exv10w1






Exhibit 10.1




Line of Credit Note




$45,000,000.00

Date: December 1, 2009



Promise to Pay. On or before December 1, 2010, for value received, Bob Evans Farms, Inc., an Ohio
corporation and successor by merger to BEF Holding Co., Inc, a Delaware corporation (the
“Borrower”), promises to pay to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., whose address is 100 E. Broad St.,
Columbus, OH 43215 (the “Bank”), or order, in lawful money of the United States of America, the sum
of Forty-Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($45,000,000.00) or so much thereof as may be advanced and
outstanding, plus interest on the unpaid principal balance as provided below.



Interest Rate Definitions. As used in this Note, the following terms have the following respective
meanings:



“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means, with respect to a LIBOR Rate Advance for the relevant Interest Period,
the sum of (i) the Applicable Margin plus (ii) the quotient of (a) the LIBOR Rate applicable to
such Interest Period, divided by (b) one minus the Reserve Requirement (expressed as a decimal)
applicable to such Interest Period.



“Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate” means, for any day, the sum of (i) 2.50% per annum plus (ii) the
quotient of (a) the interest rate determined by the Bank by reference to the Page to be the rate at
approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the
immediately preceding Business Day for dollar deposits with a maturity equal to one (1) month,
divided by (b) one minus the Reserve Requirement (expressed as a decimal) applicable to dollar
deposits in the London interbank market with a maturity equal to one (1) month.



“Advance” means a LIBOR Rate Advance or a CB Floating Rate Advance and “Advances” means all LIBOR
Rate Advances and all CB Floating Rate Advances under this Note.



“Applicable Margin” means with respect to any CB Floating Rate Advance, 1.00% per annum and with
respect to any LIBOR Rate Advance, 0.90% per annum.



“Business Day” means (i) with respect to the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate and any borrowing,
payment or rate selection of LIBOR Rate Advances, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which
banks generally are open in Ohio and/or New York for the conduct of substantially all of their
commercial lending activities and on which dealings in United States dollars are carried on in the
London interbank market and (ii) for all other purposes, a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any
other day on which national banking associations are authorized to be closed.



“CB Floating Rate” means the Prime Rate; provided that the CB Floating Rate shall, on any day, not
be less than the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate. The CB Floating Rate is a variable rate and any
change in the CB Floating Rate due to any change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR
Rate is effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the
Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate, respectively.




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“CB Floating Rate Advance” means any Advance under this Note when and to the extent that its
interest rate is determined by reference to the CB Floating Rate.



“Interest Period” means, with respect to a LIBOR Rate Advance, a period of one (1), two (2) or
three (3) month(s) commencing on a Business Day selected by the Borrower pursuant to this Note.
Such Interest Period shall end on the day which corresponds numerically to such date one (1), two
(2) or three (3) month(s) thereafter, as applicable; provided, however, that if there is no such
numerically corresponding day in such first, second or third succeeding month(s), as applicable,
such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such first, second or third succeeding
month(s), as applicable. If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a
Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next succeeding Business Day, provided,
however, that if said next succeeding Business Day falls in a new calendar month, such Interest
Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day.



“LIBOR Rate” means with respect to any LIBOR Rate Advance for any Interest Period, the interest
rate determined by the Bank by reference to the Page to be the rate at approximately 11:00 a.m.
London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of the Interest Period for the offering by
the Bank’s London office, of dollar deposits in an amount comparable to such LIBOR Rate Advance
with a maturity equal to such Interest Period. If no LIBOR Rate is available to the Bank, the
applicable LIBOR Rate for the relevant Interest Period shall instead be the rate determined by the
Bank to be the rate at which the Bank offers to place deposits in U.S. dollars with first-class
banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period, in the approximate amount of the principal amount
outstanding on such date and having a maturity equal to such Interest Period.



“LIBOR Rate Advance” means any borrowing under this Note when and to the extent that its interest
rate is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.



“Page” means Reuters Screen LIBOR01, formerly known as Page 3750 of the Moneyline Telerate Service
(together with any successor or substitute, the “Service”) or any successor or substitute page of
the Service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of the
Service, as determined by the Bank from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of
interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market.



“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by the Bank as its
prime rate. The Prime Rate is a variable rate and each change in the Prime Rate is effective from
and including the date the change is announced as being effective. THE PRIME RATE IS A REFERENCE
RATE AND MAY NOT BE THE BANK’S LOWEST RATE.



“Principal Payment Date” is defined in the paragraph entitled “Principal Payments” below.



“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from
time to time in effect and any successor thereto or other regulation or official interpretation of
said Board of Governors relating to reserve requirements applicable to member banks of the Federal
Reserve System.




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“Reserve Requirement” means the maximum aggregate reserve requirement (including all basic,
supplemental, marginal and other reserves) which is imposed under Regulation D.



