<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 10.30


                          FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT

                  THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Security Agreement") is made as
of the ___ day of December, 1998 by MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION (the
"Borrower"), MERKERT ENTERPRISES, INC. ("Merkert Enterprises"), ROGERS-AMERICAN
Companies, INC. ("Rogers-American"), and _____________ ("_________", and
together with Merkert Enterprises and Rogers-American, the "Guarantors", and
together with the Borrower and the other Guarantors, individually and
collectively, the "Companies") in favor of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, a national
banking association, as agent for the Lenders pursuant to the Credit Agreement
described below ("Agent").

                                   BACKGROUND
                                   ----------

         A.       Borrower has entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated
of even date herewith (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement") with for the lenders identified therein (together
with such additional financial institutions as may become Lenders from time to
time as therein provided, "Lenders").

         B.       Guarantors have executed a Guaranty in favor of the Lenders
dated of even date herewith (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Guaranty").

         C.       As a condition to Lenders' willingness to enter into the
Credit Agreement, the Companies are willing to execute and deliver to Agent this
Security Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound,
the Companies and Agent hereby agree as follows:

A.       Definitions. All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall
         -----------
have the respective meaning ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement. In
addition, as used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

         1.       Books and Records. The term "Books and Records" means all of
                  the Companies' books and records, including without
                  limitation, all books and records indicating, summarizing, or
                  evidencing the Collateral, including without limitation,
                  computer runs, invoices, tapes, processing software,
                  processing contracts (such as contracts for computer time and
                  services) and any computer prepared information, tapes, or
                  data of every kind and description relating to the Collateral,
                  whether in the possession of any Companies or in the
                  possession of third parties.

         2.       Collateral. The term "Collateral" means the all present and
                  future assets of the Companies, whether now owned or hereafter
                  acquired, and any proceeds
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             thereof, including without limitation all accounts, contract
             rights, leases, and any other rights of the Companies to
             payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered;
             furniture; furnishings; fixtures; equipment; machinery;
             accessories; moveable trade fixtures; goods; inventory;
             building improvement and construction materials, supplies and
             equipment; chattel paper; instruments; documents; funds on
             deposit with Lenders and their affiliates; Books and Records,
             investment property, securities entitlements, financial assets
             and general intangibles; as well as all parts, replacements,
             substitutions, profits, products and cash and non-cash
             proceeds of the foregoing (including insurance and
             condemnation proceeds payable by reason of condemnation of or
             loss or damage thereto) in any form and wherever located.

         3.  Liabilities.  The term "Liabilities" means any and all
             obligations and indebtedness of every kind and description of
             the Companies to the Lenders pursuant to, under, or in
             connection with the Loan Documents, whether such debts or
             obligations are primary or secondary, direct or indirect,
             absolute or contingent, sole, joint or several, secured or
             unsecured, due or to become due, contractual or tortious,
             arising by operation of law or otherwise, or now or hereafter
             existing, whether incurred by any Companies as principal,
             surety, endorser, guarantor, accommodation party or otherwise,
             including, without limitation, principal, interest and fees,
             late fees and expenses (including, attorneys' fees and costs
             and/or the allocated fees and costs of Agent's in-house legal
             counsel), or that have been or may hereafter be contracted or
             incurred, and any obligations of the Companies or any of them
             under interest rate protection agreements, swaps, hedging
             contracts or similar arrangements with any Lender.

         4.  Loan Documents.  The term "Loan Documents" means this Security
             Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the Note, the Guaranty, and
             any other documents and agreements executed and delivered in
             connection with the Credit Agreement.

         5.  Security Agreement. The term "Security Agreement" means this
             Security Agreement, together with all Schedules and Exhibits
             hereto as may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from
             time to time.

         6.  Uniform Commercial Code.  The term "Uniform Commercial Code"
             means the Uniform Commercial Code, in effect from time to time
             in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

         Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms not
         specifically defined herein which are defined in the Uniform Commercial
         Code shall have the meanings stated therein.

