<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.1









                    REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT



                            Dated as of June 25, 1997



                                  by and among



                  PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING COMPANY, L.P.,
                        PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS, L.P.,



                                       and



                                BANKBOSTON, N.A.
                AND THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH BECOME
                        PARTIES TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT



                                       and



                            BANKBOSTON, N.A. AS AGENT


<PAGE>   2


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                          <C>   
1.  DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.  ...............................................................1
         1.1.  Definitions.  ................................................................................1
         1.2.  Rules of Interpretation.  ....................................................................16
2.  THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.  .........................................................................16
         2.1.  Commitment to Lend.  .........................................................................16
         2.2.  Commitment Fee.  .............................................................................17
         2.3.  Reduction and Termination of Total Revolving Credit Commitment................................17
                  2.3.1.  Mandatory Reduction of Total Revolving Credit Commitment...........................17
                  2.3.2.  Optional Reduction of Total Revolving Credit Commitment............................17
                  2.3.3.  Termination of Total Revolving Credit Commitment on Revolving
                                   Credit Loan Maturity Date.  ..............................................18
         2.4.  The Revolving Credit Notes.  .................................................................18
         2.5.  Interest on Revolving Credit Loans.  .........................................................19
         2.6.  Requests for Revolving Credit Loans.  ........................................................19
         2.7.  Conversion Options.  .........................................................................19
                  2.7.1.  Conversion to Different Type of Revolving Credit Loan.  ...........................19
                  2.7.2.  Continuation of Type of Revolving Credit Loan.  ...................................20
                  2.7.3.  Eurodollar Rate Loans.  ...........................................................20
         2.8.  Funds for Revolving Credit Loans.  ...........................................................20
                  2.8.1.  Funding Procedures.  ..............................................................20
                  2.8.2.  Advances by Agent.  ...............................................................21
3.  REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.  ...............................................................21
         3.1.  Maturity.  ...................................................................................21
         3.2.  Mandatory Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans.  .............................................21
         3.3.  Optional Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans.  ..............................................21
4.  THE GROWTH LOAN FACILITY.  ..............................................................................22
         4.1.  Commitment to Lend.  .........................................................................22
         4.2.  Commitment Fee.  .............................................................................22
         4.3.  Reduction and Termination of Total Growth Loan Commitment.  ..................................22
                  4.3.1.  Optional Reduction of Total Growth Loan Commitment.................................22
                  4.3.2.  Termination of Total Growth Commitment on Term Out Date............................23
         4.4.  The Growth Loan Notes.  ......................................................................23
         4.5.  Interest on Growth Loans.  ...................................................................24
         4.6.  Requests for Growth Loans.  ..................................................................24
         4.7.  Conversion Options.  .........................................................................24
                  4.7.1.  Conversion to Different Type of Growth Loan.  .....................................24
                  4.7.2.  Continuation of Type of Growth Loan.  .............................................25
                  4.7.3.  Eurodollar Rate Loans.  ...........................................................25
         4.8.  Funds for Growth Loan.  ......................................................................25
                  4.8.1.  Funding Procedures.  ..............................................................25
                  4.8.2.  Advances by Agent.  ...............................................................26
5.  REPAYMENT OF THE GROWTH LOANS.  .........................................................................26
         5.1.  Mandatory Repayments of Growth Loans.  .......................................................26
         5.2.  Optional Repayments of Growth Loans.  ........................................................26
6.  THE TERM LOAN.  .........................................................................................27
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3

                                      -ii-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                          <C>   

         6.1.  Conversion of Growth Loans into the Term Loan.  ..............................................27
         6.2.  The Notes.  ..................................................................................27
         6.3.  Mandatory Payments of Principal of Term Loan..................................................27
         6.4.  Optional Prepayment of Term Loan.  ...........................................................28
         6.5.  Interest on Term Loan.  ......................................................................28
                  6.5.1.  Interest Rates.  ..................................................................28
                  6.5.2.  Interest Rate Options.  ...........................................................28
                  6.5.3.  Amounts, etc.  ....................................................................28
                  6.5.4.  Conversion from Growth Loans.  ....................................................29
7.  LETTERS OF CREDIT.  .....................................................................................29
         7.1.  Letter of Credit Commitment...................................................................29
                  7.1.1.  Commitment to Issue Letters of Credit.  ...........................................29
                  7.1.2.  Letter of Credit Applications.  ...................................................30
                  7.1.3.  Terms of Letters of Credit.  ......................................................30
         7.2.  Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower.  ...................................................30
         7.3.  Letter of Credit Payments.  ..................................................................30
         7.4.  Obligations Absolute.  .......................................................................31
         7.5.  Reliance by Issuer.  .........................................................................31
         7.6.  Letter of Credit Fee..........................................................................31
8.  CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.  ............................................................................31
         8.1.  Underwriting Fee.  ...........................................................................31
         8.2.  Agent's Fee.  ................................................................................32
         8.3.  Funds for Payments.  .........................................................................32
                  8.3.1.  Payments to Agent.  ...............................................................32
                  8.3.2.  No Offset, etc.  ..................................................................32
         8.4.  Computations.  ...............................................................................32
         8.5.  Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate.  .....................................................32
         8.6.  Illegality.  .................................................................................33
         8.7.  Additional Costs, etc.  ......................................................................33
         8.8.  Capital Adequacy.  ...........................................................................34
         8.9.  Certificate.  ................................................................................35
         8.10.  Indemnity.  .................................................................................35
         8.11.  Interest After Default.  ....................................................................35
                  8.11.1.  Overdue Amounts.  ................................................................35
                  8.11.2.  Amounts Not Overdue.  ............................................................36
                  8.11.3.  Letters of Credit.  ..............................................................36
         8.12.  Replacement of Individual Banks.  ...........................................................36
9.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  ........................................................................37
         9.1.  Corporate Authority.  ........................................................................37
                  9.1.1.  Existence; Good Standing.  ........................................................37
                  9.1.2.  Authorization.  ...................................................................37
                  9.1.3.  Enforceability.  ..................................................................37
         9.2.  Governmental Approvals.  .....................................................................37
         9.3.  Title to Properties; Leases.  ................................................................38
         9.4.  Financial Statements and Projections.  .......................................................38
                  9.4.1.  Financial Statements...............................................................38
                  9.4.2.  Projections.  .....................................................................38
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   4
                                     -iii-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                          <C>   

         9.5.  No Material Changes, etc.  ...................................................................38
         9.6.  Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc.  .......................................................39
         9.7.  Litigation.  .................................................................................39
         9.8.  No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc.  .......................................................39
         9.9.  Compliance with Other Instruments, Laws, etc.  ...............................................39
         9.10.  Tax Status.  Each member of t................................................................39
         9.11.  No Event of Default.  .......................................................................39
         9.12.  Holding Company and Investment Company Acts.  ...............................................39
         9.13.  Absence of Financing Statements, etc.  ......................................................40
         9.14.  Employee Benefit Plans.  ....................................................................40
                  9.14.1.  In General.  .....................................................................40
                  9.14.2.  Terminability of Welfare Plans.  .................................................40
                  9.14.3.  Guaranteed Pension Plans.  .......................................................40
                  9.14.4.  Multiemployer Plans.  ............................................................41
         9.15.  Regulations U and X.  .......................................................................41
         9.16.  Chief Executive Offices.  ...................................................................41
         9.17.  Disclosure.  ................................................................................41
         9.18.  Environmental Compliance.  ..................................................................41
         9.19.  Subsidiaries, etc.  .........................................................................42
         9.20.  Fiscal Year.  ...............................................................................43
10.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.  ................................................................................43
         10.1.  Punctual Payment.  ..........................................................................43
         10.2.  Maintenance of Office.  .....................................................................43
         10.3.  Records and Accounts.  ......................................................................43
         10.4.  Financial Statements, Certificates and Information.  ........................................43
         10.5.  Notices.  ...................................................................................44
                  10.5.1.  Defaults.  .......................................................................44
                  10.5.2.  Environmental Events.  ...........................................................45
                  10.5.3.  Notice of Litigation and Judgments.  .............................................45
         10.6.  Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties.  ............................................45
                  10.6.1.  Existence and Conversion to Corporate Form........................................45
                  10.6.2.  Maintenance of Properties.........................................................46
         10.7.  Insurance.  .................................................................................46
         10.8.  Taxes.  .....................................................................................46
         10.9.  Inspection of Properties and Books, etc.  ...................................................46
         10.10.  Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits.  ...................................47
         10.11.  Employee Benefit Plans.  ...................................................................47
         10.12.  Use of Proceeds.  ..........................................................................47
         10.13.  Further Assurances.  .......................................................................47
         10.14.  Conduct of Business.  ......................................................................47
11.  CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  ...........................................................................47
         11.1.  Restrictions on Indebtedness.  ..............................................................48
         11.2.  Restrictions on Liens.  .....................................................................49
         11.3.  Restrictions on Investments.  ...............................................................50
         11.4.  Distributions.  .............................................................................51
         11.5.  Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets..............................................51
         11.6.  Sale and Leaseback.  ........................................................................52
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5
                                      -iv-


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                          <C>   

         11.7.  Compliance with Environmental Laws.  ........................................................52
         11.8.  Employee Benefit Plans.  ....................................................................52
         11.9.  Change in Fiscal Year.  .....................................................................53
         11.10.  Changes in Terms of Partnership Documents.  ................................................53
         11.11.  Capital Expenditures.  .....................................................................53
12.  FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.  ..................................................................53
         12.1.  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage................................................................53
         12.2.  Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.  ...................................................54
         12.3.  Maximum Leverage.  ..........................................................................54
13.  CLOSING CONDITIONS.  ...................................................................................54
         13.1.  Loan Documents.  ............................................................................54
         13.2.  Certified Copies of Charter Documents.  .....................................................54
         13.3.  Corporate and Partnership Action.  ..........................................................54
         13.4.  Incumbency Certificate.  ....................................................................54
         13.5.  UCC Search Results.  ........................................................................55
         13.6.  Certificates of Insurance.  .................................................................55
         13.7.  Solvency Certificate.  ......................................................................55
         13.8.  Opinion of Counsel.  ........................................................................55
         13.9.  Payment of Fees.  ...........................................................................55
         13.10.  Existing Debt.  ............................................................................55
14.  CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.  .........................................................................55
         14.1.  Representations True; No Event of Default.  .................................................55
         14.2.  No Legal Impediment.  .......................................................................56
         14.3.  Governmental Regulation.  ...................................................................56
         14.4.  Proceedings and Documents.  .................................................................56
         14.5.  Additional Conditions for Growth Loans.  ....................................................56
15.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.  .................................................................56
         15.1.  Events of Default and Acceleration.  ........................................................56
         15.2.  Termination of Commitments.  ................................................................59
         15.3.  Remedies.  ..................................................................................59
16.  SETOFF.  ...............................................................................................60
17.  THE AGENT.  ............................................................................................60
         17.1.  Authorization.  .............................................................................60
         17.2.  Employees and Agents.  ......................................................................61
         17.3.  No Liability.  ..............................................................................61
         17.4.  No Representations.  ........................................................................61
         17.5.  Payments.  ..................................................................................62
                  17.5.1.  Payments to Agent.  ..............................................................62
                  17.5.2.  Distribution by Agent.  ..........................................................62
                  17.5.3.  Delinquent Banks.  ...............................................................62
         17.6.  Holders of Notes.  ..........................................................................63
         17.7.  Indemnity.  .................................................................................63
         17.8.  Agent as Bank.  .............................................................................63
         17.9.  Resignation.  ...............................................................................63
         17.10.  Removal of Agent.  .........................................................................63
         17.11.  Notification of Defaults and Events of Default.  ...........................................64
         17.12.  Co-Agent.  .................................................................................64
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6

                                      -v-


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                          <C>   

18.  EXPENSES.  .............................................................................................64
19.  INDEMNIFICATION.  ......................................................................................65
20.  SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC.  ...........................................................................65
21.  ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.  .........................................................................66
         21.1.  Conditions to Assignment by Banks.  .........................................................66
         21.2.  Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations; Covenants.  ............................66
         21.3.  Register.  ..................................................................................67
         21.4.  New Notes.  .................................................................................68
         21.5.  Participations.  ............................................................................68
         21.6.  Disclosure.  ................................................................................68
         21.7.  Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower.  ......................................68
         21.8.  Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions.  .......................................................69
         21.9.  Assignment by Borrower.  ....................................................................69
22.  NOTICES, ETC.  .........................................................................................69
23.  GOVERNING LAW.  ........................................................................................70
24.  HEADINGS.  .............................................................................................70
25.  COUNTERPARTS.  .........................................................................................70
26.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.  ................................................................................71
27.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  .................................................................................71
28.  CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.  ...................................................................71
29.  GUARANTY.  .............................................................................................72
         29.1.  Guaranty.....................................................................................72
         29.2.  Guaranteed Obligations.......................................................................72
         29.3.  Guaranty Absolute............................................................................72
         29.4.  Authorized Actions.  ........................................................................73
         29.5.  Effectiveness; Enforcement...................................................................73
         29.6.  Waiver.......................................................................................74
         29.7.  Subordination; Subrogation Rights............................................................74
         29.8.  Concerning Joint and Several Liability of the Guarantors.  ..................................75
         29.9.  New Guarantors.  ............................................................................77
30.  SEVERABILITY.  .........................................................................................77
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   7
                             SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS



 Schedule 1            Banks; Revolving Credit Commitments; Growth Loan
                       Commitments
 Schedule 7.1.1        Letters of Credit
 Schedule 9.3          Title to Properties; Leases
 Schedule 9.7          Litigation
 Schedule 9.19         Subsidiaries
 Schedule 11.1         Indebtedness
 Schedule 11.2         Existing Liens
 Schedule 11.3         Existing Investments

 Exhibit A             Form of Revolving Credit Note
 Exhibit B             Form of Revolving Credit Loan Request
 Exhibit C             Form of Growth Loan Note
 Exhibit D             Form of Growth Loan Request
 Exhibit E             Form of Compliance Certificate
 Exhibit F             Form of Assignment and Acceptance





<PAGE>   8




                    REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

         This REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT is made as of June 25,
1997, by and among PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING COMPANY, L.P. (the "Borrower"),
a Delaware limited partnership having its principal place of business at 6075
Poplar Avenue, Suite 800, Memphis, Tennessee 38119, PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS,
L.P. ("PFR"), a Delaware limited partnership having its principal place of
business at 6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 800, Memphis, Tennessee 38119, and
BANKBOSTON, N.A. ("BKB"), a national banking association and the other lending
institutions listed on Schedule 1 and BANKBOSTON, N.A. as agent for itself and
such other lending institutions.

                   1. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.

         1.1. DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth
in this ss.1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Credit Agreement referred to
below:

         Additional Percentage.  0.125%.

         Adjustment Date. The first day of the month immediately following the
month in which a Compliance Certificate is delivered by the Borrower pursuant to
ss.10.4(d).

         Affiliate. Any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of
the Borrower under Rule 144(a) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as in effect on the date hereof, if the Borrower were
issuing securities.

         Agent's Head Office. The Agent's head office located at 100 Federal
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, or at such other location as the Agent may
designate from time to time.

         Agent. BKB acting as agent for the Banks, or such successor Agent as
may be appointed pursuant to ss.17.9 hereof.

         Agent's Special Counsel. Bingham, Dana & Gould LLP or such other
counsel as may be approved by the Agent.

         Applicable Commitment Rate. An annual percentage rate determined as of
the Closing Date for the period from the Closing Date until the end of the month
in which the first Compliance Certificate under ss.10.4(d) is delivered by the
Borrower to the Agent and thereafter for each Rate Adjustment Period, the
Applicable Commitment Rate shall be the applicable margin per annum set forth
below with respect to the ratio of Total Debt as at the end of the fiscal
quarter of the Borrower ending immediately prior to the applicable Rate
Adjustment Period to EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters then ended:


<PAGE>   9
                                      -2-



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      RATIO OF TOTAL DEBT TO EBITDA         GROWTH LOANS      REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>   
           Less than 2.00:1.00                  0.125%           0.250%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.00:1.00 or more but less than 2.50:1.00       0.250%           0.375%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            2.50:1.00 or more                   0.375%           0.500%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

If the Borrower shall fail to deliver any Compliance Certificate pursuant to
ss.10.4(d) hereof, then for the period commencing on the Adjustment Date
immediately following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is due, the
Applicable Commitment Rate shall be the highest Applicable Commitment Rate set
forth in the table above.

         Assignment and Acceptance.  See ss.21.1.

         Balance Sheet Date.  December 31, 1996.

         Banks. BKB and the other lending institutions listed on Schedule 1
hereto and any other Person who becomes an assignee of any rights and
obligations of a Bank pursuant to ss.21.

         Base Rate. The higher of (a) the annual rate of interest announced from
time to time by BKB at its head office in Boston, Massachusetts, as its "base
rate" and (b) one-half of one percent (1/2%) above the Federal Funds Effective
Rate. For the purposes of this definition, "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall
mean for any day, the rate per annum 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 funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by the Agent.

         Base Rate Loans. Loans bearing interest calculated by reference to the
Base Rate.

         BKB.  As defined in the preamble hereto.

         BKB's Head Office. BKB's head office located at 100 Federal Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, or at such other location as BKB may designate from
time to time.

         Borrower.  As defined in the preamble hereto.

         Business Day. Any day on which banking institutions in Boston,
Massachusetts, are open for the transaction of banking business and, in the case
of Eurodollar Rate Loans, also a day which is a Eurodollar Business Day.
<PAGE>   10

                                      -3-

         Capital Assets. Fixed assets, both tangible (such as land, buildings,
fixtures, machinery and equipment) and intangible (such as patents, copyrights,
trademarks, franchises and good will); provided that Capital Assets shall not
include any item customarily charged directly to expense or depreciated over a
useful life of twelve (12) months or less in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

         Capital Expenditures. Amounts paid or indebtedness incurred by PFR or
the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries in connection with the purchase or
lease by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Capital Assets that would be
required to be capitalized and shown on the balance sheet of such Person in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

         Capitalized Leases. Leases under which PFR, the Borrower or any of
their Subsidiaries is the lessee or obligor, the discounted future rental
payment obligations under which are required to be capitalized on the balance
sheet of the lessee or obligor in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

         Closing Date. The first date on which the conditions set forth in ss.13
have been satisfied and any Loans are to be made or any Letter of Credit is to
be issued hereunder.

         Co-Agent.  Barnett Bank, N.A.

         Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

         Consolidated or consolidated. With reference to any term defined
herein, shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of PFR and all of its
Subsidiaries, consolidated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

         Consolidated Earnings Before Interest and Taxes or EBIT. The
consolidated earnings (or loss) from the operations of PFR and its Subsidiaries
for any period, after all expenses and other proper charges but before payment
or provision for any income taxes or interest expense for such period,
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

         Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and
Amortization or EBITDA. For any period, EBIT plus (a) depreciation expense, and
(b) amortization expense to the extent the same would be included in the
calculation of EBIT for such period, determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

         Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit). The consolidated net income (or
deficit) of PFR and its Subsidiaries, after deduction of all expenses, taxes,
and other proper charges, determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

         Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. The excess of Consolidated Total
Assets over Consolidated Total Liabilities, plus $4,338,000 in respect of the
write down of certain assets taken by the Borrower at December 31, 1993, plus up
to $5,000,000 in respect of the write down of certain assets in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting
<PAGE>   11

                                      -4-


Standards No. 121, to the extent taken by the Borrower after the Closing Date, 
and less the sum of:

                  (a) the total book value of all assets of PFR and its
         Subsidiaries properly classified as intangible assets under generally
         accepted accounting principles, including such items as goodwill, the
         purchase price of acquired assets in excess of the fair market value
         thereof, trademarks, trade names, service marks, brand names,
         copyrights, patents and licenses, and rights with respect to the
         foregoing; plus

                  (b) to the extent otherwise includable in the computation of
         Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, any subscriptions receivable.

         Consolidated Total Assets. All assets of PFR and its Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

         Consolidated Total Interest Expense. For any period, the aggregate
amount of interest required to be paid or accrued by PFR and its Subsidiaries
during such period on all Indebtedness of PFR and its Subsidiaries outstanding
during all or any part of such period, whether such interest was or is required
to be reflected as an item of expense or capitalized, including payments
consisting of interest in respect of Capitalized Leases and including commitment
fees, agency fees, facility fees, balance deficiency fees and similar fees or
expenses in connection with the borrowing of money, determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.

         Consolidated Total Liabilities. All liabilities of PFR and its
Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

         Conversion Request. A notice given by the Borrower to the Agent of the
Borrower's election to convert or continue a Loan in accordance with ss.2.7 or
ss.4.7, as applicable.

         Credit Agreement. This Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement,
including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto.

         Credit Approved. A Person that at the time it becomes an assignee of
any Bank pursuant to ss.21 hereof (a) has a credit rating of at least of the
greater of (i) BBB by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or Baa2 by Moody's Investor's Service, Inc. and
(ii) the rating, if any, issued by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a
division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or by Moody's Investor's Service,
Inc. in respect of senior debt issued by the Borrower, or (b) has been approved
by the Borrower and the Agent in writing to be an Eligible Assignee.

         Default.  See ss.15.1.

         Distribution. The declaration or payment of any dividend or other
distribution on or in respect of any Equity Interests of a Person, other than
dividends or 
<PAGE>   12
                                      -5-


distributions payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person of the same
class; the purchase, redemption, or other retirement of any Equity Interests of
a Person, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary of such Person or
otherwise; the return of capital by a Person to the holders of its Equity
Interests as such; or any other distribution on or in respect of any Equity
Interests of a Person.

         Dollars or $. Dollars in lawful currency of the United States of
America.

         Domestic Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Bank designated
as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Bank, if
any, located within the United States that will be making or maintaining Base
Rate Loans.

         Drawdown Date. The date on which any Loan is made or is to be made, and
the date on which any Revolving Credit Loan is converted or continued in
accordance with ss.2.7, any Growth Loan is converted or continued in accordance
with ss.4.7, or all or any portion of the Term Loan is converted or continued in
accordance with ss.6.5.2.

         Eligible Assignee. Any of (a) a Credit Approved commercial bank or
finance company organized under the laws of the United States, or any State
thereof or the District of Columbia, and having total assets in excess of
$5,000,000,000; (b) a Credit Approved savings and loan association or savings
bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof or the
District of Columbia, and having a net worth of at least $500,000,000,
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) a
Credit Approved commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country
which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(the "OECD"), or a political subdivision of any such country, and having total
assets in excess of $5,000,000,000, provided that such bank is acting through a
branch or agency located in the country in which it is organized or another
country which is also a member of the OECD; (d) the central bank of any country
which is a member of the OECD and is Credit Approved; and (e) if, but only if,
any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other bank, insurance
company, commercial finance company or other financial institution or other
Person approved by the Agent, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

         Employee Benefit Plan. Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
ss.3(3) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate, other than a Multiemployer Plan.

         Environmental Laws.  See ss.9.18(a).

         Equity Interests. All equity interests of a Person, including any (a)
common or preferred stock, (b) limited or general partnership interests, (c)
limited liability company membership interests, (d) options, warrants, or other
rights to purchase or acquire any Equity Interest, or (e) securities convertible
into any Equity Interest.

         ERISA.  The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

         ERISA Affiliate. Any Person which is treated as a single employer with
the Borrower under ss.414 of the Code.


<PAGE>   13
                                      -6-


         ERISA Reportable Event. A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
Pension Plan within the meaning of ss.4043 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder as to which the requirement of notice has not been
waived.

         Eurocurrency Reserve Rate. For any day with respect to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, the maximum rate (expressed as a decimal) at which any lender subject
thereto would be required to maintain reserves under Regulation D of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor or similar
regulations relating to such reserve requirements) against "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" (as that term is used in Regulation D), if such liabilities were
outstanding. The Eurocurrency Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on
and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate.

         Eurodollar Business Day. Any day on which commercial banks are open for
international business (including dealings in Dollar deposits) in London or such
other eurodollar interbank market as may be selected by the Agent in its sole
discretion acting in good faith.

         Eurodollar Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Bank
designated as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such
Bank, if any, that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans.

         Eurodollar Rate. For any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, the rate of interest equal to (a) the rate at which the Agent's
Eurodollar Lending Office is offered Dollar deposits two Eurodollar Business
Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar
market where the eurodollar and foreign currency and exchange operations of such
Eurodollar Lending Office are customarily conducted, for delivery on the first
day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein and in an
amount comparable to the amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan of the Agent to
which such Interest Period applies, divided by (b) a number equal to 1.00 minus
the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate, if applicable.

         Eurodollar Rate Loans. Revolving Credit Loans and Growth Loans bearing
interest calculated by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

         Event of Default.  See ss.15.1.

         Fee Letter. The letter agreement dated as of March 18, 1997 between the
Borrower and the Agent.

         Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. For any period, the ratio of (a) EBITDA
for such period plus Rental Expense for such period plus without duplication,
non-cash charges relating to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121
and other charges not to exceed in the aggregate $3,000,000 resulting from
conversion to corporate form of a type and amount approved by the Agent deducted
in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period to (b) the sum of
Interest Expense for such period plus Rental Expense for such period plus all
scheduled principal payments in respect of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money for
such period, in each case determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
<PAGE>   14
                                     -7-


        General Partner, PMC.

        generally accepted accounting principles.  (a) When used in Sections
11.11 and 12, whether directly or indirectly through reference to a capitalized
term used therein, means (i) principles that are consistent with the principles
promulgated or adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its
predecessors, in effect for the fiscal year ended on the Balance Sheet Date,
and (ii) to the extent consistent with such principles, the accounting practice
of the Borrower reflected in its financial statements for the year ended on the
Balance Sheet Date, and (b) when used in general, other than as provided above,
means principles that are (i) consistent with the principles promulgated or
adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors, as in
effect from time to time, and (ii) consistently applied with past financial
statements of the Borrower adopting the same principles, provided that in each
case referred to in this definition of "generally accepted accounting
principles" a certified public accountant would, insofar as the use of such
accounting principles is pertinent, be in a position to deliver an unqualified
opinion (other than a qualification regarding changes in generally accepted
accounting principles) as to financial statements in which such principles have
been properly applied.  In connection with the conversion of PFR and the
Borrower into corporate form, the provisions of this Credit Agreement,
including without limitation Sections 1.1, 11.11 and 12, shall not give effect
to any purchase accounting adjustments made in connection with such conversion
until this Credit Agreement shall have been appropriately amended to reflect
such adoption in a manner reasonably acceptable to the parties hereto.

        Growth Loan Amount.  See Section 6.1

        Growth Loan Commitment.  With respect to each Bank, the amount set
forth on Schedule 1 hereto as the amount of such Bank's commitment to make
Growth Loans to the Borrower, as the same may be reduced from time to time; or
if such commitment is terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.

        Growth Loan Commitment Percentage.  With respect to each Bank, the
percentage set forth on Schedule 1 hereto as such Bank's percentage of the
aggregate Growth Commitments of all the Banks.

