<PAGE>
 
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.14.1
 
                  FORBEARANCE AND DEBT RESTRUCTURE AGREEMENT
                  ------------------------------------------

          THIS FORBEARANCE AND DEBT RESTRUCTURE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),
dated as of May 15, 1997, is entered into by and among SAV MAX FOODS, INC., a
California corporation ("Sav Max"), MICHAEL A. WEBB, an individual ("Webb"),
CERTIFIED GROCERS OF CALIFORNIA, LTD., a California corporation ("Certified"),
and GROCERS CAPITAL COMPANY, a California corporation ("GCC"), with reference to
the following facts:


                                RECITALS
                                --------

     A.  Sav Max is the operator of eight warehouse-style grocery stores in the
State of California.

     B.  Webb is the majority shareholder of Sav Max and its President and Chief
Executive Officer.

     C.  Certified supplies food products to Sav Max and is owed money with
respect to inventory sold to Sav Max.

     D.  GCC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Certified, holds certain Common
Stock, Series A and Preferred Stock, Series B ("Preferred B Shares") of Sav Max
and has provided Sav Max with certain secured term loan financing.

     E.  Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo") provides to Sav
Max a line of credit and a term loan pursuant to the terms of the certain Credit
Agreement, dated as of February 5, 1996, by and between Sav Max and Wells Fargo
(as amended through the date hereof, the "Wells Fargo Credit Agreement").

     F.  Sav Max (i) is currently delinquent on certain of its inventory
payables to Certified, (ii) has failed to make payment to GCC of certain
quarterly dividends and mandatory redemptions respecting the Preferred B Shares,
and (iii) was unable to 

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
repay or extend its loan obligations to Wells Fargo on their maturity date of
March 15, 1997 under the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement without the promise of
credit support from Certified.

     G.  Sav Max has requested that (i) Certified continue to provide food
products to Sav Max notwithstanding Sav Max's delinquent trade payables to
Certified;  (ii) GCC waive certain default rights and remedies in consequence of
Sav Max's failure to make dividend and mandatory redemption payments to GCC in
connection with the Preferred B Shares; (iii) Certified convert that portion of
Sav Max's trade payables which have been outstanding for longer than 18 days
from date of statement into a promissory note maturing in 4-1/2 years; and (iv)
Certified agree to purchase Sav Max's loans from Wells Fargo upon either Sav
Max's default with respect to such loans or upon Sav Max's failure to pay such
loans on their maturity date.

     H.  Certified and GCC are willing to provide Sav Max with the foregoing
requested credit accommodations and other agreements set forth herein on the
terms and conditions set forth below.

     NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the above premises, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.  Conversion of Inventory Payables to Promissory Note.  Certified hereby
         ---------------------------------------------------                   
agrees to convert at the Closing that portion of Sav Max's inventory payable
obligations that have been outstanding for longer than eighteen (18) days after
the date of Certified's statement (one of which is issued every Friday) to Sav
Max into a promissory note obligation.  Such promissory note payable shall be
evidenced by and payable in accordance with the terms of that certain Secured
Inventory Payable Promissory Note to the order of Certified (the "Certified
Inventory Note"), in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "A".  The
Certified Inventory Note and all other indebtedness owed by Sav Max to Certified
or GCC shall be secured by the collateral described in the Security Agreement in
the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B.  The Certified Inventory Note
shall also be secured by a pledge of the stock in Sav Max owned by Webb pursuant
to a Stock Pledge Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C.

     2.  Waiver of Dividend and Redemption Defaults Respecting the
         ----------------------------------------------------------

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
Preferred B Shares. Under subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (4) of Article THREE of
------------------                                                             
Sav Max's Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles"), Three Thousand
Two Hundred Fifty (3,250) Preferred B Shares were scheduled for mandatory
redemption on June 30, 1995 (the "1995 Shares") and Three Thousand Two Hundred
Fifty (3,250) shares of Preferred B Shares were scheduled for mandatory
redemption on June 30, 1996 (the "1996 Shares") at a redemption price of One
Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per share.  As of the date hereof, the 1995 Shares and
the 1996 Shares have not been redeemed as required under the Articles.  The 1995
Shares, the 1996 Shares and shares of Preferred B Shares required to be redeemed
during the period the waiver provided for herein is in effect are referred to
collectively hereinafter as the "Redemption Shares."

          In addition, under subparagraph (a) of Paragraph (1) of Article THREE
of the Articles, Preferred B Share dividends are payable quarterly in cash on
the last day of the months of March, June, September and December at a rate of
Eight Dollars and Fifty Cents ($8.50) per share per annum (the "Regular
Dividends").  The Regular Dividends due March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996, September
30, 1996, December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997 are in arrears.

          Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (3) of
Article THREE of the Articles, failure to redeem the Redemption Shares or have
two (2) or more Regular Dividends in arrears for more than thirty (30) days will
permit GCC to elect the smallest number of directors constituting a majority of
the authorized number of directors of Sav Max.  In addition, GCC contends that
it has certain other rights in the event of a failure to redeem the Redemption
Shares.