B.       Security Interest. In order to secure the due and punctual payment
         -----------------
         and performance of the Liabilities, the Companies hereby grant to
         Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a
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         continuing security interest in and general lien upon their right,
         title and interest in the Collateral. The security interests granted
         herein are granted as security only and shall not subject Agent to, or
         in any way affect or modify, any obligation or liability of the
         Companies with respect to any of the Collateral or any transaction
         which gave rise thereto.

C.       Further Assurances; Filing.
         --------------------------

         1.  Delivery of Documents; Inspection of Collateral.  At any time
             and from time to time, upon the demand of Agent, the Companies
             will, at the Companies' expense: (i) give, execute, deliver,
             file, and/or record any notice, statement, instrument,
             document, agreement, or other papers that may be necessary or
             desirable, or that Agent may request, in order to create,
             preserve, perfect, or validate any security interest granted
             pursuant hereto or intended to be granted hereunder or to
             enable Agent to exercise or enforce its rights hereunder or
             with respect to such security interest; (ii) keep, stamp, or
             otherwise mark any and all documents, instruments, chattel
             paper, and their respective Books and Records in such manner
             as Agent may require; and/or (iii) permit representatives and
             agents of Agent access to their respective premises at any
             time requested by Agent to inspect the Collateral and the
             Books and Records and to audit and make copies of or abstracts
             from the Books and Records.

         2.  Filing of Financing Statement.  At Agent's sole option, and
             without the consent of the Companies, Agent may file a carbon,
             photographic, or other reproduction of this Security Agreement
             or any financing statement executed pursuant hereto as a
             financing statement in any jurisdiction so permitting. Without
             the prior written consent of Agent, no Companies shall file or
             authorize or permit to be filed in any jurisdiction any such
             financing or like statement in which First Union National Bank
             or its successor as Agent is not named as the sole secured
             party as Agent for the Lender.

D.       Representations and Warranties. Each Company represents and warrants to
         ------------------------------
         Agent, which representations and warranties shall be continuing
         representations and warranties until all of the Liabilities are
         satisfied in full, as follows:

         1.  Security Agreement Questionnaire.  All information provided by
             such Companies to Agent and set forth on the Security
             Agreement Questionnaire attached hereto as Schedule "A" and
             made a part hereof, is complete, true and correct (subject to
             subsequent disclosure pursuant to Paragraph E.2. hereof). If,
             for any reason, the Security Agreement Questionnaire is not
             attached to this Security Agreement at the time of execution,
             such failure shall in no way alter Agent's right to rely upon
             the representations and warranties contained in the Security
             Agreement Questionnaire and the other representations and
             warranties contained in this Section D. The Companies agrees
             that Agent may attach the Security Agreement Questionnaire to
             this Security Agreement at any time
<PAGE>
 
             subsequent to the execution of this Security Agreement.

         2.  Deposit Accounts.  Set forth on Schedule B is a complete, true
             and correct listing of all deposit accounts maintained by any
             of the Companies including the name of the depository
             institution, how the account is titled, and the account number
             (subject to subsequent disclosure pursuant to Paragraph E.2.
             hereof), and a description of any agreements relating to the
             deposit of funds or withdrawal of funds from such deposit
             accounts.

         3.  Authority.  If a corporation or a partnership, each Company is
             duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under
             the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and is
             qualified and licensed to do business in those jurisdictions
             where the conduct of its business or ownership of its
             properties requires such qualification; and each Company has
             the power and authority to own the Collateral held by such
             Companies, to enter into and perform this Security Agreement
             and any other documents or instruments executed in connection
             herewith, and to incur the Liabilities.

