of  the
Corporation  setting forth the adjusted conversion rate and a brief statement of
the facts requiring such adjustment and the computation thereof; such


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

certificate  shall forthwith be filed with each transfer agent for the shares of
the Series A Preferred Stock.

                                    (k) In the event that:

                                                (1)         the      Corporation
                                                            takes   any   action
                                                            which would  require
                                                            an adjustment in the
                                                            Base      Conversion
                                                            Rate,

                                                (2)         the      Corporation
                                                            consolidates      or
                                                            merges   with,    or
                                                            transfers   all   or
                                                            substantially all of
                                                            its    assets    to,
                                                            another  corporation
                                                            and  stockholders of
                                                            the Corporation must
                                                            approve          the
                                                            transaction, or

                                                (3)         there      is      a
                                                            dissolution       or
                                                            liquidation  of  the
                                                            Corporation,

the Corporation  shall mail to holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
a notice stating the proposed  record or effective date of the  transaction,  as
the case may be. The  Corporation  shall mail the notice at least 10 days before
such date; however,  failure to mail such notice or any defect therein shall not
affect the validity of any transaction referred to in clauses (1), (2) or (3) of
this Section 6(k).

                                    (l) If any of  the  following  shall  occur,
namely: (i) any  reclassification  or change of outstanding shares of the Common
Stock issuable upon  conversion of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock (other
than a change in par value,  or from par value to no par  value,  or from no par
value to par value,  or as a result of a subdivision or  combination),  (ii) any
consolidation  or merger to which the Corporation is a party other than a merger
in which the Corporation is the continuing corporation and which does not result
in any  reclassification  of, or  change  (other  than a change in name,  or par
value,  or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or
as a result of a  subdivision  or  combination)  in,  outstanding  shares of the
Common Stock or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially  all of the
property or business of the Corporation as an entirety, then the Corporation, or
such  successor  or  purchasing  corporation,  as the case may be,  shall,  as a
condition precedent to such  reclassification,  change,  consolidation,  merger,
sale or conveyance, provide in its certificate of incorporation or other charter
document  that each share of the Series A Preferred  Stock shall be  convertible
into the kind and amount of shares of  capital  stock and other  securities  and
property  (including  cash)  receivable  upon  such  reclassification,   change,
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of shares of
the  Common  Stock  deliverable  upon  conversion  of such share of the Series A
Preferred   Stock   immediately   prior   to  such   reclassification,   change,
consolidation, merger, sale or


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

conveyance.  Such  certificate of  incorporation or other charter document shall
provide  for  adjustments  which  shall  be  as  nearly  equivalent  as  may  be
practicable  to the  adjustments  provided for in this Section 6. The foregoing,
however, shall not in any way affect the right a holder of a share of the Series
A  Preferred  Stock may  otherwise  have,  pursuant  to clause  (ii) of the last
sentence of Section  6(f)(iii),  to receive Rights upon conversion of a share of
the Series A Preferred Stock. If, in the case of any such consolidation, merger,
sale or conveyance,  the stock or other securities and property (including cash)
receivable  thereupon by a holder of the Common Stock includes shares of capital
stock or other securities and property of a corporation other than the successor
or purchasing  corporation,  as the case may be, in such consolidation,  merger,
sale or  conveyance,  then the  certificate  of  incorporation  or other charter
document of such other corporation  shall contain such additional  provisions to
protect the  interests of the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred  Stock
as the Board of Directors shall reasonably  consider  necessary by reason of the
foregoing.  The  provisions  of this  Section  6(1)  shall  similarly  apply  to
successive consolidations, mergers, sales or conveyances.

                                    Section 7. RANKING. With regard to rights to
receive  dividends and  distributions  upon dissolution of the Corporation,  the
Series A Preferred  Stock  shall rank prior to the Common  Stock and on a parity
with any other  Preferred Stock issued by the  Corporation,  unless the terms of
such  other   Preferred  Stock  provide   otherwise  and,  if  applicable,   the
requirements of Section 8 hereof have been complied with.

                                    Section 8.  LIMITATIONS.  In addition to any
other rights  provided by applicable  law, so long as any shares of the Series A
Preferred  Stock  are  outstanding,  the  Corporation  shall  not,  without  the
affirmative vote, or the written consent as provided by law, of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock,  voting as a
class,

                                                      (a) create,  authorize  or
                                    issue any class or series of capital  stock,
                                    or rights to subscribe to or to acquire,  or
                                    any security  convertible into, any class or
                                    series  of  capital   stock  ranking  as  to
                                    payment of dividends, distribution of assets
                                    upon liquidation or voting rights,  prior to
                                    the Series A Preferred Stock; or

                                                      (b)   amend,    alter   or
                                    appeal, whether by merger,  consolidation or
                                    otherwise,  any  of  the  provisions  of the
                                    Certificate of Incorporation (including this
                                    Certificate  of   Designation)   that  would
                                    change  the  preferences,  rights  or powers
                                    with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock
                                    so as to affect the Series A Preferred Stock
                                    adversely;


