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                                                                    Exhibit 10.4


                         P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC.

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


      1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.

            1 ESTABLISHMENT. The P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC.'s 1996 Stock
Option Plan (the "PLAN") is hereby established effective as of August 2, 1996
(the "EFFECTIVE DATE").

            2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of
the Participating Company Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive
to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating
Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and
profitability of the Participating Company Group.

            3 TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier
of its termination by the Board or the date on which all of the shares of Stock
available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on
such shares under the terms of the Plan and the agreements evidencing Options
granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all Options shall be granted, if at
all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by
the Board or the date the Plan is duly approved by the stockholders of the
Company.

      2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

            1 DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have
their respective meanings set forth below:

                  (a) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company. If
one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan,
"Board" also means such Committee(s).

                  (b) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (c) "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee or other
committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such
powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee
have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of
the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power to amend or
terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable limitations imposed by law.

                  (d) "COMPANY" means P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
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                  (e) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor,
engaged by a Participating Company to render services other than as an Employee
or a Director.

                  (f) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board or of the board of
directors of any other Participating Company.

                  (g) "EMPLOYEE" means any person treated as an employee
(including an officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the
records of a Participating Company; provided, however, that neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee shall be sufficient to constitute
employment for purposes of the Plan.

                  (h) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

                  (i) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of a
share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its sole
discretion, or by the Company, in its sole discretion, if such determination is
expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

                        (i) If, on such date, there is a public market for the
Stock, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing sale price
of a share of Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices of a share
of Stock if the Stock is so quoted instead) as quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market, the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market or such other national or regional
securities exchange or market system constituting the primary market for the
Stock, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Company deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the
Stock has traded on such securities exchange or market system, the date on which
the Fair Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the
Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as
shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion.

                        (ii) If, on such date, there is no public market for the
Stock, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the
Board without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its
terms, will never lapse.

                  (j) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to be
(as set forth in the Option Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock
option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

                  (k) "INSIDER" means an officer or a Director of the Company or
any other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act.

                  (l) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended
to be (as set forth in the Option Agreement) or which does not qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option.
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                  (m) "OPTION" means a right to purchase Stock (subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 4.2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Plan. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory
Stock Option.

                  (n) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of
the Option granted to the Optionee and any shares acquired upon the exercise
thereof.

                  (o) "OPTIONEE" means a person who has been granted one or more
Options.

                  (p) "PARENT CORPORATION" means any present or future "parent
corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                  (q) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY" means the Company or any Parent
Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.

                  (r) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY GROUP" means, at any point in time,
all corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.

                  (s) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as
amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

                  (t) "STOCK" means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share,
of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2.

                  (u) "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" means any present or future
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the
Code.

                  (v) "TEN PERCENT OWNER OPTIONEE" means an Optionee who, at the
time an Option is granted to the Optionee, owns stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a
Participating Company within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.

            2 CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use
of the term "or" is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly
requires otherwise.


                                       3
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      3. ADMINISTRATION.

            1 ADMINISTRATION BY THE BOARD. The Plan shall be administered by the
Board. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Option shall be
determined by the Board, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon
all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Option. Any officer of a
Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company
with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which
is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided
the officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right,
obligation, determination or election.

            2 ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO INSIDERS. With respect to
participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity
security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange
Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any,
of Rule 16b-3.

            3 POWERS OF THE BOARD. In addition to any other powers set forth in
the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the
full and final power and authority, in its sole discretion:

                  (a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at
which, Options shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock to be subject
to each Option;

                  (b) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options;

                  (c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or
other property;

                  (d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions
applicable to each Option (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired
upon the exercise thereof, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise price
of the Option, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased upon the exercise
of the Option, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding
obligation arising in connection with the Option or such shares, including by
the withholding or delivery of shares of stock, (iv) the timing, terms and
conditions of the exercisability of the Option or the vesting of any shares
acquired upon the exercise thereof, (v) the time of the expiration of the
Option, (vi) the effect of the Optionee's termination of employment or service
with the Participating Company Group on any of the foregoing, and (vii) all
other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Option or such shares
not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;

                  (e) to approve one or more forms of Option Agreement;

                  (f) to amend, modify, extend, or renew, or grant a new Option
in substitution for, any Option or to waive any restrictions or conditions
applicable to any Option or any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof;
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                  (g) to amend the exercisability of any Option or the vesting
of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, including with respect to the
period following an Optionee's termination of employment or service with the
Participating Company Group;

                  (h) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and
policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative
versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Board deems
necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax
policy or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted
Options; and

                  (i) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile
any inconsistency in the Plan or any Option Agreement and to make all other
determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any
Option as the Board may deem advisable to the extent consistent with the Plan
and applicable law.

      4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.

            1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that
may be issued under the Plan shall be one hundred seventy-eight thousand
(178,000) and shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of
Stock or any combination thereof. If an outstanding Option for any reason
expires or is terminated or canceled, or if shares of Stock acquired, subject to
repurchase, upon the exercise of an Option are repurchased by the Company, the
shares of Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option or such
repurchased shares of Stock shall again be available for issuance under the
Plan.

            2 ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. In the event of any
stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination,
reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company,
appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares subject
to the Plan and to any outstanding Options and in the exercise price per share
of any outstanding Options. If a majority of the shares which are of the same
class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Options are exchanged for,
converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership
Change Event, as defined in Section 8.1) shares of another corporation (the "NEW
SHARES"), the Board may unilaterally amend the outstanding Options to provide
that such Options are exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such
amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise price per share of,
the outstanding Options shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as
determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2
shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, as determined by the
Board, and in no event may the exercise price of any Option be decreased to an
amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The
adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be final,
binding and conclusive.
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      5. ELIGIBILITY AND OPTION LIMITATIONS.

            1 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR OPTIONS. Options may be granted only to
Employees, Consultants, and Directors. For purposes of the foregoing sentence,
"Employees," "Consultants" and "Directors" shall include prospective Employees,
prospective Consultants and prospective Directors to whom Options are granted in
connection with written offers of employment or other service relationship with
the Participating Company Group. Eligible persons may be granted more than one
(1) Option.

            2 OPTION GRANT RESTRICTIONS. Any person who is not an Employee on
the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only
a Nonstatutory Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option granted to a prospective
Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee shall be deemed
granted effective on the date such person commences service with a Participating
Company, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with
Section 6.1.

            3 FAIR MARKET VALUE LIMITATION. To the extent that options
designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock option plans of
the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by an
Optionee for the first time during any calendar year for stock having an
aggregate Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount shall be
treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5.3, options
designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be
determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If
the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in
this Section 5.3, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein
effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or
permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive
Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the
limitation set forth in this Section 5.3, the Optionee may designate which
portion of such Option the Optionee is exercising. In the absence of such
designation, the Optionee shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock
Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such
portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option.

      6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. Options shall be evidenced by Option
Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such
form as the Board shall from time to time establish. Option Agreements may
incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply
with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

            1 EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price for each Option shall be
established in the sole discretion of the Board; provided, however, that (a) the
exercise price per share for an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than
the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the
Option, (b) the exercise price per share for a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall
be not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of a share
of
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Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option, and (c) no Option granted to
a Ten Percent Owner Optionee shall have an exercise price per share less than
one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on
the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be
granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth
above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for
another option in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of
the Code.

            2 EXERCISE PERIOD. Options shall be exercisable at such time or
times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions,
performance criteria, and restrictions as shall be determined by the Board and
set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however,
that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years
after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option
granted to a Ten Percent Owner Optionee shall be exercisable after the
expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option,
and (c) no Option granted to a prospective Employee, prospective Consultant or
prospective Director may become exercisable prior to the date on which such
person commences service with a Participating Company.

            3 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.

                  (a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as otherwise
provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock
being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check, or
cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company of shares of Stock owned by the
Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the Company without regard
to any restrictions on transferability applicable to such stock by reason of
federal or state securities laws or agreements with an underwriter for the
Company) not less than the exercise price, (iii) by the assignment of the
proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being
acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through
an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from
time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a
"CASHLESS EXERCISE"), (iv) by the Optionee's promissory note in a form approved
by the Company, (v) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Board
from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (vi) by any
combination thereof. The Board may at any time or from time to time, by adoption
of or by amendment to the standard forms of Option Agreement described in
Section 7, or by other means, grant Options which do not permit all of the
foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or
which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

                  (b) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option
may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock to the extent
such tender of Stock would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law,
regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company's stock.
Unless otherwise provided by the Board, an Option may not be exercised by tender
to the Company of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by
the Optionee for more than six (6) months or were not acquired, directly or
indirectly, from the Company.
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                  (c) CASHLESS EXERCISE. The Company reserves, at any and all
times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to establish,
decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of
Options by means of a Cashless Exercise.

                  (d) PAYMENT BY PROMISSORY NOTE. No promissory note shall be
permitted if the exercise of an Option using a promissory note would be a
violation of any law. Any permitted promissory note shall be on such terms as
the Board shall determine at the time the Option is granted. The Board shall
have the authority to permit or require the Optionee to secure any promissory
note used to exercise an Option with the shares of Stock acquired upon the
exercise of the Option or with other collateral acceptable to the Company.
Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if the Company at any time is subject to
the regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System or any other governmental entity affecting the extension of credit in
connection with the Company's securities, any promissory note shall comply with
such applicable regulations, and the Optionee shall pay the unpaid principal and
accrued interest, if any, to the extent necessary to comply with such applicable
regulations.

            4 TAX WITHHOLDING. The Company shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of an
Option, or to accept from the Optionee the tender of, a number of whole shares
of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all
or any part of the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by
law to be withheld by the Participating Company Group with respect to such
Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof. Alternatively or in
addition, in its sole discretion, the Company shall have the right to require
the Optionee, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including
by means of a Cashless Exercise, to make adequate provision for any such tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group arising in connection
with the Option or the shares acquired upon the exercise thereof. The Company
shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock or to release shares of
Stock from an escrow established pursuant to the Option Agreement until the
Participating Company Group's tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by
the Optionee.

            5 REPURCHASE RIGHTS. Shares issued under the Plan may be subject to
a right of first refusal, one or more repurchase options, or other conditions
and restrictions as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, at the time
the Option is granted. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time
any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable,
to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the
Company, each Optionee shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer
restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall
promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of
Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate
legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.
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      7. STANDARD FORMS OF OPTION AGREEMENT.