         4.  Duly Authorized; Not in Violation of Law.  This Security
             Agreement and any other documents or instruments executed in
             connection herewith have been duly authorized, and/or
             executed, and delivered, and constitute the legal, valid, and
             binding obligations of each Company, enforceable against such
             Companies in accordance with their terms. This Security
             Agreement and any other documents and instruments executed in
             connection herewith do not and will not violate any law, the
             charter, organizational documents, or by-laws of any
             Companies, or any other agreement or instrument to which any
             Companies or any of its property may be bound or subject.

         5.  No Consents Necessary.  No consent or approval of any person or
             entity, including, without limitation, any debt or equity
             holder of any Companies, or of any public authority, is
             necessary for the valid execution, delivery and performance of
             this Security Agreement, or any document or instrument
             executed in connection herewith, or the exercise by Agent or
             Lenders of their rights and remedies hereunder.

         6.  Title.  The Companies are, or to the extent that any Collateral
             will be acquired after the date hereof, will be, the owners of
             the Collateral, holding good and marketable title thereto,
             free from any lien, security interest, encumbrance, or claim
             other than the liens and encumbrances of Agent and have the
             right to grant the security interests created by this Security
             Agreement.

         7.  Materially Misleading Statements.  No representation, warranty,
             or statement made herein, on any Schedule or Exhibit hereto or
             in any certificate or document furnished or to be furnished
             pursuant hereto contains or will contain any untrue statement
             of fact or omits or will omit any fact necessary to make it
<PAGE>
 
                  not misleading.

         8.      No Fictitious Names. The Companies do not operate or issue
                 invoices under any name other than the name(s) set forth on the
                 signature page hereof and as otherwise disclosed on Schedule A.

         9.      Collateral Not Subject to Agreements or Licenses. The
                 Collateral is not subject to or restricted by any agreement or
                 license relating to patents, trademarks, trade secrets, or
                 copyrights, except that the Companies' computer and word
                 processing equipment is subject to various software licenses.

E.       Covenants. Each Company hereby covenants and agrees that for as long as
         ---------    
         any Liabilities are outstanding:

         1.      Defense of Collateral.  The Companies shall defend the
                 Collateral against all claims and demands of all persons or
                 entities at any time claiming any interest therein other than
                 Agent.

         2.      Notice of Changes in Location of Chief Executive Office,
                 Residence, Books and Records, Collateral.  The Companies shall
                 provide Agent with prompt written notice of: (i) any intended
                 change in the chief executive office or residence of the
                 Companies, and/or any office where the Companies maintain their
                 Books and Records; (ii) the location or movement of any
                 Collateral to or at an address other than the addresses set
                 forth on Schedule A hereto; and (iii) the establishment of any
                 new deposit account, all such notices to be received by Agent
                 at least 30 days prior to the effective date of any such
                 change. If any such new location as set forth in subparagraphs
                 (i) and (ii) hereof is on leased or mortgaged premises, the
                 Companies, upon request of Agent, will furnish Agent, prior to
                 the effective date of any such change, with landlord's or
                 mortgagee's waivers pertaining to such premises in form and
                 substance satisfactory to Agent in its sole discretion. With
                 respect to any new deposit account, the Companies shall, prior
                 to the first use of such deposit account, furnish to Agent with
                 blocked account letters or such other agreements with the
                 applicable depository institution as Agent shall reasonably
                 require, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to
                 Agent.

         3.      Prompt Payment of Taxes; Delivery to Bank of Proof of Payment.
                 The Companies shall promptly pay any and all taxes,
                 assessments, and/or governmental charges upon the Collateral
                 held by the Companies on the dates such taxes, assessments,
                 and/or governmental charges are due and payable, except to the
                 extent that such taxes, assessments, and/or charges are
                 contested in good faith by the Companies by appropriate
                 proceedings and for which the Companies are maintaining
                 adequate reserves. Upon request of Agent, the Companies shall
                 deliver to Agent such receipts and other proofs of payment as
                 Agent may request.
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         4.    Notice of Adverse Changes, Events of Default, Seizures and
               Institution of Litigation. The Companies shall immediately notify
               Agent of: (i) any material adverse changes in its business,
               property, or financial condition, including, without limitation,
               any loss of or damage to any material portion of Collateral; (ii)
               the occurrence of an Event of Default under this Security
               Agreement; (iii) any seizure of any material amount of Collateral
               or any claims or alleged claims of third parties to any material
               amount of the Collateral, and (iv) the institution of any
               litigation, arbitration, governmental investigation or
               administrative proceedings against or affecting the Companies or
               the Collateral which is reasonably likely to have a material
               adverse effect on the Companies, its ability to perform its
               obligations hereunder, or the ability of Agent to realize on the
               Collateral.