        Growth Loan Margin.  An annual percentage rate determined as of the
Closing Date for the period from the Closing Date until the end of the month in
which the first Compliance Certificate under Section 10.4(d) is delivered by
the Borrower to the Agent and thereafter for each Rate Adjustment Period, the
Growth Loan Margin shall be the applicable margin per annum set forth below
with respect to the ratio of Total Debt as at the end of the fiscal quarter of
the Borrower ending immediately prior to the applicable Rate Adjustment Period
to EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters then ended:




<PAGE>   15
                                      -8-




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         RATIO OF TOTAL DEBT TO EBITDA                 BASE RATE LOANS             EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                             <C>    
              Less than 1.00:1.00                          0.000%                          0.875%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1.00:1.00 or more but less than 1.50:1.00               0.000%                          1.125%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1.50:1.00 or more but less than 2.00:1.00               0.000%                          1.375%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.00:1.00 or more than but less than 2.50:1.00            0.000%                          1.625%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               2.50:1.00 or more                           0.375%                          1.875%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


If the Borrower shall fail to deliver any Compliance Certificate pursuant to
ss.10.4(d) hereof, then for the period commencing on the Adjustment Date
immediately following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is due, the
Growth Loan Margin shall be the highest Growth Loan Margin set forth in the
table above.

         Growth Loan Note Record.  A Record with respect to a Growth Loan Note.

         Growth Loan Notes.  See ss.4.4.

         Growth Loan Period. The period beginning on the Closing Date to and
including the day immediately preceding the Term Out Date.

         Growth Loan Request.  See ss.4.6.

         Growth Loans. Revolving credit loans made or to be made by the Banks to
the Borrower pursuant to ss.4.

         Guaranteed Obligations.  See ss.29.2.

         Guaranteed Pension Plan. Any employee pension benefit plan within the
meaning of ss.3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate the benefits of which are guaranteed on termination in full or
in part by the PBGC pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer
Plan.

         Guarantors. PFR and such wholly-owned Subsidiaries of PFR and of the
Borrower which become parties to this Credit Agreement from time to time
pursuant to ss.29.9 hereof.

         Guaranty.  See ss.29.1.

         Indebtedness. All obligations, contingent and otherwise, that in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles should be classified
upon the obligor's 


<PAGE>   16
                                      -9-


balance sheet as liabilities, or to which reference should be made by footnotes
thereto, including in any event and whether or not so classified: (a) all debt
and similar monetary obligations, whether direct or indirect; (b) all
liabilities secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien, charge or
other encumbrance existing on property owned or acquired subject thereto,
whether or not the liability secured thereby shall have been assumed; and (c)
all guarantees, endorsements and other contingent obligations whether direct or
indirect in respect of indebtedness of others, including any obligation to
supply funds to or in any manner to invest in, directly or indirectly, the
debtor, to purchase indebtedness, or to assure the owner of indebtedness against
loss, through an agreement to purchase goods, supplies, or services for the
purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of the indebtedness held by such
owner or otherwise, and the obligations to reimburse the issuer in respect of
any letters of credit.

         Indebtedness for Borrowed Money. With respect to any Person at any
time, all indebtedness of such Person at such time, whether recourse is to all
or a portion of the assets of such Person, and whether or not contingent, (a) in
respect of money borrowed or the deferred purchase price of property and
services (excluding trade accounts payable), (b) in respect of any Capitalized
Leases, and (c) evidenced by any loan or credit agreement, promissory note,
debenture, bond, or other similar contract.

         Interest Payment Date. (a) As to any Base Rate Loan, the first day of
the calendar quarter which includes the Drawdown Date thereof; and (b) as to any
Eurodollar Rate Loan in respect of which the Interest Period is (i) 3 months or
less, the first day of such Interest Period, and (ii) more than 3 months, the
date that is 3 months from the first day of such Interest Period and, in
addition, the first day of such Interest Period.

         Interest Expense. For any period, the expenses of PFR and its
Subsidiaries for such period for interest on Indebtedness (including, without
limitation, the current portion thereof) and including, without limitation, the
interest component of payments under capitalized leases and commitment fees,
letter of credit fees, and any other fees and expenses of the same character as
the foregoing incurred in connection with the borrowing of money.

         Interest Period. With respect to each Revolving Credit Loan, each
Growth Loan or all or any relevant portion of the Term Loan, (a) initially, the
period commencing on the Drawdown Date of such Loan and ending on the last day
of one of the periods set forth below, as selected by the Borrower in a
Revolving Credit Loan Request or Growth Loan Request, as applicable, (i) for any
Base Rate Loan, the last day of the calendar quarter; and (ii) for any
Eurodollar Rate Loan, 1, 2, 3 or 6 months; and (b) thereafter, each period
commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to
such Revolving Credit Loan, such Growth Loan or all or such portion of the Term
Loan and ending on the last day of one of the periods set forth above, as
selected by the Borrower in a Conversion Request; provided that all of the
foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

                  (a) if any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
         Loan would otherwise end on a day that is not a Eurodollar Business
         Day, that Interest 
<PAGE>   17
                                      -10-



         Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Eurodollar Business Day
         unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest
         Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period
         shall end on the immediately preceding Eurodollar Business Day;

                  (b) if any Interest Period with respect to a Base Rate Loan
         would end on a day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period
         shall end on the next succeeding Business Day;

                  (c) if the Borrower shall fail to give notice as provided in
         ss.2.7 or ss.4.7, as applicable, the Borrower shall be deemed to have
         requested a conversion of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Base
         Rate Loan and the continuance of all Base Rate Loans as Base Rate Loans
         on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect
         thereto;

                  (d) any Interest Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan
         that begins on the last Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month (or
         on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
         calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the
         last Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month; and

                  (e) any Interest Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan
         that would otherwise extend beyond the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity
         Date (if comprising a Revolving Credit Loan) or the Term Loan Maturity
         Date (if comprising a Growth Loan, the Term Loan or a portion thereof)
         shall end on the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date or (as the case
         may be) the Term Loan Maturity Date.

         Investments. All expenditures made and all liabilities incurred
(contingently or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock or Indebtedness of, or
for loans, advances, capital contributions or transfers of property to, or in
respect of any guaranties (or other commitments described under Indebtedness) or
obligations of any Person (other than in respect of accounts receivable arising
in the ordinary course of business). In determining the aggregate amount of
Investments outstanding at any particular time: (a) the amount of any Investment
represented by a guaranty shall be taken at not less than the principal amount
of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding; (b) there shall be included
as an Investment all interest accrued with respect to Indebtedness constituting
an Investment unless and until such interest is paid; (c) there shall be
deducted in respect of each such Investment any amount received as a return of
capital (but only by repurchase, redemption, retirement, repayment, liquidating
dividend or liquidating distribution); (d) there shall not be deducted in
respect of any Investment any amounts received as earnings on such Investment,
whether as dividends, interest or otherwise, except that accrued interest
included as provided in the foregoing clause (b) may be deducted when paid; and
(e) there shall not be deducted from the aggregate amount of Investments any
decrease in the value thereof.

         Letter of Credit.  See ss.7.1.1.

         Letter of Credit Application.  See ss.7.1.1.
<PAGE>   18
                                     -11-



         Letter of Credit Maturity Date. March 31, 2002, as the same may be
extended by mutual agreement of the Borrower and the Agent in writing.

         Limited Partner.  PFR.

         Loan Documents. This Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit
Applications, and the Letters of Credit.

         Loans.  The Revolving Credit Loans, the Growth Loans, and the Term 
Loan.

         Majority Banks. As of any date, any combination of Banks, excluding
Delinquent Banks, holding at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the outstanding
principal amount of the Notes on such date; and if no such principal is
outstanding, the Banks whose aggregate Growth Loan Commitments and Revolving
Credit Commitments constitute at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Total
Commitment.

         Maximum Drawing Amount. The maximum aggregate amount that the
beneficiaries may at any time draw under outstanding Letters of Credit, as such
aggregate amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms of the
Letters of Credit.

         Multiemployer Plan. Any multiemployer plan within the meaning of
ss.3(37) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate.

         Notes.  The Growth Loan Notes and the Revolving Credit Notes.

         Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of any of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to any of the Banks and the Agent,
individually or collectively, existing on the date of this Credit Agreement or
arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or
contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or
unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or
incurred under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in
respect of any of the Loans made or Reimbursement Obligations incurred or any of
the Notes, Letter of Credit Application, Letter of Credit or other instruments
at any time evidencing any thereof.

         Outstanding. With respect to the Loans, the aggregate unpaid principal
thereof as of any date of determination.

         Partnership Documents. The limited partnership agreements of each of
PFR and the Borrower, including all exhibits to each of such agreements and the
certificates of limited partnership of each of PFR and the Borrower.

         PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by ss.4002 of
ERISA and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities.

         Perkins Group. The General Partner, the Guarantors, the Borrower, and
the Borrower's Subsidiaries.


<PAGE>   19
                                      -12-


         Permitted Acquisition.  See ss.11.5(c) hereof.

         Permitted Liens. Liens, security interests and other encumbrances
permitted by ss.11.2.

         Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated
association, business, or other legal entity, and any government or any
governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.

         PFR.  As defined in the preamble hereto.

         PMC. Perkins Management Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the
sole general partner of each of PFR and the Borrower.

         PRI.  Perkins Restaurants, Inc., a Minnesota corporation.

         Pro Forma Basis. In connection with any proposed Permitted Acquisition,
the calculation of compliance with the financial covenants described in
ss.11.5(c) hereof by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the Person to
be acquired) with reference to the audited historical financial results, if
available, or such other management reports as approved by the Agent, of such
Person and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the applicable Test Period
after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Permitted Acquisition in the
manner described in (a), (b) and (c) below; and, following a Permitted
Acquisition, the calculation of compliance with the covenants set forth in
ss.ss.11.11, 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 for the fiscal quarter in which such Permitted
Acquisition occurred and each of the three fiscal quarters immediately following
such Permitted Acquisition with reference to the audited historical financial
results, if available, or such other management reports as approved by the Agent
of the Person so acquired and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the
applicable Test Period after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such
Permitted Acquisition in the manner described in (a), (b) and (c) below:

                  (a) all Indebtedness (whether under this Credit Agreement or
         otherwise) and any other balance sheet adjustments incurred or made in
         connection with the Permitted Acquisition shall be deemed to have been
         incurred or made on the first day of the Test Period, and all
         Indebtedness of the Person acquired or to be acquired in such Permitted
         Acquisition which was or will have been repaid in connection with the
         consummation of the Permitted Acquisition shall be deemed to have been
         repaid concurrently with the incurrence of the Indebtedness incurred in
         connection with the Permitted Acquisition;

                  (b) all Indebtedness assumed to have been incurred pursuant to
         the preceding clause (a) shall be deemed to have borne interest at the
         (i) the arithmetic mean of (A) the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate
         Loans having an Interest Period of one month in effect on the first day
         of the Test Period and (B) the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate
         Loans having an Interest Period of one month in effect on the last day
         of the Test Period plus (ii) the Eurodollar Rate Margin then in effect
         (after giving effect to the Permitted Acquisition on a Pro Forma
         Basis); and
<PAGE>   20
                                      -13-


                  (c) other reasonable cost savings, expenses and other income
         statement or operating statement adjustments which are attributable to
         the change in ownership and/or management resulting from such Permitted
         Acquisition as may be approved by the Agent in writing (which approval
         shall not be unreasonably withheld) shall be deemed to have been
         realized on the first day of the Test Period.

         Rate Adjustment Period. Each period commencing on an Adjustment Date
through the date immediately preceding the next Adjustment Date.

         Real Estate. All real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee
or sublessee) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         Record. The grid attached to a Note, or the continuation of such grid,
or any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by any Bank
with respect to any Loan referred to in such Note.

         Reimbursement Obligation. The Borrower's obligation to reimburse BKB on
account of any drawing under any Letter of Credit as provided in ss.7.2.

         Rental Expense. For any period, the expenses of PFR and its
Subsidiaries for such period in respect of obligations under any rental
agreements or leases of real or personal property, other than obligations in
respect of capitalized leases, net of rental income derived from subleases of
such property.

         Replacement Bank.  See ss.8.12 hereof.

         Revolver Period. The period beginning on the Closing Date to and
including the day immediately preceding the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date.

         Revolving Credit Commitment. With respect to each Bank, the amount set
forth on Schedule 1 hereto as the amount of such Bank's commitment to make
Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower, as the same may be reduced from time to
time; or if such commitment is terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof,
zero.

         Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Bank, the
percentage set forth on Schedule 1 hereto as such Bank's percentage of the
aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all of the Banks.

         Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date.  See ss.2.3.3.

         Revolving Credit Loans. Revolving credit loans made or to be made by
the Banks to the Borrower pursuant to ss.2.

         Revolving Credit Margin. An annual percentage rate determined as of the
Closing Date for the period from the Closing Date until the end of the month in
which the first Compliance Certificate under ss.10.4(d) is delivered by the
Borrower to the Agent and thereafter for each Rate Adjustment Period, the
Revolving Credit Margin 
<PAGE>   21
                                      -14-


shall be the applicable margin per annum set forth below with respect to the
ratio of Total Debt as at the end of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending
immediately prior to the applicable Rate Adjustment Period to EBITDA for the
period of four fiscal quarters then ended:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           RATIO OF TOTAL DEBT TO EBITDA                   BASE RATE LOANS              EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS
   <S>                                                          <C>                             <C>    
                Less than 1.00:1.00                             0.00%                           0.75%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.00:1.00 or more but less than 1.50:1.00                  0.00%                           1.00%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.50:1.00 or more but less than 2.00:1.00                  0.00%                           1.25%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2.00:1.00 or more than but less than 2.50:1.00               0.00%                           1.50%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 2.50:1.00 or more                              0.25%                           1.75%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


If the Borrower shall fail to deliver any Compliance Certificate pursuant to
ss.10.4(d) hereof, then for the period commencing on the Adjustment Date
immediately following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is due, the
Revolving Credit Margin shall be the highest Revolving Credit Margin set forth
in the table above.

         Revolving Credit Note Record. A Record with respect to a Revolving
Credit Note.

         Revolving Credit Notes.  See ss.2.4.

         Subsidiary. Any corporation, association, trust, or other business
entity of which the designated parent shall at any time own directly or
indirectly through a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries at least a majority (by number
of votes) of the outstanding Voting Stock.

         Substituted Bank.  See ss.8.12 hereof.

         Term Loan. The principal amount of Growth Loans Outstanding on the Term
Out Date which have been converted into a term loan pursuant to ss.6.1 hereof.

         Term Loan Maturity Date.  The fourth anniversary of the Term Out Date.

         Term Loan Percentage. With respect to each Bank, such Bank's percentage
of the Term Loan Outstanding on the Term Out Date owed to such Bank.

         Term Out Date.  See ss.4.3.2 hereof.
<PAGE>   22
                                      -15-

         Term Out Period. The period beginning on the Term Out Date and ending
on the date on which the Growth Loans have been indefeasibly repaid in full in
cash.

         Test Period. (a) In connection with the calculation of financial
covenant compliance on a Pro Forma Basis as required by ss.11.5(c)(v) with
respect to any proposed Permitted Acquisition, the period of four fiscal
quarters most recently ended prior to such Permitted Acquisition for which
financial information is available, and (b) in connection with the calculation
of the covenants set forth in ss.ss.11.11, 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 hereof following
any Permitted Acquisition, the period of all fiscal quarters (and any portion of
a fiscal quarter) prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition included in
the calculation of such financial covenant.

         Total Commitment. The sum of the Total Growth Loan Commitment and the
Total Revolving Credit Commitment as in effect from time to time.

         Total Debt. All Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of PFR and its
Subsidiaries determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

         Total Growth Loan Commitment. The sum of the Growth Loan Commitments of
the Banks, as in effect from time to time.

         Total Revolving Credit Commitment. The sum of the Revolving Credit
Commitments of the Banks, as in effect from time to time.

         Type. As to any Revolving Credit Loan or Growth Loan, its nature as a
Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

         Uniform Customs. With respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform
Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International
Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500 or any successor version thereto adopted
by the Agent in the ordinary course of its business as a letter of credit issuer
and in effect at the time of issuance of such Letter of Credit.

         Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. Any Reimbursement Obligation for which
the Borrower does not reimburse BKB on the date specified in, and in accordance
with, ss.7.2.

         Voting Stock. Stock or similar interests, of any class or classes
(however designated), the holders of which are at the time entitled, as such
holders, to vote for the election of a majority of the directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of the corporation, association, trust or other
business entity involved, whether or not the right so to vote exists by reason
of the happening of a contingency.



<PAGE>   23
                                      -16-


         1.2.  RULES OF INTERPRETATION.

                  (a) A reference to any document or agreement shall include
         such document or agreement as amended, modified or supplemented from
         time to time in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Credit
         Agreement.

                  (b) The singular includes the plural and the plural includes
         the singular.

                  (c) A reference to any law includes any amendment or
         modification to such law.

                  (d) A reference to any Person includes its permitted
         successors and permitted assigns.

                  (e) Accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
         meanings assigned to them by generally accepted accounting principles
         applied on a consistent basis by the accounting entity to which they
         refer.

                  (f) The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not
         limiting.

                  (g) All terms not specifically defined herein or by generally
         accepted accounting principles, which terms are defined in the Uniform
         Commercial Code as in effect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have
         the meanings assigned to them therein, with the term "instrument" being
         that defined under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

                  (h) Reference to a particular "ss." refers to that section of
         this Credit Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

                  (i) The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and words of
         like import shall refer to this Credit Agreement as a whole and not to
         any particular section or subdivision of this Credit Agreement.

                        2. THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.

         2.1. COMMITMENT TO LEND. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Credit Agreement, each of the Banks severally agrees to lend to the
Borrower and the Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow from time to time
between the Closing Date and the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date upon notice
by the Borrower to the Agent given in accordance with ss.2.6, such sums as are
requested by the Borrower up to a maximum aggregate amount Outstanding (after
giving effect to all amounts requested) at any one time equal to such Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment provided the Outstanding amount of the Revolving
Credit Loans (after giving effect to all amounts requested) shall not at any
time exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment. The Revolving Credit Loans
shall be made pro rata in accordance with each Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage. Each request for a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the conditions set
forth in ss.13 and ss.14, in the case of the initial Revolving Credit 
<PAGE>   24
                                      -17-

Loans to be made on the Closing Date, and ss.14, in the case of all other
Revolving Credit Loans, have been satisfied on the date of such request.

         2.2. COMMITMENT FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the
accounts of the Banks in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentages a commitment fee in an amount equal to the Applicable
Commitment Rate on the average daily amount during each calendar quarter or
portion thereof from the Closing Date to the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date
by which the Total Revolving Credit Commitment exceeds the Outstanding amount of
Revolving Credit Loans during such calendar quarter. The commitment fee shall be
payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter for the
immediately preceding calendar quarter commencing on October 1, 1997, with a
final payment on the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date or any earlier date on
which the Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate.

         2.3.  REDUCTION AND TERMINATION OF TOTAL REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT.

               2.3.1.  MANDATORY REDUCTION OF TOTAL REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT.

                           (a) At the close of business on the first day of
                  October 1998 and each following July and October thereafter,
                  the Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall be automatically
                  and permanently reduced by increments of $600,000 each.

                           (b) At the close of business on the first day of
                  January 1999 and each following April and January thereafter,
                  the Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall be automatically
                  and permanently reduced by increments of $400,000 each.

                           (c) Any remaining Total Revolving Credit Commitment
                  shall terminate on the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date.

                  2.3.2. OPTIONAL REDUCTION OF TOTAL REVOLVING CREDIT
         COMMITMENT. Subject to ss.8.10, the Borrower shall have the right at
         any time and from time to time upon seven (7) Business Days prior
         written notice to the Agent to reduce by $1,000,000 or integral
         multiples of $250,000 in excess thereof, or terminate entirely the
         Total Revolving Credit Commitment, whereupon the Revolving Credit
         Commitments of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata in accordance with
         their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages of the amount
         specified in such notice or, as the case may be, terminated. Promptly
         after receiving any notice of the Borrower delivered pursuant to this
         ss.2.3.2, the Agent will notify the Banks of the substance thereof.
         Upon the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the
         Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the respective accounts of the
         Banks the full amount of any commitment fee then accrued on the amount
         of the reduction. No reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit
         Commitments may be reinstated.
<PAGE>   25
                                      -18-


                  2.3.3. TERMINATION OF TOTAL REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT ON
         REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN MATURITY DATE. Unless terminated earlier pursuant
         to the provisions of ss.2.3.2 or ss.15.2 hereof, the Total Revolving
         Credit Commitment shall be in effect until the end of the Revolver
         Period. On the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date, no Bank shall have
         any further commitment to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower.
         The "Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date" shall initially be March 31,
         2002 and may be extended from time to time as set forth below. The
         Borrower may request in writing to the Banks, no earlier than March 31
         and no later than June 30 in any year, a one-year extension of the
         Revolver Period and the corresponding mandatory reductions specified in
         ss.2.3.1. A consent, if any, to the extension of the Revolver Period
         shall be given by the Banks no later than sixty (60) days following the
         Banks' receipt of the Borrower's written request for extension,
         provided that if any Bank does not respond to the Borrower's request on
         or prior to the date which is sixty (60) days following the Banks'
         receipt of the Borrowers' written request for extension, such Bank
         shall be deemed to have refused such request to extend the Revolver
         Period. If the Banks (including the Replacement Bank, if applicable)
         approve, in their sole discretion, such request in writing (the Banks
         agreeing to inform the Borrower of such approval or refusal to approve
         no later than sixty (60) days following the Banks' receipt of the
         Borrower's written request for extension), then the Revolving Credit
         Loan Maturity Date shall be deemed to be the next anniversary of the
         Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date then in effect or such other date
         as all of the Banks may agree. The Borrower may take the actions
         permitted by ss.8.12 to replace any Bank that fails to agree to such
         extension. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit the
         discretion of the Banks to determine whether or not to extend the
         Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date.

         2.4. THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be
evidenced by separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form
of Exhibit A hereto (each a "Revolving Credit Note"), dated as of the Closing
Date and completed with appropriate insertions. One Revolving Credit Note shall
be payable to the order of each Bank in a principal amount equal to such Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment or, if less, the Outstanding amount of all Revolving
Credit Loans made by such Bank, plus interest accrued thereon, as set forth
below. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make or cause to be
made, at or about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loan or
at the time of receipt of any payment of principal on such Bank's Revolving
Credit Note, an appropriate notation on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note Record
reflecting the making of such Revolving Credit Loan or (as the case may be) the
receipt of such payment. The Outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans
set forth on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note Record shall be prima facie
evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Bank, but the
failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on such Bank's
Revolving Credit Note Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations
of the Borrower hereunder or under any Revolving Credit Note to make payments of
principal of or interest on any Revolving Credit Note when due.
<PAGE>   26
                                     -19-



         2.5. INTEREST ON REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Except as otherwise provided
in ss.8.11,

                  (a) Each Revolving Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan shall
         bear interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof
         and ending on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto
         at an annual rate equal to the sum of (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the
         Revolving Credit Margin, as in effect from time to time while such Base
         Rate Loan is Outstanding.

                  (b) Each Revolving Credit Loan that is a Eurodollar Rate Loan
         shall bear interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date
         thereof and ending on the last day of the Interest Period with respect
         thereto at an annual rate equal to the sum of (i) the Eurodollar Rate
         plus (ii) the Revolving Credit Margin, as in effect from time to time
         while such Eurodollar Rate Loan is Outstanding.

                  (c) The Borrower promises to pay interest on each Revolving
         Credit Loan in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with respect
         thereto.

         2.6. REQUESTS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. The Borrower shall give to
the Agent written notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto (or telephonic notice
confirmed in a writing in the form of Exhibit B hereto) of each Revolving Credit
Loan requested hereunder (a "Revolving Credit Loan Request") (a) prior to 12:00
Noon (Boston time) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Base Rate Loan and (b)
prior to 12:00 Noon (Boston time) on the second Eurodollar Business Day prior to
the proposed Drawdown Date of any Eurodollar Rate Loan. Each such notice shall
specify (w) the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loan requested, (x) the
proposed Drawdown Date of such Revolving Credit Loan, (y) the Interest Period
for such Revolving Credit Loan and (z) the Type of such Revolving Credit Loan.
Upon receipt of any such notice, the Agent shall notify each of the Banks
thereof prior to 1:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the same day of the receipt of such
notice. Each Revolving Credit Loan Request shall be irrevocable and binding on
the Borrower and shall obligate the Borrower to accept the Revolving Credit Loan
requested from the Banks on the proposed Drawdown Date. Each Revolving Credit
Loan Request shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $250,000 or an integral
multiple thereof.

         2.7.  CONVERSION OPTIONS.

                  2.7.1. CONVERSION TO DIFFERENT TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN.
         The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert any Outstanding
         Revolving Credit Loan to a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type,
         provided that (a) with respect to any such conversion of a Revolving
         Credit Loan to a Base Rate Loan, the Borrower shall give the Agent at
         least two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior written notice of such
         election; (b) with respect to any such conversion of a Base Rate Loan
         to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Borrower shall give the Agent at least
         two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior written notice of such election;
         (c) with respect to any such conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan into
         a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type, such conversion shall only be
         made on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto and
         (d) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan when any
         Default or Event of Default has occurred 
<PAGE>   27
                                      -20-


         and is continuing. On the date on which such conversion is being made
         each Bank shall take such action as is necessary to transfer its
         Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans
         to its Domestic Lending Office or its Eurodollar Lending Office, as the
         case may be. All or any part of Outstanding Revolving Credit Loans of
         any Type may be converted into a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type
         as provided herein, provided that any partial conversion shall be in an
         aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000
         in excess thereof. Each Conversion Request relating to the conversion
         of a Revolving Credit Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be
         irrevocable by the Borrower.

                  2.7.2. CONTINUATION OF TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN. Any
         Revolving Credit Loan of any Type may be continued as a Revolving
         Credit Loan of the same Type upon the expiration of an Interest Period
         with respect thereto by compliance by the Borrower with the notice
         provisions contained in ss.2.7.1; provided that no Eurodollar Rate Loan
         may be continued as such when any Default or Event of Default has
         occurred and is continuing, but shall be automatically converted to a
         Base Rate Loan on the last day of the first Interest Period relating
         thereto ending during the continuance of any Default or Event of
         Default of which officers of the Agent active upon the Borrower's
         account have actual knowledge. In the event that the Borrower fails to
         provide any such notice with respect to the continuation of any
         Eurodollar Rate Loan as such, then such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be
         automatically converted to a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the
         first Interest Period relating thereto. The Agent shall notify the
         Banks promptly when any such automatic conversion contemplated by this
         ss.2.7.2 is scheduled to occur.

                  2.7.3. EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. Any conversion to or from
         Revolving Credit Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in such
         amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, after giving
         effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit
         Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans having the same Interest Period
         shall not be less than $500,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in
         excess thereof. At no time shall there be more than four (4) Revolving
         Credit Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans having different Interest
         Periods.