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

but (except as otherwise  required by applicable  law) nothing herein  contained
shall require such a vote or consent (i) in connection  with any increase in the
total number of  authorized  shares of the Common  Stock,  or (ii) in connection
with the  authorization  or  increase  of any class or series of  capital  stock
ranking, as to dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation,  junior to
or on a parity with the Series A Preferred  Stock;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that no
such vote or  written  consent  of the  holders  of the  shares of the  Series A
Preferred  Stock shall be required if, at or prior to the time when the issuance
of any such shares  ranking prior to the Series A Preferred  Stock is to be made
or any such change is to take effect,  as the case may be, provision is made for
the  redemption  of all the then  outstanding  shares of the Series A  Preferred
Stock.

                                    Section 9. NO PREEMPTIVE  RIGHTS.  No holder
of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock will possess any preemptive  rights to
subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares of capital stock of the Corporation
(whether  now  or  hereafter   authorized)  or  securities  of  the  Corporation
convertible  into or  carrying a right to  subscribe  for or  acquire  shares of
capital stock of the Corporation.

                  FIFTH:  This  Certificate of Amendment has been  authorized by
the Board of Directors of the corporation  pursuant to authority  granted to the
Board of Directors in the certificate of incorporation.

                                    IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  we have subscribed this
document on December 24, 1996 and do hereby affirm,  under penalties of perjury,
that the statements  contained therein have been examined by us and are true and
correct.


                                        /s/ William Zanker
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name: William Zanker
                                        Title: President


                                        /s/ Keith Dee
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name: Keith Dee
                                        Title: Secretary


                                      -15-

                     THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.
                               425 MADISON AVENUE
                               NEW YORK, NY 10017

                                                                February 1, 1996

Horatio Management Services Corp. (the "Consultant")
411 Hackensack Avenue, Lobby Level
Hackensack, NJ 07601

Attn: Mr. Herman Epstein,
Chairman

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  This  is to  confirm  the  mutual  understanding  between  the
Consultant  and The Great  American  BackRub  Store,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  as
follows:

                  The Company is in the business of creating a national chain of
company-owned  and franchised  retail stores (the "Stores")  under the name "The
Great  American  BackRub  Store"  which  offer  reasonably  priced  backrubs  to
customers while they are seated and clothed in a clean, safe and non-threatening
environment.  In such  connection,  the Company is owner and holder of lease and
sublease positions relating to the Stores.

                  The  Consultant  is   experienced  in  the  retail   industry,
including  management,  operation,  leasing and  financing  of real and personal
property and is willing to render such services to Company.

                  The  Company  has  previously  employed  and  is  desirous  of
continuing to obtain the services of  Consultant to assist in various  functions
relating to the Stores as more fully described below.

A. CONSULTANT SERVICES.

                  Consultant  agrees  during  the  term  hereof  to  render  the
following services as and when the same may be requested by Company;

                  (a) to advise and report upon the  operation of the Stores and
in connection  therewith to assist the Company in evaluating the  performance of
any management company or personnel responsible for the day-to-day management of
the Stores, to review the monthly  management reports and other reports prepared
by such  day-to-day  manager and to make  recommendations  to the  Company  with
respect to the manner of the operation and management of the Stores;
<PAGE>

                  (b) to supervise and inspect repairs, replacements and
maintenance done at the Stores;

                  (c) to advise  upon  prospective  lease  locations  for future
Stores  and to assist  the  Company  in lease  negotiations  to obtain  the most
favorable lessor concessions;

                  (d) to advise in  connection  with  proposed  acquisitions  of
existing message therapy,  retail and educational school  operations,  including
analysis of the target company's operations,  fitness expertise,  financials and
structure;

                  (e) to assist  in the  preparation  of,  and  review  and make
recommendations with respect to, budgets prepared by or on behalf of the Company
in connection with the future operations of the Stores;

                  (f) to assist in the preparation of marketing brochures and to
seek contracts and relationships  with  professional and trade  organizations to
foster the business of the Company;

                  (g) to consult with the Company and its personnel to
facilitate and expedite filings with and presentations to the
state gaming authorities;

                  (h)  to  consult  with  the  Company   regarding   alternative
marketing  strategies such as overseas  message and backrub  stores,  and use of
informercials, catalogues and radio and TV marketing;

                  (i) to seek sources of lending commitments, and

                  (j) to  render  such  further  advice  and  reports  as may be
reasonable  and  appropriate  under the  circumstances  in  connection  with the
ownership, management or financing of the Stores.