Interest Rates. The Advance(s) evidenced by this Note may be drawn down and remain outstanding as
up to five (5) LIBOR Rate Advances and/or a CB Floating Rate Advance. The Borrower shall pay
interest to the Bank on the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of (1) each CB Floating Rate
Advance at the CB Floating Rate minus the Applicable Margin, and (2) each LIBOR Rate Advance at the
Adjusted LIBOR Rate. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days
elapsed in a year of 360 days, unless that calculation would result in a usurious interest rate, in
which case interest will be calculated on the basis of a 365 or 366 day year, as the case may be.
In no event shall the interest rate applicable to any Advance exceed the maximum rate allowed by
law. Any interest payment which would for any reason be deemed unlawful under applicable law shall
be applied to principal.



Bank Records. The Bank shall, in the ordinary course of business, make notations in its records of
the date, amount, interest rate and Interest Period of each Advance hereunder, the amount of each
payment on the Advances, and other information. Such records shall, in the absence of manifest
error, be conclusive as to the outstanding principal balance of and interest rate or rates
applicable to this Note.



Notice and Manner of Electing Interest Rates on Advances. The Borrower shall give the Bank written
notice (effective upon receipt) of the Borrower’s intent to draw down an Advance under this Note no
later than 2:00 p.m. Columbus, Ohio time, on the date of disbursement, if the full amount of the
drawn Advance is to be disbursed as a CB Floating Rate Advance and no later than 11:00 a.m.
Columbus, Ohio time two (2) Business Days before disbursement, if any part of such Advance is to be
disbursed as a LIBOR Rate Advance. The Borrower’s notice must specify: (a) the disbursement date,
(b) the amount of each Advance, (c) the type of each Advance (CB Floating Rate Advance or LIBOR
Rate Advance), and (d) for each LIBOR Rate Advance, the duration of the applicable Interest Period;
provided, however, that the Borrower may not elect an Interest Period ending after the maturity
date of this Note. Each LIBOR Rate Advance shall be in a minimum amount of One Hundred Thousand
and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00). All notices under this paragraph are irrevocable. By the Bank’s
close of business on the disbursement date and upon fulfillment of the conditions set forth herein
and in any other of the Related Documents, the Bank shall disburse the requested Advances in
immediately available funds by crediting the amount of such Advances to the Borrower’s account with
the Bank.



Conversion and Renewals. The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert one type of Advance
into another or to renew any Advance by giving the Bank written notice no later than 2:00 p.m.
Columbus, Ohio time, on the date of the conversion into or renewal of a CB Floating Rate Advance
and 11:00 a.m. Columbus, Ohio time two (2) Business Days before conversion into or renewal of a
LIBOR Rate Advance, specifying: (a) the renewal or conversion date, (b) the amount of the Advance
to be converted or renewed, (c) in the case of conversion, the type of Advance to be converted into
(CB Floating Rate Advance or LIBOR Rate Advance), and (d) in the case of renewals of or conversion
into a LIBOR Rate Advance, the applicable Interest Period, provided that (i) the minimum principal
amount of each LIBOR Rate Advance outstanding after a renewal or conversion shall be One Hundred
Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00); (ii) a LIBOR Rate Advance can only be converted on the
last day of the Interest Period for the Advance; and (iii) the Borrower may not elect an Interest
Period ending after the maturity date of this Note. All notices given under this paragraph are
irrevocable. If the Borrower fails to give the Bank the notice specified above for the renewal or
conversion of a LIBOR Rate Advance by 11:00 a.m. Columbus,




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Ohio time two (2) Business Days before the end of the Interest Period for that Advance, the Advance
shall automatically be converted to a CB Floating Rate Advance on the last day of the Interest
Period for the Advance.



Interest Payments. Interest on the Advances shall be paid as follows:



A. For each CB Floating Rate Advance, on the last day of each quarter beginning with the first
quarter following disbursement of the Advance or following conversion of an Advance into a CB
Floating Rate Advance, and at the conversion of the Advance into a LIBOR Rate Advance;



B. For each LIBOR Rate Advance, on the last day of the Interest Period for the Advance.



Principal Payments. All outstanding principal and interest is due and payable in full on December
1, 2010, which is defined herein as the “Principal Payment Date.”



Default Rate of Interest. After a default has occurred under this Note, whether or not the Bank
elects to accelerate the maturity of this Note because of such default, all Advances outstanding
under this Note shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the interest rate being charged on
the Advance plus three percent (3.00%) from the date the Bank elects to impose such rate.
Imposition of this rate shall not affect any limitations contained in this Note on the Borrower’s
right to repay principal on any LIBOR Rate Advance before the expiration of the Interest Period for
that Advance.



Prepayment/Funding Loss Indemnification. The Borrower may prepay all or any part of any CB
Floating Rate Advance at any time without premium or penalty.



