SUPERVALU INC
10-Q, 1997-12-23
GROCERIES & RELATED PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>
 
                                  FORM 10-Q
                                        
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549


(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period (12 weeks) ended November 29, 1997.

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ..................... to........................

Commission file number 1-5418


                               SUPERVALU INC.
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)


         DELAWARE                                        41-0617000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

11840 VALLEY VIEW ROAD, EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA  55344
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code         (612) 828-4000
                                                   ----------------------------

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report:
                                      N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes            X            No
     -------------------       ------------------

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of Common Stock
as of December 8, 1997 is as follows:

         Title of Each Class        Shares Outstanding
         -------------------        ------------------

           Common Shares                60,106,000
<PAGE>
 
                        PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 1:  Financial Statements
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Third Quarter (12 Weeks) Ended
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                              November 29, 1997    % of sales   November 30, 1996   % of sales
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>
Net sales                                           $ 4,004,565       100.00%        $ 3,904,841      100.00%

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales                                       3,600,773        89.92           3,519,631       90.14
  Selling and administrative expenses                   306,827         7.66             291,940        7.48
  Amortization of goodwill                                4,568         0.11               4,488        0.11
  Interest
    Interest expense                                     29,859         0.75              32,523        0.83
    Interest income                                       4,778         0.12               3,233        0.08
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
      Interest expense, net                              25,081         0.63              29,290        0.75
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------

       Total costs and expenses                       3,937,249        98.32           3,845,349       98.48
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before equity in earnings
  of ShopKo and income taxes                             67,316         1.68              59,492        1.52

Equity in earnings of ShopKo                                 -            -                5,023        0.13
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes                             67,316         1.68              64,515        1.65

Provision for income taxes
 Current                                                 25,939                           22,624
 Deferred                                                 1,128                            1,674
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Income tax expense                                   27,067         0.67              24,298        0.62
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings                                        $    40,249         1.01%        $    40,217        1.03%
                                              ===============================================================

Net earnings per common share                          $   .67                          $    .60

Weighted average number of common
   shares outstanding                                   60,211                            67,110

Dividends declared per common share                    $  .260                          $   .250

Supplemental information:
  After-tax LIFO (expense)                             $  (512)                         $ (3,300)


All data subject to year-end audit.         See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE> 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year-to-date (40 Weeks) Ended
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------

                                              November 29, 1997    % of sales   November 30, 1996   % of sales
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>
Net sales                                          $ 12,903,880       100.00%         $  12,662,347   100.00%

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales                                      11,605,673        89.94             11,417,484    90.17
  Selling and administrative expenses                   990,778         7.67                948,000     7.48
  Amortization of goodwill                               15,162         0.12                 14,272     0.11
  Interest
    Interest expense                                    101,026         0.78                105,057     0.83
    Interest income                                      13,808         0.10                 11,861     0.09
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Interest expense, net                              87,218         0.68                 93,196     0.74
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
       Total costs and expenses                      12,698,831        98.41             12,472,952    98.50
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before equity in earnings and
  gain on sale of ShopKo and income taxes               205,049         1.59                189,395     1.50

Equity in earnings and gain on sale of ShopKo            93,364         0.72                  9,469     0.07
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes                            298,413         2.31                198,864     1.57

Provision for income taxes
 Current                                                113,326                              68,401
 Deferred                                                 5,957                               8,400
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Income tax expense                                  119,283         0.92                 76,801     0.61
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings                                       $    179,130         1.39%        $      122,063     0.96%
                                              ================================================================

Net earnings per common share                         $    2.82                           $    1.81

Weighted average number of common
   shares outstanding                                    63,472                              67,366

Dividends declared per common share                   $    .770                           $    .745

Supplemental information:
  After-tax LIFO (expense)                            $  (2,057)                          $  (1,630)


All data subject to year-end audit.         See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE> 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries                              Third Quarter   Fiscal Year End
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                 November 29,      February 22,
ASSETS                                                                1997              1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>
Current Assets                                                                
  Cash and cash equivalents                                   $     39,626      $     6,539
  Receivables, less allowance for losses of $14,589 at                        
    November 29, 1997 and $17,806 at February 22, 1997             443,551          403,835
  Inventories                                                    1,287,484        1,091,805
  Other current assets                                              84,126           98,620
                                                            ----------------------------------
          Total current assets                                   1,854,787        1,600,799
                                                                              
Long-term notes receivable                                          77,198           45,588
                                                                              
Long-term investment in direct financing leases                     90,691           84,350
                                                                              
Property, plant and equipment                                                 
  Land                                                             137,202          140,427
  Buildings                                                        923,364          957,815
  Property under construction                                       48,085           28,030
  Leasehold improvements                                           152,498          150,040
  Equipment                                                      1,130,641        1,113,486
  Assets under capital leases                                      306,469          298,757
                                                            ----------------------------------
                                                                 2,698,259        2,688,555
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                              
      Owned property, plant and equipment                        1,041,174          983,229
      Assets under capital leases                                   62,677           56,802
                                                            ----------------------------------
                                                                              
          Net property, plant and equipment                      1,594,408        1,648,524
                                                                              
Investment in ShopKo                                                    -           209,789
                                                                              
Goodwill                                                          497,389           491,427
                                                                              
Other assets                                                      222,444           202,849
                                                            ----------------------------------
                                                                              
Total assets                                                  $ 4,336,917       $ 4,283,326
                                                             =================================

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Liabilities                                                         
  Notes payable                                               $   194,099       $   134,272
  Accounts payable                                              1,118,128           923,958
  Accrued vacation, compensation and benefits                      92,837            89,458
  Current maturities of long-term debt                            157,716            72,905
  Current obligations under capital leases                         22,897            21,544
  Other current liabilities                                       107,865           126,941
                                                            ----------------------------------
                                                                            
          Total current liabilities                             1,693,542         1,369,078
                                                                            
Long-term debt                                                    927,720         1,087,162
                                                                            
Long-term obligations under capital leases                        342,457           333,429
                                                                            
Deferred income taxes                                              44,011            38,054
                                                                            
Other liabilities                                                 131,389           148,180
                                                                            
Stockholders' equity                                                        
  Preferred stock                                                   5,908             5,908
  Common stock                                                     75,335            75,335
  Capital in excess of par value                                   20,823            13,296
  Retained earnings                                             1,575,515         1,444,755
  Treasury stock, at cost                                        (479,783)         (231,871)
                                                            ----------------------------------
         Total stockholders' equity                             1,197,798         1,307,423
                                                            ----------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                    $ 4,336,917       $ 4,283,326
                                                            ==================================
Quarterly data subject to year-end audit.         See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE> 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)
                                                                  Capital in
                                   Preferred          Common       Excess of         Treasury           Retained
                                       Stock           Stock       Par Value            Stock           Earnings         Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>                <C>      
Balances at February 24, 1996    $   5,908       $  75,335       $  12,737       $  (214,746)     $  1,336,942       $ 1,216,176

Net earnings                            -               -               -                 -            175,044           175,044

Sales of common stock
  under option plans                    -               -              378             3,786                -              4,164

Cash dividends declared
  on common stock -
  $.995 per share                       -               -               -                 -            (67,231)          (67,231)

Compensation under employee
  incentive plans                       -               -              181               650                -                831

Purchase of shares for treasury         -               -               -            (21,561)               -            (21,561)

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at February 22, 1997        5,908          75,335          13,296          (231,871)        1,444,755         1,307,423

Net earnings                            -               -               -                 -            179,130           179,130

Sales of common stock
  under option plans                    -               -              623            35,421                -             36,044

Cash dividends declared
  on common stock -
  $.77 per share                        -               -               -                 -             (48,370)         (48,370)

Compensation under employee
  incentive plans                       -               -            6,904             5,486                -             12,390

Purchase of shares for treasury         -               -               -           (288,819)               -           (288,819)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at November 29, 1997    $   5,908       $  75,335       $  20,823       $  (479,783)     $  1,575,515       $ 1,197,798
=================================================================================================================================
Interim data subject to year-end audit.         See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE> 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                 Year-to-date
                                                                               (40 weeks ended)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       November 29,         November 30,
                                                                              1997                1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                 <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
  Net earnings                                                        $ 179,130            $ 122,063
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
      Equity in earnings and gain on sale of ShopKo                     (93,364)              (9,469)
      Dividends received from ShopKo                                          -                4,862
      Depreciation and amortization                                     174,844              176,906
      Provision for losses on receivables                                 4,439                6,138
      Deferred income taxes                                               5,957                8,400
      Other adjustments, net                                             (3,001)              (1,387)
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
      Receivables                                                       (49,862)             (64,383)
      Inventory                                                        (195,252)            (252,826)
      Accounts payable                                                  138,790               94,000
      Other assets and liabilities                                       17,890               57,507
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                               179,571              141,811
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities
  Proceeds from sale of ShopKo stock                                    305,153                    -
  Additions to long-term notes receivable                               (58,650)             (41,209)
  Proceeds received on long-term notes receivable                        27,040               21,221
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                    66,971               39,171
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment                            (163,344)            (177,237)
  Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired                           (23,523)              (4,996)
  Other investing activities                                            (31,424)             (31,777)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                     122,223             (194,827)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities
  Net increase in checks outstanding, net of deposits                    70,576                8,639
  Net issuance of short-term notes payable                               59,827              133,068
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                    -                3,193
  Repayment of long-term debt                                           (74,631)              (5,608)
  Reduction of obligations under capital leases                         (18,324)             (17,562)
  Proceeds from the sale of common stock under option plans              32,171                2,159
  Dividends paid                                                        (49,507)             (50,109)
  Payments for purchase of treasury stock                              (288,819)             (18,845)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                    (268,707)              54,935
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                33,087                1,919
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                            6,539                5,215
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter                     $  39,626            $   7,134
========================================================================================================
All data subject to year-end audit.         See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE> 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Accounting Policies
- -------------------

The summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to
consolidated financial statements in the 1997 annual report of SUPERVALU INC.
("SUPERVALU" or the "company").

ShopKo Stores, Inc. Sale
- ------------------------

On July 2, 1997, the company exited its 46 percent investment in ShopKo through
two simultaneous and cross-conditional transactions:  selling 8,174,387 shares
back to ShopKo for an aggregate of $150 million and a secondary public offering
of 6,557,280 shares.  The transactions resulted in proceeds of $305 million and
a net gain of $53.7 million.  Proceeds were primarily used to repurchase shares
of SUPERVALU stock.

Treasury Stock Purchase Program
- -------------------------------

On June 11, 1997, the Board of Directors approved an additional treasury stock
purchase program authorizing the company to repurchase up to 8.5 million shares
in anticipation of the sale of its ShopKo holdings.  In the second quarter, the
company repurchased 6.9 million shares in conjunction with the ShopKo stock
sale.  These shares were purchased at a cost of $236.5 million.  Six million of
these shares were purchased from a financial intermediary through an accelerated
stock purchase transaction at $34 per share, subject to a market price
adjustment provision.  In order to complete the transaction, the financial
intermediary has borrowed SUPERVALU common shares and is purchasing replacement
shares in the open market.  The ultimate price per share will be adjusted for
changes in the market price of SUPERVALU common stock prior to settlement and a
reimbursement for dividends paid on the borrowed shares.  The final purchase
price and settlement is expected in early January 1998 and will be in either
cash or shares of SUPERVALU common stock, at the company's option.  The
settlement cost, currently estimated at $30 million, will increase the cost of
treasury stock as of the date the final purchase price is determined.

Statement of Registrant
- -----------------------

The data presented herein is unaudited but, in the opinion of management,
includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated
financial position of the company and its subsidiaries at November 29, 1997 and
November 30, 1996 and the results of the company's operations and cash flows for
the periods then ended.  These interim results are not necessarily indicative of
the results of the fiscal years as a whole.

A limited review of this data has been performed by the company's independent
certified public accountants, Deloitte & Touche LLP.  A copy of their report is
attached as an exhibit to this report.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Item 2:   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
          Results of Operations
          ---------------------

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER:

The company recorded record sales of $4.0 billion and earnings per share of
$.67.  Last year sales were $3.9 billion and earnings per share were $.60.  The
following table sets forth net sales by segment:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Net Sales by Segment
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                             Third Quarter (12 weeks)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             November 29, 1997                  November 30, 1996
                         Net Sales        % of Total         Net Sales    % of Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>               <C>                <C>             <C> 
Food distribution        $3,561,766         88.9 %           $3,473,122       88.9 %
Retail food               1,101,428         27.5              1,084,109       27.8
Less:  Eliminations        (658,629)       (16.4)              (652,390)     (16.7)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total net sales         $4,004,565        100.0 %           $3,904,841      100.0 %
====================================================================================
</TABLE>

NET SALES
Net sales were favorable compared to last year, positively impacted by a 2.6
percent increase in food distribution sales and a 1.6 percent increase in retail
food sales.

Food distribution sales increased over last year due to the addition of new
customers, partially offset by the loss of retail customers and competitive
market conditions.  Food price inflation, as measured by the company was .1
percent for the quarter.  Retail food sales increased over last year primarily
due to new store openings over the past twelve months and an increase in same-
store sales of 1.2 percent. The same-store sales improvement from second
quarter benefited primarily due to strengthening in the company's position as
the low-price value leader in the Chicago market and improved performance in
Cincinnati, which faced increased competition starting in the third quarter
last year. The favorable retail food sales were partially offset by the
closing or sale of eighteen stores over the past twelve months.

GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 10.1 percent compared with 9.9
percent last year.  Food distribution gross profit margin was even with last
year.  A favorable change in food distribution LIFO expense of $4.1 million was
substantially offset by increased costs due to production line changes in the
manufacturing operations.  Retail food gross profit margin increased due to
ongoing merchandising activities.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling and administrative expenses were 7.8 percent of net sales compared with
7.6 percent last year.  Food distribution expenses continue to be negatively
impacted by increased technology related spending in support of new systems as
well as to make systems year 2000 ready.  Retail food expenses were higher than
last year primarily due to increased marketing efforts to drive sales and higher
labor expenses related to perishable department expansions.

OPERATING EARNINGS
The company's pre-tax operating earnings (earnings before interest, corporate
expenses, equity in earnings  of  ShopKo Stores, Inc. ("ShopKo") and taxes)
increased to $97.9 million compared with $93.5 million last year.  Food
distribution operating earnings decreased 2.5 percent to $76.6 million from 
$78.6 million. Retail food operating earnings increased 43.0 percent to $21.3 
million from $14.9 million. 

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME
Interest expense decreased to $29.9 million compared with $32.5 million last
year, reflecting a reduction in debt levels.  Interest income increased to $4.8
million compared with $3.2 million last year, primarily due to the addition of
notes receivable and new capital subleases.

EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SHOPKO
During the second quarter, the company exited its 46 percent investment in
ShopKo.  Due to the sale, there was no equity in earnings recorded in the
quarter compared with $5.0 million or $.07 per share last year.

INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate increased to 40.2 percent in the quarter compared with
37.7 percent last year.  The increase in the effective tax rate was due to the
elimination of ShopKo earnings.

NET EARNINGS
Net earnings were $40.2 million or $.67 per share compared with last year's
$40.2 million or $.60 per share.  Weighted average shares declined to 60.2
million compared with last year's 67.1 million primarily due to the repurchase
of 6.9 million shares with proceeds from the ShopKo transaction.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS:

The following table sets forth net sales by segment:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Net Sales by Segment
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                              Year-to-Date  (40 weeks)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              November 29, 1997                  November 30, 1996
                          Net Sales        % of Total         Net Sales    % of Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>     
Food distribution        $11,396,050        88.3 %          $11,202,722       88.5 %
Retail food                3,547,526        27.5              3,494,220       27.6
Less:  Eliminations       (2,039,696)      (15.8)            (2,034,595)     (16.1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total net sales         $12,903,880       100.0 %          $12,662,347      100.0 %
=====================================================================================
</TABLE>

NET SALES
Net sales were favorable compared to last year, positively impacted by a 1.7
percent increase in food distribution sales and a 1.5 percent increase in retail
food sales.

Food distribution sales increased over last year due to the addition of new
customers, despite last year's planned discontinuance of service to a major
customer in the Southeast and competitive market conditions.  Food price
inflation, as measured by the company was .4 percent year-to-date.  Retail food
sales were favorable compared to last year primarily due to new store openings,
partially offset by the closing or sale of underperforming stores and a decrease
in same-store sales of 1.0 percent due to competitive market conditions.

GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 10.1 percent compared
with 9.8 percent last year.  Food distribution gross profit margin was
comparable to last year.  Retail food gross profit margin increased due to
ongoing merchandising activities.

SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling and administrative expenses were 7.8 percent of net sales compared with
7.6 percent last year.  Food distribution expenses continued to be negatively
impacted by increased technology related spending  in support of new systems as
well as to make systems year 2000 ready.  Retail food expenses were impacted by
unfavorable wage expenses related to both increased union rates and expansion of
perishable departments.

OPERATING EARNINGS
The company's pre-tax operating earnings (earnings before interest, corporate
expenses, equity in earnings and gain on sale of ShopKo, and taxes) increased
to $311.6 million compared with $299.6 million last year. Food distribution
operating earnings decreased 1.6 percent to $233.8 million from $237.6
million. Retail food operating earnings increased 25.6 percent to $77.8
million from $62.0 million.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME
Interest expense decreased to $101.0 million compared with $105.1 million last
year, reflecting a reduction in debt levels.  Interest income increased to $13.8
million compared with $11.9 million last year, primarily due to the addition of
notes receivable and new capital subleases.

EQUITY IN EARNINGS AND GAIN ON SALE OF SHOPKO
On July 2, 1997, the company exited its 46 percent investment in ShopKo through
two simultaneous and cross-conditional transactions:  selling 8,174,387 shares
back to ShopKo for an aggregate of $150 million and a secondary public offering
of 6,557,280 shares.  The transactions resulted in proceeds of $305 million and
a pretax gain of $90.0 million.  Equity in earnings for the year-to-date were
$3.3 million or $.05 per share compared with $9.5 million or $.14 per share last
year.

INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate increased to 40.0 percent compared with 38.6 percent last
year due to the elimination of  ShopKo earnings.

NET EARNINGS
Net earnings were $179.1 million or $2.82 per share compared with last year's
$122.1 million or $1.81 per share.  Excluding the gain on the sale of ShopKo,
net earnings were $125.5 million or $1.97 per share. Weighted average shares
declined to 63.5 million compared with last year's 67.4 million primarily due to
the repurchase of 6.9 million shares in the second quarter with proceeds from
the ShopKo transaction.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

Internally generated funds, principally from the company's food distribution
business, continued to be the major source of capital for liquidity and capital
growth.  Cash provided from operations year-to-date was $179.6 million compared
with $141.8 million last year.  The increase was primarily affected by inventory
and accounts payable trends.  Cash provided from operations of $179.6 million
and issuance of short term notes payable of $59.8 million was primarily used to
finance capital expenditures of $163.3 million and repay long-term debt of $74.6
million.

The proceeds from the ShopKo transaction were used to repurchase shares under
the June 1997 treasury stock purchase program.  During the second quarter, the
company repurchased 6.9 million shares at a cost of $236.5 million.  Six million
of these shares were purchased from a financial intermediary through an
accelerated stock purchase transaction, subject to a market price adjustment
provision.  In order to complete the transaction, the financial intermediary has
borrowed SUPERVALU common shares and is purchasing replacement shares in the
open market through early January 1998.  The market price adjustment is
currently estimated at $30 million and will increase the cost of treasury stock
as of the date the final purchase price is determined.  Under the August 1996
treasury stock program, the company repurchased .6 million and 1.3 million
shares at a cost of $23.6 million and $52.3 million for the quarter and year-to-
date, respectively to be used for employee stock option exercises and
compensation programs.

SUPERVALU will continue to use short-term and long-term debt as a supplement to
internally generated funds to finance its activities.  The company has a shelf
registration in effect pursuant to which the company could issue $242.5 million
of additional debt securities.  In October, the company renegotiated its $400
million revolving credit agreement to obtain more favorable terms and extend the
expiration date to October 2002.  Maturities of debt issued will depend on
management's views with respect to the relative attractiveness of interest rates
at the time of issuance.


CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

The information in this 10Q includes forward-looking statements.  Important
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those discussed in such forward looking statements are detailed in Exhibit
99.1; other risks or uncertainties may be detailed from time to time in the
company's future Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                         PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                         ---------------------------


Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
- -------    ---------------------------------

(a)        Exhibits filed with this Form 10-Q:
 
           (10)a.  Credit Agreement dated as of October 8, 1997 among the
                   Registrant; the Lenders named therein; Bankers Trust
                   Company, as Agent; Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent;
                   First Bank National Association, The Fuji Bank, Limited,
                   Nationsbank, N.A., and PNC Bank, National Association, as
                   Co-Agents; and Bank of America National Trust & Savings
                   Association, The Bank of New York, The First National Bank
                   of Chicago, Fleet National Bank, Morgan Guaranty Trust
                   Company of New York and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
                   Association, as Lead Managers.
           
           (10)b.  SUPERVALU INC. 1983 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended.
 
           (10)c.  SUPERVALU INC. 1993 Stock Plan, as amended.
 
           (15)    Letters from Deloitte & Touche regarding unaudited interim 
                   financial information.
 
           (27)    Financial Data Schedule.
 
           (99.1)  Cautionary Statements pursuant to the Securities Litigation
                   Reform Act.

(b)        Reports on Form 8-K:
 
           No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter.


                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

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

                                         SUPERVALU INC. (REGISTRANT)


Dated:  December 23, 1997                By:  /s/ Pamela K. Knous
                                            ---------------------------
                                              Pamela K. Knous
                                              Executive Vice President, Chief 
                                               Financial Officer
                                              (Authorized officer of Registrant)

                                       13

<PAGE>
 
                                                                EXHIBIT (10)a.

                               U.S. $400,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of October 8, 1997

                                     Among

                                SUPERVALU INC.,

                                  as Borrower,
                                  ----------- 

                                      and

                           THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN,

                                  as Lenders,
                                  ---------- 


                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,

                                   as Agent,
                                   -------- 

                                      and

                                CITIBANK, N.A.,

                             as Syndication Agent,
                             -------------------- 

                        FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                            THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED,
                               NATIONSBANK, N.A.