            1 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. Unless otherwise provided by the Board at
the time the Option is granted, an Option designated as an "Incentive Stock
Option" shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in the form of Immediately Exercisable Incentive Stock Option Agreement adopted
by the Board concurrently with its adoption of the Plan and as amended from time
to time.

            2 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS. Unless otherwise provided by the Board
at the time the Option is granted, an Option designated as a "Nonstatutory Stock
Option" shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in the form of Immediately Exercisable Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement
adopted by the Board concurrently with its adoption of the Plan and as amended
from time to time.

            3 STANDARD TERM OF OPTIONS. Except as otherwise provided in Section
6.2 or by the Board in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder
shall have a term of ten (10) years from the effective date of grant of the
Option.

            4 AUTHORITY TO VARY TERMS. The Board shall have the authority from
time to time to vary the terms of any of the standard forms of Option Agreement
described in this Section 7 either in connection with the grant or amendment of
an individual Option or in connection with the authorization of a new standard
form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new,
revised or amended standard form or forms of Option Agreement are not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. Such authority shall include, but not
by way of limitation, the authority to grant Options which are not immediately
exercisable.

      8. TRANSFER OF CONTROL.

            1 DEFINITIONS.

                  (a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to have
occurred if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company:

                        (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single
or series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of more
than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company;

                        (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a
party;

                        (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

                        (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
<PAGE>   10
                  (b) A "TRANSFER OF CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership Change
Event or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, the
"TRANSACTION") wherein the stockholders of the Company immediately before the
Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company or the corporation or corporations to
which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "TRANSFEREE
CORPORATION(S)"), as the case may be, provided, however, that neither an initial
public offering by the Company, nor an equity or convertible securities
financing by the Company shall be deemed an Ownership Change Event or Transfer
of Control for the purpose of any accelerated vesting provision of this Option
Agreement. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership
shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the
voting stock of one or more corporations which, as a result of the Transaction,
own the Company or the Transferee Corporation(s), as the case may be, either
directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have
the right to determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting stock
of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and its
determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
<PAGE>   11
            2 EFFECT OF TRANSFER OF CONTROL ON OPTIONS. In the event of an
eligible Transfer of Control, each of the outstanding Options shall receive an
additional two (2) years of accelerated vesting as of the date ten (10) days
prior to the date of the Transfer of Control. The exercise or vesting of any
Option that was permissible solely by reason of this Section 8.2 shall be
conditioned upon the consummation of the Transfer of Control. In addition, the
surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or parent
corporation thereof, as the case may be (the "ACQUIRING CORPORATION"), may
either assume the Company's rights and obligations under outstanding Options or
substitute for outstanding Options substantially equivalent options for the
Acquiring Corporation's stock. For purposes of this Section 8.2, an Option shall
be deemed assumed if, following the Transfer of Control, the Option confers the
right to purchase in accordance with its terms and conditions, for each share of
Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the Transfer of Control, the
consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) to which a
holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Transfer of Control was
entitled. Any Options which are neither assumed or substituted for by the
Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Transfer of Control nor exercised
as of the date of the Transfer of Control shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding effective as of the date of the Transfer of Control. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of an Option prior to the Transfer
of Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Transfer of Control
with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable
provisions of the Option Agreement evidencing such Option except as otherwise
provided in such Option Agreement. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing,
if the corporation the stock of which is subject to the outstanding Options
immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in Section 8.1(a)(i)
constituting a Transfer of Control is the surviving or continuing corporation
and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than fifty percent (50%)
of the total combined voting power of its voting stock is held by another
corporation or by other corporations that are members of an affiliated group
within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the
provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the outstanding Options shall not
terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its sole discretion.

            3 NOTICE. The Company shall send to all holders of outstanding
Options at least ten (10) days' written notice prior to the consummation of a
Transfer of Control. The Company's notice shall summarize the principal terms of
the Transfer of Control including, without limitation, whether the Acquiring
Corporation is assuming the outstanding Options or substituting equivalent
options therefor.

      9. PROVISION OF INFORMATION. At least annually, copies of the Company's
balance sheet and income statement for the just completed fiscal year shall be
made available to each Optionee and purchaser of shares of Stock upon the
exercise of an Option. The Company shall not be required to provide such
information to persons whose duties in connection with the Company assure them
access to equivalent information.

      10. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. During the lifetime of the Optionee, an
Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian or
legal representative. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the
Optionee, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
<PAGE>   12
      11. TRANSFER OF COMPANY'S RIGHTS. In the event any Participating Company
assigns, other than by operation of law, to a third person, other than another
Participating Company, any of the Participating Company's rights to repurchase
any shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Option, the assignee shall
pay to the assigning Participating Company the value of such right as determined
by the Company in the Company's sole discretion. Such consideration shall be
paid in cash. In the event such repurchase right is exercisable at the time of
such assignment, the value of such right shall be not less than the Fair Market
Value of the shares of Stock which may be repurchased under such right (as
determined by the Company) minus the repurchase price of such shares. The
requirements of this Section 11 regarding the minimum consideration to be
received by the assigning Participating Company shall not inure to the benefit
of the Optionee whose shares of Stock are being repurchased. Failure of a
Participating Company to comply with the provisions of this Section 11 shall not
constitute a defense or otherwise prevent the exercise of the repurchase right
by the assignee of such right.

      12. INDEMNIFICATION. In addition to such other rights of indemnification
as they may have as members of the Board or officers or employees of the
Participating Company Group, members of the Board and any officers or employees
of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for the Board or the
Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable
expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred in
connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection
with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason
of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or
any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement
thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel
selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any
such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it
shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable
for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided,
however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit
or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the
opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

      13. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board may terminate or amend the
Plan at any time. However, subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or
rules that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the Company's
stockholders there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of
shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the
provisions of Section 4.2), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to
receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that
would require approval of the Company's stockholders under any applicable law,
regulation or rule. In any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan may
adversely affect any then outstanding Option or any unexercised portion thereof,
without the consent of the Optionee, unless such termination or amendment is
required to enable an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any applicable law,
regulation or rule.
<PAGE>   13
      14. STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Plan or any increase in the maximum number
of shares of Stock issuable thereunder as provided in Section 4.1 (the "MAXIMUM
SHARES") shall be approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12)
months of the date of adoption thereof by the Board. Options granted prior to
stockholder approval of the Plan or in excess of the Maximum Shares previously
approved by the stockholders shall become exercisable no earlier than the date
of stockholder approval of the Plan or such increase in the Maximum Shares, as
the case may be.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Secretary of the Company certifies
that the foregoing P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC. 1996 Stock Option Plan was
duly adopted by the Board on August 2, 1996.


                                  PLAN HISTORY


August 2, 1996          Board adopts the Plan, with an initial reserve of
                        178,000 shares.

________, 1997          Stockholders approve the Plan, with an initial
                        reserve of 178,000 shares.
<PAGE>   14
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN QUALIFIED
WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE
ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE
CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE
OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102, OR 25105 OF
THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT
ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE
SALE IS SO EXEMPT.

THE SECURITY REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT
AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF.
NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY
THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.



                         P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC.

            IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


      THIS IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "OPTION
AGREEMENT") is made and entered into as of ___________, 199_, by and between
P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and
___________________________ (the "OPTIONEE").

      The Company has granted to the Optionee pursuant to the P.F. Chang's China
Bistro, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") an option to purchase certain
shares of stock, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Option
Agreement (the "OPTION"). The Option shall in all respects be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan, the provisions of which are incorporated
herein by reference.


            1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

                 1.1 DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized
terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan. Whenever used
herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth
below:

                        (a) "DATE OF OPTION GRANT" means _________________ ,
199_.

                        (b) "NUMBER OF OPTION Shares" means _____________ shares
of Stock, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.

                        (c) "EXERCISE PRICE" means $________ per share of Stock,
as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.

                        (d) "INITIAL EXERCISE DATE" means the Date of Option
Grant.
<PAGE>   15
                        (e) "INITIAL VESTING DATE" means the date occurring one
(1) year after (check one):

                        _____       the Date of Option Grant.

                        _____       _______________, 199__, the date the
                                    Optionee's Service commenced.

                        (f) "VESTED RATIO" means, on any relevant date, the
ratio determined as follows:

                              (i) Prior to the Initial Vesting Date, the Vested
Ratio shall be 0.

                              (ii) On the Initial Vesting Date, provided that
the Optionee's Service has been continuous from the Date of Option Grant until
the Initial Vesting Date, the Vested Ratio shall be 1/5.

                              (iii) For each full month of the Optionee's
continuous service after the Initial Vesting Date, the Vested Ratio shall be
increased by one-sixtieth (1/60).

                              (iv) In no event shall the Vested Ratio exceed
1/1.

                        (g) "OPTION EXPIRATION Date" means the date ten (10)
years after the Date of Option Grant.

                        (h) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
If one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the
Plan, "Board" shall also mean such Committee(s).

                        (i) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

                        (j) "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee or
other committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having
such powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the
Committee have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the
powers of the Board granted in the Plan, including, without limitation, the
power to amend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the
Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law.

                        (k) "COMPANY" means P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.

                        (l) "DISABILITY" means the inability of the Optionee, in
the opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to perform the
major duties of the Optionee's position with the Participating Company Group
because of the sickness or injury of the Optionee.
<PAGE>   16
                        (m) "EMPLOYEE" means any person treated as an employee
(including an officer or a director who is also treated as an employee) in the
records of the Company; provided, however, that neither service as a director
nor payment of a director's fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for
this purpose.

                        (n) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                        (o) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value
of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its sole
discretion, or by the Company, in its sole discretion, if such determination is
expressly allocated to the Company herein.

                        (p) "PARENT CORPORATION" means any present or future
"parent corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                        (q) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY" means the Company or any
Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.

                        (r) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY GROUP" means, at any point in
time, all corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.

                        (s) "PLAN" means the P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc.
1996 Stock Option Plan.

                        (t) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.