The Borrower shall pay the Bank amounts sufficient (in the Bank’s reasonable opinion) to compensate
the Bank for any loss, cost, or expense incurred as a result of:



A. Any payment of a LIBOR Rate Advance on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for
the Advance, including, without limitation, acceleration of the Advances by the Bank pursuant to
this Note or the other Related Documents; or



B. Any failure by the Borrower to borrow or renew a LIBOR Rate Advance on the date specified in the
relevant notice from the Borrower to the Bank.



Additional Costs. If any applicable domestic or foreign law, treaty, government rule or regulation
now or later in effect (whether or not it now applies to the Bank) or the interpretation or
administration thereof by a governmental authority charged with such interpretation or
administration, or compliance by the Bank with any guideline, request or directive of such an
authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall (a) affect the basis of taxation of
payments to the Bank of any amounts payable by the Borrower under this Note or the other Related
Documents (other than taxes imposed on the overall net income of the Bank by the jurisdiction or by
any political subdivision or taxing authority of the jurisdiction in which the Bank has its
principal office), or (b) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by the Bank,
or (c) impose any other condition with respect to this Note or the other Related Documents and the
result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Bank of maintaining any LIBOR Rate
Advance or to reduce the




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amount of any sum receivable by the Bank on such an Advance, or (d) affect the amount of capital
required or expected to be maintained by the Bank (or any corporation controlling the Bank) and the
Bank determines that the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of the
Bank’s obligations under this Note or the other Related Documents and the increase has the effect
of reducing the rate of return on the Bank’s (or its controlling corporation’s) capital as a
consequence of the obligations under this Note or the other Related Documents to a level below that
which the Bank (or its controlling corporation) could have achieved but for such circumstances
(taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by
the Bank to be material, then the Borrower shall pay to the Bank, from time to time upon request by
the Bank, additional amounts sufficient to compensate the Bank for the increased cost or reduced
sum receivable. Whenever the Bank shall learn of circumstances described in this section which are
likely to result in additional costs to the Borrower, the Bank shall give prompt written notice to
the Borrower of the basis for and the estimated amount of any such anticipated additional costs. A
statement as to the amount of the increased cost or reduced sum receivable, prepared in good faith
and in reasonable detail by the Bank and submitted by the Bank to the Borrower, shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes absent manifest error in computation.



Illegality. If any applicable domestic or foreign law, treaty, rule or regulation now or later in
effect (whether or not it now applies to the Bank) or the interpretation or administration thereof
by a governmental authority charged with such interpretation or administration, or compliance by
the Bank with any guideline, request or directive of such an authority (whether or not having the
force of law), shall make it unlawful or impossible for the Bank to maintain or fund the LIBOR Rate
Advances, then, upon notice to the Borrower by the Bank, the outstanding principal amount of the
LIBOR Rate Advances, together with accrued interest and any other amounts payable to the Bank under
this Note or the other Related Documents on account of the LIBOR Rate Advances shall be repaid (a)
immediately upon the Bank’s demand if such change or compliance with such requests, in the Bank’s
judgment, requires immediate repayment, or (b) at the expiration of the last Interest Period to
expire before the effective date of any such change or request provided, however, that subject to
the terms and conditions of this Note and the other Related Documents, the Borrower shall be
entitled to simultaneously replace the entire outstanding balance of any LIBOR Rate Advance repaid
in accordance with this section with a CB Floating Rate Advance in the same amount.



Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If the Bank determines that (a) quotations of interest rates
for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate are not being
provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for purposes of determining the
interest rate on a LIBOR Rate Advance as provided in this Note, or (b) the relevant interest rates
referred to in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate do not accurately cover the cost to the Bank
of making or maintaining LIBOR Rate Advances, then the Bank shall forthwith give notice of such
circumstances to the Borrower, whereupon (i) the obligation of the Bank to make LIBOR Rate Advances
shall be suspended until the Bank notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to the
suspension no longer exists, and (ii) the Borrower shall repay in full the then outstanding
principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Advance, together with accrued interest, on the last day of the
then current Interest Period applicable to the Advance, provided, however, that, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Note and the other Related Documents, the Borrower shall be entitled
to simultaneously replace the entire outstanding balance of any LIBOR Rate Advance repaid in
accordance with this section with an Advance bearing interest at the CB Floating Rate minus the
Applicable Margin for CB Floating Rate Advances in the same amount. If the Bank determines on any
day that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of
Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate are not being provided for purposes of determining the interest rate
on any CB Floating Rate




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Advance on any day, then each CB Floating Rate Advance shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus
the Applicable Margin for CB Floating Rate Advances until the Bank determines that quotations of
interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of Adjusted One Month LIBOR
Rate are being provided.



