<PAGE>   1


                                                                 Exhibit 10.13




January 23, 1997



Mr. Lattimore Michael
Mr. Steve King
Back Yard Burgers, Inc.
2678 Colony Park Drive
Memphis, TN 38118

Dear Sirs,

Trust One Bank is pleased to make the following commitment:

Borrower:  Back Yard Burgers, Inc.

Loan Amount: Up to $765,000, subject to the lower of 80% of cost or appraised
value.

Construction Loan Interest Rate: Trust One Bank Prime Rate plus one percent
(1.0%), floating.

Construction Loan Fee:  One-half of one percent, or $3,825.00.

Collateral: First mortgage on property with approximately 29,500 feet and
building to be constructed at the corner of Germantown Parkway and Dexter. All
ff&e at this location also to be taken as collateral

Terms: Construction period of up to 6 months, with interest only payable
monthly. Loan to convert to a term loan at the completion of construction or at
six months, whichever occurs first. The term loan shall be amortized over a 10
year period with a 5 year maturity.

Term loan interest rate: Prime plus one percent, fixed at the time of conversion
to the term loan.

Loan Charges: Borrower hereby agrees to pay all expenses directly related to the
loan incurred, or to be incurred, in its making, servicing, or collection,
including, without limitation, appraisal fee, survey, title search, title
polciy, envirnomental survey, recording fees, attorneys fees, and any other
closing fees.

Other terms and conditions:

1) Borrower shall provide Bank with quarterly 10Q reports, as well as copies of
annual audited financial statements.

2) Borrower shall maintain their operating accounts with Trust One Bank.

3) Borrower shall provide certificate of insurance, with bank named as mortgage
holder on the collateral.

4) Borrower agrees to provide bank with appraisal, title policy, survey, and
environmental phase I survey.


<PAGE>   2

5) Borrower agrees to provide evidence of builders risk, workers compensation
and and general liability.

6) The borrower shall maintain a debt service coverage ratio of 2:01:1.00. This
covenant shall be measured quarterly, The coverage shall be calculated as net
income+dep.+interest divided by total bank and leasing debt service requirement.

7) The $250,000.00 line of credit will be renewed until this trancaction is
closed, at which time the line shall be lowered to $150,000.00. The $75,000
certificate of deposit which serves as partial collateral for the line of credit
will be reduced to $50,000. The maturity of the line of credit shall be January
22, 1998.

Please note that this commitment letter merely highlights the terms and
conditions of the commitment, with the terms and conditions fully detailed in
our loan documentation. Should you wish to accept this commitment, please
indicate by signing below. The commitment letter shall have a maturity date of
May 1, 1997.

Sincerely,



Julie L. Cutler
Senior Vice President

Accepted and agreeded to this _____day of _____________, 1997.

By:
   ------------------------------
     Mr. Steve King
Title:
      ---------------------------
By:
   ------------------------------
     Mr. Lattimore Michael
Title:
      ---------------------------