         5.    Insurance. The Companies shall keep and maintain all of its
               property and assets in good order and repair and covered by
               insurance with reputable and financially sound insurance
               companies against such hazards and in such amounts as is
               customary in the industry, under policies requiring the insurer
               to furnish reasonable notice to Agent and opportunity to cure any
               non-payment of premiums prior to termination of coverage and
               having Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, as loss payee and
               additional insured. The Companies shall furnish Agent with
               certificates or other evidence satisfactory to Agent of
               compliance with the foregoing insurance provisions.

         6.    Disposition of Collateral. The Companies shall not sell, offer to
               sell, otherwise assign, or permit the involuntary transfer of, or
               disposition of the Collateral or any interest therein, except as
               permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

         7.    Security Interests in Collateral.  The Companies shall keep the
               Collateral free from any lien, security interest, or encumbrance
               except those in favor of Agent and except as permitted pursuant
               to the Credit Agreement, in good order and repair, reasonable
               wear and tear excepted, and will not waste or destroy the
               Collateral or any part thereof. If reasonably requested by Agent,
               the Companies shall give notice of Agent's security interests in
               the Collateral to any third person with whom the Companies has
               any actual or prospective contractual relationship or other
               business dealings.

         8.    Compliance with Laws. The Companies shall continue to be in
               compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, rules, and
               regulations with respect to the Collateral.

         9.    Maintenance, Inspection of Books and Records. The Companies shall
               maintain complete and accurate Books and Records and shall make
               all necessary entries therein to reflect the costs, values and
               locations of the Collateral and all payments, credits and
               adjustments thereto. The Companies shall keep Agent
<PAGE>
 
               fully informed as to the location of all such Books and Records
               and shall permit Agent and its authorized agents to have full,
               complete and unrestricted access thereto at all reasonable times
               to inspect, audit and make copies of any and all such Books and
               Records. Upon submission to the Companies of an invoice therefor,
               the Companies will reimburse Agent for any and all fees and costs
               related to any inspection and/or audit by Agent and its
               authorized agents of the Books and Records. Agent's rights
               hereunder shall be enforceable at law or in equity, and the
               Companies consents to the entry of judicial orders or injunctions
               enforcing specific performance of such obligations hereunder.

         10.   Maintenance and Inspection of Equipment.  With respect to
               equipment constituting Collateral, the Companies shall: (i) keep
               accurate books and records with respect thereto, including,
               without limitation, maintenance records; (ii) upon request,
               deliver to Agent all evidence of ownership in such Collateral,
               including certificates of title with Agent's interest
               appropriately noted on the certificate; (iii) permit Agent and
               its authorized agents to inspect any or all such equipment at all
               reasonable times; (iv) preserve such equipment in good condition
               and repair, and pay the cost of all replacement parts, repairs to
               and maintenance of such equipment, and (v) if after the date
               hereof, any of the Collateral is moved to or located upon land
               (other than at locations identified on the Security Agreement
               Questionnaire) which land is the subject of a lease or mortgage,
               at the request of Agent, deliver an agreement of subordination
               from the lessor or mortgagee providing that any lien of such
               party shall be subordinate to the security interest of Agent
               granted herein.