         2.8.  FUNDS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

                  2.8.1. FUNDING PROCEDURES. Not later than 2:00 p.m. (Boston
         time) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loans, each
         of the Banks will make available to the Agent, at its Head Office, in
         immediately available funds, the amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit
         Commitment Percentage of the amount of the requested Revolving Credit
         Loans. Upon receipt from each Bank of such amount, and upon receipt of
         the documents required by ss.ss.13 and 14 and the satisfaction of the
         other conditions set forth therein, to the extent applicable, the Agent
         will make available to the Borrower the aggregate amount of such
         Revolving Credit Loans made available to the Agent by the Banks. The
         failure or refusal of any Bank to make available to the Agent at the
         aforesaid time and place on any Drawdown Date the amount of its
         Revolving Credit 


<PAGE>   28
                                      -21-


         Commitment Percentage of the requested Revolving Credit Loans shall not
         relieve any other Bank from its several obligation hereunder to make
         available to the Agent the amount of such other Bank's Revolving Credit
         Commitment Percentage of any requested Revolving Credit Loans.

                  2.8.2. ADVANCES BY AGENT. The Agent may, unless notified to
         the contrary by any Bank prior to a Drawdown Date, assume that such
         Bank has made available to the Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount
         of such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Revolving
         Credit Loans to be made on such Drawdown Date, and the Agent may (but
         it shall not be required to), in reliance upon such assumption, make
         available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If any Bank makes
         available to the Agent such amount on a date after such Drawdown Date,
         such Bank shall pay to the Agent on demand an amount equal to the
         product of (a) the average computed for the period referred to in
         clause (c) below, of the weighted average interest rate paid by the
         Agent for federal funds acquired by the Agent during each day included
         in such period, times (b) the amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit
         Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans, times (c) a
         fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from
         and including such Drawdown Date to the date on which the amount of
         such Bank's Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans shall
         become immediately available to the Agent, and the denominator of which
         is 360. A statement of the Agent submitted to such Bank with respect to
         any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be prima facie evidence of
         the amount due and owing to the Agent by such Bank. If the amount of
         such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Revolving
         Credit Loans is not made available to the Agent by such Bank within
         three (3) Business Days following such Drawdown Date, the Agent shall
         be entitled to recover such amount from the Borrower on demand, with
         interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving
         Credit Loans made on such Drawdown Date.

                   3. REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

         3.1. MATURITY. The Borrower promises to pay on the Revolving Credit
Loan Maturity Date, and there shall become absolutely due and payable on the
Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date, all of the Revolving Credit Loans
Outstanding on such date, together with any and all accrued and unpaid interest
thereon.

         3.2. MANDATORY REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. If at any time the
sum of the Outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans exceeds the Total
Revolving Credit Commitment, then the Borrower shall immediately pay the amount
of such excess to the Agent for the respective accounts of the Banks for
application to the Revolving Credit Loans. Each prepayment of Revolving Credit
Loans shall be allocated among the Banks, in proportion, as nearly as
practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amount of each Bank's Revolving
Credit Note, with adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize any prior
payments or repayments not exactly in proportion.

         3.3. OPTIONAL REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Subject to ss.8.10,
the Borrower shall have the right, at its election, to repay the Outstanding
amount of 
<PAGE>   29
                                      -22-



the Revolving Credit Loans, as a whole or in part, at any time without penalty
or premium. The Borrower shall give the Agent, no later than 12:00 Noon, Boston
time, on the date of any proposed prepayment prior written notice of any
proposed prepayment pursuant to this ss.3.3 of Base Rate Loans, and no later
than 12:00 Noon, Boston time, two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the date
of any proposed repayment, prior written notice of any proposed prepayment
pursuant to this ss.3.3 of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case specifying the
proposed date of prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans and the principal amount
to be prepaid. Each such partial prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans shall
be in a minimum amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess
thereof and shall be applied, in the absence of instruction by the Borrower,
first to the principal of Base Rate Loans and then to the principal of
Eurodollar Rate Loans. Each partial prepayment shall be allocated among the
Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid
principal amount of each Bank's Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments to the
extent practicable to equalize any prior repayments not exactly in proportion.

                          4. THE GROWTH LOAN FACILITY.

         4.1. COMMITMENT TO LEND. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Credit Agreement, each of the Banks severally agrees to lend to the
Borrower and the Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow from time to time upon
notice by the Borrower to the Agent given in accordance with ss.4.6, such sums
as are requested by the Borrower up to a maximum aggregate amount Outstanding
(after giving effect to all amounts requested) at any one time equal to such
Bank's Growth Loan Commitment provided that the sum of the Outstanding amount of
the Growth Loans (after giving effect to all amounts requested) shall not at any
time exceed the Total Growth Loan Commitment. The Growth Loans shall be made pro
rata in accordance with each Bank's Growth Loan Commitment Percentage. Each
request for a Growth Loan hereunder shall constitute a representation and
warranty by the Borrower that the conditions set forth in ss.13 and ss.14, in
the case of the initial Growth Loans to be made on the Closing Date, and ss.14,
in the case of all other Growth Loans, have been satisfied on the date of such
request.

         4.2. COMMITMENT FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the
accounts of the Banks in accordance with their respective Growth Loan Commitment
Percentages a commitment fee calculated in an amount equal to the Applicable
Commitment Rate on the average daily amount during each calendar quarter or
portion thereof from the Closing Date to the Term Out Date by which the Total
Growth Loan Commitment exceeds the Outstanding amount of Growth Loans during
such calendar quarter. The commitment fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears
on the first day of each calendar quarter for the immediately preceding calendar
quarter commencing on October 1, 1997, with a final payment on the Term Out Date
or any earlier date on which the Growth Loan Commitments shall terminate.

         4.3.  REDUCTION AND TERMINATION OF TOTAL GROWTH LOAN COMMITMENT.

                  4.3.1. OPTIONAL REDUCTION OF TOTAL GROWTH LOAN COMMITMENT.
         Subject to ss.8.10, the Borrower shall have the right at any time and
         from time to time upon seven (7) Business Days prior written notice to
         the 
<PAGE>   30
                                      -23-


         Agent to reduce by $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $250,000
         thereof or terminate entirely the Total Growth Commitment, whereupon
         the Commitments of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata in accordance
         with their respective Growth Loan Commitment Percentages of the amount
         specified in such notice or, as the case may be, terminated. Promptly
         after receiving any notice of the Borrower delivered pursuant to this
         ss.4.3, the Agent will notify the Banks of the substance thereof. Upon
         the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the Borrower
         shall pay to the Agent for the respective accounts of the Banks the
         full amount of any commitment fee then accrued on the amount of the
         reduction. No reduction or termination of the Growth Loan Commitments
         may be reinstated.

                  4.3.2. TERMINATION OF TOTAL GROWTH COMMITMENT ON TERM OUT
         DATE. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to the provisions of ss.4.3.1
         or ss.15.2 hereof, the Total Growth Loan Commitment shall be in effect
         during the Growth Loan Period. On the Term Out Date, no Bank shall have
         any further commitment to make Growth Loans to the Borrower and the
         Outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Growth Loans shall
         convert into the Term Loan in accordance with ss.6.1 hereof. The "Term
         Out Date" shall initially be March 31, 2000 and may be extended from
         time to time as set forth below. The Borrower may request in writing to
         the Banks, no earlier than the March 31 and no later than the June 30
         prior to the Term Out Date then in effect, a one-year extension of the
         Growth Loan Period. A consent, if any, to the extension of the Growth
         Loan Period shall be given by the Banks no later than sixty (60) days
         following the Banks' receipt of the Borrower's written request for
         extension, provided that if any Bank does not respond to the Borrower's
         request on or prior to the date which is sixty (60) days following the
         Banks' receipt of the Borrowers' written request for extension, such
         Bank shall be deemed to have refused such request to extend the Growth
         Loan Period. If the Banks (including the Replacement Bank, if
         applicable) approve, in their sole discretion, such request in writing
         (the Banks agreeing to inform the Borrower of such approval or refusal
         to approve no later than sixty (60) days following the Banks' receipt
         of the Borrower's written request for extension), then the Term Out
         Date shall be deemed to be the next anniversary of the Term Out Date
         then in effect or such other date as the Banks may agree. The Borrower
         may take the actions permitted by ss.8.12 to replace any Bank that
         fails to agree to such extension. Nothing contained herein shall be
         deemed to limit the discretion of the Banks to determine whether or not
         to extend the Term Out Date.

         4.4. THE GROWTH LOAN NOTES. The Growth Loans shall be evidenced by
separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit C
hereto (each a "Growth Loan Note"), dated as of the Closing Date and completed
with appropriate insertions. One Growth Loan Note shall be payable to the order
of each Bank in a principal amount equal to such Bank's Growth Loan Commitment
or, if less, the Outstanding amount of all Growth Loans made by such Bank, plus
interest accrued thereon, as set forth below. The Borrower irrevocably
authorizes each Bank to make or cause to be made, at or about the time of the
Drawdown Date of any Growth Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment of
principal on such Bank's Growth Loan Note, an 
<PAGE>   31
                                      -24-


appropriate notation on such Bank's Growth Loan Note Record reflecting the
making of such Growth Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such payment.
The Outstanding amount of the Growth Loans set forth on such Bank's Growth Note
Record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and
unpaid to such Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording,
any such amount on such Bank's Growth Loan Note Record shall not limit or
otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Growth
Loan Note to make payments of principal of or interest on any Growth Loan Note
when due.

         4.5. INTEREST ON GROWTH LOANS. Except as otherwise provided in ss.8.11,

                  (a) Each Growth Loan that is a Base Rate Loan shall bear
         interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof and
         ending on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto at
         an annual rate equal to the sum of (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the
         Growth Loan Margin, as in effect from time to time while such Base Rate
         Loan is Outstanding.

                  (b) Each Growth Loan that is a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear
         interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof and
         ending on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto at
         an annual rate equal to the sum of (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus (ii)
         the Growth Loan Margin, as in effect from time to time while such
         Eurodollar Rate Loan is Outstanding.

                  (c) The Borrower promises to pay interest on each Growth Loan
         in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with respect thereto.

         4.6. REQUESTS FOR GROWTH LOANS. The Borrower shall give to the Agent
written notice in the form of Exhibit D hereto (or telephonic notice confirmed
in a writing in the form of Exhibit D hereto) of each Growth Loan requested
hereunder (a "Growth Loan Request") no less than (a) prior to 12:00 Noon, Boston
time, on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Base Rate Loan and (b) 12:00 Noon,
Boston time, two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the proposed Drawdown
Date of any Eurodollar Rate Loan. Each such notice shall specify (w) the
principal amount of the Growth Loan requested, (x) the proposed Drawdown Date of
such Growth Loan, (y) the Interest Period for such Growth Loan and (z) the Type
of such Growth Loan. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Agent shall notify
each of the Banks thereof prior to 1:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the same day of
the receipt of such notice Each Growth Loan Request shall be irrevocable and
binding on the Borrower and shall obligate the Borrower to accept the Loan
requested from the Banks on the proposed Drawdown Date. Each Loan Request shall
be in a minimum aggregate amount of $250,000 or an integral multiple thereof.

         4.7.  CONVERSION OPTIONS.

                  4.7.1. CONVERSION TO DIFFERENT TYPE OF GROWTH LOAN. The
         Borrower may elect from time to time to convert any Outstanding Growth
         Loan to a Growth Loan of another Type, provided that (a) with respect
         to any such conversion of a Growth Loan to a Base Rate Loan, the
         Borrower shall give the Agent at least two (2) Eurodollar Business Days
         prior written notice of such 
<PAGE>   32
                                      -25-


         election; (b) with respect to any such conversion of a Base Rate Loan
         to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Borrower shall give the Agent at least
         two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior written notice of such election;
         (c) with respect to any such conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan into
         a Growth Loan of another Type, such conversion shall only be made on
         the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto and (d) no
         Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan when any Default or
         Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. On the date on which
         such conversion is being made each Bank shall take such action as is
         necessary to transfer its Growth Loan Commitment Percentage of such
         Growth Loans to its Domestic Lending Office or its Eurodollar Lending
         Office, as the case may be. All or any part of Outstanding Growth Loans
         of any Type may be converted into a Growth Loan of another Type as
         provided herein, provided that any partial conversion shall be in an
         aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000
         in excess thereof. Each Conversion Request relating to the conversion
         of a Growth Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be irrevocable by the
         Borrower.

                  4.7.2. CONTINUATION OF TYPE OF GROWTH LOAN. Any Growth Loan of
         any Type may be continued as a Growth Loan of the same Type upon the
         expiration of an Interest Period with respect thereto by compliance by
         the Borrower with the notice provisions contained in ss.4.7.1; provided
         that no Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued as such when any Default
         or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, but shall be
         automatically converted to a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the
         first Interest Period relating thereto ending during the continuance of
         any Default or Event of Default of which officers of the Agent active
         upon the Borrower's account have actual knowledge. In the event that
         the Borrower fails to provide any such notice with respect to the
         continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan as such, then such Eurodollar
         Rate Loan shall be automatically converted to a Base Rate Loan on the
         last day of the first Interest Period relating thereto. The Agent shall
         notify the Banks promptly when any such automatic conversion
         contemplated by this ss.4.7 is scheduled to occur.

                  4.7.3. EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. Any conversion to or from Growth
         Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in such amounts and be
         made pursuant to such elections so that, after giving effect thereto,
         the aggregate principal amount of all Loans that are Eurodollar Rate
         Loans having the same Interest Period shall not be less than $500,000
         or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof. With respect to
         Growth Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans having different Interest
         Periods, at no time shall there be more than two (2) such Loans.

         4.8.  FUNDS FOR GROWTH LOAN.

                  4.8.1. FUNDING PROCEDURES. Not later than 2:00 p.m. (Boston
         time) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Growth Loans, each of the
         Banks will make available to the Agent, at its Head Office, in
         immediately available funds, the amount of such Bank's Growth Loan
         Commitment Percentage of the amount of the requested Loans. Upon
         receipt from each Bank of such amount, and upon 
<PAGE>   33
                                      -26-



         receipt of the documents required by ss.ss.13 and 14 and the
         satisfaction of the other conditions set forth therein, to the extent
         applicable, the Agent will make available to the Borrower the aggregate
         amount of such Growth Loans made available to the Agent by the Banks.
         The failure or refusal of any Bank to make available to the Agent at
         the aforesaid time and place on any Drawdown Date the amount of its
         Growth Loan Commitment Percentage of the requested Growth Loans shall
         not relieve any other Bank from its several obligation hereunder to
         make available to the Agent the amount of such other Bank's Growth Loan
         Commitment Percentage of any requested Growth Loans.

                  4.8.2. ADVANCES BY AGENT. The Agent may, unless notified to
         the contrary by any Bank prior to a Drawdown Date, assume that such
         Bank has made available to the Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount
         of such Bank's Growth Loan Commitment Percentage of the Growth Loans to
         be made on such Drawdown Date, and the Agent may (but it shall not be
         required to), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
         Borrower a corresponding amount. If any Bank makes available to the
         Agent such amount on a date after such Drawdown Date, such Bank shall
         pay to the Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (a) the
         average computed for the period referred to in clause (c) below, of the
         weighted average interest rate paid by the Agent for federal funds
         acquired by the Agent during each day included in such period, times
         (b) the amount of such Bank's Growth Loan Commitment Percentage of such
         Growth Loans, times (c) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
         number of days that elapse from and including such Drawdown Date to the
         date on which the amount of such Bank's Growth Loan Commitment
         Percentage of such Growth Loans shall become immediately available to
         the Agent, and the denominator of which is 360. A statement of the
         Agent submitted to such Bank with respect to any amounts owing under
         this paragraph shall be prima facie evidence of the amount due and
         owing to the Agent by such Bank. If the amount of such Bank's Growth
         Loan Commitment Percentage of such Growth Loans is not made available
         to the Agent by such Bank within three (3) Business Days following such
         Drawdown Date, the Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount from
         the Borrower on demand, with interest thereon at the rate per annum
         applicable to the Growth Loans made on such Drawdown Date.

                        5. REPAYMENT OF THE GROWTH LOANS.

         5.1. MANDATORY REPAYMENTS OF GROWTH LOANS. If at any time the
Outstanding amount of the Growth Loans exceeds the Total Growth Loan Commitment
then the Borrower shall immediately pay the amount of such excess to the Agent
for the respective accounts of the Banks for application to the Outstanding
Growth Loans. Each prepayment of Growth Loans shall be allocated among the
Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid
principal amount of each Bank's Growth Loan Note, with adjustments to the extent
practicable to equalize any prior payments or repayments not exactly in
proportion.

         5.2. OPTIONAL REPAYMENTS OF GROWTH LOANS. The Borrower shall have the
right, at its election, subject to ss.8.10, to repay the Outstanding amount of
the Growth Loans, as a whole or in part, at any time without penalty or premium.
The Borrower 
<PAGE>   34
                                      -27-



shall give the Agent, no later than 12:00 Noon, Boston time, on the date of any
proposed prepayment prior written notice of any proposed prepayment pursuant to
this ss.5.2 of Base Rate Loans, and two (2) Eurodollar Business Days notice of
any proposed prepayment pursuant to this ss.5.2 of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in
each case specifying the proposed date of prepayment of Growth Loans and the
principal amount to be prepaid. Each such partial prepayment of the Growth Loans
shall be in an amount equal to $500,000 or an integral multiple of $250,000 in
excess thereof, shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued interest on the
principal prepaid to the date of prepayment and shall be applied, in the absence
of instruction by the Borrower, first to the principal of Base Rate Loans and
then to the principal of Eurodollar Rate Loans. Each partial prepayment shall be
allocated among the Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the
respective unpaid principal amount of each Bank's Growth Loan Note, with
adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize any prior repayments not
exactly in proportion.

                                6. THE TERM LOAN.

         6.1. CONVERSION OF GROWTH LOANS INTO THE TERM LOAN. Upon the occurrence
of the Term Out Date, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, an
amount equal to the sum of the aggregate amount of Growth Loans Outstanding on
such date (the "Growth Loan Amount") shall automatically convert into the Term
Loan. The portion of the Term Loan owed to each Bank shall be equal to the
portion of the then Outstanding Growth Loans owing to such Bank. On the Term Out
Date, Schedule 1 hereto shall be revised to reflect the Term Loan Percentage of
each of the Banks.

         6.2. THE NOTES. The Term Loan shall be evidenced by the Growth Loan
Notes executed and delivered to the Banks in accordance with ss.4.4. The
Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make or cause to be made a notation
on such Bank's Growth Loan Note Record reflecting the original principal amount
of such Bank's portion of the Term Loan and, at or about the time of such Bank's
receipt of any principal payment of the Term Loan, an appropriate notation on
such Bank's Growth Loan Note Record reflecting such payment. The aggregate
unpaid amount set forth on such Bank's Growth Loan Note Record shall be
rebuttable presumptive evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid
to such Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such
amount on such Bank's Growth Loan Note Record shall not affect the actual amount
of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Growth Loan Note to
make payments of principal of and interest on any Growth Loan Note when due.

         6.3. MANDATORY PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL OF TERM LOAN. The Borrower
promises to pay to the Agent for the account of the Banks the principal amount
of the Term Loan in sixteen (16) consecutive equal quarterly payments of
principal, with each such quarterly payment to be equal to the product of (a)
6.25% times (b) the Growth Loan Amount, such installments to be due and payable
on the first day of each calendar quarter of each calendar year, commencing on
the last day of the quarter in which the Term Out Date occurs, with a final
payment on the Term Loan Maturity Date in an amount equal to the unpaid balance
of the Term Loan.
<PAGE>   35
                                      -28-


         6.4. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT OF TERM LOAN. The Borrower shall have the
right at any time to prepay the Term Notes on or before the Term Loan Maturity
Date, as a whole, or in part, upon written notice to the Agent of such
prepayment no later than 12:00 Noon (x) on the date of such election with
respect to Base Rate Loans and (y) at least two (2) Eurodollar Business Days
prior written notice of such election with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans,
without premium or penalty, provided that (a) each partial prepayment shall be
in a minimum principal amount equal to $500,000 or an integral multiple of
$250,000 in excess thereof subject to ss.8.10, (b) no portion of the Term Loan
bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate may be prepaid pursuant to this ss.6.4
except on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, and (c) each
partial prepayment shall be allocated among the Banks, in proportion, as nearly
as practicable, to the respective Outstanding amount of each Bank's Growth Loan
Note, with adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize any prior
prepayments not exactly in proportion. Any prepayment of principal of the Term
Loan shall be applied against the scheduled installments of principal due on the
Term Loan in the inverse order of maturity. All interest accrued to the date of
prepayment shall be paid on the earlier to occur of the next Interest Payment
Date occurring as if such Term Loan had not been prepaid or, if earlier, on the
Term Loan Maturity Date. No amount repaid with respect to the Term Loan may be
reborrowed.

         6.5.  INTEREST ON TERM LOAN.

                  6.5.1. INTEREST RATES. From and after the Term Out Date,
         except as otherwise provided in ss.8.11 hereof, (a) to the extent that
         all or any portion of the Term Loan is a Base Rate Loan, the Term Loan
         on such portion shall bear interest during the applicable Interest
         Period at the rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Growth
         Loan Margin plus the Additional Percentage, and (b) to the extent that
         all or any portion of the Term Loan is a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Term
         Loan on such portion shall bear interest during the applicable Interest
         Period at the rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined
         for such Interest Period plus the Growth Loan Margin plus the
         Additional Percentage. The Borrower promises to pay interest on each
         Base Rate Loan and each Eurodollar Rate Loan Outstanding during each
         Interest Period in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable to
         such Interest Period.

                  6.5.2. INTEREST RATE OPTIONS. After each of the Growth Loans
         shall have been converted into a portion of the Term Loan, the
         provisions of ss.4.7 hereof shall apply (with the necessary changes in
         points of detail) with respect to each such portion of the Term Loan so
         that the Borrower may have the same interest rate options with respect
         to each such portion of the Term Loan as it would be entitled to with
         respect to the Growth Loans.

                  6.5.3. AMOUNTS, ETC. Any portion of the Term Loan bearing
         interest at a rate calculated by reference to the Eurodollar Rate
         relating to any Interest Period shall be in a minimum amount of
         $500,000; provided, however, that the Borrower may have one Eurodollar
         Rate Loan with respect to the Term Loan in an amount less than
         $500,000, which shall (a) be in a minimum amount of $250,000, (b) be in
         an amount equal to the next maturing installment of the principal on
         the Term Loan, and (c) have an Interest Period ending not later 
<PAGE>   36
                                      -29-

         than the due date of such installment. No Interest Period relating to
         any portion of the Term Loan bearing interest at a rate calculated by
         reference to the Eurodollar Rate shall extend beyond the date on which
         a regularly scheduled installment payment of the principal of the Term
         Loan is to be made unless a portion of the Term Loan at least equal to
         such installment payment has an Interest Period ending on such date or
         is then bearing interest at a rate calculated by reference to the Base
         Rate.

                  6.5.4. CONVERSION FROM GROWTH LOANS. On the Term Out Date, the
         portions of the Term Loan into which any Growth Loans were converted
         shall continue to be the same Type of Loan for the applicable Interest
         Periods elected with respect thereto and the Borrower shall pay
         interest on the applicable Interest Payment Dates with respect thereto,
         provided, that any change in the interest rate spreads over the
         interest rate applicable to any of the Loans, resulting from the
         conversion of the Growth Loans into a portion of the Term Loan shall be
         effective as of the Term Out Date.

                              7. LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         7.1.  LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT.

                  7.1.1. COMMITMENT TO ISSUE LETTERS OF CREDIT. Subject to the
         terms and conditions hereof and the execution and delivery by the
         Borrower of a letter of credit application on BKB's customary form (a
         "Letter of Credit Application"), BKB upon the representations and
         warranties of the Borrower contained herein, agrees, in its individual
         capacity, to issue, extend and renew for the account of the Borrower
         one or more standby letters of credit (individually, a "Letter of
         Credit"), in such form as may be requested from time to time by the
         Borrower and agreed to by BKB; provided, however, that, after giving
         effect to such request, (a) the sum of the aggregate Maximum Drawing
         Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations shall not exceed
         $5,000,000 at any one time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, BKB shall
         have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit to support or secure
         any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the
         extent that such Indebtedness was incurred prior to the proposed
         issuance date of such Letter of Credit, unless in any such case the
         Borrower demonstrates to the satisfaction of BKB that (x) such prior
         incurred Indebtedness were then fully secured by a prior perfected and
         unavoidable security interest in collateral provided by the Borrower or
         such Subsidiary to the proposed beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or
         (y) such prior incurred Indebtedness were then secured or supported by
         a letter of credit issued for the account of the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary and the reimbursement obligation with respect to such letter
         of credit was fully secured by a prior perfected and unavoidable
         security interest in collateral provided to the issuer of such letter
         of credit by the Borrower or such Subsidiary. The letters of credit
         issued by BKB under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term
         Loan Agreement dated as of June 29, 1994 (as amended and in effect as
         of the Closing Date) by and among the Borrower, PFR, Bank of Tokyo,
         Ltd., Atlanta Agency, First American National Bank, the other banking
         institutions party thereto, and BKB, individually and as Agent for the
<PAGE>   37
                                      -30-


         Banks, a list of which is attached hereto as Schedule 7.1.1 shall be
         Letters of Credit under this Credit Agreement.

                  7.1.2. LETTER OF CREDIT APPLICATIONS. Each Letter of Credit
         Application shall be completed to the satisfaction of BKB. In the event
         that any provision of any Letter of Credit Application shall be
         inconsistent with any provision of this Credit Agreement, then the
         provisions of this Credit Agreement shall, to the extent of any such
         inconsistency, govern.

                  7.1.3. TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Each Letter of Credit
         issued, extended or renewed hereunder shall, among other things, (a)
         provide for the payment of sight drafts for honor thereunder when
         presented in accordance with the terms thereof and when accompanied by
         the documents described therein, and (b) have an expiry date no later
         than the date which is fourteen (14) days (or, if the Letter of Credit
         is confirmed by a confirmer or otherwise provides for one or more
         nominated persons, forty-five (45) days) prior to the Letter of Credit
         Maturity Date. Each Letter of Credit so issued, extended or renewed
         shall be subject to the Uniform Customs.

         7.2. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER. In order to induce BKB
to issue, extend and renew each Letter of Credit the Borrower hereby agrees to
reimburse or pay to BKB, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued, extended
or renewed by BKB hereunder,

                  (a) except as otherwise expressly provided in ss.7.2(b), on
         each date that any draft presented under such Letter of Credit is
         honored by BKB, or BKB otherwise makes a payment with respect thereto,
         (i) the amount paid by BKB under or with respect to such Letter of
         Credit, and (ii) the amount of any taxes, fees, charges or other costs
         and expenses whatsoever incurred by BKB in connection with any payment
         made by BKB under, or with respect to, such Letter of Credit,

                  (b) upon the acceleration of the Reimbursement Obligations
         with respect to all Letters of Credit in accordance with ss.15, an
         amount equal to the then Maximum Drawing Amount on all Letters of
         Credit, which amount shall be held by BKB as cash collateral for all
         Reimbursement Obligations.