Obligations Due on Non-Business Day. Whenever any payment under this Note becomes due and payable
on a day that is not a Business Day, if no default then exists under this Note, the maturity of the
payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, except, in the case of a LIBOR Rate
Advance, if the result of the extension would be to extend the payment into another calendar month,
the payment must be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.



Matters Regarding Payment. The Borrower will pay the Bank at the Bank’s address shown above or at
such other place as the Bank may designate. Payments shall be allocated among principal, interest
and fees at the discretion of the Bank unless otherwise agreed or required by applicable law.
Acceptance by the Bank of any payment which is less than the payment due at the time shall not
constitute a waiver of the Bank’s right to receive payment in full at that time or any other time.



Authorization for Direct Payments (ACH Debits). To effectuate any payment due under this Note or
under any other Related Documents, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Bank to initiate debit
entries to Account Number 629883273 at the Bank and to debit the same to such account. This
authorization to initiate debit entries shall remain in full force and effect until the Bank has
received written notification of its termination in such time and in such manner as to afford the
Bank a reasonable opportunity to act on it. The Borrower represents that the Borrower is and will
be the owner of all funds in such account. The Borrower acknowledges: (1) that such debit entries
may cause an overdraft of such account which may result in the Bank’s refusal to honor items drawn
on such account until adequate deposits are made to such account; (2) that the Bank is under no
duty or obligation to initiate any debit entry for any purpose; and (3) that if a debit is not made
because the above-referenced account does not have a sufficient available balance, or otherwise,
the payment may be late or past due.



Late Fee. Any principal or interest which is not paid within 10 days after its due date (whether
as stated, by acceleration or otherwise) shall be subject to a late payment charge of five percent
(5.00%) of the total payment due, in addition to the payment of interest, up to the maximum amount
of One Thousand Five Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($1,500.00) per late charge. The Borrower agrees
to pay and stipulates that five percent (5.00%) of the total payment due is a reasonable amount for
a late payment charge. The Borrower shall pay the late payment charge upon demand by the Bank or,
if billed, within the time specified.



Purpose of Loan. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that this Note evidences a loan for a
business commercial, agricultural or similar commercial enterprise purpose, and that no advance
shall be used for any personal, family or household purpose. The proceeds of the loan shall be
used only for the Borrower’s working capital purposes.



Credit Facility. The Bank has approved a credit facility to the Borrower in a principal amount not
to exceed the face amount of this Note. The credit facility is in the form of advances made from
time to time by the Bank to the Borrower. This Note evidences the Borrower’s obligation to repay
those advances. The aggregate principal amount of debt evidenced by this Note is the amount
reflected from time to time in the




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records of the Bank. Until the earliest to occur of maturity, any default, event of default, or
any event that would constitute a default or event of default but for the giving of notice, the
lapse of time or both, the Borrower may borrow, pay down and reborrow under this Note subject to
the terms of the Related Documents.



Non-Usage Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Bank a non-usage fee for the term of the Note on the
average daily unused portion of the credit facility at a rate of one-quarter of one percent (1/4%)
per annum, payable on December 15, 2010; provided, however, that there shall be no non-usage fee
due and payable if the average daily unused portion of the credit facility is equal to or less than
Twenty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($22,500,000.00).



General Definitions. As used in this Note, the following terms have the following respective
meanings:





	1.	 	“Affiliate” means any Person which, directly or indirectly, Controls or is Controlled by or
under common Control with, another Person, and any director or officer thereof. The Bank is
under no circumstances to be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
	 
	2.	 	“Control” as used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct or cause the
direction of, the management and policies of that Person, directly or indirectly, whether
through the ownership of Equity Interests, by contract, or otherwise. “Controlling” and
“Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
	 
	3.	 	“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests
in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership
interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof
to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.
	 
	4.	 	“Liabilities” means all debts, obligations, and liabilities of every kind and character of
the Borrower, whether individual, joint and several, contingent or otherwise, now or hereafter
existing in favor of the Bank, including without limitation, all liabilities, interest, costs
and fees, arising under or from any note, open account, overdraft, credit card, lease, Rate
Management Transaction, letter of credit application, endorsement, surety agreement, guaranty,
acceptance, foreign exchange contract or depository service contract, whether payable to the
Bank or to a third party and subsequently acquired by the Bank, any monetary obligations
(including interest) incurred or accrued during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other similar proceedings, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such
proceeding, and all renewals, extensions, modifications, consolidations, rearrangements,
restatements, replacements or substitutions of any of the foregoing.
	 
	5.	 	“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, charge, encumbrance, security interest,
collateral assignment or other encumbrance of any kind.
	 
	6	 	“Obligor” means any Borrower, guarantor, surety, co-signer, endorser, general partner or
other Person who may now or in the future be obligated to pay any of the Liabilities.
	 
	7.	 	“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture, joint stock association, association, bank, business trust, trust, unincorporated
organization, any




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	 	 	foreign governmental authority, the United States of America, any state of the United States
and any political subdivision of any of the foregoing or any other form of entity.
	 