                        (u) "SERVICE" means the Optionee's employment or service
with the Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a
Director or a Consultant. The Optionee's Service shall not be deemed to have
terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Optionee
renders Service to the Participating Company Group or a change in the
Participating Company for which the Optionee renders such Service, provided that
there is no interruption or termination of the Optionee's Service. Furthermore,
the Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group shall not be deemed
to have terminated if the Optionee takes any military leave, sick leave, or
other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company; provided, however,
that if any such leave exceeds ninety (90) days, on the ninety-first (91st) day
of such leave the Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated unless
the Optionee's right to return to Service with the Participating Company Group
is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless
otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, a leave of absence shall
not be treated as Service for purposes of determining the Optionee's Vested
Ratio. The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an
actual termination of Service or upon the corporation for which the Optionee
performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the
foregoing, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether the
Optionee's Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination.

                        (v) "STOCK" means the common stock of the Company, as
adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 9.

                        (w) "SUBSIDIARY Corporation" means any present or future
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the
Code.
<PAGE>   17
                  1.2 CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the
context, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the
singular, and the term "or" shall include the conjunctive as well as the
disjunctive.

     2. TAX CONSEQUENCES.

                  2.1 TAX STATUS OF OPTION. This Option is intended to be an
Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code (an
"INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION"), but the Company does not represent or warrant that
this Option qualifies as such. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee's
own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements
necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the
Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE: If the
aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied
by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other
Incentive Stock Options held by the Optionee (whether granted pursuant to the
Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is
greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the Optionee should
contact the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the
entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)

                  2.2 ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) OF THE CODE. If the Optionee
exercises this Option to purchase shares of Stock that are both nontransferable
and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the Optionee understands that
the Optionee should consult with the Optionee's tax advisor regarding the
advisability of filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under
Section 83(b) of the Code, which must be filed no later than thirty (30) days
after the date on which the Optionee exercises the Option. Shares acquired upon
exercise of the Option are nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture if, for example, (a) they are unvested and are subject to a right of
the Company to repurchase such shares at the Optionee's original purchase price
if the Optionee's Service terminates, (b) the Optionee is an Insider and
exercises the Option within six (6) months of the Date of Option Grant (if a
class of equity security of the Company is registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act), or (c) the Optionee is subject to a restriction on transfer to
comply with "Pooling-of-Interests Accounting" rules. Failure to file an election
under Section 83(b), if appropriate, may result in adverse tax consequences to
the Optionee. The Optionee acknowledges that the Optionee has been advised to
consult with a tax advisor prior to the exercise of the Option regarding the tax
consequences to the Optionee of the exercise of the Option. AN ELECTION UNDER
SECTION 83(b) MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE OPTIONEE
PURCHASES SHARES. THIS TIME PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED. THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT TIMELY FILING OF A SECTION 83(b) ELECTION IS THE OPTIONEE'S SOLE
RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF THE OPTIONEE REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE
TO FILE SUCH ELECTION ON HIS OR HER BEHALF.

            3. ADMINISTRATION. All questions of interpretation concerning this
Option Agreement shall be determined by the Board, including any duly appointed
Committee of the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final and
binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any officer of a
Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company
with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the
responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the
officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation,
or election.
<PAGE>   18
            4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION.

                  4.1 RIGHT TO EXERCISE.

                        (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option
shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Exercise Date and prior to the
termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed
the Number of Option Shares less the number of shares of Stock previously
acquired upon exercise of the Option, subject to the Optionee's agreement that
any shares purchased upon exercise are subject to the Company's repurchase
rights set forth in Section 11 and to the Company's first refusal rights set
forth in Section 12. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares
than the Number of Option Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as
provided in Section 4.1(b), the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of
Stock with respect to which the Optionee may exercise the Option for the first
time during any calendar year, when added to the aggregate Fair Market Value of
the shares subject to any other options designated as Incentive Stock Options
granted to the Optionee under all stock option plans of the Participating
Company Group prior to the Date of Option Grant with respect to which such
options are exercisable for the first time during the same calendar year, shall
not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). For purposes of the
preceding sentence, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken
into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value
of shares of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to
such shares is granted. Such limitation on exercise shall be referred to in this
Option Agreement as the "ISO Exercise Limitation." If Section 422 of the Code is
amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this
Section 4.1(a), the ISO Exercise Limitation shall be deemed amended effective as
of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. The ISO
Exercise Limitation shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the Optionee's
termination of Service, (ii) the day immediately prior to the effective date of
a Transfer of Control in which the Option is not assumed or substituted for by
the Acquiring Corporation as provided in Section 8, or (iii) the day ten (10)
days prior to the Option Expiration Date. Upon such termination of the ISO
Exercise Limitation, the Option shall be deemed a Nonstatutory Stock Option to
the extent of the number of shares subject to the Option which would otherwise
exceed the ISO Exercise Limitation.

                        (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option
Agreement, if compliance with the ISO Exercise Limitation as set forth in
Section 4.1(a) will result in the exercisability of any Vested Shares (as
defined in Section 11.2) being delayed more than thirty (30) days beyond the
date such shares become Vested (the "Vesting Date"), the Option shall be deemed
to be two (2) options. The fist option shall be for the maximum portion of the
Number of Option Shares that can comply with the ISO Exercise Limitation without
causing the Option to be unexercisable in the aggregate as to Vested Shares on
the Vesting Date for such shares. The second option, which shall not be treated
as an Incentive Stock Option as described in Section 422(b) of the Code, shall
be for the balance of the Number of Option Shares: that is, those such shares
which, on the respective Vesting Date for such shares, would be unexercisable if
included in the first option and thereby made subject to the ISO Exercise
Limitation. Shares treated as subject to the second option shall be exercisable
on the same terms and at the same time as set forth in this Option Agreement;
provided, however, that (i) the third sentence of Section 4.1(a) shall not apply
to the second option and (ii) each such share shall become a Vested Share on the
Vesting Date on which such shares must first be allocated to the second option
pursuant to the preceding sentence. Unless the Optionee specifically elects to
the contrary in the Optionee's written notice of exercise, the first option
shall be deemed to be exercise first to the maximum possible extent and then the
second option shall be deemed to be exercised.

                 4.2 METHOD OF EXERCISE. Exercise of the Option shall be by
written notice to the Company which must state the election to exercise the
Option, the number of whole shares of Stock
<PAGE>   19
for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and
agreements as to the Optionee's investment intent with respect to such shares as
may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The written
notice must be signed by the Optionee and must be delivered in person, by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile
transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, or other authorized representative of the
Company, prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6,
accompanied by (i) full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number
of shares of Stock being purchased and (ii) an executed copy, if required
herein, of the then current forms of escrow and security agreement referenced
below. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of
such written notice, the aggregate Exercise Price, and, if required by the
Company, such executed agreements.

                  4.3 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.

                        (a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as
otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number
of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in
cash, by check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company of whole
shares of Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined
by the Company without regard to any restrictions on transferability applicable
to such stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or agreements with
an underwriter for the Company) not less than the aggregate Exercise Price,
(iii) by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(c), (iv) in the
Company's sole discretion at the time the Option is exercised, by cash for a
portion of the aggregate Exercise Price not less than the par value of the
shares being acquired, and the Optionee's promissory note for the balance of the
aggregate Exercise Price, or (v) by any combination of the foregoing.

                        (b) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock to the
extent such tender of shares of Stock would constitute a violation of the
provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the
Company's Stock. The Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company of
shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six (6) months or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the
Company.

                        (c) CASHLESS EXERCISE. A "CASHLESS EXERCISE" means the
assignment in a form acceptable to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan
with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of
the Option pursuant to a program or procedure approved by the Company
(including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the
provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all
times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to establish,
modify, decline to approve or terminate any such program or procedures.

                        (d) PAYMENT BY PROMISSORY NOTE. No promissory note shall
be permitted if an exercise of the Option using a promissory note would be a
violation of any law. The promissory note permitted in clause (iv) of Section
4.3(a) shall be a full recourse note in a form satisfactory to the Company, with
principal payable no more than four (4) years after the date the Option is
exercised. Interest on the principal balance of the promissory note shall be
payable in annual installments at the minimum interest rate necessary to avoid
imputed interest pursuant to all applicable sections of the Code. Such recourse
promissory note shall be secured by the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the
then current form of security agreement as approved by the Company. At any time
the Company is subject to the regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System or any other
<PAGE>   20
governmental entity affecting the extension of credit in connection with the
Company's securities, any promissory note shall comply with such applicable
regulations, and the Optionee shall pay the unpaid principal and accrued
interest, if any, to the extent necessary to comply with such applicable
regulations. Except as the Company in its sole discretion shall determine, the
Optionee shall pay the unpaid principal balance of the promissory note and any
accrued interest thereon upon termination of the Optionee's Service with the
Participating Company Group for any reason, with or without cause.

                 4.4 TAX WITHHOLDING. At the time the Option is exercised, in
whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the
Optionee hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts
payable to the Optionee, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for
(including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the
Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise
in connection with the Option, including, without limitation, obligations
arising upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the
transfer, in whole or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the
Option, (iii) the operation of any law or regulation providing for the
imputation of interest, or (iv) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to
any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option. The Optionee is cautioned that
the Option is not exercisable unless such tax withholding obligations are
satisfied. Accordingly, the Optionee may not be able to exercise the Option when
desired even though the Option is vested, and the Company shall have no
obligation to issue a certificate for such shares or release such shares from
any escrow provided for herein.

                 4.5 CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION. Except in the event the Exercise
Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as
to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the
Optionee, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Optionee.

                 4.6 RESTRICTIONS ON GRANT OF THE OPTION AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the
Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of
federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may
not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would
constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities
laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or
market system upon which the shares of Stock may then be listed. In addition,
the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the
Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with
respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the
opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of
the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE OPTIONEE IS
CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS
ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION
WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. Questions concerning this
restriction should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company's legal counsel to be
necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require
the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate,
to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any
representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the
Company.
<PAGE>   21
                  4.7 FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Company shall not be required to
issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.

            5. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION. The Option may be exercised
during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or the Optionee's
guardian or legal representative and may not be assigned or transferred in any
manner except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the
death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be
exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or by any person empowered to
do so under the deceased Optionee's will or under the then applicable laws of
descent and distribution.

            6. TERMINATION OF THE OPTION. The Option shall terminate and may no
longer be exercised on the first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b)
the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee's
Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Transfer of Control to the extent
provided in Section 8.