Each such payment shall be made to BKB at BKB's Head Office in immediately
available funds. Interest on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the
Borrower under this ss.7.2 at any time from the date such amounts become due and
payable (whether as stated in this ss.7.2, by acceleration or otherwise) until
payment in full (whether before or after judgment) shall be payable to BKB on
demand at the rate specified in ss.8.11 for overdue principal on the Loans.

         7.3. LETTER OF CREDIT PAYMENTS. If any draft shall be presented or
other demand for payment shall be made under any Letter of Credit, BKB shall
notify the Borrower of the date and amount of the draft presented or demand for
payment and of the date and time when it expects to pay such draft or honor such
demand for payment. The responsibility of BKB to the Borrower shall be only to
determine that the documents (including each draft) delivered under each Letter
of Credit in connection with such presentment shall be in conformity in all
material respects with such Letter of Credit.
<PAGE>   38
                                      -31-


         7.4. OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Borrower's obligations under this ss.7
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and
irrespective of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any
condition precedent whatsoever or any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
which the Borrower may have or have had against BKB or any beneficiary of a
Letter of Credit. The Borrower further agrees with BKB that BKB shall not be
responsible for, and the Borrower's Reimbursement Obligations under ss.7.2 shall
not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents
or of any endorsements thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to
be in any or all respects invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between
or among the Borrower, the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any financing
institution or other party to which any Letter of Credit may be transferred or
any claims or defenses whatsoever of the Borrower against the beneficiary of any
Letter of Credit or any such transferee. BKB shall not be liable for any error,
omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any
message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit.
The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by BKB under or in
connection with each Letter of Credit and the related drafts and documents, if
done in good faith, shall be binding upon the Borrower and shall not result in
any liability on the part of BKB to the Borrower.

         7.5. RELIANCE BY ISSUER. To the extent not inconsistent with ss.7.4,
BKB shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any
Letter of Credit, draft, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate,
affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message,
statement, order or other document believed by it to be genuine and correct and
to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon
advice and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other
experts selected by BKB.

         7.6. LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. With respect to each Letter of Credit issued
hereunder, the Borrower shall pay to BKB for its own account an annual fee (the
"Letter of Credit Fee") for each Letter of Credit calculated at the rate offered
by BKB to the Borrower with respect to such Letter of Credit provided such
Letter of Credit Fee shall not exceed one percent (1%) plus BKB's customary
processing and issuance fee. The Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable quarterly
in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter for the quarter
then ended, commencing on October 1, 1997, and on the Letter of Credit Maturity
Date. In addition, a fronting fee of one-eighth of one percent (1/8%) shall be
payable to BKB.

                         8. CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.

         8.1. UNDERWRITING FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent on the
Closing Date an underwriting fee in the amount set forth in the Fee Letter.
<PAGE>   39
                                      -32-


         8.2. AGENT'S FEE. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent annually in
advance, for the Agent's own account, on the Closing Date and on each
anniversary of the Closing Date, an Agent's fee in the amount set forth in the
Fee Letter.

         8.3.  FUNDS FOR PAYMENTS.

                  8.3.1. PAYMENTS TO AGENT. All payments of principal, interest,
         Reimbursement Obligations, commitment fees, Letter of Credit Fees and
         any other amounts due hereunder or under any of the other Loan
         Documents shall be made to the Agent, for the respective accounts of
         the Banks and the Agent, at the Agent's Head Office or at such other
         location in the Boston, Massachusetts, area that the Agent may from
         time to time designate, in each case in immediately available funds.

                  8.3.2. NO OFFSET, ETC. All payments by the Borrower hereunder
         and under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without setoff
         or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for any
         taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions,
         withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any
         nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any
         political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein
         unless the Borrower is compelled by law to make such deduction or
         withholding. If any such obligation is imposed upon the Borrower with
         respect to any amount payable by it hereunder or under any of the other
         Loan Documents, the Borrower will pay to the Agent, for the account of
         the Banks or (as the case may be) the Agent, on the date on which such
         amount is due and payable hereunder or under such other Loan Document,
         such additional amount in Dollars as shall be necessary to enable the
         Banks or the Agent to receive the same net amount which the Banks or
         the Agent would have received on such due date had no such obligation
         been imposed upon the Borrower. The Borrower will deliver promptly to
         the Agent certificates or other valid vouchers for all taxes or other
         charges deducted from or paid with respect to payments made by the
         Borrower hereunder or under such other Loan Document.

         8.4. COMPUTATIONS. All computations of interest on the Loans and of
commitment fees, Letter of Credit Fees or other fees shall, unless otherwise
expressly provided herein, be based on a 360-day year and paid for the actual
number of days elapsed. Except as otherwise provided in the definition of the
term "Interest Period" with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, whenever a payment
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents becomes due on a day that is
not a Business Day, the due date for such payment shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day, and interest shall accrue during such extension. The
Outstanding amount of the Loans as reflected on the Revolving Credit Note
Records and the Growth Loan Note Records from time to time shall be considered
correct and binding on the Borrower unless within five (5) Business Days after
receipt of any notice by the Agent or any of the Banks of such Outstanding
amount, the Agent or such Bank shall notify the Borrower to the contrary.

         8.5. INABILITY TO DETERMINE EURODOLLAR RATE. In the event, prior to the
commencement of any Interest Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
Agent 
<PAGE>   40
                                      -33-


shall determine or be notified by the Majority Banks that adequate and
reasonable methods do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate that would
otherwise determine the rate of interest to be applicable to any Eurodollar Rate
Loan during any Interest Period, the Agent shall forthwith give notice of such
determination (which shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the
Banks) to the Borrower and the Banks. In such event (a) any Revolving Credit
Loan Request, Growth Loan Request or Conversion Request with respect to
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be automatically withdrawn and shall be deemed a
request for Base Rate Loans, (b) each Eurodollar Rate Loan will automatically,
on the last day of the then current Interest Period relating thereto, become a
Base Rate Loan, and (c) the obligations of the Banks to make Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be suspended until the Agent or the Majority Banks determine that
the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, whereupon the
Agent or, as the case may be, the Agent upon the instruction of the Majority
Banks, shall so notify the Borrower and the Banks.

         8.6. ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any
present or future law, regulation, treaty or directive or in the interpretation
or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Bank to make or maintain
Eurodollar Rate Loans, such Bank shall forthwith give notice of such
circumstances to the Borrower and the other Banks and thereupon (a) the
commitment of such Bank to make Eurodollar Rate Loans or convert Loans of
another Type to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall forthwith be suspended and (b) such
Bank's Loans then Outstanding as Eurodollar Rate Loans, if any, shall be
converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on the last day of each Interest
Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loans or within such earlier period as
may be required by law. The Borrower hereby agrees promptly to pay the Agent for
the account of such Bank, upon demand by such Bank, any additional amounts
necessary to compensate such Bank for any costs incurred by such Bank in making
any conversion in accordance with this ss.8.6, including any interest or fees
payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to make or
maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder.

         8.7. ADDITIONAL COSTS, ETC. If any present or future applicable law,
which expression, as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations
thereunder and interpretations thereof by any competent court or by any
governmental or other regulatory body or official charged with the
administration or the interpretation thereof and requests, directives,
instructions and notices at any time or from time to time hereafter made upon or
otherwise issued to any Bank or the Agent by any central bank or other fiscal,
monetary or other authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall:

                  (a) subject any Bank or the Agent to any tax, levy, impost,
         duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature with respect
         to this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any Letters of
         Credit, such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment, such Bank's Growth
         Commitment, or the Loans (other than taxes based upon or measured by
         the income or profits of such Bank or the Agent), or

                  (b) materially change the basis of taxation (except for
         changes in taxes on income or profits) of payments to any Bank of the
         principal of or the interest 
<PAGE>   41
                                      -34-


         on any Loans or any other amounts payable to any Bank or the Agent
         under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or

                  (c) impose or increase or render applicable (other than to the
         extent specifically provided for elsewhere in this Credit Agreement)
         any special deposit, reserve, assessment, liquidity, capital adequacy
         or other similar requirements (whether or not having the force of law)
         against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, or loans
         by, or letters of credit issued by, or commitments of an office of any
         Bank, or

                  (d) impose on any Bank or the Agent any other conditions or
         requirements with respect to this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
         Documents, any Letters of Credit, the Loans, such Bank's Revolving
         Credit Commitment or Growth Loan Commitment, or any class of loans,
         letters of credit or commitments of which any of the Loans or such
         Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment or Growth Loan Commitment forms a
         part, and the result of any of the foregoing is

                           (i) to increase the cost to any Bank of making,
                  funding, issuing, renewing, extending or maintaining any of
                  the Loans, such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment or Growth
                  Loan Commitment, or any Letter of Credit, or

                           (ii) to reduce the amount of principal, interest,
                  Reimbursement Obligation or other amount payable to such Bank
                  or the Agent hereunder on account of such Bank's Revolving
                  Credit Commitment or Growth Loan Commitment, any Letter of
                  Credit or any of the Loans, or

                           (iii) to require such Bank or the Agent to make any
                  payment or to forego any interest or Reimbursement Obligation
                  or other sum payable hereunder, the amount of which payment or
                  foregone interest or Reimbursement Obligation or other sum is
                  calculated by reference to the gross amount of any sum
                  receivable or deemed received by such Bank or the Agent from
                  the Borrower hereunder,

then, and in each such case, the Borrower will, upon demand made by such Bank or
(as the case may be) the Agent at any time and from time to time and as often as
the occasion therefor may arise, pay to such Bank or the Agent such additional
amounts as will be sufficient to compensate such Bank or the Agent for such
additional cost, reduction, payment or foregone interest or Reimbursement
Obligation or other sum. The Borrower may take the actions permitted by ss.8.12
to replace any Bank requiring the Borrower to pay additional costs incurred
under this ss.8.7.

         8.8. CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If after the date hereof any Bank or the Agent
determines that (a) the adoption of or change in any law, governmental rule,
regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies or any
change in the interpretation or application thereof by a court or governmental
authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (b) compliance by such Bank or the
Agent or any 
<PAGE>   42
                                      -35-


corporation controlling such Bank or the Agent with any law, governmental rule,
regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) of any such entity regarding capital adequacy, has the effect of reducing
the return on such Bank's or the Agent's commitment with respect to any Loans to
a level below that which such Bank or the Agent could have achieved but for such
adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Bank's or the
Agent's then existing policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming
full utilization of such entity's capital) by any amount deemed by such Bank or
(as the case may be) the Agent to be material, then such Bank or the Agent may
notify the Borrower of such fact. To the extent that the amount of such
reduction in the return on capital is not reflected in the Base Rate, the
Borrower and such Bank shall thereafter attempt to negotiate in good faith,
within thirty (30) days of the day on which the Borrower receives such notice,
an adjustment payable hereunder that will adequately compensate such Bank in
light of these circumstances. If the Borrower and such Bank are unable to agree
to such adjustment within thirty (30) days of the date on which the Borrower
receives such notice, then commencing on the date of such notice (but not
earlier than the effective date of any such increased capital requirement), the
fees payable hereunder shall increase by an amount that will, in such Bank's
reasonable determination, provide adequate compensation; provided, however, that
the Borrower may take the actions permitted by ss.8.12 to replace such Bank.
Each Bank shall allocate such cost increases among its customers in good faith
and on an equitable basis.

         8.9. CERTIFICATE. A certificate setting forth any additional amounts
payable pursuant to ss.ss.8.7 or 8.8 and a brief explanation of such amounts
which are due, submitted by any Bank or the Agent to the Borrower, shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error, that such amounts are due and owing.

         8.10. INDEMNITY. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank and to hold
each Bank harmless from and against any loss, cost or expense (including loss of
anticipated profits) that such Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a)
default by the Borrower in payment of the principal amount of or any interest on
any Eurodollar Rate Loans as and when due and payable, including any such loss
or expense arising from interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of
funds obtained by it in order to maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans, (b) default
by the Borrower in making a borrowing or conversion after the Borrower has given
(or is deemed to have given) a Revolving Credit Loan Request, Growth Loan
Request, notice (in the case of all or any portion of the Term Loans pursuant to
ss.6) or a Conversion Request relating thereto in accordance with ss.2.6, or
ss.2.7 or (b) the making of any payment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or the making
of any conversion of any such Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the
last day of the applicable Interest Period with respect thereto, including
interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in
order to maintain any such Loans.

         8.11.  INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT.

                  8.11.1. OVERDUE AMOUNTS. Overdue principal and (to the extent
         permitted by applicable law) interest on the Loans and all other
         overdue amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan
         Documents shall bear interest compounded monthly and payable on demand
         at a rate per annum 
<PAGE>   43
                                      -36-


         equal to three percent (3%) above the rate of interest otherwise
         applicable to such Loans until such amount shall be paid in full (after
         as well as before judgment).

                  8.11.2. AMOUNTS NOT OVERDUE. During the continuance of an
         Event of Default the principal of the Loans not overdue shall, until
         such Event of Default has been cured or remedied or such Event of
         Default has been waived by the Banks pursuant to ss.28, bear interest
         at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) above the rate of
         interest otherwise applicable to such Loans.

                  8.11.3. LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Unpaid Reimbursement
         Obligations and (to the extent permitted by law) unpaid interest
         thereon (as provided in this sentence) shall bear interest compounded
         monthly and payable on demand at a rate per annum equal to three
         percent (3%) above the Base Rate until such amount shall be paid in
         full (after as well as before judgment).

         8.12.  REPLACEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL BANKS.

                  (a) Upon the occurrence of any of the events referenced in
         ss.2.3.3, 4.3.2, 8.7 and 8.8 giving rise to the Borrower's rights to
         replace a Bank, the Borrower may (provided that at the time no Default
         or Event of Default exists or would result after giving effect to the
         Borrower's action) require such Bank (the "Substituted Bank") to assign
         all of its Loans, its Revolving Credit Commitment and its Growth Loan
         Commitment (i) to another Bank hereunder which (A) has committed to
         purchase such Loans, such Revolving Credit Commitment and such Growth
         Loan Commitment pursuant to the provisions of ss.21 and (B) agrees to
         the proposed extension, or if no such Bank exists, (ii) to an Eligible
         Assignee approved by the Agent which (A) has committed to purchase such
         Loans, such Revolving Credit Commitment and such Growth Loan Commitment
         pursuant to the provisions of ss.21 and (B) agrees to the proposed
         extension (such Bank in the case of clause (i) or such Eligible
         Assignee in the case of clause (ii) referred to herein as the
         "Replacement Bank")

                  (b) At least sixty (60) days prior to the Revolving Credit
         Loan Maturity Date or the Term Out Date, as applicable (without giving
         effect to the requested extension), the Substituted Bank shall have
         assigned pursuant to ss.21 of this Credit Agreement the Loans, the
         Revolving Credit Commitment and the Growth Loan Commitment of such
         Substituted Bank to the Replacement Bank and such Replacement Bank
         shall have purchased and accepted the Loans, the Revolving Credit
         Commitment and the Growth Loan Commitment of the Substituted Bank and
         shall have become a Bank under this Credit Agreement, having a
         Revolving Credit Commitment, Loan Commitment, and Growth Term Loan
         Percentage (as applicable) in the amount of such Substituted Bank's
         Revolving Credit Commitment, Growth Loan Commitment, and Term Loan
         Percentage and such Replacement Bank shall have simultaneously funded
         all such Loans prepaid hereunder. Additionally, the Borrower may, but
         only with the consent of all remaining Banks, remove any Bank that
         fails to agree to an extension under ss.ss.2.3.2 and 4.3.2 by prepaying
         in full all Loans and other obligations owing by the Borrower to a
         Substituted Bank in conjunction with a reduction of the Total 
<PAGE>   44
                                      -37-


         Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to ss.2.3.2, a reduction of the
         Total Growth Commitment pursuant to ss.4.3.2, and a prepayment of all
         Outstanding Loans owing to the Substituted Bank.

                       9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         The Borrower represents and warrants to the Banks and the Agent as
follows:

         9.1.  CORPORATE AUTHORITY.

                  9.1.1. EXISTENCE; GOOD STANDING. Each member of the Perkins
         Group (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
         under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization (b) has all
         requisite power to own its property and conduct its business as now
         conducted and as presently contemplated, and (c) is in good standing as
         a foreign corporation or partnership, as applicable, and is duly
         authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification
         is necessary except where a failure to be so qualified would not have a
         materially adverse effect on the business, assets or financial
         condition of such Person.

                  9.1.2. AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance
         of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any
         member of the Perkins Group is or is to become a party and the
         transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) are within the
         corporate or partnership authority (as applicable) of such Person, (b)
         have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or partnership
         proceedings (as applicable), (c) do not conflict with or result in any
         breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule or
         regulation to which such Person is subject or any judgment, order,
         writ, injunction, license or permit applicable to such Person and (d)
         do not conflict with any provision of the corporate charter or bylaws
         of, or of the certificate of limited partnership or partnership
         agreement of, or any agreement or other instrument binding upon, such
         Person.

                  9.1.3. ENFORCEABILITY. The execution and delivery of this
         Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any member of
         the Perkins Group is or is to become a party will result in valid and
         legally binding obligations of such Person enforceable against it in
         accordance with the respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof,
         except as enforceability is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting
         generally the enforcement of creditors' rights and except to the extent
         that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive
         relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
         proceeding therefor may be brought.

         9.2. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. The execution, delivery and performance by
each of the members of the Perkins Group of this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents to which each such Person is or is to become a party and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not require the approval or
consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or authority other than
those already obtained.
<PAGE>   45
                                      -38-


         9.3 Title to Properties; Leases. Except as indicated on Schedule 9.3
hereto, PFR and its Subsidiaries lease (to the extent so described in such
consolidated balance sheet or the notes thereto) or own all of the assets
reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of PFR and its Subsidiaries as at
the Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date (except property and assets
sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since that
date), subject to no rights of others, including any mortgages, leases,
conditional sales agreements, title retention agreements, liens or other
encumbrances except Permitted Liens.

         9.4.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS.

                  9.4.1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. There has been furnished to each
         of the Banks a consolidated balance sheet of PFR and its Subsidiaries
         as at the Balance Sheet Date, and consolidated statements of income and
         cash flows of PFR and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended,
         accompanied by a report and unqualified opinion of Arthur Andersen LLP
         or by another nationally recognized firm of independent certified
         public accountants satisfactory to the Agent. Such balance sheet and
         statements of income and cash flows have been prepared in accordance
         with generally accepted accounting principles and fairly present the
         financial condition of the Borrower as at the close of business on the
         date thereof and the results of operations for the fiscal year then
         ended. There are no contingent liabilities of the Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries as of such date involving material amounts, known to
         the officers of the Borrower, which were not disclosed in such balance
         sheet and the notes related thereto.

                  9.4.2. PROJECTIONS. The projections of the annual operating
         budgets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,
         balance sheets and cash flow statements for the 1997 to 2000 fiscal
         years, copies of which have been delivered to each Bank, disclose all
         assumptions made with respect to general economic, financial and market
         conditions used in formulating such projections. To the knowledge of
         the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, no facts exist that
         (individually or in the aggregate) would result in any material change
         in any of such projections. The projections are based upon reasonable
         estimates and assumptions, have been prepared on the basis of the
         assumptions stated therein and reflect the reasonable estimates of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the results of operations and other
         information projected therein, it being understood that the projections
         are not guaranties of results and that actual results will vary from
         the projections.

         9.5. NO MATERIAL CHANGES, ETC. Since the Balance Sheet Date, there has
occurred no materially adverse change in the financial condition or business of
PFR and its Subsidiaries as shown on or reflected in the consolidated balance
sheet of PFR and its Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, or the
consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended,
other than changes in the ordinary course of business that have not had any
materially adverse effect either individually or in the aggregate on the
business or financial condition of PFR or any of its Subsidiaries. Since the
Balance Sheet Date, neither PFR nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any
Distribution not permitted under the terms of this Credit Agreement.
<PAGE>   46
                                      -39-



         9.6. FRANCHISES, PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, ETC. Each of PFR and its
Subsidiaries possesses all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade
names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, adequate
for the conduct of its business substantially as now conducted without known
conflict with any rights of others.

         9.7. LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Schedule 9.7 hereto, there are
no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any kind pending or
threatened against PFR or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, tribunal or
administrative agency or board that, if adversely determined, might, either in
any case or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect the properties,
assets, financial condition or business of PFR and its Subsidiaries or
materially impair the right of PFR and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole,
to carry on business substantially as now conducted by them, or result in any
substantial liability not adequately covered by insurance, or for which adequate
reserves are not maintained on the consolidated balance sheet of PFR and its
Subsidiaries, or which question the validity of this Credit Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or
thereto.

         9.8. NO MATERIALLY ADVERSE CONTRACTS, ETC. No member of the Perkins
Group is subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any
judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation that has or is expected in the
future to have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets or financial
condition of PFR and its Subsidiaries. No member of the Perkins Group is a party
to any contract or agreement that has or is expected, in the judgment of the
officers of the Perkins Group, to have any materially adverse effect on the
business of PFR and its Subsidiaries.

         9.9. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS, LAWS, ETC. No member of the
Perkins Group is in violation of any provision of its charter documents, bylaws,
or any agreement or instrument to which it may be subject or by which it or any
of its properties may be bound or any decree, order, judgment, statute, license,
rule or regulation, in any of the foregoing cases in a manner that could result
in the imposition of substantial penalties or materially and adversely affect
the financial condition, properties or business of PFR and its Subsidiaries.

         9.10. TAX STATUS. Each member of the Perkins Group (a) has made or
filed all federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and
declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (b) has paid
all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges shown or determined to
be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested
in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and (c) has set aside on their
books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods
subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply.
There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing
authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Borrower know of no basis
for any such claim.

         9.11. NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing.

         9.12. HOLDING COMPANY AND INVESTMENT COMPANY ACTS. No member of the
Perkins Group is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
<PAGE>   47
                                      -40-


company", or an affiliate" of a "holding company", as such terms are defined in
the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; nor is any of them an
"investment company", or an "affiliated company" or a "principal underwriter" of
an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940.

         9.13. ABSENCE OF FINANCING STATEMENTS, ETC. Except with respect to
Permitted Liens, there is no financing statement, security agreement, chattel
mortgage, real estate mortgage or other document filed or recorded with any
filing records, registry or other public office, that purports to cover, affect
or give notice of any present or possible future lien on, or security interest
in, any assets or property of PFR or any of its Subsidiaries or any rights
relating thereto.

         9.14.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

                  9.14.1. IN GENERAL. Each Employee Benefit Plan has been
         maintained and operated in compliance in all material respects with the
         provisions of ERISA and, to the extent applicable, the Code, including
         but not limited to the provisions thereunder respecting prohibited
         transactions. The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Agent the
         most recently completed annual report, Form 5500, with all required
         attachments, and actuarial statement required to be submitted under
         ss.103(d) of ERISA, with respect to each Guaranteed Pension Plan.

                  9.14.2. TERMINABILITY OF WELFARE PLANS. Under each Employee
         Benefit Plan which is an employee welfare benefit plan within the
         meaning of ss.3(1) or ss.3(2)(B) of ERISA, no benefits are due unless
         the event giving rise to the benefit entitlement occurs prior to plan
         termination (except as required by Title I, Part 6 of ERISA) . The
         Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate, as appropriate, may terminate each such
         Plan at any time (or at any time subsequent to the expiration of any
         applicable bargaining agreement) in the discretion of the Borrower or
         such ERISA Affiliate without liability to any Person.

                  9.14.3. GUARANTEED PENSION PLANS. Each contribution required
         to be made to a Guaranteed Pension Plan, whether required to be made to
         avoid the incurrence of an accumulated funding deficiency, the notice
         or lien provisions of ss.302(f) of ERISA, or otherwise, has been timely
         made. No waiver of an accumulated funding deficiency or extension of
         amortization periods has been received with respect to any Guaranteed
         Pension Plan. No liability to the PBGC (other than required insurance
         premiums, all of which have been paid) has been incurred by the
         Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Guaranteed Pension
         Plan and there has not been any ERISA Reportable Event, or any other
         event or condition which presents a material risk of termination of any
         Guaranteed Pension Plan by the PBGC. Based on the latest valuation of
         each Guaranteed Pension Plan (which in each case occurred within twelve
         months of the date of this representation), and on the actuarial
         methods and assumptions employed for that valuation, the aggregate
         benefit liabilities of all such Guaranteed Pension Plans within the
         meaning of ss.4001 of ERISA did not exceed the aggregate value of the
         assets of all such Guaranteed Pension Plans, 
<PAGE>   48
                                      -41-


         disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any
         Guaranteed Pension Plan with assets in excess of benefit liabilities.

                  9.14.4. MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. Neither the Borrower nor any
         ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material liability (including
         secondary liability) to any Multiemployer Plan as a result of a
         complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan under
         ss.4201 of ERISA or as a result of a sale of assets described in
         ss.4204 of ERISA. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has been
         notified that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent
         under and within the meaning of ss.4241 or ss.4245 of ERISA or that any
         Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate or has been terminated under
         ss.4041A of ERISA.

         9.15. REGULATIONS U AND X. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans
shall be used to refinance existing debt and contingent obligations, fund
certain distributions permitted under ss.11.4 to equityholders in the form of
dividends or stock buybacks, unit growth and acquisitions, and for other working
capital and general corporate and partnership purposes. The proceeds of the
Growth Loans shall be used only to finance the purchase price of (a) Perkins
restaurants acquired by the Borrower from franchisees and (b) similar operating
restaurants. The Borrower will obtain Letters of Credit solely for working
capital and general corporate and partnership purposes. No portion of any Loan
is to be used, and no portion of any Letter of Credit is to be obtained, for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or "margin stock" as
such terms are used in Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224.

         9.16. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICES. Until the Agent receives notice of a
change, the chief executive offices of PFR and the Borrower shall be located at
6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 800, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.

         9.17. DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty made by PFR or the
Borrower in this Agreement or in any agreement, instrument, document,
certificate, statement or letter furnished to the Agent or the Banks, by or on
behalf of PFR or any Subsidiary thereof in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by any of the Loan Documents contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they are made. There is no fact known to PFR or the
Borrower which materially adversely affects, or which would, in the reasonable
judgment of the Borrower, materially adversely affect in the reasonable
foreseeable future the financial position, business, operations or affairs of
each of PFR and the Borrower.

         9.18. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. The Perkins Group has taken all
reasonable steps to investigate the past and present condition and usage of the
Real Estate and the operations conducted thereon and, based upon such reasonable
investigation, has determined that:

                  (a) none of the Perkins Group or any operator of the Real
         Estate or any operations thereon is in violation, or alleged violation,
         of any judgment, decree, 
<PAGE>   49
                                      -42-


         order, law, license, rule or regulation pertaining to environmental
         matters, or any state or local statute, regulation, ordinance, order or
         decree relating to health, safety or the environment (hereinafter
         "Environmental Laws"), which violation individually or in the aggregate
         would have a material adverse effect on the environment or the
         business, assets or financial condition of PFR or any of its
         Subsidiaries; and

                  (b) none of the Perkins Group has received notice from any
         third party including, without limitation, any federal, state or local
         governmental authority, that it is or shall be a named party to any
         claim, action, cause of action, complaint, or legal or administrative
         proceeding (in each case, contingent or otherwise) arising out of any
         Environmental Laws.