         11.   Continuing of Perfected Status of Collateral.  The Companies
               agrees to cooperate and join, at its expense, with Agent in
               taking such steps as are necessary, in Agent's judgment, to
               perfect or continue the perfected status of the security
               interests granted herein, including, without limitation, the
               execution and delivery of any financing statements, amendments
               thereto and continuation statements, the notation of encumbrances
               in favor of Agent on certificates of title, and the execution and
               filing of any collateral assignments and any other instruments
               requested by Agent to perfect its security interest in the
               Collateral and any and all general intangibles relating to the
               Collateral. Agent is expressly authorized to file financing
               statements without the Companies' signature.

F.       General Authority.
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         1.    Bank as Attorney-in-Fact. Each Company hereby irrevocably
               appoints Agent (and any of its attorneys, officers, employees, or
               agents), upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an
               Event of Default, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, said
               appointment being coupled with an interest, with full power of
               substitution, in the name of the Companies, Agent, or otherwise,
               for the sole use and benefit of Agent in its sole discretion, but
               at the Companies' by law, in its name or in the name
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               of the Companies or otherwise, the powers set forth herein,
               whether or not any of the Liabilities are due, such powers,
               including, but not limited to, the power at any time: (i) to
               endorse the name of the Companies upon any instruments of
               payment, invoice, freight, or express bill, bill of lading,
               storage, or warehouse receipt relating to the Collateral; (ii) to
               demand, collect, receive payment of, settle, compromise, or
               adjust all or any of the Collateral; (iii) to sign and file one
               or more financing statements naming the Companies as debtor and
               Agent as secured party and indicating therein the types or
               describing the items of Collateral herein specified; (iv) to
               correspond and negotiate directly with insurance carriers; and
               (v) to execute any notice, statement, instrument, agreement, or
               other paper that Agent may require to create, preserve, perfect,
               or validate any security interest granted pursuant hereto or to
               enable Agent to exercise or enforce its rights hereunder or with
               respect to such security interest.

         2.    Liability of Bank as Attorney-in-Fact.  Neither Agent nor its
               attorneys, officers, employees, or agents shall be liable for
               acts, omissions, any error in judgment, or mistake in fact in
               its/their capacity as attorney-in-fact. Each Company hereby
               ratifies all acts of Agent as its attorney-in-fact. This power,
               being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable until the
               Liabilities have been fully satisfied. Agent shall not be
               required to take any steps necessary to preserve any rights
               against prior parties with respect to any of the Collateral.

         3.    Effect of Extensions and Modifications. Agent may extend the time
               of payment, arrange for payment in installments, or otherwise
               modify the terms of, or release, any of the Collateral, without
               thereby incurring responsibility to, or discharging or otherwise
               affecting any liability of, any Companies or any other obligor.

G.       Events of Default. The occurrence of an Event of Default under the
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         Credit Agreement shall constitute an Event of Default and under this
         Security Agreement.

H.       Remedies.
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         1.    Acceleration of Liabilities; General Rights of Bank.  Upon the
               occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
               Agent may, at its option, exercise any and all rights and
               remedies it has under this Security Agreement, any other Loan
               Document and/or applicable law.

         2.    Right of Setoff.  If any Liabilities shall be due and payable or
               any one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be
               continuing, whether or not the Agent shall have made demand under
               any Loan Document and regardless of the adequacy of any
               collateral for the Liabilities or other means of obtaining
               repayment of the Liabilities, each Lender shall have the right,
               without notice to the Borrower and is specifically authorized
               hereby to set-off against and apply to the then unpaid balance of
               the Liabilities any items or funds of the Borrower
<PAGE>
 
               held by each Lender or any affiliate of such Lender, any and all
               deposits (whether general or special, time or demand, matured or
               unmatured) or any other property of the Borrower including,
               without limitation, securities and/or certificates of deposit,
               now or hereafter maintained by any Borrower for its or their own
               account with any Lender or any affiliate of such Lender, and any
               other indebtedness at any time held or owing by any Lender or any
               affiliate of such Lender, to or for the credit or the account of
               Borrower, even if effecting such set-off results in a loss or
               reduction of interest or the imposition of a penalty applicable
               to the early withdrawal of time deposits. For such purpose, the
               Lenders shall have, and Borrower hereby grant to each Lender, a
               first lien on and security interest in such deposits, property,
               funds and accounts and the proceeds thereof.