            7. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.

                  7.1 OPTION EXERCISABILITY.

                        (a) DISABILITY. If the Optionee's Service is terminated
because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised
and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative)
at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on
which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the
Option Expiration Date. (NOTE: If the Option is exercised more than three (3)
months after the date on which the Optionee's Service as an Employee terminated
as a result of a Disability other than a permanent and total disability as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Option will be treated as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent
required by Section 422 of the Code.

                        (b) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service is terminated
because of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and
exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or other person who acquired
the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee's death at any time
prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option
Expiration Date. The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated on
account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months after the
Optionee's termination of Service.

                        (c) OTHER TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If the Optionee's
Service terminates for any reason except Disability or death, the Option, to the
extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee within three (3)
months (or such other longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its
sole discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but
in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

                 7.2 ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS ON OPTION EXERCISE. Notwithstanding
the provisions in Section 7.1, the Option may not be exercised after the
Optionee's termination of Service to the extent that the shares to be acquired
upon exercise of the Option would be subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase
Option as provided in Section 11. Except as the Company and the Optionee
otherwise agree, exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 7.1 following
termination of the Optionee's Service may not be made by delivery of a
promissory note as provided in Section 4.3(a).
<PAGE>   22
                 7.3 EXTENSION IF EXERCISE PREVENTED BY LAW. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option
shall remain exercisable until three (3) months after the date the Optionee is
notified that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the
Option Expiration Date. The Company makes no representation as to the tax
consequences of any such delayed exercise. The Optionee should consult with the
Optionee's own tax advisor as to the tax consequences to the Optionee of any
such delayed exercise.

                 7.4 EXTENSION IF OPTIONEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(B).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 7.1 of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would
subject the Optionee to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option
shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day
following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no
longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day
after the Optionee's termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration
Date. The Company makes no representation as to the tax consequences of any such
delayed exercise. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee's own tax
advisor(s) as to the tax consequences to the Optionee of any such delayed
exercise.

                 7.5 LEAVE OF ABSENCE. For purposes of Section 7.1, the
Optionee's Service shall not be deemed to terminate if the Optionee takes any
military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the
Company of ninety (90) days or less. In the event of a leave of absence in
excess of ninety (90) days, the Optionee's Service shall be deemed to terminate
on the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave unless the Optionee's right to
return to Service remains guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company (or required by law), a
leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining the
Optionee's Vested Ratio.

            8. TRANSFER OF CONTROL.

                  8.1 DEFINITIONS.

                        (a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to have
occurred if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company:

                              (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a
single or series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company;

                              (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the
Company is a party;

                              (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

                              (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

                        (b) A "TRANSFER OF CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership
Change Event or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, the
"TRANSACTION") wherein the stockholders of the Company immediately before the
Transaction do not retain immediately after the
<PAGE>   23
Transaction, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares
of the Company's voting stock immediately before the Transaction, direct or
indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
combined voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company or the
corporation or corporations to which the assets of the Company were transferred
(the "TRANSFEREE CORPORATION(S)"), as the case may be; provided, however, that
neither an initial public offering by the Company, nor an equity or convertible
securities financing by the Company shall be deemed an Ownership Change Event or
Transfer of Control for the purpose of any accelerated vesting provision of this
Option Agreement. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial
ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from
ownership of the voting stock of one or more corporations which, as a result of
the Transaction, own the Company or the Transferee Corporation(s), as the case
may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations. The
Board shall have the right to determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of
the voting stock of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related,
and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

                  8.2 EFFECT OF TRANSFER OF CONTROL ON OPTION. In the event of
an eligible Transfer of Control, the Vested Ratio shall be increased by
two-fifths (2/5) as of the date ten (10) days prior to the date of any such
eligible Transfer of Control; provided, however, that in no event shall the
Vested Ratio be increased pursuant to this Section 8.2 to a ratio in excess of
one (1). The exercise or vesting of any Option that was permissible solely by
reason of this Section 8.2 shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the
Transfer of Control. In addition, the surviving, continuing, successor, or
purchasing corporation or parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (the
"ACQUIRING CORPORATION"), may either assume the Company's rights and obligations
under the Option or substitute for the Option a substantially equivalent option
for the Acquiring Corporation's stock. For purposes of this Section 8.2, the
Option shall be deemed assumed if, following the Transfer of Control, the Option
confers the right to purchase, for each share of Stock subject to the Option
immediately prior to the Transfer of Control, the consideration (whether stock,
cash or other securities or property) to which a holder of a share of Stock on
the effective date of the Transfer of Control was entitled. The Option shall
terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Transfer
of Control to the extent that the Option is neither assumed or substituted for
by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Transfer of Control nor
exercised as of the date of the Transfer of Control. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the Option prior to the Transfer of
Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Transfer of Control with
respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions
of this Option Agreement except as otherwise provided herein. Furthermore,
notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock of which is subject
to the Option immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in
Section 8.1(a)(i) constituting a Transfer of Control is the surviving or
continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of its voting stock
is held by another corporation or by other corporations that are members of an
affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without
regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the Option shall not
terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its sole discretion.

                  8.3 FAIR MARKET VALUE LIMITATION. Should the exercisability of
this Option be accelerated in connection with a Transfer of Control in
accordance with Section 8.2, then to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the shares of Stock with respect to which the Optionee may exercise the
Option for the first time during the calendar year of the Transfer of Control,
when added to the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares subject to any other
options designated as Incentive Stock Options granted to the Optionee under all
stock option plans of the Participating Company Group prior to the Date of
Option Grant with respect to which such options are exercisable for the first
time during the same calendar year, exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000) (or such other limit, if any,
<PAGE>   24
imposed by Section 422 of the Code), the portion of the Option which exceeds
such amount shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken
into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value
of shares of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to
such shares is granted.

            9. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. In the event of any
stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination,
reclassification, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company,
appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and class of
shares of stock subject to the Option. If a majority of the shares which are of
the same class as the shares that are subject to the Option are exchanged for,
converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership
Change Event) shares of another corporation (the "New Shares"), the Board may
unilaterally amend the Option to provide that the Option is exercisable for New
Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the Number of Option Shares and the
Exercise Price shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner, as determined
by the Board, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall
be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, as determined by the Board,
and in no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an amount less than the
par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The adjustments
determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 9 shall be final, binding and
conclusive.

            10. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT. The Optionee
shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the
Option until the date of the issuance of a certificate for the shares for which
the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the
books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No
adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which
the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued, except as
provided in Section 9. If the Optionee is an Employee, the Optionee understands
and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written
employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Optionee, the
Optionee's employment is "at will" and is for no specified term. Nothing in this
Option Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee, whether an Employee or
Consultant, any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or
interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to
terminate the Optionee's Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may
be, at any time.

            11. UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION.

                  11.1 GRANT OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. In the event
the Optionee's Service is terminated for any reason or no reason, with or
without cause, or if the Optionee, the Optionee's legal representative, or other
holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option attempts to sell,
exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (other than pursuant to an
Ownership Change Event) any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option which
exceed the Vested Shares as defined in Section 11.2 below (the "Unvested
Shares"), the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Unvested Shares
under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the
"Unvested Share Repurchase Option").

                  11.2 VESTED SHARES AND UNVESTED SHARES DEFINED. The "Vested
Shares" shall mean, on any given date, a number of shares of Stock equal to the
Number of Option Shares multiplied by the Vested Ratio determined as of such
date and rounded down to the nearest whole share. On such given date, the
"Unvested Shares" shall mean the number of shares of Stock acquired upon
exercise of the Option which exceed the Vested Shares determined as of such
date.
<PAGE>   25
                  11.3 EXERCISE OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. The Company
may exercise the Unvested Share Repurchase Option by written notice to the
Optionee within sixty (60) days after (a) termination of the Optionee's Service
(or exercise of the Option, if later) or (b) the Company has received notice of
the attempted disposition of Unvested Shares. If the Company fails to give
notice within such sixty (60) day period, the Unvested Share Repurchase Option
shall terminate unless the Company and the Optionee have extended the time for
the exercise of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option. The Unvested Share
Repurchase Option must be exercised, if at all, for all of the Unvested Shares,
except as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree.

                  11.4 PAYMENT FOR SHARES AND RETURN OF SHARES TO COMPANY. The
purchase price per share being repurchased by the Company shall be an amount
equal to the Optionee's original cost per share, as adjusted pursuant to Section
9 (the "Repurchase Price"). The Company shall pay the aggregate Repurchase Price
to the Optionee in cash within thirty (30) days after the date of the written
notice to the Optionee of the Company's exercise of the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any
indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company shall be treated as
payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any
accrued interest canceled. The shares being repurchased shall be delivered to
the Company by the Optionee at the same time as the delivery of the Repurchase
Price to the Optionee.

                  11.5 ASSIGNMENT OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. The
Company shall have the right to assign the Unvested Share Repurchase Option at
any time, whether or not such option is then exercisable, to one or more persons
as may be selected by the Company.

                  11.6 OWNERSHIP CHANGE Event. Upon the occurrence of an
Ownership Change Event, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or
other property to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's
ownership of Unvested Shares shall be immediately subject to the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option and included in the terms "Stock" and "Unvested Shares" for
all purposes of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option with the same force and
effect as the Unvested Shares immediately prior to the Ownership Change Event.
While the aggregate Repurchase Price shall remain the same after such Ownership
Change Event, the Repurchase Price per Unvested Share upon exercise of the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option following such Ownership Change Event shall be
adjusted as appropriate. For purposes of determining the Vested Ratio following
an Ownership Change Event, credited Service shall include all Service with any
corporation which is a Participating Company at the time the Service is
rendered, whether or not such corporation is a Participating Company both before
and after the Ownership Change Event. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the
event of an Ownership Change Event that is also a Transfer of Control, the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option will terminate if the surviving corporation
does not assume, or substitute substantially equivalent options for, all
outstanding Options under the Plan.

            12. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.