         9.19.  SUBSIDIARIES, ETC.

                  (a) Schedule 9.19 hereto, sets forth all of the Subsidiaries
         of the Borrower. Except as set forth on Schedule 9.19 hereto, none of
         the Borrower, PFR and any of their Subsidiaries is engaged in any joint
         venture or partnership with any other Person. All wholly-owned
         Subsidiaries of the Borrower and of PFR are parties to the Guaranty.

                  (b) On and as of the Closing Date (i) the Borrower has no
         Subsidiaries, and (ii) except for the Borrower, PFR has no
         Subsidiaries.

                  (c) On and as of the Closing Date, except as permitted by
         ss.11.3(h) hereof, the Borrower does not own or hold of record and/or
         beneficially (whether directly or indirectly) any shares of any class
         in the capital of any other corporations and no legal and/or beneficial
         interests in any partnership, business trust or joint venture or in any
         other unincorporated trade or business enterprise. Except for its
         general partnership interests in the Borrower and PFR, the General
         Partner does not own or hold of record and/or beneficially (whether
         directly or indirectly) any shares of any class in the capital of any
         corporations and no legal and/or beneficial interests in any
         partnership, business trust or joint venture or in any other
         unincorporated trade or business enterprise.

                  (d) On and as of the Closing Date, no Person has any
         partnership or other equity ownership interest in the Borrower, or any
         right to acquire such interest, except for the General Partner and the
         Limited Partner who collectively own and hold all of the partnership
         interests in the Borrower.

                  (e) On and as of the Closing Date, PFR owns no assets, and
         conducts no business, other than in respect of holding Equity Interests
         in the Borrower constituting 99% of the entire Equity Interests of the
         Borrower.

                  (f) On and as of the Closing Date, the General Partner owns no
         assets and conducts no business, other than acting as general partner
         of, and holding 1% general partnership interests in, each of PFR and
         the Borrower.
<PAGE>   50
                                      -43-





         9.20. FISCAL YEAR. Each of PFR and the Borrower has a fiscal year
ending December 31 of each year.


                           10. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

         Each of PFR and the Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any
Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is Outstanding
or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans or BKB has any obligation to
issue, extend or renew any Letters of Credit:

         10.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENT. The Borrower will duly and punctually pay or
cause to be paid the principal and interest on the Loans, all Reimbursement
Obligations, the Letter of Credit Fees, the commitment fees, the underwriting
fee, the Agent's fee and all other amounts provided for in this Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is
a party, all in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement and such
other Loan Documents.

         10.2. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE. PFR and the Borrower will maintain their
chief executive offices in Memphis, Tennessee, or at such other place in the
United States of America as the Borrower shall designate upon written notice to
the Agent, where notices, presentations and demands to or upon the Borrower in
respect of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party may be given or
made.

         10.3. RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS. PFR will (a) keep, and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to keep, true and accurate records and books of account in which
full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and (b) maintain adequate accounts and reserves
for all taxes (including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence
and amortization of its properties and the properties of its Subsidiaries,
contingencies, and other reserves.

         10.4.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CERTIFICATES AND INFORMATION.  The  
Borrower will deliver to each of the Banks:

                  (a) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
         ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the
         consolidated balance sheet of PFR and its Subsidiaries as at the end of
         such year, and the related consolidated statement of income and
         consolidated statement of cash flow for such year, each setting forth
         in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year and all
         such consolidated statements to be in reasonable detail, prepared in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and certified
         without qualification by Arthur Andersen LLP or by other independent
         certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing,
         selected by the General Partner, together with a written statement from
         such accountants to the effect that they have read a copy of this
         Credit Agreement, and that, in making the examination necessary to said
         certification, they have obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event
         of Default, or, if such accountants shall have obtained knowledge of
         any then existing Default or Event of Default they shall disclose in
         such statement any such Default or Event of Default; provided that
<PAGE>   51
                                      -44-

         such accountants shall not be liable to the Banks for failure to obtain
         knowledge of any Default or Event of Default;

                  (b) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
         forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the fiscal quarters of
         the Borrower, copies of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of PFR
         and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and the related
         consolidated statement of income and consolidated statement of cash
         flow for the portion of the fiscal year then elapsed, all in reasonable
         detail and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
         principles, together with a certification by the principal financial or
         accounting officer of the Borrower that the information contained in
         such financial statements fairly presents the financial position of PFR
         and its Subsidiaries on the date thereof (subject to year-end
         adjustments);

                  (c) promptly upon request therefor by the Agent, copies of all
         management letters of substance and other material reports of substance
         which are submitted to PFR or the Borrower by its independent
         accountants in connection with any annual or interim audit of the books
         of the Borrower, PFR or their Subsidiaries made by such accountants;

                  (d) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
         statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a statement
         certified by the principal financial or accounting officer of the
         General Partner in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto and
         setting forth in reasonable detail computations evidencing compliance
         with the covenants contained in ss.12 and (if applicable)
         reconciliations to reflect changes in generally accepted accounting
         principles since the Balance Sheet Date as well as calculation for the
         purpose for determining the Applicable Commitment Rate, the Eurodollar
         Rate Margin and the Growth Loan Margin;

                  (e) contemporaneously with the filing or mailing thereof,
         copies of all material of a financial nature filed with the Securities
         and Exchange Commission by the Perkins Group or sent to the limited
         partners of the Borrower and PFR; and;

                  (f) from time to time such other financial data and
         information as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

         10.5.  NOTICES.

                  10.5.1. DEFAULTS. PFR will, and will cause each of its
         Subsidiaries to, promptly notify the Agent in writing of the occurrence
         of any Default or Event of Default. If any Person shall give any notice
         or take any other action in respect of a claimed default (whether or
         not constituting an Event of Default) under this Credit Agreement or
         any other note, evidence of indebtedness, indenture or other obligation
         to which or with respect to which PFR or any of its Subsidiaries is a
         party or obligor, whether as principal, guarantor, surety or otherwise,
         the Borrower shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the Agent
         and each of the Banks, describing the notice or action and the nature
         of the claimed default.
<PAGE>   52
                                      -45-



                  10.5.2. ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS. PFR will, and will cause each of
         its Subsidiaries to, promptly give notice to the Agent (a) of any
         violation of any Environmental Law that PFR or any of its Subsidiaries
         reports in writing or is reportable by such Person in writing (or for
         which any written report supplemental to any oral report is made) to
         any federal, state or local environmental agency and (b) upon becoming
         aware thereof, of any inquiry, proceeding, investigation, or other
         action, including a notice from any agency of potential environmental
         liability, of any federal, state or local environmental agency or
         board, that has the potential to materially affect the assets,
         liabilities, financial conditions or operations of PFR and its
         Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  10.5.3. NOTICE OF LITIGATION AND JUDGMENTS. PFR will, and will
         cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the Agent in writing
         within fifteen (15) days of becoming aware of any litigation or
         proceedings threatened in writing or any pending litigation and
         proceedings affecting PFR or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a party involving an
         uninsured claim against PFR or any of its Subsidiaries that could
         reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on PFR or
         any of its Subsidiaries and stating the nature and status of such
         litigation or proceedings. PFR will, and will cause each of its
         Subsidiaries to, give notice to the Agent, in writing, in form and
         detail satisfactory to the Agent, within ten (10) days of any judgment
         not covered by insurance, final or otherwise, against the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $500,000.

         10.6.  CORPORATE EXISTENCE; MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.

                  10.6.1. EXISTENCE AND CONVERSION TO CORPORATE FORM. Each of
         PFR and its Subsidiaries will do or cause to be done all things
         necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence,
         rights and franchises and the corporate and existence rights and
         franchises (as applicable), of its Subsidiaries and will not, and will
         not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convert to a limited
         liability company or limited liability partnership. Notwithstanding
         anything herein to the contrary, each of the Borrower and PFR shall
         have the right at any time to convert from partnership form to
         corporate form (and have The Restaurant Company merge with and into
         PFR) upon not less than thirty (30) days prior notice to the Agent,
         provided (a) such Person as converted is a corporation duly organized
         and validly existing under the laws of a state of the United States
         with full corporate power to perform and observe the obligations of
         such Person under the Loan Documents; (b) the charter documents and
         capital structure of such Person as converted, and all documentation
         relating to the conversion, are provided to the Banks and the Agent not
         less than thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the
         conversion and are reasonably satisfactory to the Banks and the Agent;
         (c) such Person as converted shall enter into documents, reasonably
         satisfactory in form and substance to the Banks and the Agent,
         expressly assuming the obligations of such Person under the Loan
         Documents; and (d) such Person shall deliver to the Banks and the Agent
         legal opinions, from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Banks and
         the Agent and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
         Banks and the Agent, as to 
<PAGE>   53
                                      -46-


         the assumption of the obligations of such Person under the Loan
         Documents after the conversion of such Person.

                  10.6.2. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. Each of PFR and its
         Subsidiaries (a) will cause all of its properties and those of its
         Subsidiaries used or useful in the conduct of its business or the
         business of its Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good
         condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
         equipment, (b) will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
         replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the
         judgment of PFR may be necessary so that the business carried on in
         connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at
         all times, and (c) will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
         continue to engage primarily in the businesses now conducted by them
         and in related businesses; provided that nothing in this ss.10.6 shall
         prevent any member of the Perkins Group from discontinuing the
         operation and maintenance of any of its properties or any of those of
         its Subsidiaries if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of PFR,
         desirable in the conduct of its or their business and that do not in
         the aggregate materially adversely affect the business of PFR and its
         Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

         10.7. INSURANCE. PFR will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with respect to
its properties and business against such casualties and contingencies as shall
be in accordance with the general practices of businesses engaged in similar
activities in similar geographic areas and in amounts, containing such terms, in
such forms and for such periods as may be reasonable and prudent.

         10.8. TAXES. PFR will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, duly
pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, before the same shall
become overdue, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed
upon it and its real properties, sales and activities, or any part thereof, or
upon the income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims for labor,
materials, or supplies that if unpaid might by law become a lien or charge upon
any of its property; provided that any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or
claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if PFR or such Subsidiary
shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto; and
provided further that PFR and each Subsidiary of the Borrower will pay all such
taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims forthwith upon the commencement of
proceedings to foreclose any lien that may have attached as security therefor.

         10.9. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS, ETC. PFR shall permit the
Banks, through the Agent or any of the Agent's designated representatives, to
visit and inspect any of the properties of PFR or any of its Subsidiaries, to
examine the books of account of PFR and its Subsidiaries (and to make copies
thereof and extracts therefrom), and to discuss the affairs, finances and
accounts of PFR and its Subsidiaries with, and to be advised as to the same by,
its and their officers, all at such reasonable times and intervals as the Agent
or any Bank may reasonably request.
<PAGE>   54
                                      -47-



         10.10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, CONTRACTS, LICENSES, AND PERMITS. PFR
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with (a) the applicable
laws and regulations wherever its business is conducted, including all
Environmental Laws, (b) the provisions of its charter documents and by-laws, (c)
all agreements and instruments by which it or any of its properties may be bound
and (d) all applicable decrees, orders, and judgments. If any authorization,
consent, approval, permit or license from any officer, agency or instrumentality
of any government shall become necessary or required in order that PFR or any of
its Subsidiaries may fulfill any of its obligations hereunder or any of the
other Loan Documents to which PFR or such Subsidiary is a party, PFR will, or
(as the case may be) will cause such Subsidiary to, immediately take or cause to
be taken all reasonable steps within the power of or such Subsidiary to obtain
such authorization, consent, approval, permit or license and furnish the Agent
and the Banks with evidence thereof.

         10.11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The Borrower will, upon the request of
the Agent, (a) promptly upon filing the same with the Department of Labor or
Internal Revenue Service furnish to the Agent a copy of the most recent
actuarial statement required to be submitted under ss.103(d) of ERISA and Annual
Report, Form 5500, with all required attachments, in respect of each Guaranteed
Pension Plan and (b) promptly upon receipt or dispatch, furnish to the Agent any
notice, report or demand sent or received in respect of a Guaranteed Pension
Plan under ss.ss.302, 4041, 4042, 4043, 4063, 4065, 4066 and 4068 of ERISA, or
in respect of a Multiemployer Plan, under ss.ss.4041A, 4202, 4219, 4242, or 4245
of ERISA.

         10.12. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the
Revolving Credit Loans to refinance existing debt and contingent obligations,
fund certain distributions permitted under ss.11.4 to equityholders, unit growth
and acquisitions, and for other working capital and general corporate and
partnership purposes. The proceeds of the Growth Loans shall be used only to
finance the purchase price of (a) Perkins restaurants acquired by the Borrower
from franchisees and (b) similar operating restaurants. The Borrower will obtain
Letters of Credit solely for working capital and general corporate and
partnership purposes.

         10.13. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the Banks and the Agent and execute such
further instruments and documents as the Banks or the Agent shall reasonably
request to carry out to their satisfaction the transactions contemplated by this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

         10.14. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. PFR will, and will cause its Subsidiaries
to, continue to engage only in the business of operating restaurants and in
businesses and activities closely related thereto.

                         11. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

         Each of PFR and the Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any
Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is Outstanding
or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans or BKB has any obligations to
issue, extend or renew any Letters of Credit:
<PAGE>   55
                                     -48-



         11.1. RESTRICTIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS. PFR will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain
liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any Indebtedness other than:

                  (a) Indebtedness to the Banks and the Agent arising under any
         of the Loan Documents;

                  (b) Unsecured current liabilities of the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business not incurred
         through (i) the borrowing of money, or (ii) the obtaining of credit
         except for credit on an open account basis customarily extended and in
         fact extended in connection with normal purchases of goods and
         services; provided, that each account payable shall be paid or
         discharged in accordance with the Borrower's past customary practice
         within the appropriate time period after the same shall have become due
         and payable, unless the same shall currently be contested by the
         Borrower or such Subsidiary in good faith by appropriate proceedings or
         other appropriate action, and the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the
         case may be, shall have set aside such reserves, if any, with respect
         thereto as are required by generally accepted accounting principles and
         deemed adequate by the Borrower and its independent public accountants;

                  (c) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments,
         governmental charges or levies and claims for labor, materials and
         supplies to the extent that payment therefor shall not at the time be
         required to be made in accordance with the provisions of ss.10.8;

                  (d) Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards that have
         been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal
         so long as execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which
         the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall at the time in good faith be
         prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which
         a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or
         review;

                  (e) Other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower not to exceed
         $7,500,000 in aggregate principal amount for all such Indebtedness
         Outstanding at any time;

                  (f) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
         respect of rental obligations (net of subleases) under leases (other
         than Capitalized Leases) incurred in the ordinary course of business,
         provided that the aggregate amount of such obligations required to be
         paid in any fiscal year shall not exceed $10,000,000;

                  (g) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of Capitalized
         Leases (net of subleases), provided that the aggregate Outstanding
         amount of all future principal payments owing under (i) existing
         Capitalized Leases referred to in the Borrower's audited balance sheet
         as of December 31, 1996, and (ii) additional Capitalized Leases entered
         into pursuant to this subsection (g) after the date hereof (as
         reflected in the notes to the Borrower's audited financial
<PAGE>   56
                                      -49-

         statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles)
         shall not at any time exceed $15,000,000;

                  (h) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and listed and
         described on Schedule 11.1 hereto; and

                  (i) from and after the merger of PFR and The Restaurant
         Company, contingent liabilities arising from the indemnity contained in
         that certain tax disaffiliation agreement between The Restaurant
         Company and Friendly Ice Cream Corporation not to exceed in the
         aggregate (i) $21,500,000 as of the Closing Date and (ii) $12,500,000
         as of September 16, 1997 and thereafter.

         11.2. RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS. PFR will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, (i) create or incur or suffer to be created or incurred or
to exist any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge, restriction or other
security interest of any kind upon any of its property or assets of any
character whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon the income or profits
therefrom; (ii) transfer any of such property or assets or the income or profits
therefrom for the purpose of subjecting the same to the payment of Indebtedness
or performance of any other obligation in priority to payment of its general
creditors; (iii) acquire, or agree or have an option to acquire, any property or
assets upon conditional sale or other title retention or purchase money security
agreement, device or arrangement; (iv) suffer to exist for a period of more than
thirty (30) days after the same shall have been incurred any Indebtedness or
claim or demand against it that if unpaid might by law or upon bankruptcy or
insolvency, or otherwise, be given any priority whatsoever over its general
creditors; or (v) sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any accounts,
contract rights, general intangibles, chattel paper or instruments, with or
without recourse; provided that PFR and any Subsidiary of PFR may create or
incur or suffer to be created or incurred or to exist:

                  (a) liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government
         charges in respect of obligations not overdue or liens on properties to
         secure claims for labor, material or supplies in respect of obligations
         not overdue;

                  (b) deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure
         payment of, workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age
         pensions or other social security obligations;

                  (c) liens on properties in respect of judgments or awards, the
         Indebtedness with respect to which is permitted by ss.11.1(d);

                  (d) liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and
         materialmen, and other like liens in existence less than 120 days from
         the date of creation thereof in respect of obligations not overdue;

                  (e) encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements,
         rights of way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real
         property and defects and irregularities in the title thereto,
         landlord's or lessor's liens under leases to which the Borrower or a
         Subsidiary of the Borrower is a party, and other minor liens or
         encumbrances none of which in the opinion of the Borrower interferes
<PAGE>   57
                                      -50-



         materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary
         conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which
         defects do not individually or in the aggregate have a materially
         adverse effect on the business of the Borrower individually or of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

                  (f) liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule
         11.2 hereto;

                  (g) liens or security interests, arising after the date
         hereof, incurred in the ordinary course of business provided that the
         aggregate amount of obligations secured by such liens or security
         interests shall not exceed $2,500,000 at any time.

         11.3. RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENTS. PFR will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist or to remain Outstanding any
Investment except Investments in:

                  (a) marketable direct or guaranteed obligations of the United
         States of America that mature within one (1) year from the date of
         purchase;

                  (b) demand deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers
         acceptances and time deposits of United States banks having total
         assets in excess of $1,000,000,000;

                  (c) securities commonly known as "commercial paper" issued by
         a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
         States of America or any state thereof that at the time of purchase
         have been rated and the ratings for which are not less than "P 1" if
         rated by Moody's Investors Services, Inc., and not less than "A 1" if
         rated by Standard and Poor's;

                  (d) repurchase agreements secured by any one or more of the
         Investments permitted by paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above;

                  (e) shares of any so-called "money market fund" provided that
         such fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, has
         net assets of at least $100,000,000 and has an investment portfolio
         with an average maturity of 365 days or less;

                  (f)  existing Investments described on Schedule 11.3 hereto;

                  (g) Investments made in the ordinary course of business in
         connection with the Borrower's (i) conversion to Investments of
         franchisee obligations, (ii) making of loans and advances to
         franchisees, and (iii) acceptance of notes from franchisees in payment
         of goods and services provided by the Borrower to such franchisees;

                  (h) the acquisition of one or more notes, leases or other
         evidences of indebtedness of franchisees or guaranties of franchisee
         obligations in accordance 
<PAGE>   58
                                      -51-

         with franchisee leasing or loan programs not to exceed in the aggregate
         $10,000,000;

                  (i) up to ten (10) shares (at the time of acquisition) of any
         publicly traded stock of any competitor of the Borrower with an
         original purchase price not to exceed $5,000 in the aggregate for all
         of such shares; and

                  (j) the acceptance of notes or other evidences of obligations
         to pay the deferred purchase price of assets sold by the Borrower as
         otherwise permitted under this Agreement, provided, that such assets
         have been sold for fair market value in the reasonable judgment of the
         Borrower, in arms length transactions, and such notes or evidences of
         indebtedness are secured by a first priority lien and security interest
         in the assets sold.

         11.4. DISTRIBUTIONS. PFR will not and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to make any Distributions, except that, if no Default or Event of
Default exists under this Agreement, and none would result from the making of
any such Distributions, PFR and the Borrower may make Distributions to the
holders of their Equity Interests in accordance with the policies reflected in
duly adopted resolutions of the board of directors of such Person or the general
partner of such Person, as the case may be, the aggregate amount of which on an
annual basis shall not exceed the greater of (a) twenty percent (20%) times
EBITDA of PFR for the prior fiscal year and (b) (i) $24,200,000 with respect to
fiscal years 1997 and 1998 on a cumulative basis for both fiscal years, or (ii)
$6,800,000 with respect to each fiscal year thereafter.

         11.5. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. PFR will not at
any time, and will not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries at any time to:

                  (a) become a party to any merger or consolidation except the
         merger or consolidation of one or more of the Subsidiaries of the
         Borrower with and into the Borrower or the merger or consolidation of
         two or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower, other than a merger or
         consolidation for the sole purpose of effecting a conversion of PFR or
         the Borrower into a corporation and the merger of The Restaurant
         Company with and into PFR as permitted under ss.10.6.1;

                  (b) become a party to or agree to or effect the disposition of
         any substantial assets, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary
         course of business, consistent with past practices; provided, however,
         that if there is no Default or Event of Default in existence at the
         time and none would be created as a result of such action, such Persons
         may dispose of additional assets in the ordinary course of business
         with an aggregate book value not to exceed the greater of (a) ten
         percent (10%) of the net book value of the Borrower's assets as of the
         end the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower or (b)
         $13,000,000 on a cumulative basis from the Closing Date; or

                  (c) become a party to any acquisition other than the
         acquisition (whether of stock or of substantially all of the assets of
         a business or business division as a going concern or by means of a
         merger or consolidation) of a 100% interest in any other Person (a
         "Permitted Acquisition") provided that (i) such other Person
<PAGE>   59
                                      -52-


         is a Perkins restaurant franchisee or operates a similar business to
         the Borrower, (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
         continuing or would exist after giving effect thereto, (iii) if the
         Borrower or the acquiring Subsidiary merges with such other Person, the
         Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, is the surviving
         party, (iv) if such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries, it shall deliver a guaranty as provided in ss.29.9
         hereof, and (v) with respect to acquisitions that exceed $5,000,000,
         the Borrower has delivered to the Agent Compliance Certificates (such
         Compliance Certificates to be promptly distributed to the Banks by the
         Agent) demonstrating, both immediately prior to and immediately after
         such acquisition, compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants
         set forth in ss.ss.11.11, 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 of this Credit Agreement
         and (vi) the aggregate amount expended by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for any single Permitted Acquisition shall not exceed
         $15,000,000.

         11.6. SALE AND LEASEBACK. PFR will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby PFR
or any Subsidiary of PFR shall sell or transfer any property owned by it in
order then or thereafter to lease such property or lease other property that PFR
or any Subsidiary of PFR intends to use for substantially the same purpose as
the property being sold or transferred, unless such transaction would be a
permitted disposition of assets under ss.11.5 and the obligations of PFR or such
Subsidiary as lessee would constitute Indebtedness under ss.11.1.

         11.7. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) use any of the Real Estate or
any portion thereof for the handling, processing, storage or disposal of
Hazardous Substances, (b) cause or permit to be located on any of the Real
Estate any underground tank or other underground storage receptacle for
Hazardous Substances, (c) generate any Hazardous Substances on any of the Real
Estate, (d) conduct any activity at any Real Estate or use any Real Estate in
any manner so as to cause a release (i.e. releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping,
pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching,
disposing or dumping) or threatened release of Hazardous Substances on, upon or
into the Real Estate or (e) otherwise conduct any activity at any Real Estate or
use any Real Estate in any manner that would violate any Environmental Law or
bring such Real Estate in violation of any Environmental Law.

         11.8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA
Affiliate will

                  (a) engage in any "prohibited transaction" within the meaning
         of ss.406 of ERISA or ss.4975 of the Code which could result in a
         material liability for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

                  (b) permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an
         "accumulated funding deficiency", as such term is defined in ss.302 of
         ERISA, whether or not such deficiency is or may be waived; or
<PAGE>   60
                                      -53-


                  (c) fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an
         extent which, or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner
         which, could result in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the
         assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to ss.302(f)
         or ss.4068 of ERISA; or

                  (d) permit or take any action which would result in the
         aggregate benefit liabilities (with the meaning of ss.4001 of ERISA) of
         all Guaranteed Pension Plans exceeding the value of the aggregate
         assets of such Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit
         liabilities and assets of any such Plan with assets in excess of
         benefit liabilities, by more than the amount set forth in ss.10.16.3.

         11.9. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR. PFR and the Borrower shall not effect or
permit any change in their fiscal years without the prior written consent of the
Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld); provided that each of PFR
and the Borrower may change its fiscal year to one consisting of thirteen 28-day
fiscal accounting periods ending in December or January.

         11.10. CHANGES IN TERMS OF PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENTS. PFR and the Borrower
shall not effect or permit any change in or amendment to the Partnership
Documents which would materially adversely affect the interests of the Agent and
the Banks under the Loan Documents.

         11.11. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. PFR will not make, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to make, Capital Expenditures in any fiscal year that exceed, in
the aggregate, the greater of (a) 70% of EBITDA of PFR and its Subsidiaries for
the prior fiscal year, or (b)(i) $21,000,000 with respect to fiscal year 1997
and fiscal year 1998 and (ii) $25,000,000 with respect to fiscal year 1999 and
for each fiscal year thereafter; provided, however, that, if during any fiscal
year the amount of Capital Expenditures permitted for that fiscal year is not so
utilized, such unutilized amount not to exceed (x) $5,250,000 with respect to
fiscal years 1997 and 1998 and (y) $6,250,000 with respect to fiscal year 1999
and for each fiscal year thereafter may be utilized in the next succeeding
fiscal year but not in any subsequent fiscal year. For purposes of this
ss.11.11, Capital Expenditures shall not include amounts paid or indebtedness
incurred by PFR, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to effect Permitted
Acquisitions.

                    12. FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.

         Each of PFR and the Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any
Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is Outstanding
or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans or BKB has any obligation to
issue, extend or renew any Letters of Credit:

         12.1. MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE. As of the end of each fiscal
quarter of PFR, PFR will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the
period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of PFR and its Subsidiaries then
ended to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such period in such table:
<PAGE>   61
                                      -54-

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Period                                               Ratio
                             ------                                               -----
           <S>                                                                  <C>    
                   Through December 31, 1997                                    2.00:1.00
           From January 1, 1998 through and including                           2.25:1.00
                       December 31, 1998
           From January 1, 1999 through and including                           2.50:1.00
                       December 31, 1999
              As of January 1, 2000 and thereafter                              2.75:1.00
</TABLE>

         12.2. MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH. PFR and its Subsidiaries
will not permit Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to be less than $30,000,000 at
any time.

         12.3. MAXIMUM LEVERAGE. PFR and its Subsidiaries will not, at any time,
permit the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Liabilities to (b) Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth to exceed 2.75:1.00.