	8.	 	“Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or
mixed, tangible or intangible.
	 
	9	 	“Rate Management Transaction” means any transaction (including an agreement with respect
thereto) that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity
option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate
option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction,
forward transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency
option, derivative transaction or any other similar transaction (including any option with
respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether linked to one or
more interest rates, foreign currencies, commodity prices, equity prices or other financial
measures.
	 
	10.	 	“Related Documents” means this Note, all loan agreements, credit agreements, reimbursement
agreements, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, pledge agreements, assignments,
guaranties, and any other instrument or document executed in connection with this Note or in
connection with any of the Liabilities.
	 
	11.	 	“Subsidiary” means, as to any particular Person (the “parent”), a Person the accounts of
which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial
statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles as of the date of determination, as well a any other Person of which
fifty percent (50%) or more of the Equity Interests is at the time of determination directly
or indirectly owned, Controlled or held by the parent or by any Person or Persons Controlled
by the parent, either alone or together with the parent.




Bank’s Right of Setoff. The Bank retains all rights of setoff that the Bank may have by law, in
equity or otherwise.



Liens. The Borrower shall not create or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Property except:
(1) existing Liens; (2) Liens to the Bank; (3) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business
securing current non-delinquent liabilities for taxes, worker’s compensation, unemployment
insurance, social security and pension liabilities; (4) reservations, exceptions, encroachments,
easements, rights of way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases and other similar title
exceptions or encumbrances affecting real property; (5) Liens in favor of banks and other
institutional investors on a pro rata basis; (6) purchase money security interests; (7) Liens in
respect to judgments not constituting an event of default under this Note that are being contested
in good faith; and (8) notice filings by any creditor in respect of any operating leases.



Certificate of Senior Financial Officer. The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank, at the Bank’s
address first set forth above Attn: Chase Commercial Banking, Glen Bluemel, Vice President, each
officer’s certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.2 of that certain Note Purchase
Agreement dated as of July 28, 2008 with respect to $40,000,000 6.39% Senior Notes, Series A Due
July 28, 2014 and $30,000,000 6.39% Senior Notes, Series B Due July 28, 2013 (the “Note Purchase
Agreement”), at the same time such certificate is delivered under the Note Purchase Agreement.




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Representations by Borrower. The Borrower represents and warrants that each of the following is
and will remain true and correct until the later of maturity or the date on which all Liabilities
evidenced by this Note are paid in full: (a) the execution and delivery of this Note and the
performance of the obligations it imposes do not violate any law, conflict with any agreement by
which it is bound, or require the consent or approval of any other Person; (b) this Note is a valid
and binding agreement of the Borrower, enforceable according to its terms, except as may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally
and by general principles of equity; (c) all balance sheets, profit and loss statements, other
financial statements and applications for credit furnished to the Bank in connection with the
Liabilities are accurate and fairly reflect the financial condition of the Persons to which they
apply on their effective dates, including contingent liabilities of every type, which financial
condition has not materially and adversely changed since those dates; and, if the Borrower is not a
natural Person: (i) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the state where it is organized and in good standing in each state where it is doing business; and
(ii) the execution and delivery of this Note and the performance of the obligations it imposes (A)
are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action of its governing body,
and (B) do not contravene the terms of its articles of incorporation or organization, its by-laws,
regulations or any partnership, operating or other agreement governing its organization and
affairs.



Events of Default/Acceleration. If any of the following events occurs, this Note shall become due
immediately, without notice, at the Bank’s option:





	1.	 	Any Obligor fails to pay when due: (a) any of the Liabilities, or (b) any amount payable with
respect to any of the Liabilities, or under this Note, any other Related Document, or (c) any
other debt to any Person, or any amount payable with respect to any other agreement or
instrument evidencing other debt to any Person, that is outstanding in an aggregate principal
amount of at least $10,000,000.00 beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto.
	 
	2.	 	Any Obligor: (a) fails to observe or perform or otherwise violates any other material term,
covenant, condition or agreement of any of the Related Documents; (b) makes any materially
incorrect or misleading representation, warranty, or certificate to the Bank; (c) makes any
materially incorrect or misleading representation in any financial statement or other
information delivered to the Bank; or (d) defaults under the terms of any agreement or
instrument relating to any debt for borrowed money (other than the debt evidenced by the
Related Documents) and the effect of such default will allow the creditor to declare the debt
due before its stated maturity.
	 
	3.	 	In the event (a) there is a default under the terms of any Related Document, (b) any Obligor
terminates or revokes or purports to terminate or revoke its guaranty or any Obligor’s
guaranty becomes unenforceable in whole or in part, (c) any Obligor fails to perform promptly
under its guaranty, or (d) any Obligor fails to comply with, or perform under any agreement,
now or hereafter in effect, between the Obligor and the Bank, or any Affiliate of the Bank or
their respective successors and assigns.
	 