                  12.1 GRANT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Except as provided in
Section 12.7 below, in the event the Optionee, the Optionee's legal
representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option
proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any shares
acquired upon exercise of the Option (the "TRANSFER SHARES") to any person or
entity, including, without limitation, any shareholder of the Participating
Company Group, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer
Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section
12 (the "RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL").
<PAGE>   26
                  12.2 NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. Prior to any proposed
transfer of the Transfer Shares, the Optionee shall deliver written notice (the
"TRANSFER NOTICE") to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer,
including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed
transferee (the "PROPOSED TRANSFEREE") and, if the transfer is voluntary, the
proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the
bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or
involuntary transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair
Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith.
If the Optionee proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one
Proposed Transferee, the Optionee shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for
the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be
signed by both the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a
binding commitment of the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer
of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of
First Refusal.

                  12.3 BONA FIDE TRANSFER. If the Company determines that the
information provided by the Optionee in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to
establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company
shall give the Optionee written notice of the Optionee's failure to comply with
the procedure described in this Section 12, and the Optionee shall have no right
to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure
described in this Section 12. The Optionee shall not be permitted to transfer
the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.

                  12.4 EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the Company
determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the
right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as
the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the
terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Optionee of a notice
of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date
the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company's exercise or
failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed
transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company's right to
exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer
described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer
Notice is issued by the Optionee or issued by a person other than the Optionee
with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the
Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Optionee shall
thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms
set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the
Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered
by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer
Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the
Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present
value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as
reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing,
cancellation of any indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company
shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid
principal and any accrued interest canceled.

                  12.5 FAILURE TO EXERCISE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the
Company fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser
extent as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) within the period
specified in Section 12.4 above, the Optionee may conclude a transfer to the
Proposed Transferee of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described
in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90)
days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall
have the right to demand further assurances from the Optionee and the Proposed
Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the
Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described
in the Transfer Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of
the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and
has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed
<PAGE>   27
transfer on terms and conditions different from those described in the Transfer
Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by the Optionee, shall again
be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the
Optionee with the procedure described in this Section 12.

                  12.6 TRANSFEREES OF TRANSFER SHARES. All transferees of the
Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be
required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form
satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such
Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions
of this Option Agreement, including this Section 12 providing for the Right of
First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of
any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the
provisions of this Section 12 are met.

                  12.7 TRANSFERS NOT SUBJECT TO RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The
Right of First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares
acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in
connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received
pursuant to such transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating
Company, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal
unless the provisions of Section 12.9 below result in a termination of the Right
of First Refusal.

                  12.8 ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Company shall
have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not
there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected
by the Company.

                  12.9 EARLY TERMINATION OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The other
provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal
shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of
a Transfer of Control, unless the Acquiring Corporation assumes the Company's
rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially
equivalent option for the Acquiring Corporation's stock for the Option, or (b)
the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of
First Refusal. A "PUBLIC MARKET" shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is
listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange
Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices
therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.

            13. ESCROW.

                  13.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF Escrow. To ensure that shares of Stock
issued upon exercise of this Option which are subject to the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option, the Tight of First Refusal or securing any promissory note
will be available for repurchase, the Company may require the Optionee to
deposit the certificate evidencing the shares of Stock which the Optionee
purchases upon exercise of the Option with an escrow agent designated by the
Company under the terms and conditions of an escrow and security agreements
approved by the Company. If the Company does not require such deposit as a
condition of exercise of the Option, the Company reserves the right at any time
to require the Optionee to so deposit the certificate in escrow. Upon the
occurrence of an Ownership Change Event or a change, as described in Section 9,
in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation
the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, any
and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to which the
Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's ownership of shares of Stock
acquired upon exercise of the Option that remain, following such Ownership
Change Event or change described in Section 9, subject to the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal or any security interest held by
the Company shall be
<PAGE>   28
immediately subject to the escrow to the same extent as such shares of Stock
immediately before such event. The Company shall bear the expenses of the
escrow.

                  13.2 DELIVERY OF SHARES TO OPTIONEE. As soon as practicable
after the expiration of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First
Refusal and after full repayment of any promissory note secured by the shares of
Stock or other property in escrow, but not more frequently than twice each
calendar year, the escrow agent shall deliver to the Optionee the shares of
Stock and any other property no longer subject to such restrictions and no
longer securing any promissory note.

                  13.3 NOTICES AND PAYMENTS. In the event the shares of Stock
and any other property held in escrow are subject to the Company's exercise of
the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal, or any
security interest of the Company, the notices required to be given to the
Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent, and any payment required to be
given to the Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent. Within thirty (30)
days after payment by the Company, the escrow agent shall deliver the shares of
Stock and any other property which the Company has purchased to the Company and
shall deliver the payment received from the Company to the Optionee.

            14. STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS SUBJECT TO OPTION AGREEMENT. If, from time
to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change, as described
in Section 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the
corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option
Agreement, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional
securities to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's
ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be
immediately subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First
Refusal and any security interest held by the Company and with the same force
and effect as the shares subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the
Right of First Refusal and any such security interest immediately before such
event.

            15. NOTICE OF SALES UPON DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION. The Optionee
shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance
with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, the Optionee shall
promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Optionee
disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1)
year after the date the Optionee exercises all or part of the Option or within
two (2) years after the Date of Option Grant and shall provide the Company with
a description of the terms and circumstances of such disposition. Until such
time as the Optionee disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the
provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by
the Company, the Optionee shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option
in the Optionee's name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year
period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period
immediately after Date of Option Grant. At any time during the one-year or
two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any
certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the
transfer agent for the Company's stock to notify the Company of any such
transfers. The obligation of the Optionee to notify the Company of any such
transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the
certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.

            16. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. In connection with the receipt
of the Option and any acquisition of shares upon the exercise thereof, the
Optionee hereby agrees, represents and warrants as follows:
<PAGE>   29
                  16.1 The Optionee is acquiring the Option and will acquire any
shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option for the Optionee's own account, and
not on behalf of any other person or as a nominee, for investment and not with a
view to, or sale in connection with, any distribution of the Option or such
shares.

                  16.2 The Optionee was not presented with or solicited by any
form of general solicitation or general advertising, including, but not limited
to, any advertisement, article, notice, or other communication published in any
newspaper, magazine, or similar media, or broadcast over television, radio or
similar communications media, or presented at any seminar or meeting whose
attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.

                  16.3 The Optionee has either (a) a preexisting personal or
business relationship with the Company or any of its officers, directors, or
controlling persons, consisting of personal or business contacts of a nature and
duration to enable the Optionee to be aware of the character, business acumen
and general business and financial circumstances of the person with whom such
relationship exists, or (b) such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters (or has relied on the financial and business knowledge and
experience of the Optionee's professional advisor who is unaffiliated with and
who is not, directly or indirectly, compensated by the Company or any affiliate
or selling agent of the Company) as to make the Optionee capable of evaluating
the merits and risks of the Option and any investment in shares acquired
pursuant to the Option and to protect the Optionee's own interests in the
transaction, or (c) both such relationship and such knowledge and experience.

                  16.4 The Optionee understands that the Option and any shares
acquired upon exercise of the Option have not been qualified under the Corporate
Securities Law of 1968, as amended, of the State of California by reason of a
specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things,
the bona fide nature of the Optionee's representations as expressed herein. The
Optionee understands that the Company is relying on the Optionee's
representations and warrants that the Company is entitled to rely on such
representations and that such reliance is reasonable.

            17. LEGENDS. The Company may at any time place legends referencing
the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal, any security
interest and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law
restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the
provisions of this Option Agreement. The Optionee shall, at the request of the
Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing
shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Optionee in
order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by
the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following:

                  17.1 "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE
SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES
AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY
TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS
EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT."
<PAGE>   30
                  17.2 Any legend required to be placed thereon by the
Commissioner of Corporations of the State of California.


                  17.3 "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT
TO AN UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS
ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED
HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER'S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT
THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION." 

                  17.4 "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT 
TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE
SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR
SUCH HOLDER'S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION."

                  17.5 "THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY
THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS
AMENDED ("ISO"). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO
ISOs, THE SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO     . SHOULD THE REGISTERED
HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX
TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION
IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER'S NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF
ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE."

            18. PUBLIC OFFERING. The Optionee hereby agrees that in the event of
any underwritten public offering of stock, including an initial public offering
of stock, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement
filed under the Securities Act, the Optionee shall not offer, sell, contract to
sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale
of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to
acquire stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the
effective date of such registration statement as may be established by the
underwriter for such public offering at its sole discretion. The foregoing
limitation shall not apply to shares registered in the public offering under the
Securities Act. The Optionee shall be subject to this Section provided and only
if the officers and directors of the Company are also subject to similar
arrangements.

            19. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES. No shares acquired upon
exercise of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without
limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Optionee), assigned,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law,
in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Option Agreement and,
except pursuant to an Ownership Change, until the date on which such shares
become Vested Shares, any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company
shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares which will have
been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Option
Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote
as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will
have been so transferred.
<PAGE>   31
            20. BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set
forth herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns.

            21. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT. The Board may terminate or amend the
Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in
Section 8.2 in connection with a Transfer of Control, no such termination or
amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof
without the consent of the Optionee unless such termination or amendment is
necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation or is
required to enable the Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No
amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in
writing.

            22. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be
given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent
that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt
of such notice) upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post
Office, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid,
addressed to the other party at the address shown below that party's signature
or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to
time to the other party.

            23. INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. This Option Agreement and the Plan
constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Optionee and the
Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein
or therein, and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions,
representations, or warranties among the Optionee and the Participating Company
Group with respect to such subject matter other than those as set forth or
provided for herein or therein. To the extent contemplated herein or therein,
the provisions of this Option Agreement shall survive any exercise of the Option
and shall remain in full force and effect.

            24. APPLICABLE LAW. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the
laws of the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between
Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of
Delaware.


                                          COMPANY:


                                          P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC.




                                          By:___________________________________

                                          Title:________________________________
<PAGE>   32
      The Optionee represents that the Optionee is familiar with the terms and
provisions of this Option Agreement, including the Unvested Share Repurchase
Option set forth in Section 11, and the Right of First Refusal set forth in
Section 12, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and
provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive
and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions
arising under this Option Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a
copy of the Plan.



                                          OPTIONEE



Date:________________________________     ______________________________________
                                          Signature



                                          Optionee's Address:
                                          ______________________________________
                                          ______________________________________
                                          ______________________________________
<PAGE>   33
THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN QUALIFIED
WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE
ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE
CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE
OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION BY SECTION 25100, 25102, OR 25105 OF
THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT
ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE
SALE IS SO EXEMPT.