                                      and

                        PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                                 as Co-Agents,
                                 -- --------- 

                                      and

             BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST & SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                   MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                      and

                 NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                                as Lead Managers
                                ----------------
<PAGE>
 
                       T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S
                       ----------------------------------


     Section                                                              Page

ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS................................   1
 1.01.  Certain Defined Terms..............................................   1
 1.02.  Computation of Time Periods........................................  13
 1.03.  Accounting Terms...................................................  14

ARTICLE II  AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES..............................  14
 2.01.  The A Advances.....................................................  14
 2.02.  Making the A Advances..............................................  14
 2.03.  The B Advances.....................................................  16
 2.04.  Swingline Loans....................................................  19
 2.05.  Letters of Credit..................................................  20
 2.06.  Fees...............................................................  23
 2.07.  Termination or Reduction of the Commitments or the Swingline
          Commitment; Voluntary Reduction; Increase in Aggregate
          Commitment.......................................................  24
 2.08.  Repayment of A Advances, B Advances and Swingline Loans............  25
 2.09.  Interest on Advances and Swingline Loans...........................  25
 2.10.  Additional Interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances....................  26
 2.11.  Interest Rate Determination........................................  26
 2.12.  Voluntary Conversion of A Advances.................................  28
 2.13.  Prepayments of A Advances and Swingline Loans......................  28
 2.14.  Increased Costs....................................................  28
 2.15.  Illegality.........................................................  29
 2.16.  Payments and Computations..........................................  30
 2.17.  Sharing of Payments, Etc...........................................  31
 2.18. Taxes...............................................................  31
 2.19. Use of Proceeds.....................................................  33
 2.20. Termination Date Extensions.........................................  33
 2.21. Replacement of Lenders..............................................  34
 
ARTICLE III  CONDITIONS OF LENDING.........................................  35
 3.01.  Conditions Precedent to the Effectiveness of Sections 2.01, 2.03,
          2.04 and 2.05....................................................  35
 3.02.  Conditions Precedent to Each A Borrowing, Swingline Borrowing
          and Issuance of a Letter of Credit...............................  37
 3.03.  Conditions Precedent to Each B Borrowing...........................  37
 
ARTICLE IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................  38

 4.01.  Representations and Warranties of the Borrower.....................  38

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
ARTICLE V  COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.......................................  41
     5.01.  Affirmative Covenants..........................................  41
     5.02.  Negative Covenants.............................................  44

ARTICLE VI  EVENTS OF DEFAULT..............................................  48
     6.01.  Events of Default..............................................  48

ARTICLE VII  THE AGENT.....................................................  51
     SECTION 7.01  Appointment.............................................  51
     SECTION 7.02. Nature of Duties........................................  51
     SECTION 7.03. Exculpation, Rights Etc.................................  51
     SECTION 7.04  Reliance................................................  52
     SECTION 7.05  Indemnification.........................................  52
     SECTION 7.06  Agent In Its Individual Capacity........................  52
     SECTION 7.07  Notice of Default.......................................  53
     SECTION 7.08  Holders of Obligations..................................  53
     SECTION 7.09  Resignation by the Agent................................  53

ARTICLE VIII  MISCELLANEOUS................................................  54
     8.01.  Amendments, Etc................................................  54
     8.02.  Notices, Etc...................................................  54
     8.03.  No Waiver; Remedies............................................  55
     8.04.  Costs and Expenses.............................................  55
     8.05.  Right of Setoff................................................  55
     8.06.  Binding Effect.................................................  56
     8.07.  Assignments and Participations.................................  56
     8.08.  Indemnification................................................  58
     8.09.  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction......................  58
     8.10.  Execution in Counterparts......................................  58
     8.11.  Confidentiality................................................  59
     8.12.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL, ETC......................................  59

                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
Schedule I   -  Commitments

Schedule II  -  List of Applicable Lending Offices

Schedule III -  Litigation

Schedule IV  -  Existing Subsidiary Debt

Exhibit A-1  -  Form of A Note

Exhibit A-2  -  Form of B Note

Exhibit B-1  -  Notice of A Borrowing

Exhibit B-1  -  Notice of B Borrowing

Exhibit C    -  Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

Exhibit D    -  Form of Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney, Special Counsel for the
                Borrower

Exhibit E    -  Form of Opinion of Teresa H. Johnson, Associate General
                Counsel of the Borrower

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of October 8, 1997


          SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the lenders
(together with any other lender that hereafter becomes a party to this
Agreement, the "Lenders") listed on the signature pages hereof, BANKERS TRUST
COMPANY ("Bankers Trust"), as agent for the Lenders hereunder (the "Agent"),
CITIBANK, N.A., as syndication agent (the "Syndication Agent"),  FIRST BANK
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED, NATIONSBANK, N.A. and PNC BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, each as a co-agent (the "Co-Agents"), and BANK OF AMERICA
NATIONAL TRUST & SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, THE BANK OF NEW YORK, THE FIRST NATIONAL
BANK OF CHICAGO, FLEET NATIONAL BANK, MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
and NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, each as a lead manager (the
"Lead Managers"), agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

          SECTION 1.01.  Certain Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement. the
following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

          "A Advance" means an advance by a Lender to the Borrower as part of an
     A Borrowing and refers to a Base Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Rate Advance,
     each of which shall be a "Type" of A Advance.

          "A Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous A Advances
     of the same Type made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

          "A Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order
     of any Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, evidencing
     the aggregate indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from
     the A Advances made by such Lender.

          "Advance" means an A Advance or a B Advance.

          "Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly
     or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
     such Person or is a director or officer of such Person.  For the purposes
     of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the
     terms "controlling", 
<PAGE>
 
     "controlled by" and of "under common control with") as used with respect
     to any Person or group of Persons, shall mean possession, directly or
     indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management
     and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
     securities, by contract or otherwise.

          "Applicable Facility Fee Rate" means, for any period, a percentage per
     annum equal to the percentage set forth below determined by reference to
     the higher of (x) the rating of the Borrower's long-term, senior unsecured
     Debt from S&P or (y) the rating of the Borrower's long-term, senior
     unsecured Debt from Moody's, in each case as in effect from time to time
     during such period:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Borrower's
               Long-Term Senior
            Unsecured Debt Rating                           Applicable
                S&P or Moody's                           Facility Fee Rate
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                          
     Level 1                                                                 
     A or A2 or better                                           .070%        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 2                                                                 
     A- or A3 or better                                          .080%  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 3                                                                 
     BBB+ or Baa1 or better                                      .090%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 4                                                                 
     BBB or Baa2 or better                                       .110%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 5                                                                 
     BBB- or Baa3 or better                                      .140%  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 6                                                                 
     Equal to BB+ or Ba1 or below                                .170%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


     ;provided that if, at any time, no rating is available from S&P, Moody's or
     any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization designated
     by the Borrower and approved in writing by the Majority Lenders, the
     Applicable Facility Fee Rate shall be .170%; and provided further that upon
     the occurrence of  a ratings differential between S&P and Moody's, the
     Applicable Facility Fee Rate shall be the Level of the higher rating.

          "Applicable Interest Rate Margin" means, for any Interest Period, a
     percentage per annum equal to the percentage set forth below determined by
     reference to the higher of (x) the rating of the Borrower's long-term,
     senior unsecured Debt from S&P or (y) the rating of the Borrower's long-
     term, senior unsecured Debt from Moody's, in each case as in effect on the
     first day of such Interest Period:

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    
                                                    Applicable Interest Rate Margin
                                                            (basis points)
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------
             Borrower's                       If less than                     If 50% or
          Long-Term Senior                     50% of the                     greater of
       Unsecured Debt Rating                    Lenders'                     the Lenders'
           S&P or Moody's                      Commitments                    Commitments
                                       are drawn (including giving    are drawn (including giving
                                        effect to any B Advances,      effect to any B Advances,
                                       Swingline Loans and Letter     Swingline Loans and Letter
                                         of Credit Liabilities)         of Credit Liabilities)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                            <C>
     Level 1
     A or A2 or better                             .150%                      .200%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 2                                                               
     A- or A3 or better                            .160%                      .235%                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 3                                                               
     BBB+ or Baa1 or better                        .180%                      .275%                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 4                                                               
     BBB or Baa2 or better                         .180%                      .280%                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 5                                                               
     BBB- or Baa3 or better                        .300%                      .400%                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Level 6                                                               
     Equal to BB+ or Ba1 or below                  .325%                      .450%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


     ;provided that if, at any time, no rating is available from S&P, Moody's or
     any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization designated
     by the Borrower and approved in writing by the Majority Lenders, the
     Applicable Interest Rate Margin for such Interest Period shall be .325% if
     less than 50% of the Lenders' Commitments are drawn and .450% if 50% or
     greater of the Lenders' Commitments are drawn; and provided further that
     upon the occurrence of a ratings differential between S&P and Moody's, the
     Applicable Interest Rate Margin shall be the Level of the higher rating.

          "Applicable Lending Office" means, with respect to each Lender, such
     Lender's Domestic Lending Office in the case of a Base Rate Advance, such
     Lender's Eurodollar Lending Office in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Advance
     and, in the case of a B Advance, the office of such Lender notified by such
     Lender to the Agent as its Applicable Lending Office with respect to such B
     Advance.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          "Assignment and Assumption Agreement" means an assignment and
     assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and
     accepted by the Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto.

          "Available LC Amount" means at any time an amount equal to the lesser
     of (i) $150,000,000 and (ii) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of
     the Commitments over the aggregate outstanding amount of A Advances plus B
     Advances plus Swingline Loans at such time.

          "B Advance" means an advance by a Lender to the Borrower as part of a
     B Borrowing resulting from the auction bidding procedure described in
     Section 2.03.

          "B Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous B Advances
     from each of the Lenders whose offer to make one or more B Advances as part
     of such borrowing has been accepted by the Borrower under the auction
     bidding procedure described in Section 2.03.

          "B Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order
     of any Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, evidencing
     the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from a B Advance
     made by such Lender.

          "B Reduction" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

          "Base Rate" means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the higher
     of (i) the Prime Rate for such day and (ii) the sum of 1/2 of 1% plus the
     Federal Funds Rate for such day.

          "Base Rate Advance" means an A Advance that bears interest as provided
     in Section 2.09(a)(i).

          "Borrowing" means an A Borrowing, a B Borrowing or a Swingline
     Borrowing.

          "Business Day" means a day of the year on which banks are not required
     or authorized to close in New York City and London and, if the applicable
     Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, on which dealings are
     carried on in the London interbank market.

          "Capital Lease" shall mean a lease meeting one or more of the criteria
     set forth in paragraph 7 of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
     No. 13 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (as in effect from time
     to time or as set forth in a statement of generally accepted accounting
     principles superseding such paragraph 7).

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          "Commercial Letters of Credit" means the commercial Letters of Credit
     issued by the LC Bank for the account of the Borrower pursuant to Section
     2.05, each of which is drawable upon presentation of documents evidencing
     the sale or shipment of goods purchased by the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business.

          "Commitment" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

          "Consolidated" refers to the consolidation of accounts of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles, including principles of consolidation, consistently applied.

          "Consolidated Tangible Assets"  means at any date the sum of the
     Tangible Assets of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries after
     eliminating intercompany items, all determined in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles, including appropriate deductions for any
     minority interest in Tangible Assets of such Consolidated Subsidiaries;
     provided that  the Consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
     shall be determined by reference to the most recent financial statements of
     the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(e)(i)(x) or (y).

          "Convert", "Conversion" and "Converted" each refers to a conversion of
     Advances of one Type into Advances of another Type pursuant to Section 2.15
     or 2.12.

          "Current Supervalu Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated
     as of May 26, 1995, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, among
     the Borrower, the banks parties thereto, Citibank, N.A., as agent, First
     Bank National Association, PNC Bank, National Association, NationsBank,
     N.A. (f/k/a Nationsbank, N.A. (Carolinas)) and The Fuji Bank, Limited,
     Chicago Branch, as co-agents, and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
     York, Royal Bank of Canada and Fleet National Bank (f/k/a Shawmut Bank,
     N.A.), as lead managers.

          "Debt" of any Person means (i) indebtedness of such Person for
     borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
     debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of
     such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services that
     exceed, on an individual basis, $1,000,000 (for any obligation or group of
     related obligations), (iv) the present value of all obligations of such
     Person as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as
     Capital Leases and (v) all obligations of such Person under direct or
     indirect guaranties in respect of, and all obligations (contingent or
     otherwise) of such Person to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to
     assure a creditor 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the
     kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above.

          "Default" means any Event of Default or any event that would
     constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given
     or time elapse or both.

          "Domestic Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the
     office of such Lender specified as its "Domestic Lending Office" opposite
     its name on Schedule II hereto or in the Assignment and Assumption
     Agreement pursuant to which it became a Lender or in the agreement required
     by Section 2.07(b) pursuant to which it became a Lender, or such other
     office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to time specify to the
     Borrower and the Agent.

          "Effective Date" means the first date on which the conditions set
     forth in Section 3.01 applicable to the effectiveness of Sections 2.01,
     2.03, 2.04 and 2.05 have been satisfied.

          "Eligible Assignee" means (i) a commercial bank organized under the
     laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having total assets in
     excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii) a savings and loan association or savings
     bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof,
     and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (iii) a commercial
     bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the
     OECD or has concluded special lending arrangements with the International
     Monetary Fund associated with its General Arrangements to Borrow, or a
     political subdivision of any such country, and having total assets in
     excess of $1,000,000,000, provided that such bank is acting through such
     bank's branch or agency, located in the United States; (iv) the central
     bank of any country which is a member of the OECD; (v) a commercial finance
     company organized under the laws of the United States, or any State
     thereof, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (vi) any
     Lender; (vii) an Affiliate of any Lender; and (viii) such other bank,
     company, financial institution or fund to which the Borrower shall consent;
     provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
     in this Agreement, no Person that is organized under the laws of a
     jurisdiction outside the United States shall be an Eligible Assignee if, at
     the time of an assignment pursuant to Section 8.07, such Person would be
     subject to United States interest withholding tax at a rate greater than
     zero; provided further, however, that neither the Borrower nor any
     Affiliate of the Borrower shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee.

          "Environmental Action" means any administrative, regulatory or
     judicial action, suit, demand, demand letter, claim, notice of
     noncompliance or violation, notice of liability or potential liability,
     investigation, proceeding, consent order or consent agreement relating to
     any Environmental Law, Environmental Permit or Hazardous Material or
     arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health, 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     safety or the environment, including, without limitation, (a) by any
     governmental or regulatory authority for enforcement, cleanup, removal,
     response, remedial or other actions or damages and (b) by any governmental
     or regulatory authority or any third party for damages, contribution,
     indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief.

          "Environmental Law" means any federal, state, local or foreign
     statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, order, judgment, decree or
     judicial or agency interpretation, policy or guidance relating to the
     environment, health, safety or Hazardous Materials.

          "Environmental Permit" means any permit, approval, identification
     number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental
     Law.

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
     amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings
     issued thereunder.

          "ERISA Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person that for
     purposes of Title IV of ERISA is a member of such Person's controlled
     group, or under common control with such Person, within the meaning of
     Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
     time.

          "ERISA Event" with respect to any Person means (a) the occurrence of a
     material reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA,
     with respect to any Plan of such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates,
     unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect to such event has been
     waived by the PBGC; (b) the application for a minimum funding waiver with
     respect to any Plan of such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates; (c) the
     provision by the administrator of any Plan of such Person or any of its
     ERISA Affiliates of a notice of intent to terminate such Plan, pursuant to
     Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice with respect to a
     plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA); (d) the cessation
     of operations at a facility of such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates
     in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (e) the
     withdrawal by such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a Multiple
     Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a substantial employer,
     as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (f) the failure by such Person
     or any of its ERISA Affiliates to make a payment to a Plan if the
     conditions for the imposition of a lien under Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA
     are satisfied; (g) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan of such Person or
     any of its ERISA Affiliates requiring the provision of security to such
     Plan, pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA; or (h) the institution by the PBGC
     of proceedings to terminate a Plan of such Person or any of its ERISA
     Affiliates, pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA (other than subsection (a)(4)
     thereof), or the occurrence of any event or condition 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     described in Section 4042 of ERISA that could constitute grounds for the
     termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, such Plan.

          "Eurocurrency Liabilities" has the meaning assigned to that term in
     Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in
     effect from time to time.

          "Eurodollar Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the
     office of such Lender specified as its "Eurodollar Lending Office" opposite
     its name on Schedule II hereto or in the Assignment and Assumption
     Agreement pursuant to which it became a Lender (or, if no such office is
     specified, its Domestic Lending Office) or in the agreement required by
     Section 2.07(b) pursuant to which it became a Lender (or, if no such office
     is specified, its Domestic Lending Office), or such other office of such
     Lender as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Borrower and the
     Agent.

          "Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Interest Period for each Eurodollar
     Rate Advance comprising part of the same A Borrowing, an interest rate per
     annum equal to the average (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of
     1/16 of 1% per annum, if such average is not such a multiple) of the rate
     per annum at which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered by the principal
     office of each of the Reference Banks in London, England to prime banks in
     the London interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two (2) Business
     Days before the first day of such Interest Period in an amount
     substantially equal to the greater of (i) $1,000,000 and (ii) such
     Reference Bank's Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising part of such A
     Borrowing, and for a period equal to such Interest Period.  The Eurodollar
     Rate for any, Interest Period for each Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising
     part of the same A Borrowing shall be determined by the Agent on the basis
     of applicable rates furnished to and received by the Agent from the
     Reference Banks two (2) Business Days before the first day of such Interest
     Period, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 2.11.

          "Eurodollar Rate Advance" means an A Advance that bears interest as
     provided in Section 2.09(a)(ii).

          "Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage" of any Lender for any Interest
     Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance means the reserve percentage
     applicable during such Interest Period (or if more than one such percentage
     shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those
     days in such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so
     applicable) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of
     Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining
     the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any
     emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for such
     Lender with respect to liabilities or assets consisting 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term equal to such
     Interest Period.

          "Events of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

          "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest
     rate per annum equal for each day during such period equal to the weighted
     average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members
     of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as
     published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next
     preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if
     such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the
     average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the
     Agent from three Federal funds brokers of nationally recognized standing
     selected by it.

          "Financial Officer" means, for any Person, the chief executive
     officer, the chief financial officer, the senior vice president-finance,
     the chief accounting officer, the treasurer or the controller of such
     Person or any assistant treasurer or any assistant controller of such
     Person previously identified in writing to the Agent.

          "Hazardous Materials" means petroleum and petroleum products,
     byproducts or breakdown products, radioactive materials, asbestos-
     containing materials, radon gas and any other chemicals, materials or
     substances designated, classified or regulated as being "hazardous" or
     "toxic", or words of similar import, under any federal, state, local or
     foreign statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, order, judgment,
     decree or judicial or agency interpretation, policy or guidance.

          "Holding Account" means an interest-bearing deposit account belonging
     to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders into which the Borrower may be
     required to make cash deposits pursuant to the provisions of this
     Agreement, such account to be under the sole dominion and control of the
     Agent and not subject to withdrawal by the Borrower, with any amounts
     therein to be held for application toward payment of any outstanding
     Letters of Credit when drawn upon.

          "Insufficiency" means, with respect to any Plan of the Borrower or any
     of its ERISA Affiliates, the amount, if any, of "unfunded benefit
     liabilities" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) for such Plan.

          "Interest Period" means, for each Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising
     part of the same A Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such
     Eurodollar Rate Advance or the date of the Conversion of any A Advance into
     such a Eurodollar Rate Advance and ending on the last day of the period
     selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and, thereafter,
     each subsequent 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest
     Period and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower
     pursuant to the provisions below. The duration of each such Interest Period
     for a Eurodollar Rate Borrowing shall be 1, 2, 3 or 6 months and, if
     available to all Lenders, 9 or 12 months, in each case as the Borrower may,
     upon notice received by, the Agent not later than 11:00 A. M. (New York
     City time) on the third Business Day, prior to the first day of such
     Interest Period, select; provided, however, that:

               (i) the duration of any Interest Period which commences before
          the Termination Date and would otherwise end after such date shall end
          on such date;

               (ii) Interest Periods commencing on the same date for Eurodollar
          Advances comprising part of the same A Borrowing shall be of the same
          duration;

               (iii)  whenever the last day of any Interest Period would
          otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of
          such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the next succeeding
          Business Day, provided, that, if such extension would cause the last
          day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following calendar
          month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur on the next
          preceding Business Day; and

               (iv) whenever the first day of any Interest Period occurs on a
          day of an initial calendar month for which there is no numerically
          corresponding day in the calendar month that succeeds such initial
          calendar month by the number of months equal to the number of months
          in such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last
          Business Day of such succeeding calendar month.

          "LC Bank" means such Lender as is designated as the LC Bank for any
     Letter of Credit by written notice to the Agent from such Lender and the
     Borrower, in such Bank's capacity as LC Bank under the letter of credit
     facility described in Section 2.05, and its successors in such capacity.

          "LC Exposure" means, at any time and for any Lender, an amount equal
     to such Lender's Percentage of the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit
     Liabilities in respect of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time.

          "Lenders" means the banks and each Eligible Assignee that shall become
     a party hereto pursuant to Section  2.07(b) or Section 8.07(c).

          "Letter of Credit Liabilities" means, at any time and in respect of
     any Letter of Credit, the sum, without duplication, of (i) the amount
     available for 
     

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     drawing under such Letter of Credit plus (ii) the aggregate unpaid amount
     of all Reimbursement Obligations in respect of previous drawings made under
     such Letter of Credit.

          "Letters of Credit" means the Commercial Letters of Credit and the
     Standby Letters of Credit.

          "Lien" means any lien, security interest or other charge or
     encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement
     concerning property, including, without limitation, the lien or retained
     security title of a conditional vendor and any other encumbrance on title
     to real property to secure repayment of a liability.

          "Loan Documents" means this Agreement and the Notes.

          "Majority Lenders" means at any time Lenders holding at least 51% of
     the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the A Notes plus the then
     aggregate unpaid amount of  Reimbursement Obligations held by Lenders, or,
     if no such principal amount is then outstanding, Lenders having at least
     51% of the Commitments (or if the aggregate Commitment has been terminated,
     Lenders holding at least 51% of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount
     of the Notes plus the then aggregate unpaid amount of Reimbursement
     Obligations).

          "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

          "Multiemployer Plan" of any Person means a multiemployer plan, as
     defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which such Person or any of its
     ERISA Affiliates is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions,
     or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an
     obligation to make contributions.

          "Multiple Employer Plan" of any Person means a single employer plan,
     as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for
     employees of such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates and at least one
     Person other than such Person and its ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so
     maintained and in respect of which such Person or any of its ERISA
     Affiliates could have liability under Section 4064 or 4069 of ERISA in the
     event such plan has been or were to be terminated.

          "Net Worth" means the excess of total assets over total liabilities,
     total assets and total liabilities each to be determined in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

          "Note" means an A Note or a B Note.

          "Notice of A Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(a).

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          "Notice of B Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a).

          "Notice of Swingline Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section
     2.04(b).

          "OECD" means the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
     Development.

          "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
     corporation thereto.

          "Percentage" means, with respect to each Lender, the percentage equal
     to a fraction the numerator of which is the amount of such Lender's
     Commitment (or, in the event the  Commitments have  been terminated, such
     Lender's Commitment as is in effect immediately prior to such termination)
     and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of the Commitments
     (or, in the event the Commitments have been terminated, the aggregate
     amount of the Commitments as in effect immediately prior to such
     termination) of the Lenders.

          "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a
     business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
     joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision
     or agency thereof.

          "Plan" means a Single Employer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan, but
     does not include any such plan with a total projected benefit obligation of
     less than $20,000,000.

          "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest publicly announced by Bankers
     Trust in New York City from time to time as its "prime rate", which is not
     necessarily the lowest rate made available by Bankers Trust.  The "prime
     rate" announced by Bankers Trust is evidenced by the recording thereof
     after its announcement in such internal publication or publications as
     Bankers Trust may designate.  Any change in the interest rate resulting
     from a change in such "prime rate" announced by Bankers Trust shall become
     effective without prior notice to the Borrower as of 12:01 A.M. (New York
     City time) on the Business Day on which each change in such  "prime rate"
     is announced by Bankers Trust.  Bankers Trust may make commercial or other
     loans to others at rates of interest at, above or below its "prime rate".