	4.	 	Any event occurs that would permit the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to terminate any
employee benefit plan of any Obligor or any Subsidiary of any Obligor.




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	5.	 	The Borrower, Bob Evans Farms, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the parent of the Borrower,
Mimi’s Cafe, LLC, or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in the Note Purchase
Agreement): (a) becomes insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they become due; (b) makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors; (c) consents to the appointment of a custodian,
receiver, or trustee for itself or for a substantial part of its Property; (d) commences any
proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, insolvency or similar laws; (e)
conceals or removes any of its Property, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of its
creditors; (f) makes or permits a transfer of any of its Property, which may be fraudulent
under any bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance or similar law; or (g) makes a transfer of any of
its Property to or for the benefit of a creditor at a time when other creditors similarly
situated have not been paid.
	 
	6.	 	A custodian, receiver, or trustee is appointed for any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries or
for a substantial part of their respective Property.
	 
	7	 	Any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries, without the Bank’s written consent: (a) liquidates or
is dissolved; (b) merges or consolidates with any other Person; (c) leases, sells or otherwise
conveys a material part of its assets or business outside the ordinary course of its business;
(d) leases, purchases, or otherwise acquires a material part of the assets of any other
Person, except in the ordinary course of its business; or (e) agrees to do any of the
foregoing; provided, however, that any Subsidiary of an Obligor may merge or consolidate with
any other Subsidiary of that Obligor, or with the Obligor, so long as the Obligor is the
survivor.
	 
	8.	 	Proceedings are commenced under any bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, or similar laws
against any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries and remain undismissed for thirty (30) days
after commencement; or any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries consents to the commencement of
those proceedings.
	 
	9.	 	Any judgment in excess of 5% of Consolidated Total Assets (as such term is defined in the
Note Purchase Agreement) is entered against any Obligor or any of its Significant Subsidiaries
(as such term is defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), or any attachment, seizure,
sequestration, levy, or garnishment is issued against any Property of any Obligor or any of
its Subsidiaries and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded,
discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within 60 days after the expiration
of such stay.
	 
	10.	 	Any material adverse change occurs in: (a) the reputation, Property, financial condition,
business, assets, affairs, prospects, liabilities, or operations of any Obligor or any of its
Subsidiaries; or (b) any Obligor’s ability to perform its obligations under the Related
Documents.




Cure Periods. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Note or any of the other
Related Documents, the Bank shall not exercise its option to accelerate the maturity of this Note
upon the occurrence of a default unless the default has not been fully cured (i) within five (5)
days after its occurrence, if the condition, event or occurrence giving rise to such default can be
cured by the payment of money, or (ii) within thirty (30) days after its occurrence, if the
condition, event or occurrence giving rise to such default is of a nature that it can be cured only
by means other than the payment of money.




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Provided, however, that the Borrower shall have no cure rights if the condition, event or
occurrence giving rise to the default: (a) is described in any of clauses 3(b), (5), (6), (7), or
(8) above or (b) constitutes a breach of any covenant in any of the Related Documents prohibiting
the sale or transfer of any assets of any Borrower; or (c) during the twelve (12) month period
immediately preceding the occurrence of the default, either (i) the same default has occurred or
(ii) three (3) or more other defaults of any nature have occurred. Notwithstanding the existence
of any cure period, the Bank shall have no obligation to extend credit governed by this Note,
whether by advance, disbursement of a loan or otherwise after the occurrence of any default or
event which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both could become a default or
during any cure period. The inclusion of any cure period in this Note shall have no bearing on the
due dates for payments under any of the Related Documents, whether for purposes of calculating late
payment charges or otherwise.



Remedies. If this Note is not paid at maturity, whether by acceleration or otherwise, the Bank
shall have all of the rights and remedies provided by any law or agreement, in equity or otherwise.
The Borrower is liable to the Bank for all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred
(or charged by internal allocation) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution,
filing, recording, modification, supplementing and waiver of this Note or the other Related
Documents and the making, servicing and collection of this Note or the other Related Documents and
any other amounts owed under this Note or the other Related Documents, including without limitation
reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs. These costs and expenses include without limitation
any costs or expenses incurred by the Bank in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other
similar proceeding.