         3.    Turnover of Property Held by Affiliates.  Each Company authorizes
               any affiliate of each Lender, upon the occurrence and during the
               continuance of an Event of Default, at the request of any such
               Lender, and without notice to Borrower, to turn over to the Agent
               any property of such Companies, including, without limitation,
               funds and securities, held by any Lender's affiliate for any such
               Companies's account and to debit any deposit account maintained
               by such Companies with such Lender's affiliate (even if such
               deposit account is not then due or there results a loss or
               reduction of interest or the imposition of a penalty in
               accordance with law applicable to the early withdrawal of time
               deposits), in the amount requested by the Lenders up to the
               amount of the Liabilities, and to pay or transfer such amount or
               property to the Agent for application to the Liabilities.

         4.    Additional Rights and Remedies.  In addition to the rights and
               remedies available to Agent as set forth above, upon the
               occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, or at any time
               thereafter, Agent may at its option, immediately and without
               notice, do any or all of the following, which rights and remedies
               are cumulative, may be exercised from time to time, and are in
               addition to any rights and remedies available to Agent under any
               other agreement or instrument by and between any Companies and
               Agent:

               a.   Exercise any and all of the rights and remedies of a secured
                    party under the Uniform Commercial Code, including, without
                    limitation, the right to require the Companies to assemble
                    the Collateral and make it available to Agent at a place
                    reasonably convenient to the parties;

               b.   Notify account debtors of any Companies that their
                    obligations to such Companies are payable directly to Agent,
                    for benefit of the Lenders, and collect such sums.

               c.   Operate, utilize, recondition and/or refurbish any of the
                    Collateral for the purpose of enhancing or preserving the
                    value thereof by any means
<PAGE>
 
                  deemed appropriate by Agent, in its sole discretion,
                  including, without limitation, converting raw materials
                  and/or work-in-process into finished goods;

             d.   Demand, sue for, collect, or retrieve any money or
                  property at any time payable, receivable on account
                  of, or in exchange for, or make any compromise, or
                  settlement deemed desirable with respect to any of
                  the Collateral;

             e.   Upon five (5) calendar days' prior written notice to the 
                  Borrower (or one (1) day notice by telephone with respect to
                  Collateral that is perishable or threatens to decline rapidly
                  in value), which each Company hereby acknowledges to be
                  sufficient, commercially reasonable and proper, Agent may
                  sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any or all of the
                  Collateral at any time and from time to time at public or
                  private sale, with or without advertisement thereof. Upon a
                  sale of the Collateral by Agent, Agent shall apply the sale
                  proceeds: first, to the amount of any reasonable expenses,
                  including counsel fees and expenses, incurred by Agent in
                  connection with (i) the administration of this Security
                  Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, sale or collection
                  or realization of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or
                  enforcement of Agent's rights hereunder, or (iv) the failure
                  of Companies to perform hereunder; second, to accrued and
                  unpaid interest and fees; and third, to the principal balance
                  of indebtedness under the Credit Agreement to Lenders on the
                  basis of their pro rata shares of the outstanding principal
                  balance of the Loans (as defined therein), except the fees
                  payable under Paragraph 2.13 thereof, which shall be paid
                  solely to Agent. Such distribution of payments shall be made
                  promptly in federal funds immediately available at the office
                  of each Lender set forth in the Credit Agreement. Each Company
                  waives the benefit of any marshaling doctrine with respect to
                  Agent's exercise of its rights hereunder. Each Company grants
                  a royalty - free license to Agent for all patents, service
                  marks, trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, computer programs
                  and other intellectual property and proprietary rights
                  sufficient to permit Agent to exercise all rights granted to
                  Agent under this Section. Agent or anyone else may be the
                  purchaser of any or all of the Collateral so sold and
                  thereafter hold such Collateral absolutely, free from any
                  claim or right of whatsoever kind, including any equity of
                  redemption of any Companies or any other obligor, any such
                  notice, right and/or equity of redemption being hereby
                  expressly waived and released.