          "Reference Banks" means Bankers Trust,  Citibank, N.A.  and
     NationsBank,  N.A. or any successor Reference Bank appointed pursuant to
     Section 2.11(d).

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          "Reimbursement Obligations" means at any date the obligations of the
     Borrower then outstanding under Section 2.05 to reimburse the LC Bank for
     the amount paid by the LC Bank in respect of a drawing under a Letter of
     Credit.

          "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Group, a division of McGraw-Hill,
     Inc.


          "Single Employer Plan" of any Person means a single employer plan, as
     defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for
     employees of such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates and no Person other
     than such Person and its ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in
     respect of which such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates could have
     liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or
     were to be terminated.

          "Standby Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit other than a
     Commercial Letter of Credit  issued by an LC Bank for the account of the
     Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05.

          "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or in which)
     more than 50% of (a) the issued and outstanding capital stock having
     ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such
     corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other
     class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon
     the occurrence of any contingency), (b) the interest in the capital or
     profits of such limited liability company, partnership or joint venture or
     (c) the beneficial interest in such trust or estate is at the time directly
     or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or
     more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Person's other
     Subsidiaries.

          "Swingline Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of  a Swingline
     Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

          "Swingline Commitment" means the obligation of the Swingline Lender to
     make Swingline Loans to the Borrower in aggregate principal amount at any
     one time outstanding not to exceed the lesser of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii)
     the excess, if any, of the Swingline Lender's Commitment as a Lender over
     the sum of (x) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Swingline
     Lender's A Advances as a Lender plus (y) the Swingline Lender's LC Exposure
     as a Lender, in each case at such time.

          "Swingline Lender" means Bankers Trust,  in its capacity as the
     Swingline Lender under the Swingline facility described in Section 2.04,
     and its successors in such capacity.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          "Swingline Loan" means a loan made by the Swingline Lender pursuant to
     Section 2.04.

          "Tangible Assets" of any Person means, at any date, the gross book
     value as shown by the accounting books and records of such Person
     (maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) of
     all its property both real and personal, less (i) the net book value of all
     its licenses, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, trade
     names, goodwill, non-compete agreements or organizational expenses and
     other like intangibles, (ii) unamortized indebtedness discount and expense,
     (iii) all reserves for depreciation, obsolescence, depletion and
     amortization of its properties and (iv) all other proper valuation reserves
     against assets which in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles should be provided in connection with the business conducted by
     such Person.

          "Termination Date" means the earlier of the date which is the fifth
     anniversary of the Effective Date (as the same may be extended pursuant to
     Section 2.20 up to the eighth anniversary of the Effective Date) and the
     date of termination in whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.07 or
     6.01.

          "Total Capital" means, as of any date, the sum of (a) Consolidated
     Debt and (b) Consolidated Net Worth.

          "Type" of  A Advance shall mean Base Rate Advance or Eurodollar Rate
     Advance.

          "Welfare Plan" means a welfare plan, as defined in Section 3(1) of
     ERISA.

          "Withdrawal Liability" has the meaning specified in Part I of Subtitle
     E of Title IV of ERISA.

          SECTION 1.02.  Computation of Time Periods.  In this Agreement in the
computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each
means "to but excluding".

          SECTION 1.03.  Accounting Terms.  All accounting terms not
specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE II

                       AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES

          SECTION 2.01.  The A Advances.  Each Lender severally agrees, on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make A Advances to the Borrower
from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the date hereof
until the Termination Date in amounts such that the sum of (x) the aggregate
principal amount of A Advances by such Lender plus (y) such Lender's Percentage
of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans plus (z) such Lender's LC
Exposure at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the amount set forth
opposite such Lender's name on Schedule I hereto or, if such Lender has entered
into any Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the amount set forth for such
Lender in such Assignment and Assumption Agreement or, if such Lender has
entered into an agreement required by Section 2.07(b), the amount set forth for
such Lender in such agreement (as each such amount may be reduced pursuant to
Section 2.07) (such amount, such Lender's "Commitment"); provided that the
aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders shall be deemed used from
time to time to the extent of the aggregate amount of the B Advances then
outstanding and such deemed use of the aggregate amount of the Commitments shall
be applied to the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments
(such deemed use of the aggregate amount of the Commitments being a "B
Reduction"); and provided further that in no event shall the Swingline Lender be
obligated to make any loan hereunder if, after making such loan and giving
effect to the application of any funds made available at such time to prepay or
repay any outstanding Swingline Loan, the sum of (A) the aggregate principal
amount of A Advances,  Swingline Loans and  LC Exposure at such time outstanding
exceeds an amount equal to (I) the aggregate Commitment less (II) the aggregate
B Reduction .  Each A Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount not less than
$20,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if
less, an aggregate amount equal to the difference between the aggregate amount
of a proposed B Borrowing requested by the Borrower and the aggregate amount of
B Advances offered to be made by the Lenders and accepted by the Borrower in
respect of such B Borrowing, if such B Borrowing is made on the same date as
such A Borrowing) and shall consist of A Advances of the same Type made on the
same day by the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments.
Within the limits of each Lender's Commitment, the Borrower may from time to
time borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay pursuant to Section 2.13(b) and
reborrow under this Section 2.01.

     SECTION 2.02.  Making the A Advances.  (a)  Each A Borrowing shall be made
on notice, given not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) (i) on the same
Business Day as the proposed A Borrowing in the case of an A Borrowing
consisting of Base Rate Advances or (ii) on the third Business Day prior to the
date of the proposed A Borrowing in the case of an A Borrowing consisting of
Eurodollar Rate Advances, by the Borrower to the Agent, which shall give to each
Lender prompt notice thereof by telecopier, telex or cable.  Each such notice of
an A Borrowing (a "Notice of A Borrowing") shall be by

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
facsimile transmission, or by telex or cable (confirmed immediately in writing),
in substantially the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, specifying therein the
requested (i) date of such A Borrowing, (ii) Type of A Advances comprising such
A Borrowing, (iii) aggregate amount of such A Borrowing, and (iv) in the case of
an A Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the initial Interest
Period for each such A Advance.  Each Lender shall, before 1:00 P.M. (New York
City time) on the date of such A Borrowing, make available for the account of
its Applicable Lending Office to the Agent at its address referred to in Section
8.02, in same day funds, such Lender's ratable portion of such A Borrowing.
After the Agent's receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable
conditions set forth in Article III, the Agent will make such funds available to
the Borrower at the Agent's aforesaid address not later than 2:00 P.M. (New York
City time) on such date.

          (b) Anything in subsection (a) above to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Borrower may not select Eurodollar Rate Advances for any A Borrowing if the
aggregate amount of such A Borrowing is less than $20,000,000.

          (c) Each Notice of A Borrowing shall be irrevocable and binding on the
Borrower.  In the case of any A Borrowing that the related Notice of A Borrowing
specifies is to be comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Borrower shall
indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense incurred by such Lender
as a result of any failure to fulfill on or before the date specified in such
Notice of A Borrowing for such A Borrowing the applicable conditions set forth
in Article III, including, without limitation, any loss (including loss of
anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or
reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund the A
Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such A Borrowing when such A
Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such date.

          (d) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender (i) by
12:00 Noon on the date of any A Borrowing in the case of any A Borrowing
consisting of Base Rate Advances or (ii) by 12:00 Noon on the Business Day prior
to the date of any A Borrowing consisting of Eurodollar Rate Advances that such
Lender will not make available to the Agent such Lender's ratable portion of
such A Borrowing, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion
available to the Agent on the date of such A Borrowing in accordance with
subsection (a) of this Section 2.02 and the Agent may, in reliance upon such
assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.
If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have so made such ratable
portion available to the Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to
repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with
interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to
the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Agent, at (i) in the
case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to A Advances
comprising such A Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Federal
Funds Rate.  If such Lender shall repay to the Agent such corresponding amount,
such amount so repaid shall 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
constitute such Lender's A Advance as part of such A Borrowing for purposes of
this Agreement.

          (e) The failure of any Lender to make the A Advance to be made by it
as part of any A Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation,
if any, hereunder to make its A Advance on the date of such A Borrowing, but no
Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the A
Advance to be made by such other Lender on the date of any A Borrowing.

          SECTION 2.03.  The B Advances.  (a)  Each Lender severally agrees that
the Borrower may make B Borrowings under this Section 2.03 from time to time on
any Business Day during the period from the date hereof until the date occurring
15 days prior to the Termination Date in the manner set forth below; provided
that, following the making of each B Borrowing, the aggregate amount of the
Advances then outstanding shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to (x)  the
Commitments of the Lenders at such time (computed without regard to any B
Reduction) less (y) the aggregate LC Exposure at such time less (z) the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of Swingline Loans at such time.

               (i) The Borrower may request a B Borrowing under this Section
     2.03 by delivering to the Agent, by facsimile transmission, telex or cable,
     confirmed immediately in writing, a notice of a B Borrowing (a "Notice of B
     Borrowing"), in substantially the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto, specifying
     therein the date and aggregate amount of the proposed B Borrowing, the
     maturity date for repayment of each B Advance to be made as part of such B
     Borrowing (which maturity date may be (i) 14 to 180 days after the date of
     the B Borrowing in the case of fixed rate B Borrowings and (ii) 30 to 180
     days after the date of the B Borrowing in the case of floating rate B
     Borrowings, but in either case may not be later than the Termination Date),
     the interest payment date or dates relating thereto, and any other terms to
     be applicable to such B Borrowing, not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City
     time) (A) at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date of the proposed B
     Borrowing, if the Borrower shall specify in the Notice of B Borrowing that
     the rates of interest to be offered by the Lenders shall be fixed rates per
     annum and (B) at least four (4) Business Days prior to the date of the
     proposed B Borrowing, if the Borrower shall specify in the Notice of B
     Borrowing that the rates of interest to be offered by the Lenders shall be
     floating rates per annum.  The Agent shall in turn promptly notify by
     telecopy each Lender of each request for a B Borrowing received by it from
     the Borrower by sending such Lender a copy of the related Notice of B
     Borrowing.

               (ii) Each Lender may, if, in its sole discretion, it elects to do
     so, irrevocably offer to make one or more B Advances to the Borrower as
     part of such proposed B Borrowing at a rate or rates of interest specified
     by such Lender in its sole discretion (but conforming to the Borrower's
     Notice of B Borrowing in respect thereof), by notifying the Agent (which
     shall give prompt notice thereof to 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
     the Borrower), before 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) (A) on the date of
     such proposed B Borrowing, in the case of a Notice of B Borrowing delivered
     pursuant to clause (A) of paragraph (i) above and (B) three (3) Business
     Days before the date of such proposed B Borrowing, in the case of a Notice
     of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to clause (B) of paragraph (i) above, of
     the minimum amount and maximum amount of each B Advance which such Lender
     would be willing to make as part of such proposed B Borrowing (which
     amounts may exceed such Lender's Commitment), the rate or rates of interest
     therefor and such Lender's Applicable Lending Office with respect to such B
     Advance; provided that, if the Agent in its capacity as a Lender shall, in
     its sole discretion, elect to make any such offer, it shall notify the
     Borrower of such offer before 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date on
     which notice of such election is to be given to the Agent by the other
     Lenders. Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender before
     10:00 A.M. in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the Agent
     and the Borrower may assume that such Lender has elected not to make such
     an offer pursuant to this Section 2.03(a)(ii).

               (iii)  The Borrower shall (A) before 11:00 A.M. (New York City
     time) on the date of such proposed B Borrowing, in the case of a Notice of
     B Borrowing delivered pursuant to clause (A) of paragraph (i) above and (B)
     before 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the Business Day that is three (3)
     Business Days before the date of such proposed B Borrowing, in the case of
     a Notice of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to clause (B) of paragraph (i)
     above, either:

               (x) cancel such B Borrowing by giving the Agent notice to that
          effect; or

               (y) accept one or more of the offers made by any Lender or
          Lenders pursuant to paragraph (ii) above, in its sole discretion, by
          giving notice to the Agent of the amount of each B Advance (which
          amount shall be equal to or greater than the minimum amount, and equal
          to or less than the maximum amount, notified to the Borrower by the
          Agent on behalf of such Lender for such B Advance pursuant to
          paragraph (ii) above) to be made by each Lender as part of such B
          Borrowing, and reject any remaining offers made by Lenders pursuant to
          paragraph (ii) above by giving the Agent notice to that effect.

               The acceptance of offers by the Borrower pursuant to this clause
     (B) shall be on the basis of ascending rates of interest contained in the
     offers made by Lenders pursuant to paragraph (ii) above; provided that, in
     the event that two or more of such offers contain the same rate of interest
     for a greater aggregate principal amount than the amount specified in such
     Notice of B Borrowing (less the aggregate principal amount of all such
     offers containing lower rates of interest that have been accepted by the
     Borrower pursuant to this clause (B)), the Borrower shall have sole
     discretion (subject to any minimum and maximum 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
     amount specified in any such offer) to accept one or more of the offers at
     such rate of interest and to reject any remaining offers at such rate of
     interest.

               (iv) If the Borrower notifies the Agent that such B Borrowing is
     canceled pursuant to paragraph (iii)(x) above, the Agent shall give prompt
     notice thereof to the Lenders and such B Borrowing shall not be made.

               (v) If the Borrower accepts one or more of the offers made by any
     Lender or Lenders pursuant to paragraph (iii)(y) above, the Agent shall in
     turn promptly notify (A) each Lender that has made an offer as described in
     paragraph (ii) above, of the date and aggregate amount of such B Borrowing
     and whether or not any offer or offers made by such Lender pursuant to
     paragraph (ii) above have been accepted by the Borrower, (B) each Lender
     that is to make a B Advance as part of such B Borrowing, of the amount of
     each B Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such B Borrowing and
     (C) each Lender that is to make a B Advance as part of such B Borrowing,
     upon receipt, that the Agent has received forms of documents appearing to
     fulfill the applicable conditions set forth in Article III.  Each Lender
     that is to make a B Advance as part of such B Borrowing shall, before 12:00
     noon (New York City time) on the date of such B Borrowing specified in the
     notice received from the Agent pursuant to clause (A) of the preceding
     sentence or any later time when such Lender shall have received notice from
     the Agent pursuant to clause (C) of the preceding sentence, make available
     for the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the Agent at its
     address referred to in Section 8.02 such Lender's portion of such B
     Borrowing, in same day funds.  Upon fulfillment of the applicable
     conditions set forth in Article III and after receipt by the Agent of such
     funds, the Agent will make such funds available to the Borrower at the
     Agent's aforesaid address.  Promptly after each B Borrowing the Agent will
     notify each Lender of the amount of the B Borrowing, the consequent B
     Reduction, and the dates upon which such B Reduction commenced and will
     terminate.

               (vi) If the Borrower notifies the Agent that it accepts one or
     more of the offers made by any Lender or Lenders pursuant to paragraph
     (iii)(y) above, such notice of acceptance shall be irrevocable and binding
     on the Borrower.  The Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any
     loss, cost or expense incurred by such Lender as a result of any failure to
     fulfill on or before the date specified in the related Notice of B
     Borrowing for such B Borrowing the applicable conditions set forth in
     Article III, including, without limitation, any loss (including loss of
     anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation
     or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund
     the B Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such B Borrowing when
     such B Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such date.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Each B Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount not less than
$15,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and,
following the making of each B Borrowing, the Borrower shall be in compliance
with the limitation set forth in the proviso to the first sentence of subsection
(a) above.

          (c) Within the limits and on the conditions set forth in this Section
2.03, the Borrower may from time to time borrow under this Section 2.03, repay,
or prepay pursuant to subsection (d) below, and reborrow under this Section
2.03; provided that a B Borrowing shall not be made within three (3) Business
Days of the date of any other B Borrowing.

          (d) The Borrower shall repay to the Agent for the account of each
Lender that has made a B Advance, or each other holder of a B Note, on the
maturity date of each B Advance (such maturity date being that specified by the
Borrower for repayment of such B Advance in the related Notice of B Borrowing
delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i) above and provided in the B Note
evidencing such B Advance), the then unpaid principal amount of such B Advance.
The Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of a B Advance
unless, and then only on the terms, specified by the Borrower for such B Advance
in the related Notice of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i)
above and set forth in the B Note evidencing such B Advance.

          (e) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of
each B Advance from the date of such B Advance to the date the principal amount
of such B Advance is repaid in full, at the rate of interest for such B Advance
specified by the Lender making such B Advance in its notice with respect thereto
delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(ii) above, payable on the interest payment
date or dates specified by the Borrower for such B Advance in the related Notice
of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i) above, as provided in the
B Note evidencing such B Advance.

          (f) The indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each B Advance
made to the Borrower as part of a B Borrowing shall be evidenced by a separate B
Note of the Borrower payable to the order of the Lender making such B Advance.
Upon the repayment in full of the indebtedness of Borrower resulting from such B
Advance, the holder of the B Note evidencing such indebtedness shall return such
B Note to the Borrower at its address specified pursuant to Section 8.02.

          SECTION 2.04.  Swingline Loans.  The Swingline Lender agrees, on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make loans to the Borrower
pursuant to this Section 2.04 from time to time on any Business Day during the
period from the date hereof until the Termination Date in amounts such that the
aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans at any one time outstanding shall
not exceed its Swingline Commitment.  Each loan under this Section  2.04 shall
be in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000 or any larger multiple of
$1,000,000.  All Swingline Loans shall be made as Base Rate Advances.  Within
the foregoing limits, the Borrower may borrow under this 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Section 2.04, repay pursuant to Section 2.08(b), or to the extent permitted by
Section 2.13(c), prepay Swingline Loans and reborrow under this Section 2.04.

          (b) Notice of Swingline Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the
Swingline Lender notice (a "Notice of Swingline Borrowing") not later than 1:00
P.M. (New York City time) on the date of each Swingline Borrowing, specifying
(i) the date of such Swingline Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, and
(ii) the amount of such Borrowing.

          (c) Conversion of Swingline Loans to A Advances.  The Swingline
Lender, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, may on behalf of the
Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs the Swingline Lender to so act on its
behalf) notify each Lender (including the Swingline Lender) to make an A Advance
to the Borrower in a principal amount equal to such Lender's Percentage of the
amount of such Swingline Loan; provided, however that such notice shall be
deemed to have automatically been given upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default under Section 6.01(e). Upon notice from the Swingline Lender, each
Lender  (other than the Swingline Lender) will immediately transfer to the
Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to such
Lender's  Percentage of the amount of such Swingline Loan so repaid.  Each
Lender's obligation to transfer the amount of such A Advance to the Swingline
Lender shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
circumstance, including, without limitation, (i) any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender or any other Person may
have against the Swingline Lender, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a
Default or an Event of Default or the termination of the Commitments, (iii) any
adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any
other Person, (iv) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower or any other
Lender  or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or
not similar to any of the foregoing.

          SECTION 2.05.  Letters of Credit.

          (a) Commitment to Issue Letters of Credit.  Each  LC Bank agrees,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to issue Letters of Credit upon the
request of the Borrower  on a sight basis from time to time on any Business Day
during the period from the date hereof until the Termination Date; provided that
immediately after each such Letter of Credit  is issued, the aggregate amount of
the Letter of Credit Liabilities shall not exceed the Available LC Amount.  Each
Letter of Credit shall be issued in an amount equal to or greater than $100,000.
Upon the date of issuance by an  LC Bank of a Letter of Credit, the LC Bank
shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have sold to
each Lender, and each Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any
party hereto, to have purchased from the LC Bank, a participation in such Letter
of Credit and the related Letter of Credit Liabilities in proportion to its
Percentage.  The Borrower shall pay to the LC Bank issuance fees and other
customary fees in the amounts and at the times as agreed between the Borrower
and the LC Bank.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Request for Issuance. The Borrower shall give the LC Bank at least
three (3) Business Days' prior notice (effective upon receipt) of a request for
the issuance of a Letter of Credit specifying the date each Letter of Credit is
to be issued, and describing the proposed terms of such Letter of Credit and the
nature of the transactions proposed to be supported thereby. Upon issuance of or
amendments to a Standby Letter of Credit, the LC Bank shall promptly notify the
Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the contents thereof
and of the amount of such Lender's participation in such Standby Letter of
Credit. The issuance by the LC Bank of each Letter of Credit shall, in addition
to the conditions precedent set forth in Article III, be subject to the
conditions precedent that such Letter of Credit shall be in such form and
contain such terms as shall be satisfactory to the LC Bank and that the Borrower
shall have executed and delivered such other instruments and agreements relating
to such Letter of Credit as the LC Bank shall have reasonably requested. No
Standby Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date extending beyond three
(3) days prior to the Termination Date. No Commercial Letter of Credit shall
have an expiration date extending beyond 180 days from the issuance date nor
have an expiration date less than 3 days prior to the Termination Date. In the
event that the LC Bank issuing any Letter of Credit is other than Bankers Trust,
such LC Bank will send by facsimile transmission to the Agent, promptly on the
first Business Day of each week, the daily aggregate amount available for
drawing under all Letters of Credit issued by such LC Bank for the previous
week. The Agent shall deliver to each Lender, upon the end of each calendar
month and upon each Letter of Credit fee payment, a report setting forth for
such period the daily aggregate amounts available for drawing under all Letters
of Credit issued by all LC Banks and outstanding during such period.

          (c) Reimbursement of Payments.  Upon receipt from the beneficiary of
any Letter of Credit of any demand for payment or other drawing under such
Letter of Credit and finding such drawing in substantial compliance with the
Letter of Credit terms, the LC Bank shall notify the Borrower as to the amount
to be paid as a result of such demand or drawing and the respective payment
date.  If there are at such time amounts on deposit in the Holding Account, the
Borrower shall notify the Agent thereof, and the Agent shall withdraw an amount
equal to the amount to be paid as a result of such demand or drawing or, if
less, the amount on deposit in the Holding Account, on the payment date and pay
such amount to the applicable LC Bank.  Unless the applicable LC Bank is
reimbursed in full from amounts on deposit in the Holding Account, the Borrower
shall reimburse the LC Bank in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing by
1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the day on which such drawing is paid in
immediately available funds.  If the LC Bank is not reimbursed for the amount of
such drawing as provided in the preceding sentence, the LC Bank shall notify the
Agent, and the Agent shall notify each other Lender, thereof by 1:30 P.M. (New
York City time) on the date such drawing is paid.   If at any time the LC Bank
shall make a payment to a beneficiary of a Letter of Credit in respect of a
drawing or in respect of an acceptance created in connection with a drawing
under such Letter of Credit and such drawing has not been paid by the Borrower,
each Lender will pay to the Agent, for the account of the LC Bank, immediately
upon the LC Bank's demand at any time during the period 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
commencing after such payment until reimbursement therefor in full by the
Borrower, an amount equal to such Lender's Percentage multiplied by the amount
of such payment, together with interest on such amount for each day from the
date of the LC Bank's demand for such payment (or, if such demand is made after
3:00 P.M. (New York City time) on such date, from the next succeeding Business
Day) to the date of payment by such Lender of such amount at a rate of interest
per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate for such period.