THE SECURITY REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT
AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF.
NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY
THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.


                         P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC.

           IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


      THIS IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the
"OPTION AGREEMENT") is made and entered into as of ___________, 199_, by and
between P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY")
and ___________________________ (the "OPTIONEE").

      The Company has granted to the Optionee pursuant to the P.F. Chang's China
Bistro, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") an option to purchase certain
shares of stock, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Option
Agreement (the "OPTION"). The Option shall in all respects be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan, the provisions of which are incorporated
herein by reference.


      1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

            1.1. DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan. Whenever used
herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth
below:

                  (a) "DATE OF OPTION GRANT" means_______________ , 199_.

                  (b) "NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES" means ____________ shares of
Stock, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 0.

                  (c) "EXERCISE PRICE" means $ ________ per share of Stock, as
adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 0.

                  (d) "INITIAL EXERCISE DATE" means the letter of the Date of
Option Grant or the date the Optionee's Service commences.
<PAGE>   34
                  (e) "INITIAL VESTING DATE" means the date occurring one (1)
year after (check one):

                  _____ the Date of Option Grant

                  _____ ______________________________, 199_, the date the
                        Optionee's Service commenced.

                  (f) "VESTED RATIO" means, on any relevant date, the ratio
determined as follows:

                        (i) Prior to the Initial Vesting Date, the Vested Ratio
shall be 0.

                        (ii) On the Initial Vesting Date, provided that the
Optionee's Service has been continuous from the Date of Option Grant until the
Initial Vesting Date, the Vested Ratio shall be 1/5.

                        (iii) For each full month of the Optionee's continuous
service after the Initial Vesting Date, the Vested Ratio shall be increased by
one-sixtieth (1/60).

                        (iv) In no event shall the Vested Ratio exceed 1/1.

                  (g) "OPTION EXPIRATION DATE" means the date ten (10) years
after the Date of Option Grant.

                  (h) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company. If
one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan,
"Board" shall also mean such Committee(s).

                  (i) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (j) "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee or other
committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such
powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee
have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of
the Board granted in the Plan, including, without limitation, the power to amend
or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable limitations imposed by law.

                  (k) "COMPANY" means P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.

                  (l) "DISABILITY" means the inability of the Optionee, in the
opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to perform the major
duties of the Optionee's position with the Participating Company Group because
of the sickness or injury of the Optionee.

                  (m) "EMPLOYEE" means any person treated as an employee
(including an officer or a director who is also treated as an employee) in the
records of the Company; provided,
<PAGE>   35
however, that neither service as a director nor payment of a director's fee
shall be sufficient to constitute employment for this purpose.

                  (n) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

                  (o) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of a
share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its sole
discretion, or by the Company, in its sole discretion, if such determination is
expressly allocated to the Company herein.

                  (p) "PARENT CORPORATION" means any present or future "parent
corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                  (q) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY" means the Company or any Parent
Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.

                  (r) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY GROUP" means, at any point in time,
all corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.

                  (s) "PLAN" means the P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. 1996
Stock Option Plan.

                  (t) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

                  (u) "SERVICE" means the Optionee's employment or service with
the Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a
Director or a Consultant. The Optionee's Service shall not be deemed to have
terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Optionee
renders Service to the Participating Company Group or a change in the
Participating Company for which the Optionee renders such Service, provided that
there is no interruption or termination of the Optionee's Service. Furthermore,
the Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group shall not be deemed
to have terminated if the Optionee takes any military leave, sick leave, or
other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company; provided, however,
that if any such leave exceeds ninety (90) days, on the ninety-first (91st) day
of such leave the Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated unless
the Optionee's right to return to Service with the Participating Company Group
is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless
otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, a leave of absence shall
not be treated as Service for purposes of determining the Optionee's Vested
Ratio. The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an
actual termination of Service or upon the corporation for which the Optionee
performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the
foregoing, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether the
Optionee's Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination.

                  (v) "STOCK" means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted
from time to time in accordance with Section 0.

                  (w) "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" means any present or future
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the
Code.

            1.2. CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of this Option Agreement. Except when
<PAGE>   36
otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural, the
plural shall include the singular, and the term "or" shall include the
conjunctive as well as the disjunctive.

      2. TAX CONSEQUENCES.

            2.1. TAX STATUS OF OPTION. This Option is intended to be a
Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option
within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

            2.2. ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) OF THE CODE. If the Optionee
exercises this Option to purchase shares of Stock that are both nontransferable
and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the Optionee understands that
the Optionee should consult with the Optionee's tax advisor regarding the
advisability of filing with the Internal Revenue Service an election under
Section 83(b) of the Code, which must be filed no later than thirty (30) days
after the date on which the Optionee exercises the Option. Shares acquired upon
exercise of the Option are nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture if, for example, (a) they are unvested and are subject to a right of
the Company to repurchase such shares at the Optionee's original purchase price
if the Optionee's Service terminates, (b) the Optionee is an Insider and
exercises the Option within six (6) months of the Date of the Option Grant (if a
class of equity security of the Company is registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act), or (c) the Optionee is subject to a restriction on transfer to
comply with "Pooling-of-Interests Accounting" rules. Failure to file an election
under Section 83(b), if appropriate, may result in adverse tax consequences to
the Optionee. The Optionee acknowledges that the Optionee has been advised to
consult with a tax advisor prior to the exercise of the Option regarding the tax
consequences to the Optionee of the exercise of the Option. AN ELECTION UNDER
SECTION 83(b) MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE OPTIONEE
PURCHASES SHARES. THIS TIME PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED. THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT TIMELY FILING OF A SECTION 83(b) ELECTION IS THE OPTIONEE'S SOLE
RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF THE OPTIONEE REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE
TO FILE SUCH ELECTION ON HIS OR HER BEHALF.

      3. ADMINISTRATION. All questions of interpretation concerning this Option
Agreement shall be determined by the Board, including any duly appointed
Committee of the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final and
binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any officer of a
Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company
with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the
responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the
officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation,
or election.

      4. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION.

            4.1. RIGHT TO EXERCISE. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
Option shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Exercise Date and prior to
the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 0) in an amount not to
exceed the Number of Option Shares less the number of shares of Stock previously
acquired upon exercise of the Option subject to the Optionee's agreement that
any shares purchased upon exercise are subject to the Company's repurchase
rights set forth in Section ERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT FOUND. and to the
Company's first refusal rights set forth in Section ERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT
FOUND. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the
Number of Option Shares.
<PAGE>   37
            4.2. METHOD OF EXERCISE. Exercise of the Option shall be by written
notice to the Company which must state the election to exercise the Option, the
number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such
other representations and agreements as to the Optionee's investment intent with
respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this
Option Agreement. The written notice must be signed by the Optionee and must be
delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Company may
permit, to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, or other authorized
representative of the Company, prior to the termination of the Option as set
forth in Section 0, accompanied by (i) full payment of the aggregate Exercise
Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased and (ii) an executed
copy, if required herein, of the then current forms of escrow and security
agreement referenced below. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon
receipt by the Company of such written notice, the aggregate Exercise Price,
and, if required by the Company, such executed agreements.

            4.3. PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.

                  (a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as otherwise
provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares
of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash, by
check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company of whole shares of
Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the
Company without regard to any restrictions on transferability applicable to such
stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or agreements with an
underwriter for the Company) not less than the aggregate Exercise Price, (iii)
by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 0, (iv) in the Company's
sole discretion at the time the Option is exercised, by cash for a portion of
the aggregate Exercise Price not less than the par value of the shares being
acquired, and the Optionee's promissory note for the balance of the aggregate
Exercise Price, or (v) by any combination of the foregoing.

                  (b) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option
may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock to the extent
such tender of shares of Stock would constitute a violation of the provisions of
any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company's
Stock. The Option may not be exercised by the tender to the Company of shares of
Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Optionee for more than
six (6) months or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

                  (c) CASHLESS EXERCISE. A "CASHLESS EXERCISE" means the
assignment in a form acceptable to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan
with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of
the Option pursuant to a program or procedure approved by the Company
(including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the
provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all
times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to establish,
modify, decline to approve or terminate any such Cashless Exercise program or
procedures.

                  (d) PAYMENT BY PROMISSORY NOTE. No promissory note shall be
permitted if an exercise of the Option using a promissory note would be a
violation of any law. The promissory note permitted in clause (iv) of Section 0
shall be a full recourse note in a form satisfactory to the Company, with
principal payable no more than four (4) years after the date the Option is
exercised. Interest on the principal balance of the promissory note shall be
payable in annual installments at the minimum interest rate necessary to avoid
imputed interest pursuant to all applicable sections of the Code. Such recourse
promissory note shall be secured by the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the
then
<PAGE>   38
current form of security agreement as approved by the Company. At any time the
Company is subject to the regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System or any other governmental entity affecting the
extension of credit in connection with the Company's securities, any promissory
note shall comply with such applicable regulations, and the Optionee shall pay
the unpaid principal and accrued interest, if any, to the extent necessary to
comply with such applicable regulations. Except as the Company in its sole
discretion shall determine, the Optionee shall pay the unpaid principal balance
of the promissory note and any accrued interest thereon upon termination of the
Optionee's Service with the Participating Company Group for any reason, with or
without cause.

            4.4. TAX WITHHOLDING. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole
or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the Optionee
hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the
Optionee, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by
means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums
required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding
obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in
connection with the Option, including, without limitation, obligations arising
upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the transfer, in
whole or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, (iii) the
operation of any law or regulation providing for the imputation of interest, or
(iv) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to any shares acquired upon
exercise of the Option. The Optionee is cautioned that the Option is not
exercisable unless such tax withholding obligations are satisfied. Accordingly,
the Optionee may not be able to exercise the Option when desired even though the
Option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue a
certificate for such shares or release such shares from any escrow provided for
herein.

            4.5. CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION. Except in the event the Exercise
Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as
to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the
Optionee, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Optionee.