Waivers. Each Obligor waives: (a) to the extent not prohibited by law, all rights and benefits
under any laws or statutes regarding sureties, as may be amended; (b) any right to receive notice
of the following matters before the Bank enforces any of its rights: (i) the Bank’s acceptance of
this Note, (ii) any credit that the Bank extends to the Borrower, (iii) any demand, diligence,
presentment, dishonor and protest, or (iv) any action that the Bank takes regarding the Borrower,
any other Person or any of the Liabilities, that it might be entitled to by law, under any other
agreement, in equity or otherwise; (c) any right to require the Bank to proceed against the
Borrower, any other Obligor, or pursue any remedy in the Bank’s power to pursue; (d) any defense
based on any claim that any endorser’s or other Obligor’s obligations exceed or are more burdensome
than those of the Borrower; (e) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting liability of
any endorser or other Obligor or the enforcement hereof; (f) any defense arising by reason of any
disability or other defense of the Borrower or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever
(other than payment in full) of the obligation of the Borrower for the Liabilities; and (g) any
defense based on or arising out of any defense that the Borrower may have to the payment or
performance of the Liabilities or any portion thereof. Each Obligor consents to any extension or
postponement of time of its payment without limit as to the number or period, to the addition of
any other Person, and to the release or discharge of, or suspension of any rights and remedies
against, any Obligor. The Bank may waive or delay enforcing any of its rights without losing them.
Any waiver affects only the specific terms and time period stated in the waiver. No modification
or waiver of any provision of this Note is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the
Person against whom it is being enforced.



Rights of Subrogation. Each Obligor waives and agrees not to enforce any rights of subrogation,
contribution or indemnification that it may have against the Borrower, any other Obligor, until the
Borrower and such Obligor have fully performed all their obligations to the Bank, even if those
obligations are not covered by this Note.




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Reinstatement. The Borrower agrees that to the extent any payment or transfer is received by the
Bank in connection with the Liabilities evidenced by this Note, and all or any part of the payment
or transfer is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or
required to be transferred or repaid by the Bank or transferred or paid over to a trustee, receiver
or any other Person, whether under any bankruptcy act or otherwise (any of those payments or
transfers is hereinafter referred to as a “Preferential Payment”), then this Note shall continue to
be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, even if all those Liabilities have been
paid in full and whether or not the Bank is in possession of this Note, or whether the Note has
been marked paid, released or canceled, or returned to the Borrower and, to the extent of the
payment, repayment or other transfer by the Bank, the Liabilities or part intended to be satisfied
by the Preferential Payment shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if the
Preferential Payment had not been made.



Governing Law and Venue. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Ohio (without giving effect to its laws of conflicts). The Borrower agrees that
any legal action or proceeding with respect to any of its obligations under this Note may be
brought by the Bank in any state or federal court located in the State of Ohio, as the Bank in its
sole discretion may elect. By the execution and delivery of this Note, the Borrower submits to and
accepts, for itself and in respect of its Property, generally and unconditionally, the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of those courts. The Borrower waives any claim that the State of Ohio
is not a convenient forum or the proper venue for any such suit, action or proceeding.



Renewal and Extension. This Note is given in replacement, renewal and/or extension of, but not in
extinguishment of the indebtedness evidenced by, that Line of Credit Note dated October 1, 2009
executed by the Borrower in the original principal amount of Thirty Million and 00/100 Dollars
($30,000,000.00), including previous renewals or modifications thereof, if any (the “Prior Note”
and together with all loan agreements, credit agreements, reimbursement agreements, security
agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, pledge agreements, assignments, guaranties, and any other
instrument or document executed in connection with the Prior Note, the “Prior Related Documents”),
and is not a novation thereof. All interest evidenced by the Prior Note shall continue to be due
and payable until paid. The Borrower fully, finally, and forever releases and discharges the Bank
and its successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives (each a
“Bank Party”) from any and all causes of action, claims, debts, demands, and liabilities, of
whatever kind or nature, in law or equity, of the Borrower, whether now known or unknown to the
Borrower (i) in respect of the Liabilities evidenced by the Prior Note and the Prior Related
Documents, or of the actions or omissions of any Bank Party in any manner related to the
Liabilities evidenced by the Prior Note or the Prior Related Documents and (ii) arising from events
occurring prior to the date of this Note. The provisions of this Note are effective on the date
that this Note has been executed by all of the signers and delivered to the Bank.



Usury. The Bank does not intend to charge, collect or receive any interest that would exceed the
maximum rate allowed by law. If the effect of any applicable law is to render usurious any amount
called for under this Note or the other Related Documents, or if any amount is charged or received
with respect to this Note, or if any prepayment by the Borrower results in the payment of any
interest in excess of that permitted by law, then all excess amounts collected by the Bank shall be
credited on the principal balance of this Note (or, if this Note and all other indebtedness arising
under or pursuant to the other Related Documents shall have been paid in full, refunded to the
Borrower), and the provisions of this Note and the other Related




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Documents shall immediately be deemed reformed and the amounts thereafter collectable reduced,
without the necessity of the execution of any new document, so as to comply with the then
applicable law. All sums paid, or agreed to be paid, by the Borrower for the use, forbearance, or
detention of money under this Note or the other Related Documents shall, to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term
of such indebtedness until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of
such indebtedness does not exceed the usury ceiling from time to time in effect and applicable to
such indebtedness for so long as such indebtedness is outstanding.