                             13. CLOSING CONDITIONS.

         The obligations of the Banks to make the initial Loans and of the Agent
to issue any initial Letters of Credit shall be subject to the satisfaction of
the following conditions precedent:

         13.1.  LOAN DOCUMENTS.

         Each of the Loan Documents shall have been duly executed and delivered
by the respective parties thereto, shall be in full force and effect and shall
be in form and substance satisfactory to each of the Banks.  Each Bank shall 
have received a fully executed copy of each such document.

         13.2. CERTIFIED COPIES OF CHARTER DOCUMENTS. Each of the Banks shall
have received from each of the Perkins Group a copy, certified by a duly
authorized officer of such Person to be true and complete on the Closing Date,
of each of (a) its charter or other incorporation or partnership documents as in
effect on such date of certification, and (b) its by-laws or partnership
agreement as in effect on such date.

         13.3. CORPORATE AND PARTNERSHIP ACTION. All corporate and partnership
action necessary for the valid execution, delivery and performance by each
member of the Perkins Group of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to which it is or is to become a party shall have been duly and
effectively taken, and evidence thereof satisfactory to the Banks shall have
been provided to each of the Banks.

         13.4. INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE. Each of the Banks shall have received
from each member of the Perkins Group an incumbency certificate, dated as of the
Closing Date, signed by a duly authorized officer of such Person, and giving the
name and bearing a specimen signature of each individual who shall be
authorized: (a) to sign, in the name and on behalf of each of the Perkins Group,
each of the Loan Documents to which the Perkins Group is or is to become a
party; (b) in the case of the Borrower, to 
<PAGE>   62
                                      -55-

make Revolving Credit Loan Requests and Growth Loan Requests and Conversion
Requests and to apply for Letters of Credit; and (c) to give notices and to take
other action on its behalf under the Loan Documents.

         13.5. UCC SEARCH RESULTS. The Agent shall have received from each of
PFR and its Subsidiaries results of UCC searches with respect to the assets of
PFR and its Subsidiaries, indicating no liens other than Permitted Liens and
otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

         13.6. CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE. The Agent shall have received a
certificate of insurance from an independent insurance broker dated as of the
Closing Date, identifying insurers, types of insurance, insurance limits, and
policy terms, and otherwise describing the Borrower's insurance.

         13.7. SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE. Each of the Banks shall have received an
officer's certificate of the Borrower dated as of the Closing Date as to the
solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries following the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Banks.

         13.8. OPINION OF COUNSEL. Each of the Banks and the Agent shall have
received a favorable legal opinion addressed to the Banks and the Agent, dated
as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the
Agent, from counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

         13.9. PAYMENT OF FEES. The Borrower shall have paid to the Banks or the
Agent, as appropriate, all fees due hereunder.

         13.10. EXISTING DEBT. The Agent shall have received a payoff letter in
a form satisfactory to the Agent with respect to the Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 29, 1994, among the
Borrower, BKB, the other parties thereto, and BKB as Agent thereunder as
amended, such payoff letter indicating the amount of the loan obligations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, all in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent.

                        14. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.

         The obligations of the Banks to make any Loan, and of BKB to issue,
extend or renew any Letter of Credit, in each case whether on or after the
Closing Date, shall also be subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:

         14.1. REPRESENTATIONS TRUE; NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Each of the
representations and warranties made by or on behalf of PFR and the Borrower
contained in this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or in any document
or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Credit Agreement
shall be true as of the date as of which they were made and shall also be true
at and as of the time of the making of such Loan or the issuance, extension or
renewal of such Letter of Credit, with the same effect as if made at and as of
that time (except to the extent of changes resulting from transactions
contemplated or permitted by this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and changes occurring in the ordinary 
<PAGE>   63
                                      -56-


course of business that singly or in the aggregate are not materially adverse,
and to the extent that such representations and warranties relate expressly to
an earlier date) and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.

         14.2. NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT. No change shall have occurred in any law or
regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof that in the reasonable opinion
of any Bank would make it illegal for such Bank to make such Loan or to
participate in the issuance, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit or in
the reasonable opinion of the Agent would make it illegal for the Agent to
issue, extend or renew such Letter of Credit.

         14.3. GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION. Each Bank shall have received such
statements in substance and form reasonably satisfactory to such Bank as such
Bank shall require for the purpose of compliance with any applicable regulations
of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.

         14.4. PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS. All proceedings in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
all other documents incident thereto shall be satisfactory in substance and in
form to the Banks and to the Agent and the Agent's Special Counsel, and the
Banks, the Agent and such counsel shall have received all information and such
counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as the
Agent may reasonably request.

         14.5. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH LOANS. The Borrower shall have
provided the Agent copies of all acquisition documents relating to each
acquisition to be financed with the proceeds of the requested Growth Loan,
together with such additional documentation and information relating to such
acquisition as may be requested by the Agent.

                    15. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.

         15.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION. If any of the following
events ("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of time or
both is required, then, prior to such notice or lapse of time, "Defaults") shall
occur:

                  (a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of the Loans
         or any Reimbursement Obligation when the same shall become due and
         payable, whether at the stated date of maturity or any accelerated date
         of maturity or at any other date fixed for payment;

                  (b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on the Loans,
         the commitment fee, any Letter of Credit Fee, the Agent's fee, or other
         sums due hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, when the
         same shall become due and payable, whether at the stated date of
         maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed
         for payment;

                  (c) the Borrower shall fail to comply with any of its
         covenants contained in ss.ss.10.1, 10.4, 10.6, 10.12, 10.14, 11.1
         through 11.6, 11.9, 11.10, 12 and 29 hereof;
<PAGE>   64
                                      -57-



                  (d) PFR or the Borrower shall fail to perform any term,
         covenant or agreement contained herein (other than those specified in
         subsections (a), (b) and (c), above) and such failure shall continue
         for 30 days;

                  (e) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
         perform any term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any of
         the other Loan Documents (other than those specified elsewhere in this
         ss.15.1) for fifteen (15) days after written notice of such failure has
         been given to the Borrower by the Agent;

                  (f) any representation or warranty of PFR or the Borrower in
         this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in any
         other document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection
         with this Credit Agreement shall prove to have been false in any
         material respect upon the date when made or deemed to have been made or
         repeated;

                  (g) any of PFR, its Subsidiaries, or the General Partner shall
         fail to pay at maturity, or within any applicable period of grace, any
         obligation for borrowed money or credit received or in respect of any
         Capitalized Leases in an aggregate amount greater than $250,000, or
         fail to observe or perform any material term, covenant or agreement
         contained in any agreement by which it is bound, evidencing or securing
         borrowed money or credit received or in respect of any Capitalized
         Leases in an aggregate amount greater than $250,000 for such period of
         time as would permit (assuming the giving of appropriate notice if
         required) the holder or holders thereof or of any obligations issued
         thereunder to accelerate the maturity thereof;

                  (h) any of PFR, its Subsidiaries, or the General Partner shall
         make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admit in writing
         its inability to pay or generally fail to pay its debts as they mature
         or become due, or shall petition or apply for the appointment of a
         trustee or other custodian, liquidator or receiver of such Person(s) or
         of any substantial part of the assets of such Person's or shall
         commence any case or other proceeding relating to under any bankruptcy,
         reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt,
         dissolution or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction, now or
         hereafter in effect, or shall take any action to authorize or in
         furtherance of any of the foregoing, or if any such petition or
         application shall be filed or any such case or other proceeding shall
         be commenced against such Person(s) and such Person(s) shall indicate
         its approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence therein or such
         petition or application shall not have been dismissed within forty-five
         (45) days following the filing thereof;

                  (i) a decree or order is entered appointing any such trustee,
         custodian, liquidator or receiver or adjudicating PFR, or any of its
         Subsidiaries, or the General Partner bankrupt or insolvent, or
         approving a petition in any such case or other proceeding, or a decree
         or order for relief is entered in respect of such Person(s) in an
         involuntary case under federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter
         constituted;
<PAGE>   65
                                      -58-


                  (j) there shall remain in force, undischarged, unsatisfied and
         unstayed, for more than thirty days, whether or not consecutive, any
         final judgment against PFR, any of its Subsidiaries, or the General
         Partner that, with other outstanding final judgments, undischarged,
         against such Person(s) exceeds in the aggregate $1,000,000;

                  (k) if any of the Loan Documents shall be cancelled,
         terminated, revoked or rescinded or any action at law, suit or in
         equity or other legal proceeding to cancel, revoke or rescind any of
         the Loan Documents shall be commenced by or on behalf of the Perkins
         Group party thereto or any of their respective stockholders, or any
         court or any other governmental or regulatory authority or agency of
         competent jurisdiction shall make a determination that, or issue a
         judgment, order, decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or more
         of the Loan Documents is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in
         accordance with the terms thereof;

                  (l) with respect to any Guaranteed Pension Plan, an ERISA
         Reportable Event shall have occurred and the Majority Banks shall have
         determined in their reasonable discretion that such event reasonably
         could be expected to result in liability of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries to the PBGC or such Guaranteed Pension Plan in an
         aggregate amount exceeding $250,000 and such event in the circumstances
         occurring reasonably could constitute grounds for the termination of
         such Guaranteed Pension Plan by the PBGC or for the appointment by the
         appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to administer
         such Guaranteed Pension Plan; or a trustee shall have been appointed by
         the United States District Court to administer such Plan; or the PBGC
         shall have instituted proceedings to terminate such Guaranteed Pension
         Plan;

                  (m) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be enjoined,
         restrained or in any way prevented by the order of any court or any
         administrative or regulatory agency from conducting any material part
         of its business and such order shall continue in effect for more than
         thirty (30) days;

                  (n) there shall occur the loss, suspension or revocation of,
         or failure to renew, any license or permit now held or hereafter
         acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries if such loss,
         suspension, revocation or failure to renew would have a material
         adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Borrower
         or such Subsidiary;

                  (o) any of the Perkins Group shall be indicted for a state or
         federal crime, or any civil or criminal action shall otherwise have
         been brought or threatened against the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries, a punishment for which in any such case could include the
         forfeiture of any assets of the Borrower or such Subsidiary having a
         fair market value in excess of $250,000; or

                  (p) if any Person other than the General Partner or PFR or PRI
         shall at any time be or become a partner or equity holder of the
         Borrower;
<PAGE>   66
                                      -59-


                  (q) if any person other than the General Partner or PRI shall
         at any time be or become a general partner of the Borrower, or if any
         Person other than PFR shall at any time be or become a limited partner
         of the Borrower;

                  (r) if any Person other than the General Partner or PRI shall
         at any time be or become a general partner of PFR; or

                  (s) if any Person and its Affiliates (other than PRI) shall
         collectively, whether directly or indirectly, own or control 50% or
         more of the equity or ownership interests of PFR;

then, and in any such event, so long as the same may be continuing, (x) the
Agent may, and upon the request of the Majority Banks shall, by notice in
writing to the Borrower declare all amounts owing with respect to this Credit
Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, and (y) BKB may by notice in
writing to the Borrower declare all amounts owing with respect to the
Reimbursement Obligations to be, and in either case they shall thereupon
forthwith become, immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by
the Borrower; provided that in the event of any Event of Default specified in
ss.ss.15.1(h), 15.1(i) or 15.1(k), all such amounts shall become immediately due
and payable automatically and without any requirement of notice from the Agent
or any Bank.

         15.2. TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS. If any one or more of the Events of
Default specified in ss.15.1(h), ss.15.1(i) or ss.15.1(k) shall occur, any
unused portion of the credit hereunder shall forthwith terminate and each of the
Banks shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans to the Borrower
and the Agent shall be relieved of all further obligations to issue, extend or
renew Letters of Credit. If any other Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, or if on any Drawdown Date or other date for issuing, extending
or renewing any Letter of Credit the conditions precedent to the making of the
Loans to be made on such Drawdown Date or (as the case may be) to issuing,
extending or renewing such Letter of Credit on such other date are not
satisfied, the Agent may and, upon the request of the Majority Banks, shall, by
notice to the Borrower, terminate the unused portion of the credit hereunder,
and upon such notice being given such unused portion of the credit hereunder
shall terminate immediately and each of the Banks shall be relieved of all
further obligations to make Loans and the Agent shall be relieved of all further
obligations to issue, extend or renew Letters of Credit. No termination of the
credit hereunder shall relieve the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any of
the Obligations.

         15.3. REMEDIES. In case any one or more of the Events of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, and whether or not the Banks shall have
accelerated the maturity of the Loans pursuant to ss.15.1, each Bank, if owed
any amount with respect to the Loans may, with the consent of the Majority Banks
but not otherwise, or BKB, if owed any amount with respect to the Reimbursement
Obligations, may, proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity,
action at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific
performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents or any instrument pursuant to which the Obligations to
such Bank are evidenced, including as permitted 
<PAGE>   67
                                      -60-


by applicable law the obtaining of the ex parte appointment of a receiver, and,
if such amount shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to
enforce the payment thereof or any other legal or equitable right of such Bank.
No remedy herein conferred upon any Bank or the Agent or the holder of any Note
or purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation is intended to be exclusive
of any other remedy and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be
in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing
at law or in equity or by statute or any other provision of law.

                                   16. SETOFF.

         Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral, during the continuance of
any Event of Default, any deposits or other sums credited by or due from any of
the Banks to the Borrower and any securities or other property of the Borrower
in the possession of such Bank may be applied to or set off by such Bank against
the payment of Obligations and any and all other liabilities, direct, or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or
hereafter arising, of the Borrower to such Bank. Each of the Banks agrees with
each other Bank that (a) if an amount to be set off is to be applied to
Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Bank, other than Indebtedness evidenced by
the Notes held by such Bank, such amount shall be applied ratably to such other
Indebtedness and to the Indebtedness evidenced by all such Notes held by such
Bank, and (b) if such Bank shall receive from the Borrower, whether by voluntary
payment, exercise of the right of setoff, counterclaim, cross action,
enforcement of the claim evidenced by the Notes held by, such Bank by
proceedings against the Borrower at law or in equity or by proof thereof in
bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings, or
otherwise, and shall retain and apply to the payment of the Note or Notes held
by such Bank any amount in excess of its ratable portion of the payments
received by all of the Banks with respect to the Notes held by all of the Banks,
such Bank will make such disposition and arrangements with the other Banks with
respect to such excess, either by way of distribution, pro tanto assignment of
claims, subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Bank receiving in
respect of the Notes held by it or its proportionate payment as contemplated by
this Credit Agreement; provided that if all or any part of such excess payment
is thereafter recovered from such Bank, such disposition and arrangements shall
be rescinded and the amount restored to the extent of such recovery, but without
interest.

                                 17. THE AGENT.

         17.1.  AUTHORIZATION.

                  (a) The Agent and its affiliates are authorized to take such
         action on behalf of each of the Banks and to exercise all such powers
         as are hereunder and under any of the other Loan Documents and any
         related documents delegated to the Agent and its affiliates, together
         with such powers as are reasonably incident thereto, provided that no
         duties or responsibilities not expressly assumed herein or therein
         shall be implied to have been assumed by the Agent and its affiliates.
<PAGE>   68
                                      -61-


                  (b) The relationship among the Agent, its affiliates and each
         of the Banks is that of an independent contractor. The use of the term
         "Agent" is for convenience only and is used to describe, as a form of
         convention, the independent contractual relationship among the Agent,
         its affiliates and each of the Banks. Nothing contained in this Credit
         Agreement nor the other Loan Documents shall be construed to create an
         agency, trust or other fiduciary relationship among the Agent, its
         affiliates and any of the Banks.

                  (c) As an independent contractor empowered by the Banks to
         exercise certain rights and perform certain duties and responsibilities
         hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, each of the Agent and its
         affiliates is nevertheless a "representative" of the Banks, as that
         term is defined in Article 1 of the Uniform Commercial Code, for
         purposes of actions for the benefit of the Banks and the Agent with
         respect to all collateral security and guaranties contemplated by the
         Loan Documents. Such actions include the designation of the Agent as
         "secured party", "mortgagee" or the like on all financing statements
         and other documents and instruments, whether recorded or otherwise,
         relating to the attachment, perfection, priority or enforcement of any
         security interests, mortgages or deeds of trust in collateral security
         intended to secure the payment or performance of any of the
         Obligations, all for the benefit of the Banks and the Agent.

         17.2. EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Agent may exercise its powers and
execute its duties by or through affiliates, employees or agents and shall be
entitled to take, and to rely on, advice of counsel concerning all matters
pertaining to its rights and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents. The Agent may utilize the services of such Persons as the Agent
in its sole discretion may reasonably determine, and all reasonable fees and
expenses of any such Persons shall be paid by the Borrower.

         17.3. NO LIABILITY. Neither the Agent nor any of its affiliates nor any
of their shareholders, directors, officers or employees nor any other Person
assisting them in their duties nor any agent or employee thereof, shall be
liable for any waiver, consent or approval given or any action taken, or omitted
to be taken, in good faith by it or them hereunder or under any of the other
Loan Documents, or in connection herewith or therewith, or be responsible for
the consequences of any oversight or error of judgment whatsoever, except that
the Agent or such other Person, as the case may be, may be liable for losses due
to its willful misconduct or gross negligence.

         17.4. NO REPRESENTATIONS. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
execution or validity or enforceability of this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the
Letters of Credit, any of the other Loan Documents or any instrument at any time
constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral security for the Notes, or
for the value of any such collateral security or for the validity,
enforceability or collectability of any such amounts owing with respect to the
Notes, or for any recitals or statements, warranties or representations made
herein or in any of the other Loan Documents or in any certificate or instrument
hereafter furnished to it by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or
observance of any of the terms, conditions, covenants or agreements herein or in
any 
<PAGE>   69
                                      -62-


instrument at any time constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral
security for the Notes or to inspect any of the properties, books or records of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. The Agent shall not be bound to
ascertain whether any notice, consent, waiver or request delivered to it by the
Borrower or any holder of any of the Notes shall have been duly authorized or is
true, accurate and complete. The Agent has not made nor does it now make any
representations or warranties, express or implied, nor does it assume any
liability to the Banks, with respect to the credit worthiness or financial
conditions of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Bank acknowledges
that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Bank, and based upon such information and documents as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Credit
Agreement.

         17.5.  PAYMENTS.

                  17.5.1. PAYMENTS TO AGENT. A payment by the Borrower to the
         Agent hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents for the account of
         any Bank shall constitute a payment to such Bank. The Agent agrees
         promptly to distribute to each Bank such Bank's pro rata share of
         payments received by the Agent for the account of the Banks except as
         otherwise expressly provided herein or in any of the other Loan
         Documents.

                  17.5.2. DISTRIBUTION BY AGENT. If in the opinion of the Agent
         the distribution of any amount received by it in such capacity
         hereunder, under the Notes or under any of the other Loan Documents
         might involve it in liability, it may refrain from making distribution
         until its right to make distribution shall have been adjudicated by a
         court of competent jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction
         shall adjudge that any amount received and distributed by the Agent is
         to be repaid, each Person to whom any such distribution shall have been
         made shall either repay to the Agent its proportionate share of the
         amount so adjudged to be repaid or shall pay over the same in such
         manner and to such Persons as shall be determined by such court.

                  17.5.3. DELINQUENT BANKS. Notwithstanding anything to the
         contrary contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
         Documents, any Bank that fails (a) to make available to the Agent its
         pro rata share of any Loan or (b) to comply with the provisions of
         ss.15 with respect to making dispositions and arrangements with the
         other Banks, where such Bank's share of any payment received, whether
         by setoff or otherwise, is in excess of its pro rata share of such
         payments due and payable to all of the Banks, in each case as, when and
         to the full extent required by the provisions of this Credit Agreement,
         shall be deemed delinquent (a "Delinquent Bank") and shall be deemed a
         Delinquent Bank until such time as such delinquency is satisfied. A
         Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments
         due to it from the Borrower, whether on account of Outstanding Loans,
         interest, fees or otherwise, to the remaining nondelinquent Banks for
         application to, and reduction of, their respective pro rata shares of
         all Outstanding Loans. The Delinquent Bank hereby authorizes the Agent
         to distribute such payments to the nondelinquent Banks in proportion to
         their respective pro rata shares of all Outstanding 
<PAGE>   70

                                     -63-



         Loans. A Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to have satisfied in full a
         delinquency when and if, as a result of application of the assigned
         payments to all Outstanding Loans of the nondelinquent Banks, the
         Banks' respective pro rata shares of all Outstanding Loans have
         returned to those in effect immediately prior to such delinquency and
         without giving effect to the nonpayment causing such delinquency.

         17.6. HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Agent may deem and treat the payee of any
Note as the absolute owner or purchaser thereof for all purposes hereof until it
shall have been furnished in writing with a different name by such payee or by a
subsequent holder, assignee or transferee.

         17.7. INDEMNITY. The Banks ratably agree hereby to indemnify and hold
harmless the Agent and its affiliates from and against any and all claims,
actions and suits (whether groundless or otherwise), losses, damages, costs,
expenses (including any expenses for which the Agent has not been reimbursed by
the Borrower as required by ss.17), and liabilities of every nature and
character arising out of or related to this Credit Agreement, the Notes, or any
of the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated or evidenced hereby
or thereby, or the Agent's actions taken hereunder or thereunder, except to the
extent that any of the same shall be directly caused by the Agent's willful
misconduct or gross negligence.

         17.8. AGENT AS BANK. In its individual capacity, BKB shall have the
same obligations and the same rights, powers and privileges in respect to its
Revolving Credit Commitment and Growth Commitment and the Loans made by it, and
as the holder of any of the Notes, as it would have were it not also the Agent.

         17.9. RESIGNATION. The Agent may resign at any time by giving sixty
(60) days prior written notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower. Upon any
such resignation, the Co-Agent shall be appointed the successor Agent provided
that if there is no Co-Agent or the Co-Agent declines to accept such
appointment, the Majority Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor
Agent, such successor Agent being reasonably acceptable to the Borrower unless a
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If no
successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Banks and shall
have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the removal of the
Agent, then any Bank shall have the right to petition a court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent. Upon the acceptance of
any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent
shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Agent's
resignation, the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent.

         17.10. REMOVAL OF AGENT. The Borrower may, but shall have no obligation
to, remove the Agent from its capacity as Agent upon the merger or consolidation
of the Agent with or into any Person or upon the appointment of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver for the Agent as a result of the
Agent's insolvency, 
<PAGE>   71
                                      -64-

by giving sixty (60) days prior written notice thereof to the Agent and the
Banks. Upon any such removal, the Co-Agent shall be appointed the successor
Agent provided that if there is no Co-Agent or the Co-Agent declines to accept
such appointment, the Majority Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor
Agent, such successor Agent being reasonably acceptable to the Borrower unless a
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If no
successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Banks and shall
have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the removal of the
Agent, then any Bank shall have the right to petition a court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent. Upon the acceptance of
any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent
shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the removed Agent, and the removed Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any removal of the
Agent, the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents
shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent.

         17.11. NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each Bank hereby
agrees that, upon learning of the existence of a Default or an Event of Default,
it shall promptly notify the Agent thereof. The Agent hereby agrees that upon
receipt of any notice under this ss.17.10 it shall promptly notify the other
Banks of the existence of such Default or Event of Default.

         17.12. CO-AGENT. The Co-Agent shall not have any right, power,
obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Credit Agreement other
than those applicable to all Banks as such.

                                  18. EXPENSES.

         The Borrower agrees to pay (a) the reasonable costs of producing and
reproducing this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other
agreements and instruments mentioned herein, (b) any taxes (including any
interest and penalties in respect thereto) payable by the Agent or any of the
Banks (other than taxes based upon the Agent's or any Bank's net income) on or
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (the
Borrower hereby agreeing to indemnify the Agent and each Bank with respect
thereto), (c) the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of the Agent's
Special Counsel or any local counsel to the Agent incurred in connection with
the preparation, administration or interpretation of the Loan Documents and
other instruments mentioned herein, each closing hereunder, and amendments,
modifications, approvals, consents or waivers hereto or hereunder, (d) the fees,
expenses and disbursements of the Agent and its affiliates incurred by the Agent
in connection with the preparation, administration or interpretation of the Loan
Documents and other instruments mentioned herein, including all title insurance
premiums and surveyor, engineering and appraisal charges, (e) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees
and costs, which attorneys may be employees of any Bank or the Agent, and
reasonable consulting, accounting, appraisal, investment banking and similar
professional fees and charges) incurred by any Bank or the Agent in connection
with (i) the enforcement of or preservation of rights under any of the Loan
Documents against the Borrower or 
<PAGE>   72
                                      -65-


any of its Subsidiaries or the administration thereof after the occurrence of a
Default or Event of Default and (ii) any litigation, proceeding or dispute
whether arising hereunder or otherwise, in any way related to any Bank's or the
Agent's relationship with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (f) all
reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any Bank or the Agent incurred in
connection with UCC searches, UCC filings or mortgage recordings. The covenants
of this ss.18 shall survive payment or satisfaction of all other Obligations.

                              19. INDEMNIFICATION.

         The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, its
affiliates, and the Banks from and against any and all claims, actions and suits
whether groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and all liabilities,
losses, damages and expenses of every nature and character arising out of this
Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the transactions
contemplated hereby including, without limitation, (a) any actual or proposed
use by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the proceeds of any of the
Loans or Letters of Credit, (b) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries entering
into or performing this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or
(c) with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective
properties and assets, the violation of any Environmental Law, the presence,
disposal, escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission, release or
threatened release of any hazardous substances or any action, suit, proceeding
or investigation brought or threatened with respect to any hazardous substances
(including, but not limited to, claims with respect to wrongful death, personal
injury or damage to property), in each case including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal
counsel incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other
proceeding; provided, however, the Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify
any Person under this ss.19 for any claims, proceedings, liabilities, losses,
damages, settlement payments, obligations, and expenses to the extent that the
same result from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Person. In
litigation, or the preparation therefor, the Banks and the Agent shall be
entitled to select their own counsel and, in addition to the foregoing
indemnity, the Borrower agrees to pay promptly the reasonable fees and expenses
of such counsel. If, and to the extent that the obligations of the Borrower
under this ss.19 are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to
make the maximum contribution to the payment in satisfaction of such obligations
which is permissible under applicable law. The covenants contained in this ss.19
shall survive payment or satisfaction in full of all other Obligations.

                         20. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC.

         All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein,
in the Notes, in any of the other Loan Documents or in any documents or other
papers delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant hereto shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the Banks and the
Agent, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by any of
them, and shall survive the making by the Banks of any of the Loans and the
issuance, extension or renewal of any Letters of Credit, as herein contemplated,
and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any Letter of Credit or
any amount due under this Credit Agreement or the 
<PAGE>   73
                                      -66-

Notes or any of the other Loan Documents remains Outstanding or any Bank has any
obligation to make any Loans or the Agent has any obligation to issue, extend or
renew any Letter of Credit, and for such further time as may be otherwise
expressly specified in this Credit Agreement. All statements contained in any
certificate or other paper delivered to any Bank or the Agent at any time by or
on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant hereto or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall constitute
representations and warranties by the Borrower or such Subsidiary hereunder.

                        21. ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.