          (d) Reimbursement Obligations Unconditional.  The Borrower shall be
irrevocably and unconditionally obligated forthwith to reimburse the LC Bank for
any amounts paid by the LC Bank upon any drawing under any Letter of Credit on
the date of such payment by the LC Bank, without presentment, demand, protest or
other formalities of any kind; provided that the Borrower shall not hereby be
precluded from asserting any claim for direct (but not consequential) damages
suffered by the Borrower to the extent, but only to the extent, caused by (i)
the willful misconduct or gross negligence (as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction) of the LC Bank in determining whether a request
presented under any Letter of Credit complied with the terms of such Letter of
Credit or (ii) the LC Bank's failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the
presentation to it of a request strictly complying with the terms and conditions
of the Letter of Credit.  All such amounts paid by the LC Bank and remaining
unpaid by the Borrower shall bear interest, payable on demand, for each day
until paid at a rate per annum equal to the sum of 2% plus the rate applicable
to Base Rate Advances for such day.  The LC Bank will promptly pay to each
Lender ratably in accordance with its Percentage all amounts received from the
Borrower for application in payment, in whole or in part, of the Reimbursement
Obligation in respect of any Letter of Credit, but only to the extent such
Lender  has made payment to the LC Bank in respect of such Letter of Credit
pursuant to Section 2.05(c).

          (e) Indemnification.  The Borrower hereby indemnifies and holds
harmless each Lender  and the Agent from and against any and all claims and
damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses which such Lender or the Agent
may incur (or which may be claimed against such Lender or the Agent by any
Person whatsoever) by reason of or in connection with the execution and delivery
or transfer of or payment or failure to pay under any Letter of Credit,
including, without limitation, any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs
or expenses which the LC Bank may incur by reason of or in connection with the
failure of any other Lender to fulfill or comply with its obligations to the LC
Bank hereunder (but nothing herein contained shall affect any rights the
Borrower may have against such defaulting Lender); provided that the Borrower
shall not be required to indemnify any Lender  or the Agent for any claims,
damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses to the extent, but only to the
extent, caused by (i) the willful misconduct or gross negligence (as determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction) of the LC Bank, such Lender or the Agent
in determining whether a request presented under any Letter of Credit complied
with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (ii) the LC Bank's failure to pay
under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it of a request strictly
complying with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit.  Nothing in
this Section 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
2.05(e) is intended to limit the obligations of the Borrower under any other
provision of this Agreement.

          (f) Limited Liability of the LC Bank. The Borrower assumes all risks
of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary and any transferee of any Letter of
Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit. The Lenders, the LC
Bank and their respective officers and directors shall not be liable or
responsible for, and the obligations of each Lender to make payments, and of the
Borrower to reimburse the LC Bank for payments, pursuant to this Section 2.05
shall not be excused by, any action or inaction of any Lender or the LC Bank
related to any of: (i) the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit or any
acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection therewith; (ii)
the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents presented under any Letter
of Credit, or of any endorsements thereon, even if such documents should in fact
prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged;
(iii) payment by the LC Bank against presentation of documents to the LC Bank
which do not strictly comply with the terms of any Letter of Credit, including
failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to such
Letter of Credit, absent such LC Bank's gross negligence or willful misconduct;
or (iv) any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make or
notifying or failing to notify the LC Bank that it is required to make any
payment under any Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower
shall have a claim against the LC Bank and the LC Bank shall be liable to the
Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to
consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower which were caused by (i) the LC
Bank's willful misconduct or gross negligence (as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction) in determining whether documents presented under any
Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof or (ii) the LC Bank's willful
failure to pay, or to notify any Lender that it is required to pay, under any
Letter of Credit after the presentation to the LC Bank by any beneficiary (or a
successor beneficiary to whom such Letter of Credit has been transferred in
accordance with its terms) of documents strictly complying with the terms and
conditions of such Letter of Credit. Subject to the preceding sentence, the LC
Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without
responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or
information to the contrary unless any beneficiary (or a successor beneficiary
to whom such Letter of Credit has been transferred in accordance with its terms)
or the Borrower shall have notified the LC Bank that such documents do not
comply with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit. Each Lender
shall, ratably in accordance with its Percentage, indemnify the LC Bank (to the
extent not reimbursed by the Borrower) against any cost, expense (including
counsel fees and disbursements), claim, demand, action, loss or liability
(except such as result from the LC Bank's gross negligence or willful
misconduct) that the LC Bank may suffer or incur in connection with this
Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the LC Bank hereunder.

          (g) Letters of Credit Outside Facility.  Nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed as limiting the right of the Borrower to request, or of any
Lender to issue, letters of credit for the account of the Borrower that are not
"Letters of Credit" for 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
purposes of this Agreement. No request by the Borrower to any Lender for the
issuance of a letter or credit shall be deemed a request for the issuance of a
Letter of Credit under this Agreement unless (i) the Borrower's request for such
letter of credit states in writing that such letter of credit, when issued,
shall be a Letter of Credit under this Agreement, or (ii) such Lender conditions
its agreement to issue such letter of credit, in writing, on the Borrower's
agreement that such letter of credit constitute a Letter of Credit under this
Agreement.

          (h) If after giving effect to any reduction of the Commitments
pursuant to Section 2.07(a), the aggregate amount available to be drawn under
all outstanding Letters of Credit exceeds the aggregate amount of the
Commitments, the Borrower shall deposit into the Holding Account an amount in
cash sufficient to cause the amount deposited in the Holding Account to equal
such excess.  At any time after such deposit is made, if an outstanding Letter
of Credit expires or is reduced without the full amount thereof having been
drawn, the Agent shall withdraw from the Holding Account and deliver to the
Borrower an amount equal to the amount by which the amount on deposit in the
Holding Account exceeds the aggregate amount by which the amount available to be
drawn under outstanding Letters of Credit (after giving effect to such
expiration or reduction) exceeds the aggregate amount of the Commitments.

          SECTION 2.06.  Fees.  (a)   Facility Fee.  The Borrower agrees to pay
to the Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee on the amount of such
Lender's Commitment (whether used or unused and without giving effect to any B
Reductions) from the Effective Date in the case of each Lender that is a
signatory hereto or, in the case of an assignee Lender, from the effective date
specified in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement pursuant to which it became
a Lender or, in the case of a new Lender from the effective date specified in
the agreement entered into by such new Lender pursuant to Section 2.07(b)
pursuant to which it became a Lender, until the Termination Date, payable in
arrears on the  on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and
December during the term of such Lender's Commitment, commencing December 31,
1997, and on the Termination Date, at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable
Facility Fee Rate in effect from time to time.
          (b) Letter of Credit Commission.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Agent for the account of each Lender  a Letter of Credit commission with respect
to each Letter of Credit, computed for each day from and including the date of
issuance of such Letter of Credit until the last day a drawing is available
under such Letter of Credit, at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable
Interest Rate Margin in effect from time to time on the undrawn amount of such
Letter of Credit on such day.  Such commission shall be payable quarterly in
arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December
during the term of  each Letter of Credit, and on the Termination Date.

          (c) Agent's Fees.  The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for its own
account such fees, and at such times, as set forth in the letter, dated
September 2, 1997, between the Borrower and the Agent.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (d) LC Bank Fees.    The Borrower hereby agrees to pay directly to an
LC Bank upon issuance of, drawing under, and/or amendment of, a Letter of Credit
issued by it such amount as shall at the time of such issuance, drawing or
amendment by the administrative charge which such LC Bank is customarily
charging for issuances of, drawings under or amendments of,  letter of credit
issued by it.

          SECTION 2.07.  Termination or Reduction of the Commitments or the
Swingline Commitment; Voluntary Reduction; Increase in Aggregate Commitment.
(a) The Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three (3) Business Days'
notice to the Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce ratably in part the unused
portions of  (x) the respective Commitments of the Lenders, or (y) the Swingline
Commitment; provided that the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders
shall not be reduced to an amount that is less than the sum of the  aggregate
principal amount of the Advances  and Swingline Loans then outstanding plus the
aggregate outstanding amount of the Letter of Credit Liabilities, and the
aggregate amount of the Swingline Commitment shall not be reduced to an amount
that is less than the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans then
outstanding; and provided further that each partial reduction shall be in the
aggregate amount of $25,000,000 ($1,000,000 in the case of the Swingline
Commitment) or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 ($1,000,000 in the case of the
Swingline Commitment)  in excess thereof.

          (b) Increase in the Commitment.  The Borrower may, at its option, at
any time after the 90th day after the Effective Date, on a single occasion
during each fiscal year, seek to increase the Commitment up to a maximum
Commitment amount of $600,000,000 upon at least 30 days (but not more than 45
days) written notice to the Agent, which notice shall specify the amount of any
such increase and shall be delivered at a time when (x) no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) no previous reduction to the
Commitment has been requested by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.07(a).  The
Borrower shall, after giving such notice, offer the increase in the Commitment
(A) (i) first on a pro-rata basis to the Lenders, which Lenders may  in their
individual sole discretion decline such offer, and (ii) then on a non pro-rata
basis to Lenders and/or  (B) to other banks or entities acceptable to the Agent
and the Company, provided that the minimum final allocated Commitment of each
such bank or other entity is equal to or in excess of $10,000,000.   No increase
in the Commitment shall become effective until the existing or new Lender
extending such incremental commitment amount shall have delivered to the Agent a
writing in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent pursuant to which such
existing Lender states the amount of its Commitment increase and any such new
Lender states its Commitment amount and agrees to assume and accept the
obligation and rights of a Lender hereunder.  The Lenders (new or existing)
shall accept an assignment from the existing Lenders of an interest in each then
outstanding A Advance such that, after giving effect thereto, all A Advances are
held ratably by the Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitments.  The
Company shall make any payments under Section 8.04(b) resulting from such
assignments.  The minimum amount by which the Commitments may be increased on
any one occasion 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
under this Section 2.07(b) is $50,000,000, and the Commitments may not be
increased to more than $600,000,000 pursuant to this Section 2.07(b).

          SECTION 2.08.  Repayment of A Advances, B Advances and Swingline
Loans.  (a)  The Borrower shall repay the principal amount of each A Advance
made by each Lender in accordance with the A Note to the order of such Lender.

          (b)  The Borrower shall repay the principal amount of each B Advance
made by each Lender in accordance with the B Note to the order of such Lender
evidencing such B Advance.


          (c)  On the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, the Borrower
shall repay all Swingline Loans in full and may not reborrow Swingline Loans
until the next succeeding Business Day.

          SECTION 2.09.  Interest on Advances and Swingline Loans.  (a)
Ordinary Interest on A Advances.  The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of each A Advance made by each Lender from the date of such A
Advance until such principal amount shall be paid in full, at the following
rates per annum:

               (i) Base Rate Advances.  If such A Advance is a Base Rate
     Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times to, from the date hereof to
     the Termination Date, the Base Rate in effect from time to time, payable
     quarterly  on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and
     December.

               (ii) Eurodollar Rate Advances.  If such A Advance is a Eurodollar
     Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times during each Interest
     Period for such A Advance to the sum of (x) the Eurodollar Rate for such
     Interest Period for such A Advance plus (y) the Applicable Interest Rate
     Margin, payable on the last day of such Interest Period and, if such
     Interest Period has a duration of more than three months, on each day that
     occurs during such Interest Period every three months from the first day of
     such Interest Period and on the date such Eurodollar Rate Advance shall be
     Converted or paid in full.

          (b) Interest on Swingline Loans.  The Borrower shall pay interest on
the unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan made by the Swingline Lender
from the date of such Swingline Loan until such principal amount shall be paid
in full at a rate per annum equal at all times to the Base Rate in effect from
time to time, payable quarterly on the last Business Day of each March, June,
September and December.

          (c) Default Interest.  The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of each Advance and Swingline Loan that is not paid when due
and on the unpaid amount of all interest, fees and other amounts payable
hereunder that is not 

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
paid when due, payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal at all times to 2%
per annum above the Base Rate in effect from time to time.

          SECTION 2.10. Additional Interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances. The
Borrower shall pay to each Lender, so long as such Lender shall be required
under regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to
maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal
amount of each Eurodollar Rate Advance of such Lender, from the date of such A
Advance until such principal amount is paid in full, at an interest rate per
annum equal at all times to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the
Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period for such A Advance from (ii) the rate
obtained by dividing such Eurodollar Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus
the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage of such Lender for such Interest Period,
payable on each date on which interest is payable on such A Advance. Such
additional interest shall be determined by such Lender and notified in writing
to the Borrower through the Agent.

          SECTION 2.11.  Interest Rate Determination.  (a)  Each Reference Bank
agrees to furnish to the Agent timely information for the purpose of determining
each Eurodollar Rate.  If any one or more of the Reference Banks shall not
furnish such timely information to the Agent for the purpose of determining any
such interest rate, the Agent shall determine such interest rate on the basis of
timely information furnished by the remaining Reference Banks.

          (b) The Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower and the Lenders
of the applicable interest rate determined by the Agent for purposes of Section
2.09(a)(i) or (ii), and the applicable rate, if any, furnished by each Reference
Bank for the purpose of determining the applicable interest rate under Section
2.09(a)(ii).

          (c) If fewer than two Reference Banks furnish timely information to
the Agent for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any Eurodollar Rate Advances,
the Eurodollar Rate with respect to such Eurodollar Rate Advance shall be
determined by the Agent to be the offered rate per annum at which deposits in
dollars appear with respect to relevant Interest Period on the Dow Jones Market
Service Page 3750  (or any successor page), or if such offered rate is not
available, then the rate per annum at which deposits in dollars appear with
respect to such Interest Period on the Reuters Screen LIBOR  Page  (or any
successor page) in each case as of 11:00 a.m. (London time), two Business Days
prior to the beginning of such Interest Period or in the event that the
foregoing offered rates are not available then:

               (i) the Agent shall forthwith notify the Borrower and the Lenders
     that the interest rate cannot be determined for such Eurodollar Rate
     Advances,
               (ii) each such Advance will automatically, on the last day of the
     then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Advance
     (or if 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     such Advance is then a Base Rate Advance, will continue as a Base Rate
     Advance) and

               (iii)  the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert A
     Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Agent
     shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that two or more Reference Banks
     have furnished timely information to the Agent for the purpose of
     determining the Eurodollar Rate.

          (d) If any Reference Bank shall fail to furnish timely information to
the Agent pursuant to this Section 2.09 the Borrower may, with the consent of
the Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), appoint another
Lender as a replacement for such Reference Bank.

          (e) If, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Majority
Lenders notify the Agent that the Eurodollar Rate for any Interest Period for
such Advances will not adequately reflect the cost to such Majority Lenders of
making, funding or maintaining their respective Eurodollar Rate Advances for
such Interest Period, the Agent shall forthwith so notify the Borrower and the
Lenders, whereupon

          (i)  each Eurodollar Rate Advance will automatically, on the last day
     of the  then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate
     Advance and

          (ii)  the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert A Advances
     into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Agent shall
     notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such
     suspension no longer exist.

          (f) If the Borrower shall fail to select a new Interest Period for any
outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advances in accordance with the provisions contained
in the definition of "Interest Period" in Section 1.01, the Agent will forthwith
so notify the Borrower and the Lenders and such Advances will automatically, on
the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into Base
Rate Advances.

          (g) On the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal amount of A
Advances comprising any A Borrowing shall be reduced, by payment or prepayment
or otherwise, to less than $20,000,000, such A Advances shall, if they are
Eurodollar Rate Advances, automatically Convert into Base Rate Advances, and on
and after such date the right of the Borrower to Convert such A Advances into
Eurodollar Rate Advances shall terminate; provided, however that, if and so long
as each such A Advance shall be of the same Type and have the same Interest
Period as A Advances comprising another A Borrowing or other A Borrowings, and
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all such A Advances shall equal or
exceed $20,000,000, the Borrower shall have the right to continue all such A
Advances as, or to Convert all such A Advances into, Advances of such Type
having such Interest Period.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 2.12.  Voluntary Conversion of A Advances.  The Borrower may
on any Business Day, upon notice given to the Agent not later than 11:00 A. M.
(New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the date of the proposed
Conversion and subject to the provisions of Sections 2.11 and 2.15, Convert all
A Advances of one Type comprising the same A Borrowing into A Advances of the
other Type; provided, however that any Conversion of any Eurodollar Rate
Advances into Base Rate Advances shall be made on, and only on, the last day of
an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Advances and any Conversion of Base
Rate Advances into Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be in an amount not less than
$20,000,000; and provided further, however, that the Borrower shall not convert
any Base Rate Advances into Eurodollar Rate Advances if a Default has occurred
and is continuing. Each such notice of a Conversion shall, within the
restrictions specified above, specify (i) the date of such Conversion, (ii) the
A Advances to be Converted and (iii) if such Conversion is into Eurodollar Rate
Advances, the duration of the initial Interest Period for each such A Advance.
Each notice of Conversion shall be irrevocable and binding, on the Borrower.

          SECTION 2.13.  Prepayments of A Advances and Swingline Loans.   (a)
The Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any A
Advances other than as provided in subsection (b) below, or any principal amount
of any Swingline Loans other than as provided in subsection (c) below.

          (b) The Borrower may, upon at least one (1) Business Day's notice in
the case of Base Rate Advances, and three (3) Business Days' notice in the case
of Eurodollar Rate Advances to the Agent stating the proposed date and aggregate
principal amount of the prepayment, and if such notice is given the Borrower
shall, prepay the outstanding principal amounts of the A Advances comprising
part of the same A Borrowing in whole or ratably in part, together with accrued
interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid;
provided, however, that (x) each partial prepayment shall be in an aggregate
principal amount not less than $1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof and
(y) in the case of any such prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the
Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Lenders in respect thereof pursuant
to Section 8.04(b).

          (c) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swingline Lender, prepay any
Swingline Loan in whole by paying the principal amount thereof.

          SECTION 2.14.  Increased Costs.   (a)  If, due to either (i) the
introduction of or any change (other than any change by way of imposition or
increase of reserve requirements included in the Eurodollar Rate Reserve
Percentage) in or in the interpretation of any law, regulation, rule or
guideline promulgated or made after the date this Agreement is executed and
delivered by the Borrower or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request
from any central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the
force of law) promulgated or made after the date this Agreement is executed and
delivered by the Borrower, there shall be any increase in the cost to any 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate
Advances, then the Borrower shall from time to time, upon written demand by such
Lender (with a copy of such written demand to the Agent), pay to the Agent for
the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such
Lender for such increased cost; provided that the Borrower shall not be
obligated to pay any such additional amounts that are attributable to the period
(the "Excluded Period") ending 90 days prior to the Borrower's receipt of such
written notice; provided further, however, that to the extent such additional
amounts accrue during the Excluded Period because of the retroactive effect of
the applicable law, rule, regulation, guideline or request promulgated during
the 90 day period prior to the Borrower's receipt of such written notice, the
limitation set forth in the foregoing proviso shall not apply. A certificate,
made in good faith and in reasonable detail, as to the amount of such increased
cost, submitted to the Borrower and the Agent by such Lender, shall, except for
demonstrable or calculation error, be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

          (b) If any Lender determines that compliance with any law or
regulation or any guideline or request from any central bank or other
governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law) promulgated or
made after the date this Agreement is executed and delivered by the Borrower
affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be
maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender and that
the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of such
Lender's commitment to lend hereunder and other commitments of this type, then,
within 30 days after written notice and demand from such Lender (with a copy of
such demand to the Agent), the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Agent for
the account of such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender,
additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or such corporation in
the light of such circumstances, to the extent that such Lender reasonably
determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the existence of such
Lender's commitment to lend hereunder; provided that the Borrower shall not be
obligated to pay any such additional amounts that are attributable to the period
(the "Excluded Period") ending 90 days prior to the Borrower's receipt of such
written notice; provided further, however, that to the extent such additional
amounts accrue during the Excluded Period because of the retroactive effect of
the applicable law, rule, regulation, guideline or request promulgated during
the 90 day period prior to the Borrower's receipt of such written notice, the
limitation set forth in the foregoing proviso shall not apply.  A certificate,
made in good faith and in reasonable detail, as to such amounts submitted to the
Borrower and the Agent by such Lender shall, except for demonstrable or
calculation error, be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

          (c) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to
this Section 2.14 shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal
policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its
lending office if the making of such a change would avoid the need for, or
reduce the amount of, any such additional amounts that may thereafter accrue and
would not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Lender.

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 2.15.  Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, if any Lender shall notify the Agent that the introduction of or
any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it
unlawful, or any central bank or other governmental authority asserts that it is
unlawful, for any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office to perform its
obligations hereunder to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or to fund or maintain
Eurodollar Rate Advances hereunder, (i) the obligation of such Lender to make,
or to Convert A Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until
such Lender shall notify the Borrower and the Agent that the circumstances
causing such suspension no longer exist and (ii) the Borrower shall, on the last
day of the Interest Period then applicable thereto or, if it is unlawful for
such Lender to maintain such Eurodollar Advances for the balance of any such
Interest Period, on the last day on which the Borrower has been notified by such
Lender that such Eurodollar Advances may be lawfully maintained, Convert all
Eurodollar Rate Advances of such Lender then outstanding into Base Rate Advances
in accordance with Section 2.12.

          SECTION 2.16.  Payments and Computations.  (a) The Borrower shall make
each payment hereunder and under the Notes not later than 12:00 Noon (New York
City time) on the day when due in U.S. dollars to the Agent at its address
referred to in Section 8.02 in same day funds.  The Agent will promptly
thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of
principal or interest or facility fees ratably (other than amounts payable
pursuant to Section 2.03, 2.10, 2.14. 2.18 or 8.04(b)) to the Lenders for the
account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating
to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for the
account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon its acceptance of an
Assignment and Acceptance and recording of the information contained therein in
the Register pursuant to Section 8.07(c), from and after the effective date
specified in such Assignment and Acceptance, the Agent shall make all payments
hereunder and under the Notes in respect of the interest assigned thereby to the
Lender assignee thereunder, and the parties to such Assignment and Acceptance
shall make all appropriate adjustments in such payments for periods prior to
such effective date directly between themselves.

          (b) All computations of interest based on the Base Rate shall be made
by the Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and
all computations of interest based on the Eurodollar Rate or the Federal Funds
Rate (for all purposes other than the calculation of the Base Rate) and of
facility fees shall be made by the Agent, and all computations of interest
pursuant to Section 2.10 shall be made by a Lender, on the basis of a year of
360 days, in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day
but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or
facility fees are payable.  Each determination by the Agent (or, in the case of
Section 2.10, by a Lender) of an interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and
binding for all purposes, absent calculation or demonstrable error.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
          (c) Whenever any payment hereunder or under the Notes shall be stated
to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the
next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be
included in the computation of payment of interest or facility fee, as the case
may be; provided, however that if such extension would cause payment of interest
on or principal of Eurodollar Rate Advances to be made in the next following
calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.

          (d) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower
prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders hereunder that the
Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Agent may assume that the
Borrower has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date and the Agent
may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Lender on
such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the
extent that the Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to the
Agent, each Lender shall repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such amount
distributed to such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from the
date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date such Lender repays
such amount to the Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate.

          SECTION 2.17.  Sharing of Payments, Etc.  If any Lender shall obtain
any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right
of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the A Advances owing to it (other than
pursuant to Section 2.10, 2.14, 2.18 or 8.04(b)) in excess of its ratable share
of payments on account of the A Advances obtained by all the Lenders, such
Lender shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in
the A Advances owing to them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing
Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them, provided, however
that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from
such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and
such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the
extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such Lender's ratable
share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Lender's required
repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of
any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect
of the total amount so recovered.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so
purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 2.17
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as
if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such
participation.