         5.  Sale of Collateral by Agent.

I.       Miscellaneous.
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<PAGE>
 
         1.   Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver. The rights, powers and remedies of
              Agent provided in this Security Agreement and any of the other
              Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any right,
              power or remedy provided by law or equity. No failure or delay on
              the part of Agent in the exercise of any right, power or remedy
              shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
              exercise of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or
              further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right,
              power or remedy.

         2.   Notices. Each Company agrees that any notice, request or consent
              required to be given to such Companies hereunder or in connection
              herewith may be given to Borrower on behalf of such Companies. Any
              notice, request or consent required hereunder or in connection
              herewith shall be deemed satisfactorily given if in writing and
              delivered by hand, mailed (registered or certified mail) or sent
              by facsimile transmission to Agent or Borrower at their respective
              addresses or telecopier number set forth below, or to any party at
              such other addresses or telecopier numbers as may be given by any
              party to the others in writing:

                        if to Borrower:             
                                                
                        Merkert American Corporation
                        490 Turnpike Street         
                        Canton, MA 02021 
                        Attention: 
                        Telecopier:                 
                                                
                        if to Agent:                
                                                   
                        First Union National Bank   
                        1345 Chestnut Street        
                        PA 4843                     
                        Philadelphia, PA  19107     
                        Attention: Robert A. Brown  
                        Telephone: (215) 973-1259   
                        Telecopier: (215) 786-2877  
                    
         3.   Costs and Expenses; Indemnification. Whether or not the
              transactions contemplated by this Security Agreement and the other
              Loan Documents are fully consummated, the Borrower shall promptly
              pay (or reimburse, as Agent may elect) all costs and expenses
              which Agent has incurred or may hereafter incur in connection with
              the negotiation, preparation, reproduction, interpretation,
              perfection, monitoring, administration and enforcement of the Loan
              Documents, the collection of all amounts due under the Loan
              Documents, and all amendments, modifications, consents or waivers,
              if any, to the Loan Documents. Such costs and expenses shall
              include, without limitation, the fees
<PAGE>
 
             and disbursements of counsel to Agent (including Agent's in-house
             counsel), the costs of appraisals, searches of public records,
             costs of filing and recording documents with public offices,
             internal and/or external audit and/or examination fees and costs,
             stamp, excise and other taxes, the fees of Agent's accountants,
             consultants or other professionals, costs and expenses from any
             actual or attempted sale of all or any part of the Collateral, or
             any exchange, enforcement, collection, compromise, or settlement of
             any of the Collateral or receipt of the proceeds thereof, and for
             the care and preparation for sale of the Collateral (including
             insurance costs) and defending and asserting the rights and claims
             of Agent in respect thereof, by litigation or otherwise. Each
             Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Agent with
             respect to any and all claims, expenses, demands, losses, costs,
             fines or liabilities of any kind (including, without limitation,
             those involving death, personal injury or property damage and
             including reasonable attorneys fees and costs) arising from the use
             or ownership of the Collateral. The reimbursement and
             indemnification obligations of the Companies under this Section
             shall constitute Liabilities secured by the Collateral and shall
             survive any termination of the Loan Documents.

         4.  Governing Law. This Security Agreement shall be construed in
             accordance with and governed by the substantive laws of the
             Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without reference to conflict of laws
             principles.

         5.  Integration. This Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents
             constitute the sole agreement of the parties with respect to the
             subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all oral
             negotiations and prior writings with respect to the subject matter
             hereof and thereof.

         6.  Amendment; Waiver. No amendment of this Security Agreement, and no
             waiver of any one or more of the provisions hereof shall be
             effective unless set forth in writing and signed by the parties
             hereto.