         21.1. CONDITIONS TO ASSIGNMENT BY BANKS. Except as provided herein,
each Bank may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its
interests, rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or
a portion of its Commitment Percentage and Commitment and the same portion of
the Loans at the time owing to it, the Notes held by it and its participating
interest in the risk relating to any Letters of Credit); provided that (a) the
Agent shall have given its prior written consent to such assignment, (b) so long
as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower
shall have given its prior written consent to such assignment (such consent not
to be unreasonably withheld), (c) each such assignment shall be of a constant,
and not a varying, percentage of all the assigning Bank's rights and obligations
under this Credit Agreement, (d) each assignment shall be in an amount that is a
minimum of $5,000,000 (or if less, such Bank's entire Loans, Revolving Credit
Commitment and Growth Loan Commitment) and (e) the parties to such assignment
shall execute and deliver to the Agent, for recording in the Register (as
hereinafter defined), an Assignment and Acceptance, substantially in the form of
Exhibit F hereto (an "Assignment and Acceptance"), together with any Notes
subject to such assignment. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and
recording, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and
Acceptance, which effective date shall be at least five (5) Business Days after
the execution thereof, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and,
to the extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and
obligations of a Bank hereunder, and (y) the assigning Bank shall, to the extent
provided in such assignment and upon payment to the Agent of the registration
fee referred to in ss.21.3, be released from its obligations under this Credit
Agreement.

         21.2. CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; LIMITATIONS; COVENANTS.
By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the parties to the
assignment thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
hereto as follows:

                  (a) other than the representation and warranty that it is the
         legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free
         and clear of any adverse claim, the assigning Bank makes no
         representation or warranty, express or implied, and assumes no
         responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
         representations made in or in connection with this Credit Agreement or
         the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
         sufficiency or value of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
<PAGE>   74
                                      -67-


         Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto
         or the attachment, perfection or priority of any security interest or
         mortgage,

                  (b) the assigning Bank makes no representation or warranty and
         assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other Person primarily or
         secondarily liable in respect of any of the Obligations, or the
         performance or observance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any
         other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the
         Obligations of any of their obligations under this Credit Agreement or
         any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document
         furnished pursuant hereto or thereto;

                  (c) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this
         Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial
         statements referred to in ss.9.4 and ss.10.4 and such other documents
         and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
         analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;

                  (d) such assignee will, independently and without reliance
         upon the assigning Bank, the Agent or any other Bank and based on such
         documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
         continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
         action under this Credit Agreement;

                  (e) such assignee represents and warrants that it is an
         Eligible Assignee;

                  (f) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take
         such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under
         this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to
         the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers as
         are reasonably incidental thereto;

                  (g) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance
         with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of this
         Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank; and

                  (h) such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally
         authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance.

         21.3. REGISTER. The Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment and
Acceptance delivered to it and a register or similar list (the "Register") for
the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks and the Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage and Growth Loan Commitment Percentage of, and principal
amount of the Loans owing to the Banks from time to time. The entries in the
Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the
Borrower, the Agent and the Banks may treat each Person whose name is recorded
in the Register as a Bank hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement.
The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and the Banks at
any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Upon
each such recordation, the assigning Bank agrees to pay to the Agent a
registration fee in the sum of $3,500.
<PAGE>   75

                                     -68-



         21.4. NEW NOTES. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance
executed by the parties to such assignment, together with each Note subject to
such assignment, the Agent shall (a) record the information contained therein in
the Register, and (b) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and the Banks
(other than the assigning Bank). Within five (5) Business Days after receipt of
such notice, the Borrower, at its own expense, shall execute and deliver to the
Agent, in exchange for each surrendered Note, a new Note to the order of such
Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to the amount assumed by such Eligible
Assignee pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the assigning Bank
has retained some portion of its obligations hereunder, a new Note to the order
of the assigning Bank in an amount equal to the amount retained by it hereunder.
Such new Notes shall provide that they are replacements for the surrendered
Notes, shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of the surrendered Notes, shall be dated the effective date of
such in Assignment and Acceptance and shall otherwise be substantially the form
of the assigned Notes. Within five (5) days of issuance of any new Notes
pursuant to this ss.21.4, the Borrower shall, upon the request of the Agent,
deliver an opinion of counsel, addressed to the Banks and the Agent, relating to
the due authorization, execution and delivery of such new Notes and the
legality, validity and binding effect thereof, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Banks. The surrendered Notes shall be cancelled and returned
to the Borrower.

         21.5. PARTICIPATIONS. Each Bank may sell participation to one or more
banks or other entities in all or a portion of such Bank's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided
that (a) each such participation shall be in an amount of not less than
$5,000,000, (b) any such sale or participation shall not affect the rights and
duties of the selling Bank hereunder to the Borrower and (c) the only rights
granted to the participant pursuant to such participation arrangements with
respect to waivers, amendments or modifications of the Loan Documents shall be
the rights to approve waivers, amendments or modifications that would reduce the
principal of or the interest rate on any Loans, extend the term or increase the
amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment and Growth Loan Commitment of such
Bank as it relates to such participant, reduce the amount of any commitment fees
to which such participant is entitled or extend any regularly scheduled payment
date for principal or interest.

         21.6. DISCLOSURE. The Borrower agrees that in addition to disclosures
made in accordance with standard and customary banking practices any Bank may
disclose information obtained by such Bank pursuant to this Credit Agreement to
assignees or participants and potential assignees or participants hereunder;
provided that such assignees or participants or potential assignees or
participants shall agree (a) to treat in confidence such information unless such
information otherwise becomes public knowledge, (b) not to disclose such
information to a third party, except as required by law or legal process and (c)
not to make use of such information for purposes of transactions unrelated to
such contemplated assignment or participation.

         21.7. ASSIGNEE OR PARTICIPANT AFFILIATED WITH THE BORROWER. If any
assignee Bank is an Affiliate of the Borrower, then any such assignee Bank shall
have no right to vote as a Bank hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents for 
<PAGE>   76
                                      -69-


purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of agreeing to
amendments or other modifications to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes
of making requests to the Agent pursuant to ss.15.1 or ss.15.2, and the
determination of the Majority Banks shall for all purposes of this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents be made without regard to such assignee Bank's interest
in any of the Loans. If any Bank sells a participating interest in any of the
Loans to a participant, and such participant is the Borrower or an Affiliate of
the Borrower, then such transferor Bank shall promptly notify the Agent of the
sale of such participation. A transferor Bank shall have no right to vote as a
Bank hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for purposes of granting
consents or waivers or for purposes of agreeing to amendments or modifications
to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes of making requests to the Agent
pursuant to ss.15.1 or ss.15.2 to the extent that such participation is
beneficially owned by the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower, and the
determination of the Majority Banks shall for all purposes of this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents be made without regard to the interest of such
transferor Bank in the Loans to the extent of such participation.

         21.8. MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENT PROVISIONS. Any assigning Bank shall
retain its rights to be indemnified pursuant to ss.17 with respect to any claims
or actions arising prior to the date of such assignment. If any assignee Bank is
not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof, it shall, prior to the date on which any interest or fees are payable
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for its account, deliver to
the Borrower and the Agent certification as to its exemption from deduction or
withholding of any United States federal income taxes. Anything contained in
this ss.21 to the contrary notwithstanding, any Bank may at any time pledge all
or any portion of its interest and rights under this Credit Agreement (including
all or any portion of its Notes) to any of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks
organized under ss.4 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. ss.341. No such
pledge or the enforcement thereof shall release the pledgor Bank from its
obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents.

         21.9. ASSIGNMENT BY BORROWER. The Borrower shall not assign or transfer
any of its rights or obligations under any of the Loan Documents without the
prior written consent of each of the Banks.

                                22. NOTICES, ETC.

         Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, all
notices and other communications made or required to be given pursuant to this
Credit Agreement or the Notes or any Letter of Credit Applications shall be in
writing and shall be delivered in hand, mailed by United States registered or
certified first class mail, postage prepaid, sent by overnight courier, or sent
by telegraph, telecopy, facsimile or telex and confirmed by delivery via courier
or postal service, addressed as follows:

                  (a) if to the Borrower, at 6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 800,
         Memphis, Tennessee 38119, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, or at
         such other address for notice as the Borrower shall last have furnished
         in writing to the Person giving the notice;
<PAGE>   77
                                      -70-


                  (b) if to the Agent, at 100 Federal Street, Boston,
         Massachusetts 02110, USA, Attention: Rodney L. Guinn, Director, or such
         other address for notice as the Agent shall last have furnished in
         writing to the Person giving the notice; and

                  (c) if to any Bank, at such Bank's address set forth on
         Schedule 1 hereto, or such other address for notice as such Bank shall
         have last furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice.

         Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or
made and to have become effective (x) if delivered by hand, overnight courier or
facsimile to a responsible officer of the party to which it is directed, at the
time of the receipt thereof by such officer or the sending of such facsimile and
(y) if sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid, on the
third Business Day following the mailing thereof.

                               23. GOVERNING LAW.

         THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE
CONTRACTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL FOR ALL
PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR
CHOICE OF LAW). THE BORROWER AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
CREDIT AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS
OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND
CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND SERVICE OF PROCESS
IN ANY SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED
IN SS.22. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER
HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS
BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.

                                  24. HEADINGS.

         The captions in this Credit Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.

                                25. COUNTERPARTS.

         This Credit Agreement and any amendment hereof may be executed in
several counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which
when executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together
shall constitute one instrument. In proving this Credit Agreement it shall not
be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by
the party against whom enforcement is sought.
<PAGE>   78
                                      -71-

                           26. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.

         The Loan Documents and any other documents executed in connection
herewith or therewith express the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither this Credit Agreement
nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except as
provided in ss.27.

                            27. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

         The Borrower hereby waives its right to a jury trial with respect to
any action or claim arising out of any dispute in connection with this Credit
Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents, any rights or
obligations hereunder or thereunder or the performance of which rights and
obligations. Except as prohibited by law, the Borrower hereby waives any right
it may have to claim or recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding
sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any
damages other than, or in addition to, actual damages. The Borrower (a)
certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any Bank or the Agent has
represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Bank or the Agent would not, in
the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (b)
acknowledges that the Agent and the Banks have been induced to enter into this
Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and the
Subordination Documents to which it is a party by, among other things, the
waivers and certifications contained herein.

                     28. CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.

         Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, any
consent or approval required or permitted by this Credit Agreement to be given
by the Banks may be given, and any term of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or any other instrument related hereto or mentioned herein may be
amended, and the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries of any terms of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or
such other instrument or the continuance of any Default or Event of Default may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively) with, but only with, the written consent of the Borrower and
the written consent of the Majority Banks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
rate of interest on the Notes (other than interest accruing pursuant to
ss.8.11.2 following the effective datE of any waiver by the Majority Banks of
the Default or Event of Default relating thereto), the term of the Notes, the
timing of all scheduled payments of principal and interest hereunder, the amount
of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Growth Loan Commitments of the
Banks, the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, and
the amount of commitment fee hereunder may not be changed without the written
consent of the Borrower and the written consent of each Bank affected thereby;
the definition of Majority Banks may not be amended without the written consent
of all of the Banks; and the amount of the Agent's Fee payable for the Agent's
account or any Letter of Credit Fees payable for BKB's account, and ss.17 may
not be amended without thE written consent of the Agent. No waiver shall extend
to or affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent
thereon. No course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of the Agent or
any Bank in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise
be prejudicial thereto. No notice to or demand 
<PAGE>   79
                                      -72-

upon the Borrower shall entitle the Borrower to other or further notice or
demand in similar or other circumstances. Notwithstanding anything herein, the
provisions of ss.7 may be amended with the written consent oF only the Borrower
and the Agent.

                                  29. GUARANTY.

         29.1 GUARANTY. The Obligations of the Borrower to the Banks hereunder
shall be guaranteed by the Guarantors pursuant to this ss.29 (the "Guaranty").

         29.2. GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS. Each of the Guarantors acknowledges that
it is a member of a group of related companies with the Borrower and that it
expects to derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the extensions
of credit by the Agent and the Banks to the Borrower pursuant hereto. For value
received and hereby acknowledged and as an inducement to the Banks to make the
Loans available to the Borrower and for BKB to issue the Letters of Credit for
the account of the Borrower, each of the Guarantors hereby unconditionally and
irrevocably, jointly and severally guarantees: (a) the full punctual payment
when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all
obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing hereunder and under the
Notes or the other Loan Documents, whether for principal, interest, fees,
expenses, or otherwise, and (b) the strict performance and observance by the
Borrower of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and of all agreements, warranties and covenants applicable to the Borrower in
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (such obligations collectively being
the "Guaranteed Obligations").

         29.3 GUARANTY ABSOLUTE. The Guarantors guarantee that the Guaranteed
Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof and of the
Notes, regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in
any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Banks with
respect thereto to the extent permitted by law. The guaranty provided by each
Guarantor hereunder is a guaranty of payment and not merely of collection. Each
Guarantor's Guaranteed Obligations are independent of, and separate from, the
Obligations of the Borrower and the Guaranteed Obligations of the other
Guarantors, and shall not be released by, but shall survive as if the same have
not been made, any and all payments by any obligor of the Obligations or
Guaranteed Obligations or the application of any proceeds from or collateral
security for the Obligations or Guaranteed Obligations until all of such
obligations are fully paid and finally discharged. The liability of each
Guarantor under this Guaranty with regard to the Guaranteed Obligations of the
Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by law, be absolute and unconditional
irrespective of:

                  (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Credit
         Agreement with respect to the Borrower (with regard to such Guaranteed
         Obligations), the Notes of the Borrower, or any other agreement or
         instrument relating thereto;

                  (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or
         in any other term, of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any
         other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any of
         the terms of the Loan Documents;
<PAGE>   80
                                      -73-


                  (c) any exchange, release or nonperfection of a lien on any
         collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to
         departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guaranteed
         Obligations of the Borrower;

                  (d)  any change in ownership of the Borrower;

                  (e) any acceptance of any partial payment(s) from the
         Borrower; or

                  (f) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a
         defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower in respect of the
         Guaranteed Obligations.

         This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is
rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Banks upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, all as though such
payment had not been made.

         29.4. AUTHORIZED ACTIONS. Each Guarantor authorizes the Agent and the
Banks in their discretion, without notice to such Guarantor, irrespective of any
change in the financial condition of the Borrower, such Guarantor or any other
Guarantor since the date hereof, and without affecting or impairing in any way
the liability of such Guarantor hereunder, from time to time to (a) create new
Guaranteed Obligations and, either before or after receipt of notice of
revocation, renew, compromise, extend, accelerate or otherwise change the time
for payment or performance of, or otherwise change the terms of the Guaranteed
Obligations or any part thereof, including increase or decrease of the rate of
interest thereon; (b) take and hold security for the payment or performance of
the Guaranteed Obligations and exchange, enforce, waive or release any such
security; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale
thereof; (d) purchase such security at public or private sale; (e) otherwise
exercise any right or remedy it may have against the Borrower, such Guarantor,
any other Guarantor or any security, including, without limitation, the right to
foreclose upon any such security by judicial or non-judicial sale; (f) settle,
compromise with, release or substitute any one or more makers, endorsers or
guarantors of the Guaranteed Obligations; and (g) subject to ss.21, assign the
Guaranteed Obligations, the provisions of this ss.29, or any of the Loan
Documents in whole or in part.

         29.5 EFFECTIVENESS; ENFORCEMENT. The Guaranty herein of the Guarantors
shall be effective and shall be deemed to be made with respect to each Loan made
to the Borrower as of the time it is made and with respect to each Letter of
Credit issued as of the time of issuance. No invalidity, irregularity or
unenforceability by reason of any bankruptcy or similar law, or any law or order
of any government or agency thereof purporting to reduce, amend or otherwise
affect any liability of the Borrower, and no defect in or insufficiency or want
of powers of the Borrower or irregular or improperly recorded exercise thereof,
shall impair, affect, be a defense to or claim against this Guaranty. This
Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) survive any termination of this
Agreement and (b) remain in full force and effect until payment in full of, and
performance of all Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under
these guaranties. This Guaranty is made for the benefit of the Agent 
<PAGE>   81
                                      -74-


and the Banks and their successors and assigns, and may be enforced from time to
time as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part
of the Banks first to exercise any rights against the Borrower or to exhaust any
remedies available to them against the Borrower or to resort to any other source
or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations or to elect any other
remedy.

         29.6. WAIVER. Each Guarantor to the extent permitted by law hereby
waives promptness, diligence, protest, notice of protest, all suretyship
defenses, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the
Guaranteed Obligations and this guaranty and any requirement that the Banks
protect, secure, perfect or otherwise take action to ensure any security
interest or lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take
any action against the Borrower or any other Person or any collateral. Each
Guarantor also irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all
defenses which at any time may be available to it in respect of the Guaranteed
Obligations by virtue of any statute of limitations, valuation, stay, moratorium
law or other similar law now or hereafter in effect. Further, each Guarantor
expressly waives the right to require the Agent or any Bank first to (a) pursue
the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other Person, (b) proceed against or
exhaust any collateral, or any other security or guaranty that may be held for
the Obligations or the Guaranteed Obligations, or to apply any such security or
guaranty to the Obligations or Guaranteed Obligations or (c) pursue any other
remedy in the Agent's or any Bank's power whatsoever, before seeking from such
Guarantor payment in full of its Guaranteed Obligations or proceeding against
such Guarantor for same.

         29.7 SUBORDINATION; SUBROGATION RIGHTS. Until the payment and
performance in full of all Obligations, no Guarantor shall exercise any rights
against the Borrower arising as a result of payment by such Guarantor hereunder,
and no Guarantor will prove any claim in competition with the Banks or any
affiliate of any Banks in respect of any payment hereunder in bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings of any nature; no Guarantor will claim any set-off or
counterclaim against the Borrower in respect of any liability of such Guarantor
to the Borrower; and each Guarantor waives any benefit of and any right to
participate in any collateral which may be held by the Banks or any affiliate of
any Banks. The payment of any amounts due with respect to any Indebtedness of
the Borrower now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated to
the prior payment in full of the Obligations. Each Guarantor agrees that after
the occurrence of any default in the payment or performance of the Obligations,
such Guarantor will not demand, sue for, or otherwise attempt to collect any
such Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Guarantor until the Obligations shall
have been paid in full. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, any
Guarantor shall collect or receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness,
such amounts shall be collected and received by such Guarantor as trustee for
the Agent Banks and be paid over to the Agent for the benefit of the Agent and
the Banks on account of the Obligations without affecting in any manner the
liability of such Guarantor under the other provisions of its Guaranty.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this ss.29, each Guarantor hereby waiveS
all rights of subrogation against the Borrower until such time as any and all
claims against the Borrower of any creditor of the Borrower, whether existing on
the date hereof or arising at any time thereafter, have been fully satisfied and
discharged. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that the waiver
<PAGE>   82
                                      -75-


contained in the preceding sentence (the "Subrogation Waiver") is given as an
inducement to the Agent and the Banks to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other
agreement referred to herein and, in consideration of the willingness of the
Agent and the Banks to consummate said transactions, each Guarantor agrees that
it shall not in any way amend or modify the Subrogation Waiver without the prior
written consent of all of the Banks. Each Guarantor further acknowledges that
the Subrogation Waiver is made for the benefit of any and all creditors of the
Borrower, whether existing on the date hereof or thereafter arising, whether the
claim of any such creditor against the Borrower is direct or indirect, joint or
several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or
otherwise. The Subrogation Waiver and the provisions of this section shall
survive the expiration or termination of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.

         29.8.  CONCERNING JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY OF THE GUARANTORS.

                  (a) Each of the Guarantors is accepting joint and several
         liability hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration
         of the financial accommodations to be provided by the Agent and the
         Banks under this Credit Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and
         indirectly, of each of the Guarantors and in consideration of the
         undertakings of each other Guarantor to accept joint and several
         liability for the Guaranteed Obligations.

                  (b) Each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, hereby
         irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but
         also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the Borrower and
         the other Guarantors, with respect to the payment and performance of
         all of the Guaranteed Obligations (including, without limitation, any
         Guaranteed Obligations arising under this ss.29), it beinG the
         intention of the parties hereto that all the Guaranteed Obligations
         shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Borrower and
         the Guarantors without preferences or distinction among them.

                  (c) If and to the extent that the Borrower or any Guarantor
         shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Guaranteed
         Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Guaranteed
         Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such
         event the other Guarantors will make such payment with respect to, or
         perform, such Guaranteed Obligation.

                  (d) The Guaranteed Obligations of each of the Guarantors under
         the provisions of this ss.29 constitute full recourse obligations of
         each of the Guarantors enforceable against each such corporation to the
         full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity,
         regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other
         circumstance whatsoever.

                  (e) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit
         Agreement, each of the Guarantors hereby waives notice of acceptance of
         its joint and several liability, notice of any Loans made or Letters of
         Credit issued under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time
         taken or omitted by the Agent or 
<PAGE>   83
                                      -76-

         the Banks under or in respect of any of the Guaranteed Obligations,
         and, generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all demands,
         notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this
         Credit Agreement. Each of the Guarantors hereby assents to, and waives
         notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of
         any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the acceptance of any payment of any
         of the Guaranteed Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment
         thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by the
         Agent or the Banks at any time or times in respect of any default by
         any of the Borrower or the Guarantors in the performance or
         satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this
         Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by the Agent or the
         Banks in respect of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and the taking,
         addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or
         times, of any security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations or the
         addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any of the
         Borrower or the Guarantors. Without limiting the generality of the
         foregoing, each of the Guarantors assents to any other action or delay
         in acting or failure to act on the part of the Banks or the Agent with
         respect to the failure by any of the Borrower or the Guarantors to
         comply with any of its respective Guaranteed Obligations, including,
         without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any
         right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws
         or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the provisions of this
         ss.29, afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving any of
         the Borrower or the Guarantors, in whole or in part, from any of its
         Guaranteed Obligations hereunder, it being the intention of each of the
         Guarantors that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain
         unsatisfied, the Guaranteed Obligations of such Guarantors under this
         ss.29 shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to
         the extent of such performance. The Guaranteed Obligations of each of
         the Guarantors under this ss.27 shall not be diminished or rendereD
         unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement,
         liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any
         of the Borrower or the Guarantors or the Banks or the Agent. The joint
         and several liability of the Guarantors hereunder shall continue in
         full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger,
         consolidation, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name,
         membership, constitution or place of formation of the Borrower or any
         of the Guarantors or any of the Banks or the Agent.

                  (f) Each Guarantor shall be liable under this Credit Agreement
         only for the maximum amount of such liabilities that can be incurred
         under applicable law without rendering this Credit Agreement, as it
         relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to
         fraudulent conveyance and fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater
         amount. Accordingly, if any provisions of this Credit Agreement
         creating any obligation of any Guarantor in favor of any Bank or the
         Agent shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect
         or to any extent, it is the stated intention and agreement of the
         Guarantors, the Agent, and the Banks that any balance of the obligation
         created by such provision and all other obligations of the Guarantors
         to the Banks or the Agent created by other provisions of this Credit
         Agreement shall remain valid 
<PAGE>   84
                                      -77-


         and enforceable, and that all sums not in excess of those permitted
         under applicable law shall remain fully collectible by the Banks and
         the Agent from the Guarantors.

                  (g) The provisions of this ss.29 are made for the benefit of
         the Agent and the Banks anD their successors and assigns, and may be
         enforced in good faith by them from time to time against any or all of
         the Guarantors as often as occasion therefor may arise and without
         requirement on the part of the Agent or the Banks first to marshal any
         of their claims or to exercise any of their rights against the Borrower
         or any other Guarantors or to exhaust any remedies available to them
         against the Borrower or any other Guarantors or to resort to any other
         source or means of obtaining payment of any of the obligations
         hereunder or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this ss.29
         shall remain in effecT until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall
         have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied and the Commitments
         have expired. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in
         respect of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, is rescinded or must
         otherwise be restored or returned by the Banks, or the Agent upon the
         insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or any of the
         Guarantors, or otherwise, the provisions of this ss.29 will forthwith
         be reinstated in effect, as though such payment haD not been made.

         29.9. NEW GUARANTORS. In the event that, after the Closing Date, PFR,
the Borrower or any Guarantor acquires or initiates the incorporation of a new
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, such Subsidiary shall concurrently with
such event or as soon as practicable thereafter execute and deliver to the Agent
an instrument of joinder and accession, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Agent and the Banks, pursuant to which such newly-created or acquired
wholly-owned Subsidiary shall join this Credit Agreement, and shall accede to
all of the rights and obligations of a Guarantor hereunder and thereunder, and,
pursuant thereto shall, among other things, guaranty the complete payment and
performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, make the waivers set forth herein
(including, without limitation, those set forth in ss.29.6 hereof). Further,
such Subsidiary shall executE and/or deliver to the Agent such other
documentation as the Agent may reasonably request in furtherance of the intent
of this ss.29.9, including, without limitation, documentation of the type
required to be supplied by thE initial Guarantors as a condition precedent to
the initial Loans made hereunder pursuant to ss.13 hereof.

                                30. SEVERABILITY.

         The provisions of this Credit Agreement are severable and if any one
clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in
part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect
only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall
not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or
any other clause or provision of this Credit Agreement in any jurisdiction.



<PAGE>   85

                                      -78-


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Credit
Agreement as a sealed instrument as of the date first set forth above.

                        PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING COMPANY, L.P.
                        By: Perkins Management Company, Inc., its
                        General Partner



                        By:  /s/ Steven R. McClellan
                           -------------------------
                               Name:  Steven R. McClellan
                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                        PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS, L.P.
                        By: Perkins Management Company, Inc., its
                        General Partner



                        By:  /s/ Steven R. McClellan
                           -------------------------
                               Name:  Steven R. McClellan
                               Title: Chief Financial Officer
                        
                        BANKBOSTON, N.A., individually and as Agent



                        By:  /s/ Rodney L. Guinn
                            -----------------------------------------------
                               Rodney L. Guinn
                               Director


                        BARNETT BANK, N.A., individually and as Co-Agent



                        By:  /s/ E. Bradley Jones
                            -----------------------------------------------
                               Name: E. Bradley Jones
                               Title: Vice President

                        FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK



                        By:  /s/ Elizabeth H. Vaughn
                            ----------------------------------------------- 
                               Name: Elizabeth H. Vaughn
                               Title: Senior Vice President


<PAGE>   86

                                      -79-


                        BANK ONE INDIANA, N.A.