          SECTION 2.18. Taxes.  (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower
hereunder or under the Notes shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.16,
free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
levies, imposts, deductions. charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lender and the Agent, net income
taxes that are imposed by the United States and franchise taxes and net income
taxes that are imposed on such Lender or the 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
Agent by the state or foreign jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender
or the Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political subdivision
thereof and, in the case of each Lender, franchise taxes and net income taxes
that are imposed on such Lender by the state or foreign jurisdiction of such
Lender's Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof (all
such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings
and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If the Borrower
shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum
payable hereunder or under any Note to any Lender or the Agent, (i) the sum
payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all
required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums
payable under this Section 2.18) such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be)
receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such
deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii)
the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation
authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law.

          (b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future
stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or under the Notes or
from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to,
this Agreement or the Notes (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

          (c) The Borrower will indemnify each Lender and the Agent for the full
amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes or
Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section
2.18) paid by such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be) and any liability
(including penalties, additions to tax, interest and expenses) arising therefrom
or with respect thereto.  This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from
the date such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be) makes written demand
therefor.

          (d) Each Lender shall, at the time of any written demand for
indemnification as set forth in subsection (c) above, provide to the Borrower a
receipt for, or other evidence of the payment of, Taxes or Other Taxes to be
indemnified under this Section 2.18.

          (e) Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the
Borrower will furnish to the Agent, at its address referred to in Section 8.02,
appropriate evidence of payment thereof.

          (f) For purposes of this Section 2.18, the terms "United States" and
"United States person" shall have the meanings specified in Section 7701 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

          (g) Each Lender organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the
United States shall, on or prior to the date of its execution and delivery of
this Agreement in the case of each Bank, and on the date of the Assignment and
Acceptance pursuant to 

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
which it became a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from time to
time thereafter if requested in writing by the Borrower or the Agent (but only
so long thereafter as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so), provide the
Agent and the Borrower with Internal Revenue Service form 1001 or 4224, as
appropriate, or any successor or other form prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Service, certifying that such Lender is exempt from or entitled to a reduced
rate of United States withholding tax on payments of interest pursuant to this
Agreement or the Notes. If the form provided by a Lender at the time such
Lender first becomes a party to this Agreement indicates a United States
interest withholding tax rate in excess of zero, withholding tax at such rate
shall be considered excluded from Taxes unless and until such Lender provides
the appropriate form certifying that a lesser rate applies, whereupon
withholding tax at such lesser rate only shall be considered excluded from
Taxes for periods governed by such form; provided, however, that, if at the
date of the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which a Lender assignee
becomes a party to this Agreement, the Lender assignor was entitled to
payments under subsection (a) in respect of United States withholding tax with
respect to interest paid at such date, then, to the extent such tax results in
liability for such payments, the term Taxes shall include (in addition to
withholding taxes that may be imposed in the future or other amounts otherwise
includable in Taxes) United States interest withholding tax, if any,
applicable with respect to the Lender assignee on such date.

          (h) For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed to
provide the Borrower with the appropriate form described in subsection (g)
(other than if such failure is due to a change in law occurring subsequent to
the date on which a form originally was required to be provided, or if such form
otherwise is not required under subsection (g)), such Lender shall not be
entitled to indemnification under subsection (a) or (c) with respect to Taxes
imposed by the United States; provided, however, that, should a Lender become
subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form required hereunder,
the Borrower shall take such steps as such Lender shall reasonably request to
assist such Lender to recover such Taxes.

          (i) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to
this Section 2.18 shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal
policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its
lending office if the making of such a change would avoid the need for, or
reduce the amount of, any such additional amounts that may thereafter accrue and
would not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Lender.

          (j) In the event the Borrower is required pursuant to this Section
2.18 to pay any amount to any Lender or the Agent or on the behalf of any of
them to any taxing authority, such Lender shall, if no Default has occurred and
is continuing, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to such Lender and the
Agent, assign, pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section
8.07, all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and under the Notes
to an Eligible Assignee selected by the Borrower in consideration for (i) the
payment by such assignee to the assigning Lender of the principal of, and
interest accrued and unpaid to the date of such assignment on, the Note 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
or Notes of such Lender, (ii) the payment by the Borrower to the assigning
Lender of any and all other amounts owing to such Lender under any provision
of this Agreement accrued and unpaid to the date of such assignment and (iii)
the Borrower's release of the assigning Lender from any further obligation or
liability under this Agreement. The processing and recordation fee required
under Section 8.07(a) for such assignment shall be paid by the Borrower.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.18(j), in no event
shall the replacement of any Lender result in a decrease or reallocation of
the aggregate Commitments without the written consent of the Majority Lenders.

          SECTION 2.19. Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Advances,
Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit  shall be available, and the Borrower
agrees that it will use such proceeds, solely for the general corporate purposes
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation,
acquisitions that have been approved by the board of directors of the acquired
entity and stock repurchases.


          SECTION 2.20. Termination Date Extensions.  At any time after the
second anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrower may make a written
request to the Agent, who shall forward a copy of each such request to each of
the Lenders, that the Termination Date then in effect be extended to the date
which is one year after such existing Termination Date; provided, however, that
the Borrower shall not be permitted to obtain more than three extensions
pursuant to this Section 2.20.  Such request shall be accompanied by a
certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower stating that no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.  If, by the date (a "Response
Date") which is 30 days after the date of such request, Lenders holding at least
70% of the Commitments then outstanding agree thereto in writing, the
Termination Date of each Lender then consenting, or that thereafter consents, to
such extension (each, a "Continuing Lender") shall be automatically extended to
the first anniversary of the then existing Termination Date.  In the event that
the Borrower has not obtained agreement to the requested extension from the
requisite percentage of Lenders to permit an extension by the Response Date, the
Borrower may extend the deadline for obtaining such percentage to the thirtieth
day following such Response Date in order to take such actions, including those
contemplated by Section 2.21, with respect to any Lender that has not agreed to
such extension (each, a "Non-Continuing Lender"), as the Borrower deems
appropriate in order to obtain agreement to such extension from the requisite
percentage of Lenders.  If the Borrower obtains agreement from the requisite
percentage of the Lenders during such thirty day period, the Termination Date
shall be extended as to the Continuing Lenders as provided in the second
preceding sentence.  The Agent shall notify the Borrower and each Lender of the
effectiveness of any such extension.  No Lender shall be obligated to agree to
any extension pursuant to this Section 2.20, and the extension of the
Termination Date as to any Lender shall be in its sole discretion.  The
Termination Date shall not be extended pursuant to this Section 2.20 for any
Lender that is a Non-Continuing Lender.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 2.21. Replacement of Lenders. Any Lender claiming any
additional amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14, invoking the provisions of
Section  2.15 or  becoming a Non-Continuing Lender shall, if no Default has
occurred and is continuing, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to such
Lender and the Agent, assign, pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions
of Section 8.07, all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and
under the Notes to an Eligible Assignee selected by the Borrower in
consideration for (i) the payment by such assignee to the assigning Lender of
the principal of, and interest accrued and unpaid to the date of such assignment
on, the Note or Notes of such Lender, (ii) the payment by the Borrower to the
assigning Lender of any and all other amounts owing to such Lender under any
provision of this Agreement accrued and unpaid to the date of such assignment
and (iii) the Borrower's release of the assigning Lender from any further
obligation or liability under this Agreement.  The processing and recordation
fee required under Section 8.07(a) for such assignment shall be paid by the
Borrower.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.21, in no
event shall the replacement of any Lender result in a decrease or reallocation
of the aggregate Commitments without the written consent of the Majority
Lenders.


                                  ARTICLE III

                             CONDITIONS OF LENDING

          SECTION 3.01.  Conditions Precedent to the Effectiveness of Sections
2.01, 2.03, 2.04 and 2.05. The effectiveness of Sections 2.01, 2.03, 2.04 and
2.05 is subject to the following conditions precedent:

          (a) This Agreement (including all schedules, exhibits, certificates
     and opinions delivered pursuant hereto) shall be in full force and effect
     and shall not have been terminated.

          (b) There shall have occurred no material adverse change in the
     condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since February 28, 1997.

          (c) There shall exist no action, suit, investigation, litigation or
     proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pending or
     threatened before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that (i)
     could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the
     condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations or prospects of
     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than the matters
     described on Schedule III hereto (the "Disclosed Litigation") or (ii)
     purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this
     Agreement or any Note or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     hereby, and there shall have been no adverse change in 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
     the status, or financial effect on the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries, of the Disclosed Litigation from that described on Schedule
     III hereto.

          (d) All governmental and third party consents and approvals necessary
     in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
     obtained (without the imposition of any conditions that are not acceptable
     to the Lenders) and shall remain in effect, and no law or regulation shall
     be applicable that restrains, prevents or imposes materially adverse
     conditions upon the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (e) The Borrower shall have notified each Lender and the Agent in
     writing as to the proposed Effective Date.

          (f) The Borrower shall have paid all accrued fees and expenses of the
     Agent that have been billed (including the accrued fees and expenses of
     counsel to the Agent).

          (g) The Agent shall have received on or before the Effective Date the
     following, each dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
     Agent and (except for the Notes) in sufficient copies for each Lender:

               (i) the A Notes payable to the order of the Lenders,
          respectively,
               (ii) certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of
          Directors of the Borrower approving this Agreement and the Notes, and
          of all documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and
          government approvals, if any, with respect to this Agreement and the
          Notes,

               (iii)  a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
          of the Borrower certifying the names and true signatures of the
          officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement and the
          Notes and the other documents to be delivered hereunder,

               (iv) a copy of a certificate of the Secretary of State of the
          State of Delaware (as of a date reasonably near the Effective Date)
          that (a) attached thereto is a true and correct copy of the Borrower's
          charter and each amendment thereto, (b) such amendments are the only
          amendments to the Borrower's charter on file in his office, (c) the
          Borrower has paid all franchise taxes to the date of such certificate
          and (d) the Borrower is duly incorporated and in good standing under
          the laws of Delaware,

               (v) a certificate of the Borrower, signed by its President or a
          Vice President and its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, dated the
          Effective Date, certifying (a) as to the absence of any amendments to
          the charter of the Borrower since the date of the Secretary of State's
          certificate 

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
          from the State of Delaware, (b) that attached is a true and correct
          copy of the by-laws of the Borrower as in effect on the Effective
          Date, (c) as to the due incorporation and good standing of the
          Borrower as a corporation organized under the laws of the state of
          Delaware, and the absence of any proceeding for the dissolution or
          liquidation of the Borrower, (d) as to the truth and correctness of
          the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 of this
          Agreement as though made on and as of the Effective Date and (e) as
          to the absence of any event occurring and continuing, or resulting
          from the effectiveness of Sections 2.01, 2.03, 2.04 and 2.05, if
          any, that constitutes a Default,

               (vi) a favorable opinion of Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, special
          counsel for the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit D
          hereto and as to such other matters as any Lender through the Agent
          may reasonably request,

               (vii)  a favorable opinion of Teresa H. Johnson, Associate
          General Counsel of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit
          E hereto and as to such other matters as any Lender through the Agent
          may reasonably request,

               (viii)  evidence of the termination of the commitments under the
          Current Supervalu Credit Agreement, and payment of all amounts owing
          thereunder, and

               (ix) such other approvals, opinions or documents as any Lender,
          through the Agent, may reasonably request.

          SECTION 3.02.  Conditions Precedent to Each A Borrowing, Swingline
Borrowing and Issuance of a Letter of Credit.  The obligation of each Lender to
make an A Advance on the occasion of each A Borrowing (including the initial A
Borrowing but other than an A Advance pursuant to Section 2.04(c)) resulting in
an increase in the aggregate amount of outstanding A Advances, the obligation of
each LC Bank to issue a Letter of Credit on the occasion of a request therefor
by the Borrower (other than an extension of a maturing Letter of Credit that
provides for a drawing thereunder in the absence of such extension), and the
obligation of the Swingline Lender to make a Swingline Loan  on the occasion of
each Swingline Borrowing shall be subject to the further conditions precedent
that on the date of such A Borrowing, the issuance of such Letter of Credit or
such Swingline Borrowing, as the case may be,  the following statements shall be
true (and each of the giving of the applicable Notice of A Borrowing, request
for issuance of Letter of Credit or Notice of Swingline Borrowing, as the case
may be,  and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such A Borrowing
or Swingline Borrowing or benefits of the issuance of such Letter of Credit, as
the case may be, shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower
that on the date of such A Borrowing, the issuance of such Letter of Credit or
such Swingline Borrowing, as the case may be, such statements are true):

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
          (i) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01
     (excluding that contained in the last sentence of subsection (e) thereof)
     are correct on and as of the date of such A Borrowing, the issuance of such
     Letter of Credit or such Swingline Borrowing, as the case may be before and
     after giving effect to such A Borrowing, the issuance of such Letter of
     Credit or such Swingline Borrowing, as the case may be,  and to the
     application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of such
     date, and

          (ii) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from
     such A Borrowing, the issuance of such Letter of Credit or such Swingline
     Borrowing, as the case may be, or from the application of the proceeds
     therefrom, which constitutes a Default.

          SECTION 3.03.  Conditions Precedent to Each B Borrowing.  The
obligation of each Lender that is to make a B Advance on the occasion of a B
Borrowing (including the initial B Borrowing) to make such B Advance as part of
such B Borrowing is subject to the conditions precedent that (i) the Agent shall
have received the written confirmatory Notice of B Borrowing with respect
thereto, (ii) (x) in the case of any B Borrowing (except as otherwise set forth
in subclause (y) below), on or before the date of such B Borrowing, but prior to
such B Borrowing, and (y) in the case of same day, fixed rate B Borrowings,
promptly after any such B Borrowing, the Agent shall have received a B Note
payable to the order of such Lender for each of the one or more B Advances to be
made by such Lender as part of such B Borrowing, in a principal amount equal to
the principal amount of the B Advance to be evidenced thereby and otherwise on
such terms as were agreed to for such B Advance in accordance with Section 2.03
and (iii) on the date of such B Borrowing the following statements shall be true
(and each of the giving of the applicable Notice of B Borrowing and the
acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such B Borrowing shall constitute
a representation and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of such B
Borrowing such statements are true):

          (a) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01
     (excluding that contained in the last sentence of subsection (e) thereof)
     are correct on and as of the date of such B Borrowing, before and after
     giving effect to such B Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds
     therefrom, as though made on and as of such date,

          (b) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such
     B Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds therefrom, which
     constitutes a Default and

          (c) no event has occurred and no circumstance exists as a result of
     which the information concerning the Borrower that has been provided to the
     Agent and each Lender by the Borrower in connection herewith would include
     an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
     or any fact 

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
     necessary, to make the statements contained therein, in the light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES


          SECTION 4.01.  Representations and Warranties of the Borrower.  The
Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

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

          (b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this
     Agreement and the Notes, and the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated hereunder, are within the Borrower's corporate powers, have
     been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not (a)
     contravene the Borrower's charter or by-laws, (b) violate any law, rule,
     regulation, order, writ, judgment, determination or award binding on or
     affecting the Borrower or (c) conflict with or result in the breach of, or
     constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument binding on or
     affecting the Borrower.

          (c) This Agreement has been, and each of the Notes when delivered
     hereunder will have been, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower.
     This Agreement is, and the Notes when delivered hereunder will be, legal,
     valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the
     Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.

          (d) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to
     or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body, or any third
     party that is a party to any agreement or instrument binding on the
     Borrower is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the
     Borrower of this Agreement or the Notes, or for the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (e) The Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries as at February 28, 1997, and the related statements of income
     and retained earnings of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal
     year then ended, accompanied by an opinion of DeLoitte & Touche, LLP,
     independent public accountants, and the Consolidated balance sheet of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at  June 14, 1997, and the related
     statements of income and retained earnings of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter then ended, duly certified by a
     Financial Officer of the Borrower, copies of which have been furnished to
     each Lender, fairly present, subject, in the case of said balance sheet as
     at June 14, 1997, and said statements of income and retained earnings for

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
     the fiscal quarter then ended, to year-end audit adjustments, the
     Consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at
     such dates and the Consolidated results of the operations of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries for the periods ended on such dates, all in accordance
     with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.  Since
     February 28, 1997, there has been no material adverse change in such
     condition or operations.

          (f) Except as set forth on Schedule III, there is no pending or
     threatened action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding,
     including, without limitation, any Environmental Action, affecting the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, governmental agency
     or arbitrator, that (a) is likely to result in a material adverse change in
     the condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations or
     prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b)
     purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this
     Agreement or any Note or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     hereby.

          (g) (i) No information, exhibit or report furnished by or on behalf of
     the Borrower to the Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation
     of the Loan Documents or pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents
     contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
     material fact necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading
     in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made; and
     (ii) all financial projections that have been provided by or on behalf of
     the Borrower to the Agent or any Lender were prepared in good faith based
     on reasonable assumptions (it being understood that such projections are
     subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies beyond the
     Borrower's control, and that no assurance can be given that the projections
     will be realized).

          (h) Following application of the proceeds of each Advance, Swingline
     Loan and Letter of Credit, not more than 25 percent of the value of the
     assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
     on a Consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 5.02(a) or
     Section 5.02(c) or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or
     instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any
     Lender relating to Debt and within the scope of Section 6.01(d) will be
     margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of
     Governors of the Federal Reserve System).

          (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur
     with respect to any Plan of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates
     that has resulted in or is reasonably likely to result in a liability of
     the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates in excess of $25,000,000  in
     any one case or $50,000,000  in the aggregate.

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
          (j) Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the 1996 annual report (Form
     5500 Series) for each Plan of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates,
     copies of which have been filed with the Internal Revenue Service and
     furnished to the Lenders, is complete and accurate and fairly presents the
     funding status of such Plan, and since the date of such Schedule B there
     has been no material adverse change in such funding status.

          (k) Neither the Borrower nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred
     or is reasonably expected to incur any Withdrawal Liability to any
     Multiemployer Plan in excess of $25,000,000  in any one case or $50,000,000
     in the aggregate.

          (l) Neither the Borrower nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has been
     notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan of the Borrower or any of
     its ERISA Affiliates that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or
     has been terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and no such
     Multiemployer Plan is reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be
     terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, if as a result thereof
     the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates would incur or would reasonably
     be expected to incur, any liability in excess of $25,000,000  in any one
     case or $50,000,000  in the aggregate.

          (m) The aggregate annualized amount paid (including, without
     limitation, the cost of insurance premiums) with respect to post-retirement
     benefits under Welfare Plans for which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
     are liable does not exceed $8,000,000.

          (n) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to
     be filed all tax returns which are required to be filed, and all taxes
     related to such returns and any assessments made against it or any of its
     respective properties and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on
     it or any of its respective properties by any governmental authority (other
     than those the amount or validity of which is contested in good faith by
     appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity
     with generally, accepted accounting principles have been provided on the
     books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries as the case may be) have been
     paid, except to the extent the failure to make such filings or payments
     would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
     otherwise) or results of operations or prospects of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (o) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment
     company", or an "affiliated person" of, or "promotor" or "principal
     underwriter" for, an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
     Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
          (p) The operations and properties of the Borrower and each of its
     Subsidiaries comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws,
     all necessary Environmental Permits have been obtained and are in effect
     for the operations and properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and
     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
     respects with all such Environmental Permits, except to the extent that any
     such non-compliance or failure to obtain any necessary permits could not
     reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the
     condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. No circumstances exist
     that could be reasonably likely to (i) form the basis of an Environmental
     Action against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
     respective properties that could have a material adverse effect on the
     condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) cause any such
     property to be subject to any restrictions on ownership, occupancy, use
     or transferability under any Environmental Law that could have a material
     adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise) or results of
     operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.


                                   ARTICLE V

                           COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER

          SECTION 5.01.  Affirmative Covenants.  So long as any Note shall
remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower
will, unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:

          (a) Compliance with Laws, Payment of Taxes, Etc.  Comply, and cause
     each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects, with all
     material applicable laws (including, without limitation, ERISA), rules,
     regulations and orders, such compliance to include, without limitation,
     paying and discharging before the same become delinquent all taxes,
     assessments and governmental charges imposed upon it or upon its property
     except to the extent contested in good faith and for which appropriate
     reserves have been made in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles.

          (b) Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.  Preserve and maintain
     its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises;
     provided, however, that the Borrower may consummate any merger or
     consolidation permitted under Section 5.02(b), and provided further that
     the Borrower shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if
     the Borrower shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer
     desirable in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and that the loss
     thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Borrower.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
          (c) Keeping of Books.  Keep, and cause each Subsidiary to keep, proper
     books of record and account, in which full and correct entries shall be
     made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of the
     Borrower and each Subsidiary in order to permit the Borrower to prepare
     Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time.

          (d) Leverage Ratio.  Maintain at all times a ratio of Consolidated
     Debt to Total Capital of not more than the amount set forth below during
     each period set forth below:
 
                Period                                Ratio
                                                      -----
                From the date of
                this Agreement    -         2/28/98  .65:1
                 3/1/98           -         2/28/99  .64:1
                 3/1/99           -  and thereafter  .63:1


          (e) Reporting Requirements.  Furnish to each Lender:

          (i) (x) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after
          the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of
          the Borrower, the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and Consolidated
          statements of income and retained earnings of the Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries for the period commencing at the end of the previous
          fiscal year and ending with the end of such quarter, duly certified
          by a Financial Officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in
          accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

               (y) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after
          the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the
          Consolidated annual report for such year for the Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries, containing Consolidated financial statements for such
          year, certified in a manner acceptable to the Majority Lenders by
          DeLoitte & Touche or other nationally recognized independent public
          accountants; and

               (z) together with each delivery of financial statements required
          by clauses (x) and (y) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer (A)
          stating that the signer has reviewed or caused to be reviewed under
          his or her supervision the terms of this Agreement and the Notes and
          the transactions and condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
          during the accounting period covered by such financial statements and
          that such review has not disclosed the existence as at the date of
          such certificate of any condition or 

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
          event that constitutes a Default, and (B) setting forth (except to
          the extent specifically set forth in such financial statements)
          information in reasonable detail necessary to demonstrate the
          Borrower's compliance as at the end of such accounting period with
          Section 5.01(d)(including, but not limited to, a description of and
          amounts comprising the elements of Consolidated Debt, each
          determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
          principles);

               (ii) as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) days
          after any Financial Officer of the Borrower has knowledge of the
          occurrence of each Default continuing on the date of such statement, a
          statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth the
          details of such Default and the action which the Borrower has taken
          and proposes to take with respect thereto;

               (iii)  promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of
          all reports which the Borrower sends to its shareholders, and copies
          of all reports and registration statements which the Borrower or any
          Subsidiary files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
          national securities exchange;

               (iv) promptly and in any event within 30 days after the filing
          thereof with the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each Schedule B
          (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) with
          respect to each Plan of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates,
          provided that this clause (iv) shall apply only to the extent that the
          total "current liability" indicated on any such Schedule B exceeds
          $8,000,000;

               (v) promptly and in any event within 15 Business Days after the
          Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates knows or has reason to know
          that any ERISA Event has occurred, a statement of a Financial Officer
          of the Borrower describing such ERISA Event and the action, if any,
          which the Borrower or such ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with
          respect thereto;

               (vi) promptly and in any event within five Business Days after
          receipt thereof by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates, copies
          of each notice from the PBGC stating its intention to terminate any
          Plan of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates or to have a
          trustee appointed to administer any Plan of the Borrower or any of its
          ERISA Affiliates;

               (vii)  promptly after commencement thereof, notice of all actions
          and proceedings before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator
          affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the type
          described in Section 4.01(f); and

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
               (viii)  such other information respecting the condition or
          operations, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any of its
          Subsidiaries as any Lender through the Agent may from time to time
          reasonably request.