            4.6. RESTRICTIONS ON GRANT OF THE OPTION AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The
grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the
Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of
federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may
not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would
constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities
laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or
market system upon which the shares of Stock may then be listed. In addition,
the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the
Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with
respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the
opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of
the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE OPTIONEE IS
CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS
ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION
WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. Questions concerning this
restriction should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company's legal counsel to be
necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require
the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate,
to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any
representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the
Company.
<PAGE>   39
            4.7. FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Company shall not be required to issue
fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.

      5. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION. The Option may be exercised during
the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian or
legal representative and may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the
Optionee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 0, may be exercised by
the Optionee's legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under
the deceased Optionee's will or under the then applicable laws of descent and
distribution.

      6. TERMINATION OF THE OPTION. The Option shall terminate and may no longer
be exercised on the first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b) the
last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee's
Service as described in Section 0, or (c) a Transfer of Control to the extent
provided in Section 0.

      7. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.

            7.1. OPTION EXERCISABILITY.

                  (a) DISABILITY. If the Optionee's Service is terminated
because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised
and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative)
at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on
which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the
Option Expiration Date.

                  (b) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service is terminated because of
the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable
on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the
Optionee's legal representative or other person who acquired the right to
exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee's death at any time prior to the
expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Optionee's Service
terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The
Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the
Optionee dies within three (3) months after the Optionee's termination of
Service.

                  (c) OTHER TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If the Optionee's Service
terminates for any reason except Disability or death, the Option, to the extent
unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the Optionee's
Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee within three (3) months (or
such other longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its sole
discretion) after the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, but in
any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

            7.2. ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS ON OPTION EXERCISE. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 7.1, the Option may not be exercised after the Optionee's
termination of Service to the extent that the shares to be acquired upon
exercise of the Option would be subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option
as provided in Section 11. Except as the Company and the Optionee otherwise
agree, exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 0 following termination of the
Optionee's Service may not be made by delivery of a promissory note as provided
in Section 0.

            7.3. EXTENSION IF EXERCISE PREVENTED BY LAW. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set
forth in Section 0 is prevented by the
<PAGE>   40
provisions of Section 0, the Option shall remain exercisable until three (3)
months after the date the Optionee is notified that the Option is exercisable,
but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Company makes no
representation as to the tax consequences of any such delayed exercise. The
Optionee should consult with the Optionee's own tax advisor as to the tax
consequences to the Optionee of any such delayed exercise.

            7.4. EXTENSION IF OPTIONEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if a sale within the applicable time periods set forth in Section
0 of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would subject the Optionee
to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option shall remain
exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day following
the date on which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no longer be
subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day after the
Optionee's termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration Date. The
Company makes no representation as to the tax consequences of any such delayed
exercise. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee's own tax advisor(s) as
to the tax consequences to the Optionee of any such delayed exercise.

            7.5. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. For purposes of Section 0, the Optionee's
Service shall not be deemed to terminate if the Optionee takes any military
leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company
of ninety (90) days or less. In the event of a leave of absence in excess of
ninety (90) days, the Optionee's Service shall be deemed to terminate on the
ninety-first (91st) day of such leave unless the Optionee's right to return to
Service remains guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company (or required by law), a
leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining the
Optionee's Vested Ratio.

      8. TRANSFER OF CONTROL.

            8.1. DEFINITIONS.

                  (a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to have
occurred if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company:

                        (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single
or series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of more
than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company;

                        (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a
party;

                        (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

                        (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

                  (b) A "TRANSFER OF CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership Change
Event or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, the
"TRANSACTION") wherein the stockholders of the Company immediately before the
Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company or the corporation or corporations to
which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "TRANSFEREE
<PAGE>   41
CORPORATION(S)"), as the case may be; provided, however, that neither an initial
public offering by the Company, nor an equity or convertible securities
financing by the Company shall be deemed an Ownership Change Event or Transfer
of Control for the purpose of any accelerated vesting provision of this Option
Agreement. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial
ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from
ownership of the voting stock of one or more corporations which, as a result of
the Transaction, own the Company or the Transferee Corporation(s), as the case
may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations. The
Board shall have the right to determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of
the voting stock of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related,
and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

            8.2. EFFECT OF TRANSFER OF CONTROL ON OPTION. In the event of an
eligible Transfer of Control, the Vested Ratio shall be increased by two-fifths
(2/5) as of the date ten (10) days prior to the date of any such eligible
Transfer of Control; provided, however, that in no event shall the Vested Ratio
be increased pursuant to this Section 0 to a ratio in excess of one (1). The
exercise or vesting of any Option that was permissible solely by reason of this
Section 0 shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Transfer of Control.
In addition, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or
parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (the "ACQUIRING CORPORATION"),
may either assume the Company's rights and obligations under the Option or
substitute for the Option a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiring
Corporation's stock. For purposes of this Section 0, the Option shall be deemed
assumed if, following the Transfer of Control, the Option confers the right to
purchase, for each share of Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the
Transfer of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities
or property) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the
Transfer of Control was entitled. The Option shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding effective as of the date of the Transfer of Control to the extent
that the Option is neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring
Corporation in connection with the Transfer of Control nor exercised as of the
date of the Transfer of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired
upon exercise of the Option prior to the Transfer of Control and any
consideration received pursuant to the Transfer of Control with respect to such
shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of this Option
Agreement except as otherwise provided herein. Furthermore, notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the corporation the stock of which is subject to the Option
immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in Section 0
constituting a Transfer of Control is the surviving or continuing corporation
and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than fifty percent (50%)
of the total combined voting power of its voting stock is held by another
corporation or by other corporations that are members of an affiliated group
within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the
provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the Option shall not terminate unless
the Board otherwise provides in its sole discretion.

      9. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. In the event of any stock
dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination,
reclassification, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company,
appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and class of
shares of stock subject to the Option. If a majority of the shares which are of
the same class as the shares that are subject to the Option are exchanged for,
converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership
Change Event) shares of another corporation (the "New Shares"), the Board may
unilaterally amend the Option to provide that the Option is exercisable for New
Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the Number of Option Shares and the
Exercise Price shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner, as determined
by the Board, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 0 shall
be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, as determined by the Board,
and in no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an amount less than the
par value, if any, of the stock subject to
<PAGE>   42
the Option. The adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 0
shall be final, binding and conclusive.

      10. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT. The Optionee shall
have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option
until the date of the issuance of a certificate for the shares for which the
Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of
the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No
adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which
the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued, except as
provided in Section 0. If the Optionee is an Employee, the Optionee understands
and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written
employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Optionee, the
Optionee's employment is "at will" and is for no specified term. Nothing in this
Option Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee, whether an Employee or
Consultant, any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or
interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to
terminate the Optionee's Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may
be, at any time.

      11. UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION.

            11.1. GRANT OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. In the event the
Optionee's Service is terminated for any reason or no reason, with or without
cause, of if the Optionee, the Optionee's legal representative, or other holder
of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option attempts to sell, exchange,
transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (other than pursuant to an Ownership
Change Event) any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option which exceed the
Vested Shares as defined in Section 11.2 below (the "Unvested Shares"), the
Company shall have the right to repurchase the Unvested Shares under the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the "Unvested Share
Repurchase Option").

            11.2. VESTED SHARES AND UNVESTED SHARES DEFINED. The "Vested Shares"
shall mean, on any given date, a number of shares of Stock equal to the Number
of Option Shares multiplied by the Vested Ratio determined as of such date and
rounded down to the nearest whole share. On such given date, the "Unvested
Shares" shall mean the number of shares of stock acquired upon exercise of the
Option which exceed the Vested Shares determined as of such date.

            11.3. EXERCISE OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. The Company may
exercise the Unvested Share Repurchase Option by written notice to the Optionee
within sixty (60) days after (a) termination of the Optionee's Service for
exercise of the Option, if later) or (b) the Company has received notice of the
attempted disposition of Unvested Shares. If the Company fails to give notice
within such sixty (60) day period, the Unvested Share Repurchase Option shall
terminate (unless the Company and the Optionee have extended the time for the
exercise of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option. The Unvested Share Repurchase
Option must be exercised, if at all, for all of the Unvested Shares, except as
the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree.

            11.4. PAYMENT FOR SHARES AND RETURN OF SHARES TO COMPANY. The
Purchase price per share being repurchased by the Company shall be an amount
equal to the Optionee's original cost per share, as adjusted pursuant to Section
9 (the "Repurchase Price"). The Company shall pay the aggregate Repurchase Price
to the Optionee in cash within thirty (30) days after the date of the written
notice to the Optionee of the Company's exercise of the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any
indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company shall be treated as
payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any
accrued interest.
<PAGE>   43
The shares being repurchased shall be delivered to the Company by the Optionee
at the same time as the delivery of the Repurchase Price to the Optionee.

            11.5. ASSIGNMENT OF UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION. The Company
shall have the right to assign the Unvested Share Repurchase Option at any time,
whether or not such option is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be
selected by the Company.

            11.6. OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT. Upon the occurrence of an Ownership
Change Event, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other
property to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's ownership
of Unvested Shares shall be immediately subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase
Option and included in the terms "Stock" and "Unvested Shares" for all purposes
of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option with the same force and effect as the
Unvested Shares immediately prior to the Ownership Change Event. While the
aggregate Repurchase Price shall remain the same after such Ownership Change
Event, the Repurchase Price per Unvested Share upon exercise of the Unvested
Share Repurchase Option following such Ownership Change Event shall be adjusted
as appropriate. For purposes of determining the Vested Ratio following an
Ownership Change Event, credited Service shall include all Service with any
corporation which is a Participating Company at the time the Service is
rendered, whether or not such corporation is a Participating Company both before
and after the Ownership Change Event. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the
event of an Ownership Change Event that is also a Transfer of Control, the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option will terminate if the surviving corporation
does not assume, or substitute substantially equivalent options for, all
outstanding Options under the Plan.

      12. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.

            12.1. GRANT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Except as provided in Section
0 below, in the event the Optionee, the Optionee's legal representative, or
other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option proposes to sell,
exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any Vested Shares (the
"TRANSFER SHARES") to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any
shareholder of the Participating Company Group, the Company shall have the right
to repurchase the Transfer Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Section 0 (the "RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL").