                        By: /s/ Scott J. Brown
                           -----------------------------
                               Name:  Scott J. Brown
                               Title: Senior Vice President

<PAGE>   87
                                                                      SCHEDULE 1


   EURODOLLAR LENDING OFFICES; REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS: REVOLVING CREDIT
    COMMITMENT PERCENTAGES; GROWTH LOAN COMMITMENTS; GROWTH LOAN COMMITMENT
                                  PERCENTAGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
                                                                                                            Revolving        
                                                                                    Revolving                Credit          
                                                                                     Credit                Commitment        
                  Bank                         Eurodollar Lending Office            Commitment             Percentage        
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
<S>                                       <C>                                   <C>                   <C>              
            BankBoston, N.A.                      100 Federal Street              $12,000,000.00            30.00000%        
                                                   Boston, MA 02110                                                          
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
           Barnett Bank, N.A.                    50 North Laura Street             $9,818,181.82            24.54545%        
                                                      17th Floor                                                             
                                                Jacksonville, FL 32202                                                       
                                                                                                                             
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
      First American National Bank                6000 Poplar Avenue               $9,090,909.09            22.72727%        
                                                       Suite 300                                                             
                                                   Memphis, TN 38118                                                         
                                                                                                                             
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
         Bank One Indiana, N.A.                   111 Monument Circle              $9,090,909.09            22.72727%        
                                                      Suite 1911                                                             
                                                Indianapolis, IN 46277                                                       
                                                                                                                             
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 
                 Totals                                                             $40,000,000                100%           
----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- 


<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
                                          
                                                                     Growth Loan
                                               Growth Loan           Commitment
                  Bank                         Commitment            Percentage
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
<S>                                       <C>                   <C>      
            BankBoston, N.A.                 $4,500,000.00           30.00000%
                                         
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
           Barnett Bank, N.A.                $3,681,818.18           24.54545%
                                         
                                         
                                         
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
      First American National Bank           $3,409,090.91           22.72727%
                                         
                                         
                                         
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
         Bank One Indiana, N.A.              $3,409,090.91           22.72727%
                                         
                                         
                                         
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
                 Totals                       $15,000,000               100%
----------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   88
                                 SCHEDULE 7.1.1
                         LETTERS OF CREDIT OUTSTANDING

                              AS OF JUNE 26, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          L/C Number           1997 Amount               Beneficiary                   Purpose
   =========================  ===============    ============================  ========================
   <S>                         <C>                   <C>                           <C> 
   50070862                      290,000             AIG (National Union)          1991 Work Comp
                           
   50070863                      444,000             Home Ins. Co.                 92/93 Work Comp
                           
                                 148,353             CIGNA                         1994 Work Comp
                                 309,469             CIGNA                         1995 Work Comp
                                 878,494             CIGNA                         1996 Work Comp
                                 975,641             CIGNA                         1997 Work Comp
                               ---------
   50019992                    2,311,957 *
                           
                               =========
   Total Outstanding           3,045,957
                               =========
                           
                           
                           
   * Steps as follows:        
   01/01/96                    1,580,227
   04/01/96                    1,824,137
   07/01/96                    2,068,047
   10/01/96                    2,311,957
</TABLE>                   

<PAGE>   89


                                  SCHEDULE 9.3
                          TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LEASES

                                      None


<PAGE>   90


                                  SCHEDULE 9.7
                                  ------------
                                   LITIGATION
                                   ----------

                                      None


<PAGE>   91


                                 SCHEDULE 9.19
                                 -------------
                                  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  ------------

                                      None

                                 JOINT VENTURES
                                 --------------

                            J.A. Joint Venture, LLC


<PAGE>   92


                                 SCHEDULE 11.1
                                 -------------
                          SCHEDULE OF INDEBTEDNESS (1)
                          ----------------------------
                                    (000'S)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                    <C>
Indebtedness to the Banks and Agent under 11.1 (a)                     $16,000

Unsecured Current Liabilities under 11.1 (b) & (c)                      19,425

Capitalized Lease Obligations under 11.1 (g)                             9,387

Distributions Payable                                                    3,474

Net Amounts Due to Perkins Group                                           310

Reserves for Disposition of Assets                                         952

Workers Compensation Insurance Reserves (2)                              3,792

Prudential Notes                                                        33,800

Miscellaneous Long-term Accruals and Deposits                              908

Minority Interest of PMC in Borrower                                       606

Guaranties of Indebtedness of Franchisees                                1,650

                                                                       =======
Total Indebtedness                                                     $90,304
                                                                       =======
</TABLE>


(1)      All amounts are as of May 31, 1997 except for the following: 
          - Cash distributions which were declared on June 16, 1997. 
          - Bank Debt which is as of June 25, 1997. 
          - Guaranties which are estimated as of June 30, 1997.

(2)      Outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $2,558 as of May 31,
         1997 are included in Workers compensation Insurance Reserves shown
         above.


<PAGE>   93

                                 SCHEDULE 11.2
                                 -------------
                                 EXISTING LIENS
                                 --------------


                                      None



<PAGE>   94

                                 SCHEDULE 11.3
                                 -------------
                          SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (1)
                          ---------------------------
                                    (000'S)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Note Secured by:
<S>  <C>                                                                <C>
     Land, Building and Equipment located at
           1711 W. 23rd Street, Lawrence, Kansas                        $1,066

     Equipment located at 8200 N. Wickman Rd., Viera, Florida              160

Franchisee Notes                                                           297

Other Contracts Receivable                                                  80
                                                                        ======
Total Investments                                                       $1,603
                                                                        ======
</TABLE>
(1)    All amounts are as of May 31, 1997.

<PAGE>   95

                                                                      EXHIBIT A

                         FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
             

$_______________                                            as of June __, 1997



         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING
COMPANY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "Borrower"), hereby promises
to pay to the order of _____________________ (the "Bank") at the Agent's Head
Office as such term is defined in the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement,
dated as of June 25, 1997 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise
modified and in effect from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), by and among
the Borrower, Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P., the Bank, the other lending
institutions party thereto, and BankBoston, N.A., as Agent:

                  (a) the principal amount of ______________ DOLLARS
         ($_________) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
         Revolving Credit Loans advanced by the Bank to the Borrower pursuant
         to the Credit Agreement, payable in the manner, at the times and in
         the amounts set forth in the Credit Agreement, with the balance
         payable in full on the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date; and

                  (b) interest from the date hereof on the principal balance
         from time to time outstanding through and including the date on which
         such principal amount is paid in full at the times and rates and at
         all times in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

         This Revolving Credit Note evidences borrowings under, is subject to
the terms and conditions of, and has been issued by the Borrower in accordance
with the terms of, the Credit Agreement. The Bank and any permitted holder
hereof are entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, and may enforce the agreements of the Borrower contained therein,
and any permitted holder hereof may exercise the respective remedies provided
for thereby or otherwise available in respect thereof, all in accordance with
the respective terms thereof. All capitalized terms used in this Revolving
Credit Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings
herein as in the Credit Agreement.

         The Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Bank to make or cause to be
made, at or about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loan or
at the time of receipt of any payment of principal of this Revolving Credit
Note, an appropriate notation on the grid attached to this Revolving Credit
Note, or the continuation of such grid, or any other similar record, including
computer records, reflecting the making of such Revolving Credit Loan or (as
the case may be) the receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans set forth on the grid attached to this Revolving Credit
Note,


<PAGE>   96
                                      -2-


or the continuation of such grid, or any other similar record, including
computer records, maintained by the Bank with respect to any Revolving Credit
Loans shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and
unpaid to the Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording,
any such amount on any such grid, continuation or other record shall not limit
or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under the
Credit Agreement to make payments of principal of and interest on this
Revolving Credit Note when due.

         The Borrower has the right in certain circumstances and the obligation
under certain other circumstances to prepay the whole or part of the principal
of this Revolving Credit Note on the terms and conditions specified in the
Credit Agreement.

         If any one or more of the Events of Default shall occur, the entire
unpaid principal amount of this Revolving Credit Note and all of the unpaid
interest accrued thereon may become or be declared due and payable in the
manner and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

         No delay or omission on the part of the Bank or any holder hereof in
exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right or of
any other rights of the Bank or such holder, nor shall any delay, omission or
waiver on any one occasion be deemed a bar or waiver of the same or any other
right on any further occasion.

         The Borrower and every endorser and guarantor of this Revolving Credit
Note or the obligation represented hereby waives presentment, demand, notice,
protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery,
acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Revolving Credit Note,
and assents to any extension or postponement of the time of payment or any
other indulgence, to any substitution, exchange or release of collateral and to
the addition or release of any other party or person primarily or secondarily
liable.

         THIS REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER
HEREUNDER SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAW OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (EXCLUDING THE LAWS
APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). THE BORROWER AGREES THAT ANY SUIT
FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS
OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND
CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND THE SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS
SPECIFIED IN SS.22 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR
ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.

<PAGE>   97
                                      -3-

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Revolving
Credit Note as a sealed instrument as of the day and year first above written.

                                          PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING
                                            COMPANY, L.P.

                                          By:  Perkins Management Company, Inc.,
                                               its General Partner

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


<PAGE>   98
                                      -4-

 
                AMOUNT         AMOUNT OF          BALANCE OF
             OF REVOLVING      PRINCIPAL          PRINCIPAL       NOTATION
  DATE       CREDIT LOAN         PAID              UNPAID         MADE BY:
                              OR PREPAID

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<PAGE>   99
                                                                      EXHIBIT B


                     FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN REQUEST


                  PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING COMPANY, L.P.
                         6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 800
                            Memphis, Tennessee 38119

                              ____________, _____

BankBoston, N.A., as Agent
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110

Attention:  Mr. Rodney L. Guinn, Director

         Re:      Revolving Credit Loan Request Under the Revolving Credit and
                  Term Loan Agreement dated as of June 25, 1997

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Please refer to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement,
dated as of June 25, 1997, as in effect from time to time (such agreement, as
amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified and in effect from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement") by and among Perkins Restaurants Operating
Company L.P., Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P., the lending institutions party
thereto (collectively, the "Banks"), and BankBoston, N.A., as Agent.
Capitalized terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used in this letter
without definition shall have for purposes of this letter the meanings assigned
to them in the Credit Agreement.

         Pursuant to ss.2.6 of the Credit Agreement, we hereby request that a
Revolving Credit Loan consisting oF [**a Base Rate Loan in the principal amount
of $ ,] or [a Eurodollar Rate Loan in the principal amount of $__________ with
an Interest Period of **] be made on __________ __, _____. We understand that
this request is irrevocable and binding on us and obligates us to accept the
requested Revolving Credit Loan on such date.

         We hereby certify (a) that the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the Revolving Credit Loans on today's date is $________ , (b) that we will
use the proceeds of the requested Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with the
provisions of the Credit Agreement, (c) that each of the representations and
warranties contained in the Credit


<PAGE>   100
BankBoston, N.A., as Agent

--------------------------
Page 2


Agreement or in any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in
connection with the Credit Agreement was true as of the date as of which it was
made and is true at and as of the date hereof (except to the extent of changes
resulting from transactions contemplated or permitted by the Credit Agreement
and changes occurring in the ordinary course of business that singly or in the
aggregate are not materially adverse, and to the extent that such
representations and warranties related expressly to an earlier date) and (d)
that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING
                                         COMPANY, L.P.

                                       By:   Perkins Management Company, Inc.,
                                             its General Partner

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


<PAGE>   101

                                                                      EXHIBIT C

                            FORM OF GROWTH LOAN NOTE
                           

$_______________                                            as of June __, 1997



         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING
COMPANY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "Borrower"), hereby promises
to pay to the order of _____________________ (the "Bank") at the Agent's Head
Office as such term is defined in the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement,
dated as of June 25, 1997 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise
modified and in effect from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), by and among
the Borrower, Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P., the Bank, the other lending
institutions party thereto, and BankBoston, N.A., as Agent:

                  (a) the principal amount of ______________ DOLLARS
         ($_________) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
         Growth Loans or after the Term Out Date, the Term Loan advanced by the
         Bank to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, payable in the
         manner, at the times and in the amounts set forth in the Credit
         Agreement, with the balance payable in full on the Term Loan Maturity
         Date; and

                  (b) interest from the date hereof on the principal balance
         from time to time outstanding through and including the date on which
         such principal amount is paid in full at the times and rates and at
         all times in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

         This Growth Loan Note evidences borrowings under, is subject to the
terms and conditions of, and has been issued by the Borrower in accordance with
the terms of, the Credit Agreement. The Bank and any permitted holder hereof
are entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, and may enforce the agreements of the Borrower contained therein,
and any permitted holder hereof may exercise the respective remedies provided
for thereby or otherwise available in respect thereof, all in accordance with
the respective terms thereof. All capitalized terms used in this Growth Loan
Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as in
the Credit Agreement.

         The Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Bank to make or cause to be
made, at or about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Growth Loan or the Term
Out Date with respect to the Term Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment
of principal of this Growth Loan Note, an appropriate notation on the grid
attached to this Growth Loan Note, or the continuation of such grid, or any
other similar record, including computer records, reflecting the making of such
Growth Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such


<PAGE>   102
                                      -2-

payment. The outstanding amount of the Growth Loans and the Term Loan set forth
on the grid attached to this Growth Loan Note, or the continuation of such
grid, or any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by
the Bank with respect to any Growth Loans and the Term Loan shall be prima
facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to the Bank,
but the failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on any
such grid, continuation or other record shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under the Credit Agreement to make
payments of principal of and interest on this Growth Loan Note when due.

         The Borrower has the right in certain circumstances and the obligation
under certain other circumstances to prepay the whole or part of the principal
of this Growth Loan Note on the terms and conditions specified in the Credit
Agreement.

         If any one or more of the Events of Default shall occur, the entire
unpaid principal amount of this Growth Loan Note and all of the unpaid interest
accrued thereon may become or be declared due and payable in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

         No delay or omission on the part of the Bank or any holder hereof in
exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right or of
any other rights of the Bank or such holder, nor shall any delay, omission or
waiver on any one occasion be deemed a bar or waiver of the same or any other
right on any further occasion.

         The Borrower and every endorser and guarantor of this Growth Loan Note
or the obligation represented hereby waives presentment, demand, notice,
protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery,
acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Growth Loan Note, and
assents to any extension or postponement of the time of payment or any other
indulgence, to any substitution, exchange or release of collateral and to the
addition or release of any other party or person primarily or secondarily
liable.

         THIS GROWTH LOAN NOTE AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER HEREUNDER
SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW
OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO
CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). THE BORROWER AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS GROWTH LOAN NOTE MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND CONSENTS
TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN
ANY SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN
SS.22 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH COURT OR
THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.


<PAGE>   103
                                      -3-

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Growth Loan
Note as a sealed instrument as of the day and year first above written.

                                     PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING
                                       COMPANY, L.P.

                                     By:  Perkins Management Company, Inc.,
                                            its General Partner

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

<PAGE>   104
                                      -4-

                   AMOUNT         AMOUNT OF
                 OF GROWTH        PRINCIPAL     BALANCE OF
               LOAN OR TERM          PAID        PRINCIPAL      NOTATION
     DATE           LOAN           OR REPAID      UNPAID        MADE BY:
     ----           ----           ---------      ------        --------

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<PAGE>   105

                                                                      EXHIBIT D

                          FORM OF GROWTH LOAN REQUEST

                  PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING COMPANY, L.P.
                         6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 800
                            Memphis, Tennessee 38119

                                
                              ------------, -----
BankBoston, N.A., as Agent
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110

Attention:  Mr. Rodney L. Guinn, Director

         Re:      Growth Loan Request Under the Revolving Credit and Term Loan
                  Agreement dated as of June 25, 1997


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Please refer to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement,
dated as of June 25, 1997, as in effect from time to time (such agreement, as
amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified and in effect from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement") by and among Perkins Restaurants Operating
Company L.P., Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P., the lending institutions party
thereto (collectively, the "Banks"), and BankBoston, N.A., as Agent.
Capitalized terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used in this letter
without definition shall have for purposes of this letter the meanings assigned
to them in the Credit Agreement.

         Pursuant to ss.4.6 of the Credit Agreement, we hereby request that a
Growth Loan consisting of [**a BasE Rate Loan in the principal amount of $ ],
or [a Eurodollar Rate Loan in the principal amount of $__________ with an
Interest Period of __________**] be made on __________ __, _____. We understand
that this request is irrevocable and binding on us and obligates us to accept
the requested Growth Loan on such date.

         We hereby certify (a) that the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the Growth Loans on today's date is $_____,(b) that we will use the proceeds
of the requested Growth Loan in accordance with the provisions of the Credit
Agreement, (c) that each of the representations and warranties contained in the
Credit Agreement or in any document


<PAGE>   106
BankBoston, N.A., as Agent

--------------------------
Page 2


or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement
was true as of the date as of which it was made and is true at and as of the
date hereof (except to the extent of changes resulting from transactions
contemplated or permitted by the Credit Agreement and changes occurring in the
ordinary course of business that singly or in the aggregate are not materially
adverse, and to the extent that such representations and warranties related
expressly to an earlier date) and (d) that no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING
                                         COMPANY, L.P.
                                       By: Perkins Management Company, Inc.,
                                            its General Partner

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


<PAGE>   107

                                                                      EXHIBIT E


                         FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
                   

                               
                               ------------,-----
BankBoston, N.A., as Agent
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02110

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June
25, 1997 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
by and among Perkins Restaurants Operating Company, L.P., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), Perkins Family Restaurants, L.P., the financial
institutions which are or may become parties thereto from time to time
(collectively, the "Banks"), and BankBoston, N.A. as agent (the "Agent") for
the Banks. Capitalized terms which are used herein without definition and which
are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned
to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

        Pursuant to ss.10.4(d) of the Credit Agreement, the principal financial
or accounting officer of thE Borrower hereby certifies to you as follows: (a)
the information furnished in the calculations attached hereto was true and
correct as of the last day of the fiscal [**year**] [**quarter**] ended
______________; (b) as of the date of this certificate, there exists no Default
or Event of Default or condition which would, with either or both the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, result in a Default or an Event of Default; and
(c) the financial statements delivered herewith were prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent
with prior periods.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officers have executed this
Compliance Certificate as of the date first written above.

                                     PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING
                                     COMPANY, L.P.
                                     By:  Perkins Management Company, Inc.,
                                           its General Partner

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


<PAGE>   108
                                      -2-

                  PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING COMPANY, L.P.

                        COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE WORKSHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>      <C>                                                                    <C>              <C>
1.       MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE - SECTION 12.1
         For the four quarter period ending ____________:

         (a)      Consolidated Net Income                                       $_________

         (b)      Interest expense  $_________

         (c)      Income taxes                                                  $_________

         (d)      Depreciation expense                                          $_________

         (e)      Amortization Expense                                          $_________

         (f)      EBITDA (sum of items (a) through (e))                                          $_________

         (g)      Rental Expense                                                                 $_________

         (h)      Non-cash charges relating to Statement of Financial
                  Accounting Standards No. 121 and other charges not to
                  exceed in the aggregate $3,000,000 resulting from conversion
                  to corporate form deducted in the calculation of Consolidated

                  Net Income without duplication                                                 $_________

         (i)      Sum of items (f) through (h)                                                   $_________

         (j)      All scheduled principal payments in respect of
                  Indebtedness for Borrowed Money                                                $_________

         (k)      Item (b) plus item (g) plus item (j)                                           $_________
                           ----          ----

         (j)      Ratio of item (i) to item (k)                                                  _____:1.00

         (l)      Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Required:
                  (see table in ss.12.1)                                                         _____:1.00
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   109
                                      -3-
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>      <C>                                                                                     <C>
                                                                                                     
2.       MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH - SECTION 12.2
         As of _______________:

         (a)      Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of such period                         $_________

         (b)      Consolidated Total Liabilities as of the end of such period                    $_________

         (c)      Item (a) minus item (b)                                                        $_________

         (d)      $4,338,000 in respect of the write down of certain assets taken                $4,338,000
                  by the Borrower at December 31, 1993

         (e)      Amounts in respect of the write-down of certain assets in
                  accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
                  No. 121, to the extent taken by the Borrower after the Closing

                  Date (not to exceed in the aggregate $5,000,000)                               $________

         (f)      Item (c) plus item (d) plus item (e)                                           $________
                           ----          ----

         (g)      Total book value of all assets of PFR and its Subsidiaries properly
                  classified as intangible assets under generally accepted accounting
                  principles                                                                     $________

         (h)      To the extent otherwise includable in the computation of
                  Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, any subscriptions receivable $_________

         (i)      Item (g) plus item (h)                                                         $________

         (j)      Item (f) minus item (i)                                                        $________

         (k)      Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth Required                               $30,000,000

3.       MAXIMUM LEVERAGE - SECTION 12.3
         As at _______________:

         (a)      Consolidated Total Liabilities                                                 $________

         (b)      Consolidated Tangible Net Worth

                  (Insert from item (j) ofss.12.2 above)                                         $________

         (c)      Ratio of item (a) to item (b)                                                  ____:1.00

         (d)      Maximum Leverage Permitted                                                     2.75:1.00
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   110
                                      -4-
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>      <C>                                                                    <C>              <C>                       
4.       MAXIMUM CAPITAL EXPENDITURES - SECTION 11.11
         For the fiscal year ending ___________ (EBITDA test
         applies to prior fiscal year)

         (a)      Consolidated Net Income                                       $_________

         (b)      Interest expense  $_________

         (c)      Income taxes                                                  $_________

         (d)      Depreciation expense                                          $_________

         (e)      Amortization Expense                                          $_________

         (f)      EBITDA (sum of items (a) through (e))                                          $_________

         (g)      Item (g) times 0.70                                                            $_________
                           -----

         (h)      Maximum Permitted Annual Capital Expenditures

                  (insert the greater of item (g) and the amount specified in ss.11.11)          $_________

         (i)      Capital Expenditures, excluding amounts paid or indebtedness
                  incurred by PFR, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to
                  effect Permitted Acquisitions                                                  $_________
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   111

                                                                      EXHIBIT F

                       FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE


                        Dated as of
                                    -----------, -------

         Reference is made to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement,
dated as of June 25, 1997 (as from time to time amended and in effect, the
"Credit Agreement"), by and among PERKINS RESTAURANTS OPERATING COMPANY, L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership (the "Borrower"), PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, the financial institutions referred to
therein as Banks (collectively, the "Banks"), and BANKBOSTON, N.A., a national
banking association, as agent (in such capacity, the "Agent") for the Banks.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         ___________________ (the "Assignor") and ___________________ (the
"Assignee") hereby agree as follows:

         1. ASSIGNMENT. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Assignment
and Acceptance, the Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the
Assignee hereby purchases and assumes without recourse to the Assignor, a
$____________ interest in and to the rights, benefits, indemnities and
obligations of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement equal to _____________%
in respect of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment and _____________% in
respect of the Total Growth Loan Commitment [OR, IF AFTER THE TERM OUT DATE,
_____________% in respect of the Term Loan] immediately prior to the Effective
Date (as hereinafter defined).

         2. ASSIGNOR'S REPRESENTATIONS. The Assignor (a) represents and
warrants that (i) it is legally authorized to enter into this Assignment and
Acceptance, (ii) as of the date hereof, its Revolving Credit Commitment is
$_____________, its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage is _____________%,
the aggregate outstanding principal balance of its Revolving Credit Loans
equals $_____________, its Growth Loan Commitment is $_____________, its Growth
Loan Commitment Percentage is _____________%, the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of its Growth Loans equals $_____________, [OR, IF AFTER THE
TERM OUT DATE, its Term Loan Percentage is _____________%, the aggregate
outstanding principal balance of its portion of the Term Loan equals
$_____________,] (in each case after giving effect to the assignment
contemplated hereby but without giving effect to any contemplated assignments
which have not yet become effective), and (iii) immediately after giving effect
to all assignments which have not yet become effective, the Assignor's
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage and Growth Loan Commitment Percentage
[OR, IF AFTER THE TERM OUT DATE, Term Loan Percentage] will be sufficient to
give effect to this Assignment and Acceptance, (b) makes no representation or
warranty, express or implied, and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the
Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit
Agreement, any of the other

<PAGE>   112

                                      -2-

Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto
or the attachment, perfection or priority of any security interest or mortgage,
other than that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being
assigned by it hereunder free and clear of any claim or encumbrance; (c) makes
no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the
financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other
Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the Obligations, or
the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the
Obligations of any of its obligations under the Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document delivered or executed
pursuant thereto; and (d) attaches hereto the Notes delivered to it under the
Credit Agreement.

         The Assignor requests that the Borrower exchange the Assignor's Notes
for new Notes payable to the Assignor and the Assignee as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

       Notes Payable to        Amount of Revolving     Amount of Growth

         the Order of:             Credit Note             Loan Note
         -------------             -----------             ---------

           <S>                  <C>                    <C>             
           Assignor             $_______________       $_______________
           Assignee             $_______________       $_______________
</TABLE>

         3. ASSIGNEE'S REPRESENTATIONS. The Assignee (a) represents and
warrants that (i) it is duly and legally authorized to enter into this
Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Assignment and Acceptance do not conflict with any provision of law or of the
charter or by-laws of the Assignee, or of any agreement binding on the
Assignee, (iii) all acts, conditions and things required to be done and
performed and to have occurred prior to the execution, delivery and performance
of this Assignment and Acceptance, and to render the same the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Assignee, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, have been done and performed and have occurred in due and strict
compliance with all applicable laws; (b) confirms that it has received a copy
of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial
statements delivered pursuant to ss.ss.9.4 and 10.4 thereof and such other
documents And information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (c) agrees
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor, the Agent
or any other Bank and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under the Credit Agreement; (d) represents and warrants that
it is an Eligible Assignee; (e) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such
action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the
terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto;
and (f) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the
obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be
performed by it as a Bank.

<PAGE>   113
                                      -3-

         4. EFFECTIVE DATE. The effective date for this Assignment and
Acceptance shall be _____________ (the "Effective Date"). Following the
execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, each party hereto shall deliver
its duly executed counterpart hereof to the Agent for consent by the Agent and
recording in the Register by the Agent. Schedule 1 to the Credit Agreement
shall thereupon be replaced as of the Effective Date by the Schedule 1 annexed
hereto.

         5. RIGHTS UNDER CREDIT AGREEMENT. Upon such acceptance and recording,
from and after the Effective Date, (a) the Assignee shall be a party to the
Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance,
have the rights and obligations of a Bank thereunder, and (b) the Assignor
shall, with respect to that portion of its interest under the Credit Agreement
assigned hereunder, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations
under the Credit Agreement; provided, however, that the Assignor shall retain
its rights to be indemnified pursuant to ss.19 of the Credit Agreement with
respect to any claims or actions arising prior to thE Effective Date.

         6. PAYMENTS. Upon such acceptance of this Assignment and Acceptance by
the Agent and such recording, from and after the Effective Date, the Agent
shall make all payments in respect of the rights and interests assigned hereby
(including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the
Assignee. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make any appropriate adjustments
in payments for periods prior to the Effective Date by the Agent or with
respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

         7. GOVERNING LAW. THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE IS INTENDED TO TAKE
EFFECT AS A SEALED INSTRUMENT TO BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (WITHOUT REFERENCE TO
CONFLICT OF LAWS).

         8. COUNTERPARTS. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any
number of counterparts which shall together constitute but one and the same
agreement.


<PAGE>   114
                                      -4-

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound, each of the
undersigned has caused this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed on its
behalf by its officer thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above
written.

                                   [ASSIGNOR]

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

                                   [ASSIGNEE]

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

CONSENTED TO:

PERKINS RESTAURANTS
OPERATING COMPANY, L.P.
By:  Perkins Management, Inc.,
      its General Partner

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

BANKBOSTON, N.A., as Agent

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