          (f) Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain, and cause each of its
     Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable
     insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such
     risks as is usually carried by companies engaged in similar businesses
     and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the
     Borrower or such Subsidiary operates.

          (g) Maintenance of Properties, Etc.  Maintain and preserve, and cause
     each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve all of its properties
     that are used or useful in the conduct of its business in good working
     order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; provided however that
     neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to
     maintain or preserve any properties if the Borrower determines, in its
     reasonable business judgment, that the maintenance and preservation thereof
     is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Borrower or
     such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and that the loss thereof is not
     disadvantageous in any material respect to the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

          SECTION 5.02.  Negative Covenants.  So long as any Note shall remain
unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower will not,
without the written consent of the Majority Lenders:

          (a) Liens, Etc.  Create or suffer to exist, or permit any of its
     Subsidiaries to create or suffer to exist, any Lien upon or with respect to
     any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign,
     or permit any of its Subsidiaries to assign, any right to receive income,
     in each case to secure or provide for the payment of any Debt of any
     Person, other than:

               (i) purchase money Liens upon or in any property acquired or held
          by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary
          course of business to secure the purchase price of such property,
          provided, that any such Liens attach only to the assets so purchased
          and the Debt (including any extensions, renewals or refinancings
          thereof) secured by any such Lien does not exceed 100% of the purchase
          price of the property being purchased, or

               (ii) in the case of the Borrower, purchase money Liens to secure
          Debt incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of
          any real property, fixtures or equipment acquired by the Borrower with
          the proceeds of such Debt, provided, that any such Liens attach only
          to the 

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
          assets so purchased and the Debt (including any extensions, renewals
          or refinancings thereof) secured by any such Lien does not exceed
          100% of the purchase price of the property being purchased, or

               (iii)  in the case of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, purchase
          money Liens to secure Debt incurred by such Subsidiary solely to
          finance the purchase price of real property, fixtures or equipment to
          the extent permitted pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 5.02(d),
          provided that any such Liens attach only to the assets so purchased
          and the Debt (including any extensions, renewals or refinancings
          thereof) secured by any such Lien does not exceed 100% of the
          purchase price of the property being purchased, or

               (iv) in the case of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, purchase
          money Liens to secure Debt assumed by such Subsidiary solely in
          connection with the acquisition of real property, fixtures or
          equipment to the extent permitted pursuant to clause (iii) of Section
          5.02(d), provided that any such Liens attach only to the assets so
          purchased and the Debt (including any extensions, renewals or
          refinancings thereof) secured by any such Lien does not exceed 100% of
          the purchase price of the property being purchased, or

               (v) in the case of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, Liens to
          secure Debt assumed solely in connection with an acquisition to the
          extent permitted pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 5.02(d), provided
          that any such Liens attached only to the assets so acquired and the
          assumption of such Debt (including any extensions, renewals or
          refinancing's thereof) secured by any such Lien does not exceed 100%
          of the purchase price of the asset being acquired, or

               (vi) in the case of the Borrower, Liens existing on property at
          the time of the acquisition thereof by the Borrower (other than any
          such Lien created in contemplation of such acquisition that was not
          incurred to finance the acquisition of such property), or

               (vii)  Any extensions, renewals or replacements of any of the
          Liens permitted by subclauses (i) through (vi) above or subclause (x)
          below for the same or a lesser amount, provided, however, that no such
          Liens shall extend to or cover any properties not theretofore subject
          to the Lien being extended, renewed or replaced, or

               (viii)  Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested
          in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate
          reserves have been made in accordance with generally accepted
          accounting principles, or

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
               (ix) Liens incidental to the conduct of its business or the
          ownership of its property and assets which were not incurred in
          connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or
          credit, and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the
          value of its property or assets or materially impair the use thereof
          in the operation of its business, or

               (x) Liens existing on the date hereof, or

               (xi) Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of
          this Section 5.02(a) securing Debt, provided that the aggregate
          principal amount of Debt secured by such Liens at the time any such
          Lien is created does not exceed 5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets
          (determined by reference to the most recent balance sheet submitted
          pursuant to Section 5.01(e)(i)).

          (b) Mergers, Etc.  Merge or consolidate with or into, or convey,
     transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
     series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now
     owned or hereafter acquired) to any Person, or permit any of its
     Subsidiaries to do so, except that:

               (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge or consolidate with
          or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the
          continuing or surviving corporation) or with any one or more other
          Subsidiaries of the Borrower,

               (ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower may sell,
          lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to the
          Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, as the case may be,

               (iii)  the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge
          with any other corporation, provided that the Borrower or such
          Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, and

               (iv) the Borrower may engage in transactions permitted by Section
          5.02(c),

     provided that, in the case of each transaction permitted under this Section
     5.02(b), at the time of such proposed transaction and immediately after
     giving effect to such proposed transaction, no Default shall have occurred
     and be continuing.

          (c) Sales, Etc. of Assets.  Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose
     of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
     dispose of, its 

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
     assets, or grant any option or other right to purchase, lease or
     otherwise acquire its assets, other than:

               (i)    sales of inventory in the ordinary course of its business,

               (ii)   any sale of assets in a transaction authorized by
          subsections (b) (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 5.02,

               (iii)  the sale of the Borrower's interest in any Subsidiary
          engaged principally in manufacturing businesses,

               (iv)   sales of  rights to payment and the security therefor  to
          the extent such sales are accounted for as true sales in accordance
          with generally accepted accounting principles and

               (v)    other sales, leases, transfers or other dispositions of
          assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not to exceed in the
          aggregate 15% of the Consolidated Tangible Assets (determined by
          reference to the most recent balance sheet submitted pursuant to
          Section 5.01(e)(i)) for all such sales, leases, transfers or other
          dispositions.

          (d) Debt of Subsidiaries.  Permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,
     incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, other than:

               (i)   Debt owed to the Borrower or to a wholly owned Subsidiary
          of the Borrower,

               (ii)  Debt incurred to finance the purchase price of real
          property, fixtures or equipment acquired by such Subsidiary from a
          Person other than the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the
          Borrower, provided that such real property, fixtures or equipment
          shall be purchased on an arm's-length basis and at a fair market value
          as reasonably determined at the time of such acquisition by the
          authorized officers or the Board of Directors of the Borrower, as the
          case may be, in a manner consistent with the Borrower's standard
          procedures,

               (iii)  secured Debt assumed by such Subsidiary in connection with
          the acquisition of real property, fixtures or equipment which Debt (x)
          is secured only by such property and (y) is outstanding at the time of
          the acquisition of such property and not incurred to finance the
          acquisition thereof,

               (iv)   secured Debt of a Person that is acquired by the
          Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, which Person will be, upon
          such acquisition, a Subsidiary of the Borrower and which Debt (x) is
          secured 

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
          only by the assets of such Person and (y) is outstanding at the time
          of the acquisition of such Person and not incurred to finance the
          acquisition thereof,

               (v) indorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or
          collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business,

               (vi) Debt existing on the date hereof (all Debt of the
          Subsidiaries of the Borrower for borrowed money in a principal amount
          of $5,000,000 or greater existing on the date hereof is described on
          Schedule IV),

               (vii)  any extension, refinancing, or renewal of any of the Debt
          specified in subclauses (i) through (iv) and subclause (vi) of this
          subsection (d) not resulting in an increase in the principal amount of
          such Debt so extended, refinanced, or renewed and

               (viii)  Debt not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of
          this Section 5.02(d), provided that the aggregate principal amount of
          such Debt at the time any such Debt is incurred does not exceed 2 1/2%
          of Consolidated Tangible Assets (determined by reference to the most
          recent balance sheet submitted pursuant to Section 5.01(e)(i)); and
          that the aggregate amount permitted under this clause (viii), together
          with the aggregate amount of Debt secured by Liens permitted solely
          pursuant to clause (xi) of Section 5.02(a), does not exceed 5% of such
          Consolidated Tangible Assets.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default.  If any of the following events
("Events of Default") shall occur and be continuing:

          (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any principal of any Note or
     Reimbursement Obligation when the same becomes due and payable; (ii) any
     interest on any Note or any other amount due hereunder (other than as set
     forth in clause (iii) of this subsection (a)), in each case within three
     (3) days of the date on which the same becomes due and payable; or (iii)
     fees required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.06, and amounts due under
     Section 8.08, in each case within three (3) days of notice thereof; or

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Any written representation or warranty made by the Borrower (or
     any of its officers) herein or in connection with this Agreement shall
     prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; or

          (c) The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe (i) any term,
     covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.01(d), 5.01(e) or 5.02, or
     (ii) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on
     its part to be performed or observed if the failure to perform or observe
     such other term, covenant or agreement shall remain unremedied for thirty
     (30) days after the earliest of: (i) the date written notice thereof
     shall have been given to the Borrower by the Agent or any Lender; (ii)
     the date written notice thereof shall have been given by the Borrower to
     the Agent or any Lender; and (iii) the date by which the Borrower was
     required to have delivered to the Lenders the statement required under
     Section 5.01(f)(ii); or

          (d) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay any
     principal of or premium or interest on any Debt that is outstanding in a
     principal amount of at least $25,000,000 individually or $50,000,000  in
     the aggregate (but excluding Debt evidenced by the Notes) of the Borrower
     or such Subsidiary (as the case may be), when the same becomes due and
     payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration,
     demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable
     grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to
     such Debt; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to be in
     compliance with any covenant measuring the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's
     financial performance under any agreement or instrument relating to any
     Debt outstanding in a principal amount of at least $25,000,000 individually
     or $50,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding Debt evidenced by the Notes)
     and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any,
     specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or
     condition is to accelerate or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity
     of such Debt; or any Debt outstanding in a principal amount of at least
     $25,000,000 individually or $50,000,000  in the aggregate (but excluding
     Debt evidenced by the Notes) shall be declared to be due and payable, or
     required to be prepaid (other than by a required prepayment), redeemed,
     purchased or defeased, or an offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease
     such Debt shall be required to be made, in each case prior to the stated
     maturity thereof; or

          (e) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall generally not pay
     its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability
     to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the
     benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt
     or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization,
     arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its
     debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or
     relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order 

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
     for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other
     similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property and,
     in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not
     instituted by it), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or
     unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days, or any of the actions sought in
     such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for
     relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or
     other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its
     property) shall occur; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall
     take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above
     in this subsection (e); or

          (f) Any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of
     $25,000,000 or more in the case of any one judgment or order and
     $50,000,000 or more in the aggregate for all such judgments and orders (to
     the extent not covered by insurance),  or otherwise materially adverse to
     the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
     prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole shall be
     rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and either (i)
     enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such
     judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of ten (10) consecutive
     days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by
     reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

          (g) any ERISA Event shall have occurred with respect to a Plan of the
     Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates and the sum (determined as of the
     date of occurrence of such ERISA Event) of the Insufficiency of such Plan
     and the Insufficiency of any and all other Plans of the Borrower and its
     ERISA Affiliates with respect to which an ERISA Event shall have occurred
     and then exist (or the liability of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates
     related to such ERISA Event) exceeds $25,000,000 in any one case or
     $50,000,000 in the aggregate; or

          (h) the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates shall have been
     notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan of the Borrower or any of
     its ERISA Affiliates that it has incurred Withdrawal Liability to such
     Multiemployer Plan in an amount that, when aggregated with all other
     amounts required to be paid to Multiemployer Plans by the Borrower and its
     ERISA Affiliates as Withdrawal Liability (determined as of the date of such
     notification), exceeds $25,000,000 in any one case or $50,000,000 in the
     aggregate; or

          (i) the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates shall have been
     notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan of the Borrower or any of
     its ERISA Affiliates that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or
     is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and as a
     result of such reorganization or termination the aggregate contributions of
     the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates to all Multiemployer Plans that are
     then in reorganization or being terminated have been or will be increased
     over the amounts otherwise 

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
     required to be contributed to such Multiemployer Plans by an amount
     exceeding $25,000,000 in any one case or $50,000,000 in the aggregate;

then, and in any such event, the Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the
consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the
obligation of each Lender to make Advances to be terminated, whereupon the same
shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the
consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Notes,
all interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be
forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Notes, all such interest and all such
amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment,
demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by the Borrower, and demand that the Borrower pay into the Holding
Account an amount of cash equal to the aggregate amount available for drawing
under all outstanding Letters of Credit; provided, however, that, in the event
of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower
under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (A) the obligation of each Lender to make
Advances shall automatically be terminated, (B) the Notes, all such interest and
all such amounts shall automatically become and be due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived by the Borrower and (C) the Borrower will pay to the Agent, for
deposit in the Holding Account, an amount of cash equal to the aggregate amount
available for drawing under all outstanding Letters of Credit.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                                   THE AGENT

          SECTION 7.01   Appointment   The Lenders hereby appoint Bankers Trust
as the Agent to act as specified herein and in the Notes.  Each Lender hereby
irrevocably authorizes and each holder of any Note by the acceptance of such
Note shall be deemed to irrevocably authorize the Agent to take such action on
its behalf under the provisions hereof, the Notes  (including, without
limitation, to give notices and take such actions on behalf of the Majority
Lenders as are consented to in writing by the Majority Lenders) and any other
instruments, documents and agreements referred to herein or therein and to
exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to
the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto.  The Agent may perform any of its duties
hereunder and under the Notes, by or through its officers, directors, agents,
employees or affiliates.

          SECTION 7.02.   Nature of Duties.  The Agent shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement.  The duties
of the Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature.  EACH LENDER
HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE AGENT SHALL NOT HAVE, BY REASON OF THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY NOTES, A FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP TO OR IN RESPECT OF ANY LENDER.
Nothing in this 

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
Agreement or in any Note, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so
construed as to impose upon the Agent any obligations in respect of the
Agreement or any Note except as expressly set forth herein or therein. Each
Lender shall make its own independent investigation of the financial condition
and affairs of the Borrower in connection with the making and the continuance
of the Loans hereunder and shall make its own appraisal of the credit
worthiness of the Borrower, and the Agent shall have no duty or
responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any
Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether
coming into its possession before making of the Loans or at any time or times
thereafter (except as set forth in this Agreement). The Agent will promptly
notify each Lender at any time that the Majority Lenders have instructed it to
act or refrain from acting pursuant to Article VI. None of the Syndication
Agent, Co-Agents or Lead Managers shall have any specified duties under this
Agreement.

          SECTION 7.03.  Exculpation, Rights Etc.  Neither the Agent nor any of
its officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates shall be liable for any
action taken or omitted by them hereunder or under any Note, or in connection
herewith or therewith, unless caused by its or their gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties herein or for the execution,
effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility, or
sufficiency of this Agreement or any Note or any other document or the financial
condition of the Borrower.  The  Agent shall not be required to make any inquiry
concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions
or conditions of this Agreement or any Note  or any other document or the
financial condition of the Borrower, or the existence or possible existence of
any  Default or Event of Default unless requested to do so by the Majority
Lenders.  The Agent may at any time request instructions from the Lenders with
respect to any actions or approvals (including the failure to act or approve)
which by the terms of this Agreement or the Notes, the Agent is permitted or
required to take or to grant, and if such instructions are requested, the Agent
shall be absolutely entitled to refrain from taking any action or to withhold
any approval and shall not be under any liability whatsoever to any Person for
refraining from any action or withholding any approval under any this Agreement
or the Notes until it shall have received such instructions from the Majority
Lenders.  Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of
action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of the Agent acting, approving
or refraining from acting or approving under any of the Loan Documents in
accordance with the instructions of the Majority Lenders or, to the extent
required by Section 8.01, all of the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.04  Reliance.  The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any notice, writing, resolution
notice, statement, certificate, order or other document or any telephone, telex,
teletype or facsimile transmission message believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person, and, with
respect to all matters pertaining herein or to any Note  and its duties
hereunder or thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by the Agent.

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 7.05  Indemnification.  To the extent the Agent is not
reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrower, the Lenders will reimburse and
indemnify the Agent for and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, claims, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on,
incurred by, or asserted against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out
of this Agreement or any Note or any action taken or omitted by the Agent under
this Agreement or any Note, in proportion to each Lender's Syndicated Commitment
Percentage; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of
such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Agent's
gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The obligations of the Lenders under
this Section 7.05 shall survive the payment in full of the Notes and the
termination of this Agreement.

          SECTION 7.06  Agent In Its Individual Capacity.  With respect to its
Advances, Swingline Loans,  Commitment  (and its  Percentage thereof), Swingline
Commitment and Letters of Credit, the Agent shall have and may exercise the same
rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and
liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or holder
of obligations hereunder.  The terms "Lenders", "holder of obligations" or
"Majority Lenders" or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly
otherwise indicates, include the Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender,
one of the Majority  Lenders or a holder of obligations hereunder.  The Agent
may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of
banking, trust or other business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Borrower as if it were not acting as the Agent hereunder or
under the Notes, including, without limitation, the acceptance of fees or other
consideration for services without having to account for the same to any of the
Lenders.

          SECTION 7.07  Notice of Default.  The Agent shall not be deemed to
have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless the  Agent has received written notice from a Lender or the
Borrower referring to this Agreement describing such Default or  Event of
Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default".  In the event
that the Agent receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice
thereof to the Lenders.

          SECTION 7.08  Holders of Obligations.  The Agent may deem and treat
the payee of any obligation hereunder as reflected on the books and records of
the Agent as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a
written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with
the Agent pursuant to Section 8.07(c). Any request, authority or consent of any
Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or
consent, is the holder of any obligation hereunder shall be conclusive and
binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such obligation or
of any obligation or obligations granted in exchange therefor.

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 7.09  Resignation by the Agent.

          (a)   The Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions
     and duties hereunder at any time by giving thirty (30) Business Days' prior
     written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.  Such resignation shall
     take effect upon the acceptance by a successor Agent of appointment
     pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below or as otherwise provided below.

          (b) Upon any such notice of resignation, the Majority Lenders shall
     appoint a successor  Agent who shall be satisfactory to the Borrower and
     shall be an incorporated bank or trust company.

          (c)  If a successor  Agent shall not have been so appointed within
     said thirty (30) Business Day period, the Agent, with the consent of the
     Borrower, shall then appoint a successor Agent who shall serve as the Agent
     until such time, if any, as the Majority Lenders, with the consent of the
     Borrower, appoint a successor  Agent as provided above.

          (d) If no successor Agent has been appointed pursuant to clause (b)
     and if the Borrower has not provided the necessary consent pursuant to
     clause (c) by the thirty-fifth (35th) Business Day after the date such
     notice of resignation was given by Agent, Agent's resignation shall become
     effective and the Majority  Lenders shall thereafter perform all the duties
     of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Majority Lenders, with
     the consent of Borrower, appoint a successor Agent as provided above.



                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 8.01.  Amendments, Etc.  No amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or the A Notes, nor consent to any departure by the
Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Majority Lenders (and, if the rights or duties of the
Agent, any LC Bank or the Swingline Lender are affected thereby, by the Agent,
such LC Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be), and then such waiver,
consent or other agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance and
for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no amendment,
waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders
effected thereby, do any of the following: (a) waive any of the conditions
specified in Section 3.01, 3.02 or 3.03, (b) increase the Commitments of the
Lenders or subject the Lenders to any additional obligations other than pursuant
to

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
Section 2.07(b), (c) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any
fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (d) postpone any date fixed for any
payment of principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any fees or other amounts
payable hereunder, (e) reduce the percentage of the Commitments or of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Notes, or the number of Lenders, that
shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder,
(f) extend the Termination Date except as provided pursuant to Section 2.20, (g)
extend the expiration date of any Letter of Credit to a date beyond the latest
possible Termination Date then in effect under this Agreement, or (h) amend this
Section 8.01; and provided further that no amendment, waiver or consent shall,
unless in writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Lenders required
above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any Note.

          SECTION 8.02.  Notices, Etc.  All notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission,
telegraphic, telex or cable communication) and mailed, transmitted, telegraphed,
telexed, cabled or delivered, if to the Borrower, at its address at 11840 Valley
View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, Attention: Treasurer with a copy to the
Corporate Secretary of the Borrower, at the aforesaid address, if to any Lender,
at its Domestic Lending Office specified opposite its name on Schedule II
hereto; if to any other Lender, at its Domestic Lending Office specified in the
Assignment and Assumption Agreement or in the agreement entered into by such
Lender pursuant to Section 2.07(b), pursuant to which it became a Lender; and if
to the Agent, at its address at 130 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10006,
Attention: Jim Cullen;  or as to the Borrower or the Agent, at such other
address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other
parties and, as to each other party, at such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the Borrower and the Agent.  All
such notices and communications shall, when mailed, transmitted, telegraphed,
telexed or cabled, be effective when deposited in the mails, telecopied,
delivered to the telegraph company, confirmed by telex answerback or delivered
to the cable company, respectively, except that notices and communications to
the Agent pursuant to Article II or VII shall not be effective until received by
the Agent.

          SECTION 8.03.  No Waiver; Remedies.  No failure on the part of any
Lender or the Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder
or under any Note shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right.  The remedies herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

          SECTION 8.04.  Costs and Expenses.  (a) The Borrower agrees to pay on
demand all reasonable costs and expenses of the Agent in connection with the
preparation, execution, delivery, modification and amendment of this Agreement,
the Notes and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the
Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Agent as to its
rights and responsibilities under this Agreement.  The Borrower further agrees
to pay on demand all reasonable costs and

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
expenses, if any (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and
expenses) of the Agent and the Lenders, in connection with the enforcement
(whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of this
Agreement, the Notes and the other documents to be delivered hereunder,
including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses in
connection with the enforcement of rights under this Section 8.04(a).

          (b) If any payment of principal of, or Conversion of, any Eurodollar
Rate Advance, or any B Advance which bears interest based on a rate per annum at
which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered to prime banks in the London
interbank market, is made by the Borrower to or for the account of a Lender
other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance, as a result
of a payment or Conversion pursuant to Section 2.11(g), 2.13 or 2.15 or
acceleration of the maturity of the Notes pursuant to Section 6.01 or for any
other reason, the Borrower shall, upon written demand by such Lender (with a
copy of such demand to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such
Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses,
costs or expenses that it may reasonably incur as a result of such payment or
Conversion, including, without limitation, any loss (including loss of
anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or
reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or
maintain such Advance.

          (c) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in
Section 2.18 shall survive the payment in full of principal and interest
hereunder and under the Notes.