         7.  Successors and Assigns. This Security Agreement (i) shall be
             binding upon the Companies and the Agent and, where applicable,
             their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
             permitted assigns, and (ii) shall inure to the benefit of the
             Companies and the Agent and, where applicable, their respective
             heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns;
             provided, however, that no Companies may assign its rights
             hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent
             of Agent, and any such assignment or attempted assignment by such
             Companies shall be void and of no effect with respect to Agent.

         8.  Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision
             of this Security Agreement or any instrument or agreement required
             hereunder shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or
             enforceability of the remaining provisions of
<PAGE>
 
             this Security Agreement or any instrument or agreement required
             hereunder. In lieu of any illegal or unenforceable provision in
             this Security Agreement, there shall be added automatically as a
             part of this Security Agreement a legal and enforceable provision
             as similar in terms to such illegal or unenforceable provision as
             may be possible.

         9.  Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Each Company
             irrevocably appoints each officer of Borrower as its attorney upon
             whom may be served any notice, process or pleading in any action or
             proceeding against it arising out of or in connection with this
             Security Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Loan
             Documents or any of the Collateral; each Company hereby consents
             that any action or proceeding against it be commenced and
             maintained in any court within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or
             in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
             Pennsylvania by service of process on any officer of Borrower; and
             each Company agrees that the courts of the Commonwealth of
             Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Eastern
             District of Pennsylvania shall have jurisdiction with respect to
             the subject matter hereof and the person of each Company and the
             Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Agent, in its absolute
             discretion may also initiate proceedings in the courts of any other
             jurisdiction in which any Companies may be found or in which any of
             its properties or Collateral may be located.

         10. Inconsistencies. The Loan Documents are intended to be consistent.
             However, in the event of any inconsistencies among any of the Loan
             Documents, such inconsistency shall not affect the validity or
             enforceability of any Loan Document. In the event of any
             inconsistency or ambiguity in any of the Loan Documents, the Loan
             Documents shall not be construed against any one party but shall be
             interpreted consistent with Agent's policies and procedures.

         11. Headings. The headings of sections and paragraphs have been
             included herein for convenience only and shall not be considered in
             interpreting this Security Agreement.

         12. Schedules. If a Schedule and/or an Exhibit is attached hereto, the
             provisions thereof are incorporated herein.

         13. Waiver of Jury Trial; Acknowledgments.

             a.   EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND
                  INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY
                  IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON OR ARISING OUT OF,
                  UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE NOTES OR
                  OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF
                  DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER
<PAGE>
 
                  ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF AGENT OR LENDERS. THIS
                  PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR AGENT'S ENTERING INTO
                  THIS AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE LENDERS.

             b.   BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS HAD THE ASSISTANCE OF
                  COUNSEL IN THE REVIEW AND EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND,
                  SPECIFICALLY, PARAGRAPH 10.14 HEREOF, AND FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES
                  THAT THE MEANING AND EFFECT OF THE FOREGOING WAIVER OF JURY
                  TRIAL HAVE BEEN FULLY EXPLAINED TO BORROWER BY SUCH COUNSEL.
<PAGE>
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Security Agreement as
of the date above first written.



Attest:                                    MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION


By:________________________                By:______________________________
   Name:                                      Name:
   Title:                                     Title:


Attest:                                    MERKERT ENTERPRISES, INC.


By:__________________________              By:______________________________
   Name:                                      Name:
   Title:                                     Title:


Attest:                                    ROGERS-AMERICAN COMPANY, INC.


By:__________________________              By:______________________________
   Name:                                      Name:
   Title:                                     Title:


Attest:                                    [_______________________________]



By:__________________________              By:______________________________
   Name:                                      Name:
   Title:                                     Title:
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE A
                                  ----------

                   Security Agreement Questionnaire Attached
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE B
                                  ----------

                               Deposit Accounts