Miscellaneous. If more than one Borrower executes this Note: (i) each Borrower is liable jointly
and severally for the Liabilities evidenced by this Note; (ii) the term “Borrower” means any one or
more of them; and (iii) the receipt of value by any one of them constitutes the receipt of value by
the others. This Note binds the Borrower and its successors, and benefits the Bank, its successors
and assigns. Any reference to the Bank includes any holder of this Note. Section headings are for
convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Note. Any notices and
demands under or related to this Note shall be in writing and delivered to the intended party at
its address stated herein, and if to the Bank, at its main office if no other address of the Bank
is specified herein, by one of the following means: (a) by hand; (b) by a nationally recognized
overnight courier service; or (c) by certified mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt
requested. Notice shall be deemed given: (a) upon receipt if delivered by hand; (b) on the
Delivery Day after the day of deposit with a nationally recognized courier service; or (c) on the
third Delivery Day after the notice is deposited in the mail. “Delivery Day” means a day other
than a Saturday, a Sunday, or any other day on which national banking associations are authorized
to be closed. Any party may change its address for purposes of the receipt of notices and demands
by giving notice of such change in the manner provided in this provision. This Note and the other
Related Documents embody the entire agreement between the Borrower and the Bank regarding the terms
of the loan evidenced by this Note and supercede all oral statements and prior writings relating to
that loan. No delay on the part of the Bank in the exercise of any right or remedy waives that
right or remedy. No single or partial exercise by the Bank of any right or remedy precludes any
other future exercise of it or the exercise of any other right or remedy. No waiver or indulgence
by the Bank of any default is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the Bank, nor shall a
waiver on one occasion bar or waive that right on any future occasion. The rights of the Bank
under this Note and the other Related Documents are in addition to other rights (including without
limitation, other rights of setoff) the Bank may have contractually, by law, in equity or
otherwise, all of which are cumulative and hereby retained by the Bank. If any provision of this
Note cannot be enforced, the remaining portions of this Note shall continue in effect. The
Borrower agrees that the Bank may provide any information or knowledge the Bank may have about the
Borrower or about any matter relating to this Note or the Related Documents to JPMorgan Chase &
Co., or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or their successors, or to any one or more purchasers
or potential purchasers of this Note or the Related Documents. The Borrower agrees that the Bank
may at any time sell, assign or transfer one or more interests or participations in all or any part
of its rights and obligations in this Note to one or more purchasers whether or not related to the
Bank.



Government Regulation. The Borrower shall not (a) be or become subject at any time to any law,
regulation, or list of any government agency (including, without limitation, the U. S. Office of
Foreign Asset Control list) that prohibits or limits the Bank from making any advance extension of
credit to the Borrower or from .otherwise conducting business with the Borrower, or (b) fail to
provide documentary and other evidence of the Borrower’s identity as may be requested by the Bank
at any time to enable the Bank to




13









 







verify the Borrower’s identity or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including,
without limitation, Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of 200l, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318.



USA PATRIOT ACT NOTIFICATION. The following notification is provided to the Borrower pursuant to
Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of200l, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318:



IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT. To help the government fight the
funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial
institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Person that opens an
account, including any deposit account, treasury management account, loan, other extension of
credit, or other financial services product. What this means for the Borrower: When the Borrower
opens an account, if the Borrower is an individual, the Bank will ask for the Borrower’s name,
taxpayer identification number, residential address, date of birth, and other information that will
allow the Bank to identify the Borrower, and if the Borrower is not an individual, the Bank will
ask for the Borrower’s name, taxpayer identification number, business address, and other
information that will allow the Bank to identify the Borrower. The Bank may also ask, if the
Borrower is an individual, to see the Borrower’s driver’s license or other identifying documents,
and if the Borrower is not an individual, to see the Borrower’s legal organizational documents or
other identifying documents.



WAIVER OF SPECIAL DAMAGES. THE BORROWER WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY
RIGHT THE BORROWER MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER FROM THE BANK IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ANY
SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.


JURY WAIVER. THE BORROWER AND THE BANK (BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF) HEREBY VOLUNTARILY, KNOWINGLY,
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE
(WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) BETWEEN THE BORROWER AND THE BANK ARISING OUT OF OR
IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS NOTE OR THE OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT TO THE BANK TO PROVIDE THE FINANCING EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE.



THIS NOTE AND THE OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY
NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE
PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.




[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]




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Address: 3776 South High Street
           
    Columbus, OH 43207 	Borrower:


Bob Evans Farms, Inc.,

an Ohio corporation

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Tod Spornhauer
 	 
	 	 	Printed Name  Tod Spornhauer	 
	 	 	Title                 CFO	 
	 



Date Signed: December 1, 2009





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