          SECTION 8.05.  Right of Setoff.  Upon (i) the occurrence and during
the continuance of any Event of Default and (ii) the making of the request or
the granting of the consent specified by Section 6.01 to authorize the Agent to
declare the Notes due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.01,
each Lender and the Agent are hereby authorized at any time and from time to
time, to the fullest extent permitted by law to set off and apply any and all
deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time
held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or the Agent to or
for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the
obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and
any Note held by such Lender or the Agent, whether or not such Lender or the
Agent shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such Note and although
such obligations may be unmatured.  Each Lender and the Agent agree promptly to
notify the Borrower after any such setoff and application made by such Lender or
the Agent, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such setoff and application.  The rights of each Lender and the
Agent under this Section 8.05 are in addition to other rights and remedies
(including, without limitation, other rights of setoff) which such Lender and
the Agent may have.

          SECTION 8.06.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective
(other than Sections 2.01 and 2.03, which shall only become effective upon
satisfaction of

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
the conditions set forth in Section 3.01) when it shall have been executed by
the Borrower and the Agent and when the Agent shall have been notified by each
Bank that such Bank has executed it and thereafter shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Agent and each Lender and their
respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower shall not have the
right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior
written consent of the Lenders.

          SECTION 8.07.  Assignments and Participations.  (a)  The provisions of
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may
not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of all Lenders.

          (b) Any Lender may at any time grant to one or more lenders or other
institutions (each a "Participant") participating interests in its Commitment or
any or all of its A Advances.  In the event of any such grant by a Lender of a
participating interest to a Participant, whether or not upon notice to the
Borrower and the Agent, such Lender shall remain responsible for the performance
of its obligations hereunder, and the Borrower and the Agent shall continue to
deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement pursuant to which
any Lender may grant such a participating interest shall provide that such
Lender shall retain the sole right and responsibility to enforce the obligations
of the Borrower hereunder including, without limitation, the right to approve
any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement;
provided that such participation agreement may provide that such Lender will not
agree to any modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement described in
clause (c) or (d) of Section 8.01 without the consent of the Participant.  The
Borrower agrees that each Participant shall, to the extent provided in its
participation agreement, be entitled to the benefits of Article VIII with
respect to its participating interest.  An assignment or other transfer which is
not permitted by subsection (c) or (d) below shall be given effect for purposes
of this Agreement only to the extent of a participating interest granted in
accordance with this subsection (b).

          (c) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible
Assignees (each an "Assignee") all, or a proportionate part (such portion to be
in an amount equal to all of such Lender's Commitment or equal to or greater
than $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) of
all, of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, and such
Assignee shall assume such rights and obligations, pursuant to an assignment and
assumption agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (an
"Assignment and Assumption Agreement") executed by such Assignee and such
transferor Lender, with (and subject to) the subscribed consent of the Borrower
and the Agent, such consents not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that if
an Assignee is an Affiliate of such transferor Lender or another Lender, neither
the Borrower's nor the Agent's consent shall  be required; and provided further
that such assignment may, but need not, include rights of the transferor Lender
in respect of

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
outstanding B Advances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assigning Lender
shall, after giving effect to any such assignment, and as determined on the
effective date of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect thereto,
retain a Commitment hereunder of less than $10,000,000.  Upon execution of an
Assignment and Assumption Agreement and the payment of a nonrefundable
assignment fee of $3,500 in immediately available funds to the Agent at its
Payment Office in connection with each such assignment ($3,500 with respect to
assignments to any Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender), written notice
thereof by such transferor Lender to the Agent and the recording by the Agent of
such assignment in the register maintained by the Agent and the resulting effect
upon the Advances of  the assigning Lender and the Assignee, the Assignee shall
have, to the extent of such assignment, the same rights and benefits as it would
have if it were a Lender hereunder and the holder of a Note (provided that the
Borrower and the Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly
with the assignor Lender  in connection with the interests so assigned to the
Assignee until written notice of such assignment, together with payment
instructions, addresses and related information with respect to the Assignee,
shall have been given to the  Borrower and the Agent by the assignor Lender  and
the Assignee) and, if the Assignee has expressly assumed, for the benefit of the
Borrower, some or all of the transferor Lender's obligations hereunder, such
transferor Lender shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder to the extent
of such assignment and assumption.  If the Assignee is not incorporated under
the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof, it shall, prior to
the date it becomes a Lender under this Agreement, deliver to the Borrower and
the Agent certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of any
United States federal income taxes in accordance with Section 2.18.  Each
Assignee shall take such Advances and Commitment  subject to the provisions of
this Agreement and to any request made, waiver or consent given or other action
taken hereunder, prior to the receipt by the Agent and the Borrower of written
notice of such transfer, by each previous holder of such Advances and
Commitment.  Such Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to amend
this Agreement and Schedule I hereto, to  the extent, and only to the extent,
necessary to reflect the addition of such Assignee as a Lender  and the
resulting adjustment of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such
transferor Lender under this Agreement, the determination of its  Percentage
(in each case, rounded to twelve decimal places), the Advances and any new Notes
to be issued, at the Borrower's expense, to  such Assignee, and no further
consent or action by the Borrower or the Lenders shall be required to effect
such amendments.

          (d) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Agreement,
any Lender may at any time pledge or assign all or any portion of its rights
under this Agreement and the other documents executed and delivered in
connection herewith  (including, without limitation, the Note held by it) to any
Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve
Board without notice to, or the consent of, the Borrower or the Agent and with
the consent of the Borrower and the Agent.  No such pledge or assignment shall
release the transferor Lender from its obligations hereunder.

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
          (e) No Assignee, Participant or other transferee of any Lender's
rights shall be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14 than
such Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the rights
transferred, unless such transfer is made with the Borrower's prior written
consent or by reason of the provisions of  Section 2.14 or 2.15 requiring such
Lender to designate a different Applicable Lending Office under certain
circumstances or at a time when the circumstances giving rise to such greater
payment did not exist.

          SECTION 8.08.  Indemnification.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Agent, each Lender and each of their Affiliates and their
respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives
(each, an "Indemnified Party"), from and against, and to promptly reimburse them
and each of them, for any and all liabilities, losses, damages, actions,
judgments, suits, claims, costs, out-of-pocket expenses (including, without
limitation, interest, penalties and all reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
and settlement costs that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any
Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or by
reason of, or in connection with the preparation for a defense of, any
litigation or proceeding or governmental action or investigation (administrative
or judicial), arising out of, related to or in connection with the actual or
proposed use of the proceeds of the Advances, whether or not such investigation,
litigation or proceeding is brought by the Borrower, its directors, shareholders
or creditors or an Indemnified Party or any other Person or any Indemnified
Party is otherwise a party thereto or is otherwise required to respond thereto,
provided that the Borrower shall not be liable hereunder to the extent such
claim, damage, loss, liability, or expense (i) arises out of any settlement made
without the Borrower's consent, which consent shall not unreasonably be
withheld, (ii) arises out of any proceeding brought against any Indemnified
Party by a security holder of such Indemnified Party based upon rights afforded
such security holder solely in its capacity as such, (iii) arises solely from
disputes among two or more Indemnified Parties, (iv) is found in a final, non-
appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party or (v) is
found in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
to have resulted solely from such Indemnified Party's breach of its obligations
under the Loan Documents.

          SECTION 8.09.  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.  This
Agreement and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of New York.  The Borrower hereby submits to the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York and of any New York State court sitting in New York City
for purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

          SECTION 8.10.  Execution in Counterparts.  This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and all of

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of
an executed counterpart of a signature page by telecopier shall be effective as
delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

          SECTION 8.11.  Confidentiality.  Except to the extent permitted by
this Section 8.11 or by Section 8.07(g), the Lenders shall keep confidential all
non-public information obtained by them from the Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement that has been identified as such by the Borrower; provided, however,
that Lenders may make such disclosure thereof as is required or requested by any
governmental agency or self-regulatory organization or representative thereof
with supervisory jurisdiction over it or pursuant to legal process, or as may
otherwise be required by law or court order; provided further, however, that,
unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender
shall notify the Borrower of any request received by it from any governmental
agency or self-regulatory organization or representative thereof (other than any
such request in connection with an examination of such Lender by a governmental
agency or self-regulatory organization with supervisory jurisdiction over it)
for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such
information so that the Borrower may seek an appropriate protective order.  The
Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any of its Affiliates, attorneys,
auditors and accountants and any prospective Lender or participant any and all
information in such Lender's possession concerning the Borrower and any
Subsidiary of the Borrower that has been delivered to such Lender by or on
behalf of the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.01(f), provided that each such
Person shall agree to keep such information confidential in accordance with this
Section 8.11.  In no event shall any Lender be obligated or required to return
any materials furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8.11 shall not apply
to any information that is or becomes generally available to the public other
than as a result of the disclosure by any Lender, participant, prospective
Lender or participant or their respective representatives.

          SECTION 8.12.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL, ETC.  EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE
AGENT, THE CO-AGENTS, THE LEAD MANAGERS AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM
(WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY
OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE ADVANCES OR THE ACTIONS OF THE AGENT, ANY CO-AGENT,
ANY LEAD MANAGER OR ANY LENDER IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE
OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

                            [Signature Page Follow]

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date
first above written.


                              SUPERVALU INC.



                              By: /s/  Kim M. Erickson
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Kim M. Erickson
                                 Title:  Senior Vice President - Finance



                              BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Agent



                              By: /s/  Robert R. Telesca
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Robert R. Telesca
                                 Title:  Assistant Vice President



                                 S-1 to S-2
<PAGE>
 
                              CITIBANK, N.A., as Syndication Agent



                              By:  /s/  Robert D. Wetrus
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Robert D. Wetrus
                                 Title:  Attorney-In-Fact



                              FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Co-Agent



                              By:  /s/  Mark R. Olmon
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Mark R. Olmon
                                 Title:  Vice President



                              THE FUJI-BANK, LIMITED, as a Co-Agent



                              By:  /s/  Peter L. Chinnici
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Peter L. Chinnici
                                 Title:  Joint General Manager



                              NATIONSBANK, N.A., as a Co-Agent



                              By:  /s/  Valerie C. Mills
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Valerie C. Mills
                                 Title:  Sr. Vice President



                                 S-3 to S-6
<PAGE>
 
                              PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Co-Agent



                              By:  /s/  Gregory T. Gaschler
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Gregory T. Gaschler
                                 Title:  Vice President



                              BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST & SAVINGS
                              ASSOCIATION, as a Lead Manager


                              By:  /s/  G. Burton Queen
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  G. Burton Queen
                                 Title:  Managing Director



                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as a Lead Manager



                              By:  /s/  Richard A. Raffetto
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Richard A. Raffetto
                                 Title:  Vice President



                              THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as a Lead
                              Manager


                              By:  /s/  Catherine A. Muszynski
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Catherine A. Muszynski
                                 Title:  Vice President



                                 S-7 to S-10
<PAGE>
 
                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as a Lead Manager



                              By:  /s/  Christopher J. Kampe
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Christopher J. Kampe
                                 Title:  Assistant Vice President



                              MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as a
                              Lead Manager



                              By:  /s/  John M. Mikolay
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  John M. Mikolay
                                 Title:  Vice President


                              NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a
                              Lead Manager



                              By:  /s/  Molly Van Metre
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Molly Van Metre
                                 Title:  Vice President



                              THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH



                              By:  /s/  Jeffrey R. Arnold
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Jeffrey R. Arnold
                                 Title:  Vice President


                                  S-11 to S-14
<PAGE>
 
                              THE DAI-ICHI KANGO BANK, LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH



                              By:  /s/  Seiichiro Ino
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Seiichiro Ino
                                 Title:  Vice President



                              THE FIFTH THIRD BANK



                              By:  /s/  David C. Gordley
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  David C. Gordley
                                 Title:  Corporate Account Officer



                              KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION



                              By:  /s/  Frank J. Jancar
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Frank J. Jancar
                                 Title:  Vice President


                              MERCANTILE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION



                              By:  /s/  Stephen M. Reese
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Stephen M. Reese
                                 Title:  Vice President


                                S-15 to S-18
<PAGE>
 
                              WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.



                              By:  /s/  John A. Robertson
                                  -----------------------------------------
                                 Name:  John A. Robertson
                                 Title:  Senior Vice President




                                    S-19

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 EXHIBIT (10)b
 

                               SUPERVALU INC.
                       1983 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

  1.  PURPOSE.  The purpose of this Plan is to promote the interests of
SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and its stockholders
by encouraging selected key salaried management employees of the Corporation,
and members of the Board of Directors who are not also employees of the
Corporation, to invest in shares of the Corporation's Common Stock with the
increased personal interest and effort in the continued success and progress of
the business that stock ownership can produce, and by providing additional means
of attracting and retaining competent executive personnel and directors.

2.  ADMINISTRATION; GRANTING OF OPTIONS.  The Plan shall be administered by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation.

  The Board of Directors shall have full authority in its discretion, but
subject to the express provisions of the Plan, to:

          (a) determine the purchase price of the Common Stock covered by each
option;

          (b) determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which
options shall be granted;

          (c) determine the number of shares to be subject to each option;

          (d) determine terms and provisions (and amendments thereof) of the
respective option agreements (which need not be identical), including such terms
and provisions (and amendments) as shall be required in the judgment of the
Board to conform to any law or regulation applicable thereto;

          (e) determine which options shall be Incentive Stock Options within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code");

          (f) accelerate the time at which all or any part of an option may be
exercised;

          (g) modify or amend any outstanding option agreement subject to the
consent of optionee;

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
          (h) interpret the Plan and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to it;

          (i) make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
the administration of the Plan.

     All decisions, determinations and selections made by the Board of Directors
on the foregoing matters shall be conclusive.

     The granting of an option pursuant to the Plan shall be effective only when
an option is duly awarded to an employee or director by the Board of Directors.

     The Executive Committee of the Corporation, in addition to and not to the
exclusion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, is authorized to
exercise all of the powers authorized and conferred by the Plan on the Board of
Directors other than the power under Section 12 of this Plan to terminate and
amend the Plan.

     The Board of Directors may also authorize, at any time, the formation of a
Stock Option Committee (the "Committee"), consisting of three or more members
appointed from time to time by the Board, which Committee would have authority
to exercise the powers conferred on the Board under the Plan, other than the
power under Section 12 herein to terminate and amend the Plan.  In addition, the
Board of Directors may authorize, at any time, the Chief Executive Officer of
the Corporation to extend the period of exercise of certain Incentive Stock
Options and non-incentive (non-qualified) stock options in accordance with the
provisions set forth in the option agreement.

     3.   ELIGIBILITY; FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN GRANTING STOCK OPTIONS.
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to key salaried management employees
(which term, as used herein, includes officers) of the Corporation and of its
present and future subsidiary corporations.  Options which do not qualify as
Incentive Stock Options may be granted to key salaried management employees of
the Corporation and of its present and future subsidiary corporations and to
members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation who are not also employees
of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries ("Non-Employee Directors"),
provided, however, that options shall be granted to Non-Employee Directors only
pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

     In determining the employees to whom options shall be granted and the
number of shares to be covered by each such option, the Board of Directors may
take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective
employees, their present and potential contributions to the success of the
Corporation and such other factors as the Board of Directors, in its discretion,
shall deem relevant.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     Subject to the provisions of Section 10 herein, an employee who has been
granted an option under the Plan or under any prior stock option plan of the
Corporation may be granted an additional option or options under the Plan if
the Board of Directors shall so determine.

     4.   SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 11 herein:

          (a) the stock to be offered under the Plan shall be shares of the
Corporation's authorized Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, which may be
either shares reacquired and held in the treasury of the Corporation or
authorized but unissued shares; and

          (b) the aggregate number of shares which may be issued under all
options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be 4,500,000 shares.

     Shares subject to, but not issued under, any option terminating or expiring
for any reason prior to exercise thereof in full shall again be available for
other options thereafter granted under the Plan.

     5.   TERM OF PLAN AND OF EACH OPTION AGREEMENT; EXERCISE OF OPTIONS.  The
period during which options may be granted under the Plan shall expire February
7, 1999.  The term of each option so granted shall expire not more than ten
years from the date the option is granted.

     The Board of Directors may determine at the time of granting whether each
such option is exercisable in full, in part from time to time or in
installments, which may be cumulative from year to year during such term to the
extent not exercised in a prior year; provided, however, that notwithstanding
the foregoing, from and after a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined), all
options granted under the Plan, including options granted to Non-Employee
Directors pursuant to Section 7 hereof, shall become immediately exercisable to
the full extent of the original award.  As used herein, "Change of Control"
shall mean any of the following events:

          (i) The acquisition by any person, entity or "group", within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"), other than the Corporation or any of its
wholly-owned subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan of the Corporation
and/or one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or
more of either the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or the combined
voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding voting securities in a
transaction or series of transactions not approved in 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
advance by a vote of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors (as
hereinafter defined); or

          (ii) Individuals who, as of April 13, 1988, constitute the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (generally the "Directors" and as of April 13, 1988
the "Continuing Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a Director subsequent to
April 13, 1988 whose nomination for election was approved in advance by a vote
of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors (other than a nomination
of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an
actual or threatened solicitation with respect to the election or removal of the
Directors of the Corporation, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) shall be deemed to be a Continuing
Director; or

          (iii)  The approval by the stockholders of the Corporation of a
reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the
Corporation or of the sale (in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation other
than a reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or sale
approved in advance by a vote of at least three quarters of the Continuing
Directors; or

          (iv) The first purchase under any tender offer or exchange offer
(other than an offer by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) pursuant to
which shares of Common Stock are purchased.

     Options granted under this Plan need not be identical with respect to the
terms of exercise thereof.  Subject only to the foregoing limitations, options
may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time during the
option term by serving written notice of exercise on the Corporation,
accompanied by payment of the purchase price.

     The Board of Directors or the Committee, as the case may be, may grant
"restoration" options, separately or together with another option, pursuant to
which, subject to the terms and conditions established by the Board of Directors
or the Committee, as the case may be, and any applicable requirements of Rule
16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any other applicable law, the
optionee would be granted a new option when the payment of the exercise price of
the option to which such "restoration" option relates is made by the delivery of
shares of the Corporation's Common Stock owned by the optionee, as described in
Section 6 hereof, which new option would be an option to purchase the number of
shares not exceeding the sum of (a) the number of shares of the Corporation's
Common Stock tendered as payment upon the exercise of the option to which such
"restoration" option relates, (b) the number of shares of the Corporation's
Common Stock, if any, tendered as payment of the amount to be withheld under
applicable income tax laws in connection with the exercise of the option to
which such "restoration" option relates, as described in Section 14 hereof, and
(c) the number of shares of the Corporation's Common Stock, if any, previously
owned by the optionee that are tendered as payment for additional tax
obligations of the optionee in connection with the exercise of the option to

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
which such "restoration" option relates, as described in Section 14 hereof.
"Restoration" options may be granted with respect to options previously
granted under this Plan or any prior stock option plan of the Corporation, and
may be granted in connection with any option granted under this Plan (other
than an option granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 7
hereof) at the time of such grant. The purchase price of the Common Stock
under each such new option, and the other terms and conditions of such option,
shall be determined by the Board of Directors or the Committee, as the case
may be, consistent with the provisions of the Plan.

     6.   OPTION PRICES.  Except with respect to options granted to Non-Employee
Directors pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the purchase price of the Common Stock
under each option shall be determined by the Board of Directors, but shall not
be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of
granting the option as found by the Board.

     The purchase price of the shares as to which an option shall be exercised
shall be paid in full in cash at the time of exercise as shall be provided in
the option agreement, and any optionee, without limitation, shall also be
entitled to pay the exercise price by tendering to the Corporation shares of the
Corporation's Common Stock, previously owned by the optionee, having a fair
market value on the date of exercise equal to the option price (or the portion
thereof not paid in cash).

     7.   OPTIONS TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.  The Board of Directors or the
Committee, as the case may be, shall issue options which do not qualify as
Incentive Stock Options to Non-Employee Directors in accordance with this
Section 7.

     Each Non-Employee Director serving on the Corporation's Board of Directors
immediately following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation on
June 30, 1992 shall be granted, as of June 30, 1992, an option to purchase 3,000
shares of Common Stock.  Each Non-Employee Director first elected or appointed
to the Corporation's Board of Directors after June 30, 1992 and during the term
of the Plan shall be granted, as of the date of such Director's first election
or appointment to the Board of Directors, an option to purchase 3,000 shares of
Common Stock.  After the initial grant to each Non-Employee Director as set
forth above in this Section 7, each such Director shall be granted during the
term of the Plan, as of the date of the Corporation's Annual Meeting of
Stockholders in each even-numbered year, if such Director's term of office
continues after such Annual Meeting, an option to purchase 3,000 shares of
Common Stock.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     Each option granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to this Section 7
shall have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares of
Common Stock as of the date of grant and shall expire on the tenth anniversary
of the date of grant.  "Restoration" options may not be granted to any Non-
Employee Director. This Section 7 shall not be amended more than once every
six months other than to comport with changes in the Code, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

     8.   ADDITIONAL TERMS.  Options granted under the Plan shall not be
affected by any change of duties or position so long as the optionee continues
to be an employee of the Corporation or of a subsidiary (or continues to be a
Director of the Corporation in the case of any Non-Employee Director).  Each
option agreement may contain such provisions as the Board of Directors shall
approve with reference to the effect of approved leaves of absence, provided
that with respect to Incentive Stock Options such provisions conform to the
requirements of the Code.

     Nothing in the Plan or in any option granted pursuant thereto shall confer
on any person any right to continue in the employ of the Corporation or of any
of its subsidiaries (or to continue as a Director of the Corporation in the case
of any Non-Employee Director)  or affect, in any way, the right of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to terminate his employment (or to
terminate his directorship in the case of any Non-Employee Director) at any
time.

     No optionee, who is an employee of the Corporation at the time of grant,
may be granted any option or options for more than 250,000 Shares (subject to
adjustment as provided for in Section 11), taking into account all such awards
granted by the Corporation pursuant to any of its stock compensation plans, in
any calendar year period beginning with the period commencing January 1, 1997.
The foregoing annual limitation specifically includes the grant of any options
representing "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code.

     9.  DEATH; OTHER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR DIRECTORSHIP.  Each option
agreement shall include provisions governing the disposition of an option in the
event of the retirement, disability, death or other termination of the
employment or directorship of an optionee with the Corporation or an Affiliate.

     10.  INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.  Except with respect to options granted to
Non-Employee Directors pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the Board of Directors is
hereby authorized to determine, upon the granting of each option, whether such
option shall be an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code or shall
be an option which is not an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422.  For
Incentive Stock Options granted before January 1, 1987, the aggregate fair
market value of the stock (determined as of the time the Incentive Stock
Option is granted) covered under all Incentives Stock

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
Options granted (under this Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of
the Corporation or any subsidiary), in any calendar year, shall not exceed
$100,000 plus any unused limit carry-over (as provided under former Section
422(c)(4) of the Code effective for options granted before January 1, 1987).
For Incentive Stock Options granted after December 31, 1986, the aggregate
fair market value (determined at the time the Incentive Stock Option is
granted) of the stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year (under
all plans described in subsection (b) of Section 422 of the Code of his employer
corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporations) shall not exceed
$100,000.

     11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Notwithstand-ing any
other provision of the Plan, the Board of Directors may adjust the number and
class of shares subject to each outstanding option and the option prices in
the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation by
reason of stock dividends, split-ups, recapitalizations, mergers,
consolidations, combinations or exchanges of shares and the like. In the event
of any such change in the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation, the
aggregate number and class of shares available under the Plan shall be
appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
conclusive.