                  Consultant  shall furnish the foregoing  services  through its
officers  and  employees  from time to time as may be  requested  by Company and
shall be  rendered  in New York  City or other  areas in which  the  Stores  are
located,  or at the  Consultant's  offices  in Bergen  County,  New  Jersey,  as
required,  in which  former  cases  Consultant  shall be  reimbursed  for actual
out-of-pocket  travel  expenses  (not to exceed  $1,000  per trip)  incurred  in
connection with requests by Company hereunder.

B. CONSULTANT'S COMPENSATION.

                  In consideration of the services to be performed by Consultant
pursuant  to  Paragraph A hereof,  Company  shall pay to  Consultant  a fee (the
"Agent's Fee") of $5,000 per month in advance (but in no event less than $60,000
payable upon the next  ensuing  closing of an offering of the  Company's  equity
securities, and an additional $60,000 upon the first anniversary


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

thereof) by good check made payable to  Consultant to be delivered to Consultant
as herein  provided.  The Agent's Fee shall be deemed earned upon  execution and
delivery hereof and will be nonrefundable,  but represents Consultant's sole and
exclusive  compensation by reason of this transaction or otherwise in respect of
the Stores, except as herein expressly provided.

C. TERM AND TERMINATION.

                  This  agreement  will  remain in full force and  effect  until
January 31, 1998. In the event  Consultant  shall default  hereunder,  Company's
sole  and  exclusive  remedy  shall be to  notify  Consultant  and in the  event
Consultant  shall fail to cure the default within 90 days  following  receipt of
such notice,  Company may make an application  for arbitration of the dispute as
below provided.  In the event the panel shall rule in favor of Company,  Company
shall  have the  option  to  terminate  this  agreement  on 30 days'  notice  to
Consultant.

D. GENERAL

                  Consultant is an  independent  contractor,  and this agreement
will not be  construed  in any way as  creating a joint  venture  or  employment
between the Company and Consultant. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that with
respect to its employees it is solely  responsible for withholding,  collecting,
and paying  employment taxes,  filing  information  returns,  and performing all
other duties imposed upon employers under applicable  Federal,  state, and local
laws, rules, and regulations.

                  Any notice or other communication under, in connection with or
pursuant to this agreement shall be in writing and signed, and will be deemed to
be given  when  personally  delivered  or three  days after the day when sent by
certified or registered mail, postage prepaid with return receipt requested, and
addressed  to the  respective  parties at their above  addresses or to any other
addresses to which either party may notify the other.

                  This agreement  constitutes a personal  services contract and,
accordingly,  may not be  assigned,  except as to an  affiliate  or successor in
interest,  and any purported  assignment in violation of this provision shall be
void, and shall constitute an event of default hereunder.

                  This  agreement  will be  governed by the laws of the State of
New  York  without  giving  effect  to the  choice  of law or  conflict  of laws
provisions thereof.

                  This agreement (i) sets forth the entire  understanding of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof;  (ii) incorporates and merges
any and all previous  agreements,  understandings  and  communications,  oral or
written, and (iii) may


                                       -3-
<PAGE>

not be modified,  amended or waived except by a specific written instrument duly
executed by the party  against  whom such  modification  amendment  or waiver is
sought to be enforced.

                  The  headings of the  sections of this  agreement  are for the
convenience  of  reference  only and will not affect the meaning or operation of
this agreement.

                  In the event  that any  provision  of this  agreement  will be
considered  void,  voidable,  illegal,  or invalid for any reason such provision
will be of no force and effect only to the extent  that it is so declared  void,
voidable,  illegal,  or invalid.  All of the  provisions  of this  agreement not
specifically found to be so deficient will remain in full force and effect.

                  Any controversy or claim arising under this agreement shall be
submitted to  arbitration  in New York City in  accordance  with the  Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the
award  rendered  by the  arbitration(s)  may be  entered  in  any  court  having
jurisdiction thereof, costs to be borne equally.

                  Please  confirm that the foregoing is in accordance  with your
understanding  by signing and  returning  to us the  enclosed  duplicate of this
agreement.

                                Sincerely yours,

                                THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKRUB STORE, INC.

                                By: /S/ WILLIAM ZANKER
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                    William Zanker
                                    President

Confirmation acknowledged:

HORATIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES CORP

By: /S/ HERMAN EPSTEIN
- ------------------------------------
Herman Epstein
Chairman


                                       -4-

                             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
                          CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


The Great American BackRub Store, Inc.
New York, New York

We  hereby  consent  to the use in the  Prospectus  constituting  a part of this
Registration  Statement  on Form SB-2 of our report  dated  February  23,  1996,
relating to the financial  statements of The Great American BackRub Store, Inc.,
which is  contained  in that  Prospectus.  Our report  contains  an  explanatory
paragraph  regarding  uncertainties as to the Company's ability to continue as a
going concern.

We also consent to the  reference to us under the caption  "Experts" and "Change
in Accountants" in the Prospectus.


                                     By: /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
                                        ------------------------------
                                             BDO SEIDMAN, LLP


New York, New York
January 31, 1997



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