            12.2. NOTICE OF PROPOSED TRANSFER. Prior to any proposed transfer of
the Transfer Shares, the Optionee shall deliver written notice (the "TRANSFER
NOTICE") to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the
number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the
"PROPOSED TRANSFEREE") and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer
price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of
the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary transfer,
the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the
Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If the Optionee
proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee,
the Optionee shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer
to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the
Optionee and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of
the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares
to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal.

            12.3. BONA FIDE TRANSFER. If the Company determines that the
information provided by the Optionee in the Transfer Notice is insufficient to
establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company
shall give the Optionee written notice of the Optionee's failure to comply with
the procedure described in this Section 0, and the Optionee shall have no right
to transfer
<PAGE>   44
the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this
Section 0. The Optionee shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares
if the proposed transfer is not bona fide.

            12.4. EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the Company determines
the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to
purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the
Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the terms
set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Optionee of a notice of
exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date
the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company's exercise or
failure to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed
transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company's right to
exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer
described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer
Notice is issued by the Optionee or issued by a person other than the Optionee
with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If the
Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Optionee shall
thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms
set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the
Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered
by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer
Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the
Company shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present
value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as
reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing,
cancellation of any indebtedness of the Optionee to any Participating Company
shall be treated as payment to the Optionee in cash to the extent of the unpaid
principal and any accrued interest canceled.

            12.5. FAILURE TO EXERCISE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. If the Company
fails to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent
as the Company and the Optionee otherwise agree) within the period specified in
Section 0 above, the Optionee may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee
of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer
Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90) days following
delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall have the right
to demand further assurances from the Optionee and the Proposed Transferee (in a
form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was
actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer
Notice. No Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company
until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved
the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and
conditions different from those described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any
subsequent proposed transfer by the Optionee, shall again be subject to the
Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the Optionee with the
procedure described in this Section 0.

            12.6. TRANSFEREES OF TRANSFER SHARES. All transferees of the
Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be
required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form
satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such
Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions
of this Option Agreement, including this Section 0 providing for the Right of
First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of
any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the
provisions of this Section 0 are met.

            12.7. TRANSFERS NOT SUBJECT TO RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Right of
First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares acquired
upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in connection with
an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received pursuant to such
transfer or exchange consists of stock of a Participating Company, such
consideration
<PAGE>   45
shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of
Section 0 below result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal.

            12.8. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Company shall have
the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there
has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the
Company.

            12.9. EARLY TERMINATION OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. The other
provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal
shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of
a Transfer of Control, unless the Acquiring Corporation assumes the Company's
rights and obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially
equivalent option for the Acquiring Corporation's stock for the Option, or (b)
the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of
First Refusal. A "PUBLIC MARKET" shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is
listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange
Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and prices
therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal.

      13. ESCROW.

            13.1. ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW. To ensure that shares of Stock
obtained upon exercise of this Option which are subject to the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal or securing any promissory note
will be available for repurchase, the Company may require the Optionee to
deposit the certificate evidencing the shares of Stock which the Optionee
purchases upon exercise of the Option with an escrow agent designated by the
Company under the terms and conditions of an escrow and security agreements
approved by the Company. If the Company does not require such deposit as a
condition of exercise of the Option, the Company reserves the right at any time
to require the Optionee to so deposit the certificate in escrow. Upon the
occurrence of an Ownership Change Event or a change, as described in Section 0,
in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation
the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, any
and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to which the
Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's ownership of shares of Stock
acquired upon exercise of the Option that remain, following such Ownership
Change Event or change described in Section 0, subject to the Unvested Share
Repurchase Option Right of First Refusal or any security interest held by the
Company shall be immediately subject to the escrow to the same extent as such
shares of Stock immediately before such event. The Company shall bear the
expenses of the escrow.

            13.2. DELIVERY OF SHARES TO OPTIONEE. As soon as practicable after
the expiration of the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First
Refusal and after full repayment of any promissory note secured by the option
shares of Stock or other property in escrow, but not more frequently than twice
each calendar year, the escrow agent shall deliver to the Optionee the shares of
Stock and any other property no longer subject to such restrictions and no
longer securing any promissory note.

            13.3. NOTICES AND PAYMENTS. In the event the shares of Stock and any
other property held in escrow are subject to the Company's exercise of the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal, or any security
interest of the Company, the notices required to be given to the Optionee shall
be given to the escrow agent, and any payment required to be given to the
Optionee shall be given to the escrow agent. Within thirty (30) days after
payment by the Company, the escrow agent shall deliver the shares of Stock and
any other property which the Company has purchased to the Company and shall
deliver the payment received from the Company to the Optionee.
<PAGE>   46
      14. STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS SUBJECT TO OPTION AGREEMENT. If, from time to
time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change, as described in
Section 0, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the
corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option
Agreement, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional
securities to which the Optionee is entitled by reason of the Optionee's
ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be
immediately subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, Right of First
Refusal and any security interest held by the Company and with the same force
and effect as the shares subject to the Unvested Share Repurchase Option, Right
of First Refusal and any such security interest immediately before such event.

      15. NOTICE OF SALES UPON DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION. The Optionee shall
dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with
the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, the Optionee shall
promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Optionee
disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1)
year after the date the Optionee exercises all or part of the Option or within
two (2) years after the Date of Option Grant and shall provide the Company with
a description of the terms and circumstances of such disposition. Until such
time as the Optionee disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the
provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by
the Company, the Optionee shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option
in the Optionee's name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year
period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period
immediately after Date of Option Grant. At any time during the one-year or
two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any
certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the
transfer agent for the Company's stock to notify the Company of any such
transfers. The obligation of the Optionee to notify the Company of any such
transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the
certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.

      16. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. In connection with the receipt of the
Option and any acquisition of shares upon the exercise thereof, the Optionee
hereby agrees, represents and warrants as follows:

            16.1. The Optionee is acquiring the Option and will acquire any
shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option for the Optionee's own account, and
not on behalf of any other person or as a nominee, for investment and not with a
view to, or sale in connection with, any distribution of the Option or such
shares.

            16.2. The Optionee was not presented with or solicited by any form
of general solicitation or general advertising, including, but not limited to,
any advertisement, article, notice, or other communication published in any
newspaper, magazine, or similar media, or broadcast over television, radio or
similar communications media, or presented at any seminar or meeting whose
attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising.

            16.3. The Optionee has either (a) a preexisting personal or business
relationship with the Company or any of its officers, directors, or controlling
persons, consisting of personal or business contacts of a nature and duration to
enable the Optionee to be aware of the character, business acumen and general
business and financial circumstances of the person with whom such relationship
exists, or (b) such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters
(or has relied on the financial and business knowledge and experience of the
Optionee's professional advisor who is unaffiliated with and who is not,
directly or indirectly, compensated by the Company or any affiliate or selling
agent of the Company) as to make the Optionee capable of evaluating the merits
and risks of the Option and any
<PAGE>   47
investment in shares acquired pursuant to the Option and to protect the
Optionee's own interests in the transaction, or (c) both such relationship and
such knowledge and experience.

            16.4. The Optionee understands that the Option and any shares
acquired upon exercise of the Option have not been qualified under the Corporate
Securities Law of 1968, as amended, of the State of California by reason of a
specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things,
the bona fide nature of the Optionee's representations as expressed herein. The
Optionee understands that the Company is relying on the Optionee's
representations and warrants that the Company is entitled to rely on such
representations and that such reliance is reasonable.

      17. LEGENDS. The Company may at any time place legends referencing the
Unvested Share Repurchase Option, the Right of First Refusal, any security
interest and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law
restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the
provisions of this Option Agreement. The Optionee shall, at the request of the
Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing
shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Optionee in
order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by
the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following:

            17.1. "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD,
TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO
THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS
EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT."

            17.2. Any legend required to be placed thereon by the Commissioner
of Corporations of the State of California.

            17.3. "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN
UNVESTED SHARE REPURCHASE OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET
FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH
HOLDER'S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL
OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION."

            17.4. "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET
FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH
HOLDER'S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL
OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION."

      18. PUBLIC OFFERING. The Optionee hereby agrees that in the event of any
underwritten public offering of stock, including an initial public offering of
stock, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed
under the Securities Act, the Optionee shall not offer, sell, contract to sell,
pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale of, or
otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to acquire
stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the effective date
of such registration statement as may be established by the underwriter for such
public offering at its sole discretion. The foregoing limitation shall not apply
to
<PAGE>   48
shares registered in the public offering under the Securities Act. The Optionee
shall be subject to this Section provided and only if the officers and directors
of the Company are also subject to similar arrangements.

      19. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES. No shares acquired upon exercise
of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without
limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Optionee), assigned,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law,
in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Option Agreement and,
except pursuant to an Ownership Change, until the date on which such shares
become Vested Shares, any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company
shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares which will have
been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Option
Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote
as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will
have been so transferred.

      20. BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth
herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns.

      21. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or
the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 0
in connection with a Transfer of Control, no such termination or amendment may
adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the
consent of the Optionee unless such termination or amendment is necessary to
comply with any applicable law or government regulation or is required to enable
the Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No amendment or addition to
this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.

      22. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this
Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such
notice) upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post Office,
by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the
other party at the address shown below that party's signature or at such other
address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other
party.

      23. INTEGRATED AGREEMENT. This Option Agreement and the Plan constitute
the entire understanding and agreement of the Optionee and the Participating
Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein,
and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or
warranties among the Optionee and the Participating Company Group with respect
to such subject matter other than those as set forth or provided for herein or
therein. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of this
Option Agreement shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in
full force and effect.
<PAGE>   49
      24. APPLICABLE LAW. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware
residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of
Delaware.


                                      COMPANY:


                                      P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO, INC.,
                                      a Delaware corporation




                                      By:_______________________________________

                                      Title:____________________________________



      The Optionee represents that the Optionee is familiar with the terms and
provisions of this Option Agreement, including the Unvested Share Repurchase
Option set forth in Section ERROR! REFERENCE SOURCE NOT FOUND., and the Right of
First Refusal set forth in Section 0, and hereby accepts the Option subject to
all of the terms and provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as
binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon
any questions arising under this Option Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges
receipt of a copy of the Plan.



                                      OPTIONEE:



Date:____________________________     __________________________________________
                                      Signature


                                      Optionee's Address:
                                      __________________________________________

                                      __________________________________________

                                      __________________________________________