     12.  TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.  The Plan may be terminated, modified or
amended by the stockholders of the Corporation.

     Subject to Section 7 hereof, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may
also terminate the Plan or make such modifications or amendments thereof as it
shall deem advisable, or to conform to any change in any law or regulation
applicable thereto; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may not,
without further approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock
of the Corporation having general voting power, make any modification or
amendment which operates:

          (a) to make any material change in the class of employees eligible to
receive Incentive Stock Options as defined in Section 3 above; and

          (b) to increase the total number of shares for which options may be
granted under the Plan, except as resulting from the operation of Section 11
above.

     No termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may, without the
consent of the employee to whom any option shall theretofore have been granted,
adversely affect the rights of such employee under such option.

     13.  EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  PLAN.  The Plan shall become effective February
23, 1983, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Corporation within 12
months thereafter.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     14.  TAX  WITHHOLDING AND PAYMENT.  Subject to such rules as the Board of
Directors or the Committee may adopt not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Plan:

          (a) At any time when an optionee is required to pay the Corporation an
amount required to be withheld under applicable income tax laws in connection
with the exercise of an option which does not qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option under Section 422 of the Code, the optionee may elect to deliver to the
Corporation or have the Corporation retain from the distribution, shares of
Common Stock to satisfy this obligation in whole or in part (an "Election").
In addition to amounts required to be withheld to pay applicable taxes,
subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its
sole and absolute discretion, the Committee may permit an optionee to elect to
deliver to the Corporation shares of Common Stock (other than shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the option) with a fair market value equal to
the amount of such additional federal and/or state income taxes imposed on the
optionee in connection with the exercise of the option. The shares to be
withheld or delivered shall be valued at 100% of the fair market value of the
shares on the date that the amount of tax required to be paid shall be
determined (the "Tax Date"). Fair market value of the shares shall equal the
mean of the opening and closing trade prices of the shares as reported on the
New York Stock Exchange on the Tax Date, or, if no trading in the shares
occurs on the Tax Date, on the immediately preceding trading date.

          (b) Each Election must be made prior to the Tax Date.  The Board or
the Committee may disapprove of any Election, may suspend or terminate the right
to make Elections, may limit the amount of any Election, may provide at the time
of grant with respect to any option that the right to make Elections shall not
apply to such option and may make rules concerning the required information to
be included in any Election.  An Election is irrevocable.

          (c) The Election may be made in an amount equal to the amount of tax
required by law to be withheld with respect to the option exercise.  Any
fractional share withholding amount must be paid in cash.

          (d) If an optionee makes an Election and the optionee's Tax Date is
deferred for six months from the date of exercise of the option, the optionee
will initially receive the full amount of the shares, but will be
unconditionally obligated to surrender to the Corporation on the Tax Date the
proper number of shares to satisfy the withholding obligation, plus cash for any
remainder of the withholding obligation including any fractional shares
withholding amount.

          (e) Optionees who are "officers" or "directors" of the Corporation, as
those terms are used in Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, may only make an
Election 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
in compliance with the rules established by the Board or the Committee to
comply with Section 16(b).




x:\group\legal\corp\stkplan\83esop\plan\83esopfn.doc
Amended 2/8/95
Amended 2/14/96
Amended 4/9/97
Amended 10/15/97

                                      -9-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (10)c.
                                 SUPERVALU INC.
                                1993 STOCK PLAN

                                        

Section 1.  Purpose.
- ------------------- 

  The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining key management
personnel capable of assuring the future success of the Company, to offer such
personnel incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the
Company's business and to afford such personnel an opportunity to acquire a
proprietary interest in the Company.


Section 2.  Definitions.
- ----------------------- 

     As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:

     (a)  "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any
entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as
determined by the Committee.

     (b)  "Award" shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted
Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, or Other Stock-Based Award
granted under the Plan.

     (c)  "Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract or other
instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.

     (d) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

     (e)  "Committee" shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company designated by such Board to administer the Plan, which shall consist
of members appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors and shall be
comprised of not less than such number of directors as shall be required to
permit the Plan to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3.  Each member of the
Committee shall be a "disinterested person" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
     (f)  "Company" shall mean SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation, and any
successor corporation.

     (g)  "Eligible Person" shall mean any employee, officer, consultant or
independent contractor providing services to the Company or any Affiliate who
the Committee determines to be an Eligible Person.  A director of the Company
who is not also an employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall not be an
Eligible Person.

     (h) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to any property
(including, without limitation, any Shares or other securities), the fair market
value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be
established from time to time by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Shares on
a given date for purposes of the Plan shall be the average of the opening and
closing sale price of the Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
such date or, if such Exchange is not open for trading on such date, on the day
closest to such date when such Exchange is open for trading.

     (i) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option granted under Section
6(a) of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the
Code or any successor provision.

     (j) "Non-Qualified Stock Option" shall mean an option granted under Section
6(a) of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

     (k)  "Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock
Option, and shall include Restoration Options.

     (l)   "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean any right granted under Section
6(f) of the Plan.

     (m) "Participant" shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be granted an
Award under the Plan.

     (n) "Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of
the Plan.

     (o) "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association or trust.

     (p)  "Plan" shall mean this 1993 Stock Plan, as amended from time to time.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     (q) "Restoration Option" shall mean any Option granted under Section
6(a)(iv) of the Plan.

     (r) "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share granted under Section 6(c) of
the Plan.

     (s) "Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean any unit granted under Section 6(c)
of the Plan evidencing the right to receive a Share (or a cash payment equal to
the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date.

     (t) "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or
any successor rule or regulation.

     (u)  "Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of the
Company or such other securities or property as may become subject to Awards
pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan.

     (v)  "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean any right granted under Section
6(b) of the Plan.

Section 3.  Administration.
- -------------------------- 

     (a) Power and Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by
the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and to applicable
law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate
Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each
Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered
by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be
calculated in connection with) each Award; (iv) determine the terms and
conditions of any Award or Award Agreement; (v) amend the terms and conditions
of any Award or Award Agreement and accelerate the exercisability of Options or
the lapse of restrictions relating to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units
or other Awards; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances Awards may be exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine
whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other
securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect
to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the
election of the holder thereof or the Committee; (viii) interpret and administer
the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the
Plan; (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and
appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration
of the Plan; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that
the Committee 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless
otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations,
interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any
Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any
time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon any Participant, any holder
or beneficiary of any Award and any employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

     (b) Delegation. The Committee may delegate its powers and duties under the
Plan to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate or a committee of
such officers, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the
Committee may establish in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the
Committee shall not delegate its powers and duties under the Plan with regard to
officers or directors of the Company or any Affiliate who are subject to Section
16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     (c) Power and Authority of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, the Board of Directors may, at any time and
from time to time, without any further action of the Committee, exercise the
powers and duties of the Committee under the Plan with regard to any Person who
is not an officer or director of the Company or any Affiliate who is subject to
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Section 4.  Shares Available for Awards.
- --------------------------------------- 

     (a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c),
the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under all Awards under the
Plan shall be 3,500,000. Shares to be issued under the Plan may be either Shares
reacquired and held in the treasury or authorized but unissued Shares. If any
Shares covered by an Award or to which an Award relates are not purchased or are
forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any Shares,
then the number of Shares counted against the aggregate number of Shares
available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such
forfeiture or termination, shall again be available for granting Awards under
the Plan.

     (b) Accounting for Awards. For purposes of this Section 4, if an Award
entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the number of Shares
covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on the
date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for
granting Awards under the Plan.

     (c)  Adjustments.  In the event that the Committee shall determine that any
dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
securities or 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of
warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company
or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an
adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it
may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or
other securities or other property) which thereafter may be made the subject of
Awards, (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other
property) subject to outstanding Awards and (iii) the purchase or exercise price
with respect to any Award; provided, however, that the number of Shares covered
by any Award or to which such Award relates shall always be a whole number.

     (d) Award Limitations Under the Plan. No Eligible Person, who is an
employee of the Company at the time of grant, may be granted any Option, Stock
Appreciation Right and such Other Stock Based Award (the value of which is based
solely on an increase in the value of the Shares after the date of grant) for
more than 250,000 Shares (subject to adjustment as provided for in Section
4(c)), taking into account all such awards granted by the Company pursuant to
any of its stock compensation plans, in any calendar year period beginning with
the period commencing January 1, 1997. The foregoing annual limitation
specifically includes the grant of any Awards representing "qualified
performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code.

Section 5.  Eligibility.
- ----------------------- 

     Any Eligible Person, including any Eligible Person who is an officer or
director of the Company or any Affiliate, shall be eligible to be designated a
Participant.  In determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and
the terms of any Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the
services rendered by the respective Eligible Persons, their present and
potential contributions to the success of the Company or such other factors as
the Committee, in its discretion, shall deem relevant.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to full or part-time
employees (which term as used herein includes, without limitation, officers and
directors who are also employees) and an Incentive Stock Option shall not be
granted to an employee of an Affiliate unless such Affiliate is also a
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of
the Code or any successor provision.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Section 6.  Awards.
- ------------------ 

     (a)  Options.  The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to
Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional
terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the
Committee shall determine:

           (i) Exercise Price. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an
     Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such
     purchase price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a
     Share on the date of grant of such Option.

           (ii) Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the
     Committee.

           (iii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the
     time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part and
     the method or methods by which, and the form or forms (including, without
     limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards
     or other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value
     on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price) in which,
     payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to
     have been made.

           (iv) Restoration Options. The Committee may grant Restoration
     Options, separately or together with another Option, pursuant to which,
     subject to the terms and conditions established by the Committee and any
     applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any other applicable law, the
     Participant would be granted a new Option when the payment of the exercise
     price of the option to which such Restoration Option relates is made by the
     delivery or withholding of Shares pursuant to the relevant provisions of
     the plan or agreement relating to such option, which new Option would be an
     Option to purchase the number of Shares not exceeding the sum of (A) the
     number of Shares so provided as consideration upon the exercise of the
     previously granted option to which such Restoration Option relates, (B) the
     number of Shares, if any, tendered or withheld as payment of the amount to
     be withheld under applicable tax laws in connection with the exercise of
     the option to which such Restoration Option relates, and (C) the number of
     previously owned Shares, if any, tendered as payment for additional tax
     obligations of the Participant in connection with the exercise of the
     option to which such Restoration Option relates pursuant to the relevant
     provisions of the plan or agreement relating to such option. Restoration
     Options may be granted with respect to options previously granted under the
     Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company, and may be granted in
     connection with any option granted under the Plan or any other stock option
     plan of the Company at the time of such grant; provided, however, that
     Restoration Options may not be granted with

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     respect to any option granted to a Non-Employee Director under the
     Company's 1983 Employee Stock Option Plan.

     (b) Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and
any applicable Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the
Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive upon exercise thereof
the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise
(or, if the Committee shall so determine, at any time during a specified period
before or after the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock
Appreciation Right as specified by the Committee, which price shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the
Stock Appreciation Right. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable
Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, dates of exercise,
methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any Stock
Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Committee. The Committee may
impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation
Right as it may deem appropriate.

     (c) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Committee is hereby
authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to
Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional
terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the
Committee shall determine:

           (i) Restrictions. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock
     Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose
     (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share
     of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other right or
     property with respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse separately or
     in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise as
     the Committee may deem appropriate.

           (ii) Stock Certificates. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan
     shall be evidenced by issuance of a stock certificate or certificates,
     which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such
     certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the
     Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms,
     conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. In the
     case of Restricted Stock Units, no Shares shall be issued at the time such
     Awards are granted.

           (iii) Forfeiture; Delivery of Shares. Except as otherwise determined
     by the Committee, upon termination of employment (as determined under
     criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable restriction
     period, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units at
     such time subject to restriction shall be forfeited and reacquired by the
     Company; provided, however, that the Committee may, when it finds that a
     waiver would be in the best interest of the 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     Company, waive in whole or in part any or all remaining restrictions with
     respect to Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. Any Share
     representing Restricted Stock that is no longer subject to restrictions
     shall be delivered to the holder thereof promptly after the applicable
     restrictions lapse or are waived. Upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions
     and the restricted period relating to Restricted Stock Units evidencing the
     right to receive Shares, such Shares shall be issued and delivered to the
     holders of the Restricted Stock Units.

     (d)  Performance Awards.  The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
Performance Awards to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement.  A Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may
be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation,
Restricted Stock), other securities, other Awards or other property and (ii)
shall confer on the holder thereof the right to receive payments, in whole or in
part, upon the achievement of such performance goals during such performance
periods as the Committee shall establish.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and
any applicable Award Agreement, the performance goals to be achieved during any
performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any
Performance Award granted, the amount of any payment or transfer to be made
pursuant to any Performance Award and any other terms and conditions of any
Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.

     (e) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in
whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares
(including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are
deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan; provided,
however, that such grants must comply with Rule 16b-3 and applicable law.
Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the
Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Shares or
other securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this
Section 6(f) shall be purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by
such method or methods and in such form or forms (including without limitation,
cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property
or any combination thereof), as the Committee shall determine, the value of
which consideration, as established by the Committee, shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date
such purchase right is granted.

     (f)  General.

           (i) No Cash Consideration for Awards. Awards shall be granted for no
     cash consideration or for such minimal cash consideration as may be
     required by applicable law.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
           (ii) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together. Awards may, in the
     discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in
     tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted
     under any plan of the Company or any Affiliate other than the Plan. Awards
     granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition to or
     in tandem with awards granted under any such other plan of the Company or
     any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different
     time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

           (iii) Forms of Payment under Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan
     and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by
     the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of an Award
     may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine
     (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other
     securities, other Awards or other property or any combination thereof), and
     may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments or on a
     deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures
     established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include,
     without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable
     interest on installment or deferred payments.

           (iv) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period
     as may be determined by the Committee.

           (v) Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing. All certificates for
     Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award
     or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and
     other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or
     the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and
     Exchange Commission and any applicable federal or state securities laws,
     and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such
     certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. If the
     Shares or other securities are traded on a securities exchange, the Company
     shall not be required to deliver any Shares or other securities covered by
     an Award unless and until such Shares or other securities have been
     admitted for trading on such securities exchange.


Section 7.  Amendment and Termination; Adjustments.
- -------------------------------------------------- 

     Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise
expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan:

     (a) Amendments to the Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company may
amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided, however,
that, 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, without
the approval of the stockholders of the Company, no such amendment, alteration,
suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made that, absent such
approval:

           (i) would cause Rule 16b-3 to become unavailable with respect to the
     Plan;

           (ii) would violate the rules or regulations of the New York Stock
     Exchange, any other securities exchange or the National Association of
     Securities Dealers, Inc. that are applicable to the Company; or

           (iii) would cause the Company to be unable, under the Code, to grant
     Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

     (b)  Amendments to Awards.  The Committee may waive any conditions of or
rights of the Company under any outstanding Award, prospectively or
retroactively.  The Committee may not amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively, without the
consent of the Participant or holder or beneficiary thereof, except as otherwise
herein provided.

     (c) Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies. The Committee may
correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the
Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to
carry the Plan into effect.

Section 8.  Income Tax Withholding and Payment.
- ---------------------------------------------- 

     In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or
regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure
that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other
taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of a Participant, are
withheld or collected from such Participant.  In order to assist a Participant
in paying all or a portion of the federal and state taxes to be withheld or
collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to)
an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such additional terms
and conditions as it may adopt, may permit the Participant to satisfy such tax
obligation by (i) electing to have the Company withhold a portion of the Shares
otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of
restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the
amount of such taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company Shares other than Shares
issuable upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to)
such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes.  In
addition to the amounts required to be withheld to pay applicable taxes, subject
to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and
absolute discretion, the Committee may permit the Participant to elect to

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
deliver to the Company Shares (other than Shares issuable upon exercise or
receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award) with a Fair
Market Value equal to the amount of such additional federal and/or state income
taxes imposed on the Participant in connection with the exercise of the Award.
All elections, if any, must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax
to be withheld is determined.

Section 9.  General Provisions.
- ------------------------------ 

     (a)  No Rights to Awards.  No Eligible Person, Participant or other Person
shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no
obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants or
holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan.  The terms and conditions of
Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to
different Participants.

     (b) Award Agreements. No Participant will have rights under an Award
granted to such Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have been
duly executed on behalf of the Company.

     (c)  No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.  Nothing contained in the
Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in
effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may
be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

     (d) No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as
giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or
any Affiliate, nor will it affect in any way the right of the Company or an
Affiliate to terminate such employment at any time, with or without cause. In
addition, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from
employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise
expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

     (e) Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan or any
Award, and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan or any Award, shall be
determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

     (f) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes
or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or
would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the
Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to
applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in
the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of
the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
stricken as to such jurisdiction or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any
such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

     (g) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create
or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other
Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from
the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no
greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any
Affiliate.

     (h) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered
pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether
cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional
Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise
eliminated.

     (i) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the
Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be
deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of
the Plan or any provision thereof.

Section 10.  Effective Date of the Plan.
- --------------------------------------- 

     The Plan shall be effective as of April 14, 1993, subject to approval by
the stockholders of the Company within one year thereafter.

Section 11.  Term of the Plan.
- ----------------------------- 

     Unless the Plan shall have been discontinued or terminated as provided in
Section 7(a), the Plan shall terminate on April 13, 2003.  No Award shall be
granted after the termination of the Plan.  However, unless otherwise expressly
provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore
granted may extend beyond the termination of the Plan, and the authority of the
Committee provided for hereunder with respect to the Plan and any Awards, and
the authority of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend the Plan, shall
extend beyond the termination of the Plan.


Amended 4/9/97
Amended 10/15/97

                                      -12-

<PAGE>
 
LETTER REGARDING UNAUDITED INFORMATION


Stockholders and Board of Directors
SUPERVALU INC.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

We have made a review, in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of the unaudited interim information
of SUPERVALU INC. and subsidiaries for the periods ended November 29, 1997 and
November 30, 1996, as indicated in our report dated December 17, 1997.  Because
we did not perform an audit on such information, we expressed no opinion on it
in our report.

We are aware that our report referred to above, which is included in your
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 29, 1997, is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements (No. 33-28310, No. 33-
16934, No. 2-56896, No. 33-50071, No. 333-10151, and No. 333-24813 on Form S-8
and No. 33-56415 on Form S-3).

We also are aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under
the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration
Statements prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections
7 and 11 of that act.



/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP

December 17, 1997
<PAGE>
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REVIEW REPORT


Stockholders and Board of Directors
SUPERVALU INC.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SUPERVALU INC.
(the Company) and subsidiaries as of November 29, 1997 and November 30, 1996 and
the related consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for the 12-week
and 40-week periods then ended and the consolidated statement of stockholders'
equity for the interim period ended November 29, 1997.  These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to
financial data and of making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which
is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a
whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should
be made to such consolidated financial statements for them to be in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of SUPERVALU INC. and subsidiaries as
of February 22, 1997 and the related consolidated statements of earnings,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented
herein); and in our report dated April 3, 1997 (except for the Investment in
Shopko Note, as to which the date is April 25, 1997) we expressed an unqualified
opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the
information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of
February 22, 1997 and the consolidated statement of stockholders' equity for the
year then ended is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the
consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.


/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 17, 1997

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF NOVEMBER 29, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 40 WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-23-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-29-1997
<CASH>                                          39,626
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  458,140
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (14,589)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,287,484
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,854,787
<PP&E>                                       2,698,259
<DEPRECIATION>                             (1,103,851)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,336,917
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,693,542
<BONDS>                                      1,270,177
                                0
                                      5,908
<COMMON>                                        75,335
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,116,555
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,336,917
<SALES>                                     12,903,880
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,903,880
<CGS>                                       11,605,673
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               11,605,673
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,439
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             101,026
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                298,413
<INCOME-TAX>                                   119,283
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            179,130
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   179,130
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.82
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                EXHIBIT (99.1)


        CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS
                   OF THE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT

In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"), SUPERVALU INC. (the "Company") is filing
cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-
looking statements made by, or on behalf of the Company.  When used in this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period (12 weeks) ended November
29, 1997 and in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, in the Company's press releases, other communications, and in oral
statements made by or with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the
words or phrases "will likely result", "are expected to", "will continue", "is
anticipated", "estimate", "project", "believe" or similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.
The following cautionary statements are for use as a reference to a readily
available written document in connection with forward looking statements as
defined in the Act.  These factors are in addition to any other cautionary
statements, written or oral, which may be made or referred to in connection with
any such forward-looking statement.

WHOLESALE BUSINESS RISKS

The Company's sales and earnings at wholesale are dependent on the Company's
ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers, as well as its
ability to control costs.  While the Company believes that its efforts,
including its new Activity Based Sell ("ABS") pricing, new market driving
services, and regional logistics, will enable it to attain its goals, certain
factors could adversely impact the Company's results, including: decline of
sales to its independent retailer customer base due to competition and other
factors; loss of corporate retail sales due to increased competition and other
risks detailed more fully below; consolidations of retailers or competitors;
increased self-distribution by chain retailers; increase in operating costs; the
possibility that the Company will incur additional costs and expenses due to
further rationalization or consolidation of distribution centers; entry of new
or non-traditional distribution systems into the industry; possible delays or
increased costs in implementing its initiatives; manufacturers do not change
their pricing, transportation, and/or promotional programs in cooperation with
the Company's new pricing methods; and possible loss of retailer customers who
are not compatible with such changes.  In addition, timing of certain efforts
could be impacted by the information technology related expenses associated with
addressing year 2000 issues.

RISKS OF EXPANSION AND ACQUISITIONS

The Company intends to continue to grow its retail and wholesale segments in
part through acquisitions.  Expansion is subject to a number of risks, including
the adequacy of the Company's capital resources; the location of suitable store
or distribution center sites and the negotiation of acceptable lease terms;
ability to hire, train and integrate employees; and possible costs and other
risks of integrating or adapting operational systems.  In addition, acquisitions
involve a number of special risks, including: making acquisitions at acceptable
rates of return; the diversion of management's attention to assimilation of the
operations and

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
personnel of the acquired business; potential adverse short-term effects on the
Company's operating results; and amortization of acquired intangible assets.

RETAIL BUSINESS RISKS

The Company's retail segment faces risks which may prevent the Company from
maintaining or increasing retail sales and earnings including:  competition from
other retail chains, supercenters, non-traditional competitors, and emerging
alternative formats; operating risks of certain strategically important retail
operations; and adverse impact from the entry of other retail chains,
supercenters and non-traditional or emerging competitors into markets where the
Company has a retail concentration.

LIQUIDITY

Management expects that the Company will continue to replenish operating assets
and reduce aggregate debt with internally generated funds and capital leases
unless additional funds are necessary to complete acquisitions.  If capital
spending significantly exceeds anticipated capital needs, additional funding
could be required from other sources.  In addition, acquisitions could affect
the Company's borrowing costs and future financial flexibility.

LITIGATION

While the Company believes that it is currently not subject to any material
litigation, the costs and other effects of legal and administrative cases and
proceedings and settlements are impossible to predict with certainty.  The
current environment for litigation involving food wholesalers may increase the
risk of litigation being commenced against the Company.  The Company would incur
the costs of defending any such litigation whether or not any claim had merit.

The foregoing should not be construed as exhaustive and the Company disclaims
any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the
occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

                                       2


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