          So long as (i) Sav Max may not pay Regular Dividends and/or redeem
Redemption Shares by operation of law or credit agreements with lenders and
amounts remain outstanding with respect to the Certified Inventory Note Payable
or the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement and (ii)  there occurs no Event of Default
under either this Forbearance Agreement or the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement,
then GCC effective on the Closing hereby agrees to waive its rights and remedies
under Paragraph (3) of Article THREE with respect to the existing or prospective
failure by Sav Max to redeem the Redemption Shares in accordance with
subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (4) of Article THREE of the Articles and the
existing or prospective failure to pay in full two (2) or more Regular Dividend
payments in accordance with subparagraph (a) of 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
Paragraph (1) of Article THREE of the Articles as well as any other rights which
it may have pursuant to the Articles or otherwise as a result of such failure.
Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default as defined under this Agreement, the
foregoing waiver shall immediately cease to be effective and GCC shall be
entitled to all rights and remedies which it may have under Paragraph (3) of
Article THREE of the Articles or otherwise (including without limitation such
rights which GCC could have exercised with respect to any failure to redeem the
Redemption Shares or make Regular Dividend payments but for the waiver set forth
herein) or at law or in equity or otherwise.

          Notwithstanding the waiver by GCC set forth herein, the payments
required to be made by Sav Max to GCC with respect to the redemption of the
Redemption Shares and the Regular Dividends shall continue to accrue during the
period that the waiver provided for herein is in effect.  Sav Max shall cause
such dividends and mandatory redemptions to be paid to the full extent permitted
by law.

     3.  Conditional Obligations to Purchase Wells Fargo Loans.  Certified
         -----------------------------------------------------            
hereby agrees that in consideration of the execution and delivery of Amendment
No. 5 to the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement ("Wells Fargo Amendment") in the form
of Exhibit D hereto, at the Closing Certified will execute and deliver that
certain Loan Purchase Agreement by and between Certified and Wells Fargo (the
"Loan Purchase Agreement"), in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit E.

     4.  Agreements With Respect to Conduct of Business.
         ---------------------------------------------- 

          4.1  Supply Agreement.  At the Closing, Sav Max and Certified will
               ----------------                                             
execute a new Supply Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.
Pursuant to the Supply Agreement, Sav Max shall be obligated to maintain payment
terms for inventory within 18 days of date of statement.  Failure to maintain
such payment schedule (except with respect to payables as to which a bona fide
dispute exists in the ordinary course of business with respect to pricing,
delivery or order terms) shall constitute a default under the Certified
Inventory Note Payable.

          4.2  Webb Employment Agreement.  At the Closing, Sav Max and Webb will
               -------------------------                                        
terminate the existing employment agreement between them and execute and deliver
that certain Employment Agreement in the form attached hereto as 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
Exhibit G.

          4.3  Consulting Agreement.  Sav Max and Drew Webb ("Consultant") will
               --------------------                                            
have executed and delivered a Consulting Agreement in the form of Exhibit H
hereto pursuant to which Consultant will be engaged to provide oversight
controls, improved reporting, internal control system refinement and cash
management.

          4.4  JDM Vending Agreement.  JDM Companies and Sav Max will enter into
               ---------------------                                            
an amendment to their existing Vending Agreement with respect to use of vending
space in Sav Max in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit I.

     5.  Covenants of Sav Max.
         -------------------- 

          5.1  Financial Covenants.  So long as the Certified Inventory Note
               -------------------                                          
Payable remains outstanding, Sav Max hereby agrees to comply with each of the
following financial covenants in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied and consistent with Sav Max's prior practices,
except to the extent modified by the following definitions:

               (a) Current Ratio of not less than the correlative amounts
     indicated below as of the end of the fiscal quarters of Sav Max set forth
     below, with "Current Ratio" defined as total current assets divided by
     total current liabilities, provided that for the purpose of determining Sav
                                --------                                        
     Max's compliance with this covenant, current liabilities shall not include
     Sav Max's indebtedness to Certified evidenced by the Certified Inventory
     Note Payable or Sav Max's note payable obligations to Wells Fargo under the
     Wells Fargo Credit Agreement:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Fiscal Quarter               Minimum Current Ratio  
              --------------               ---------------------
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                     <C>  
       Second fiscal quarter of 1997                1.00 to 1.00
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Third fiscal quarter of 1997                 1.00 to 1:00
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Fourth fiscal quarter of 1997                1.00 to 1.00
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Fiscal Quarter               Minimum Current Ratio
              --------------               ---------------------
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                     <C>        
        All quarters ending in 1998                  .95 to 1.00
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        All quarters ending in 1999                 1.00 to 1.00
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        All quarters in 2000 and thereafter            1.10 to 1
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
               (b) Total indebtedness for borrowed money and Sav Max's
     indebtedness to Certified evidenced by the Certified Inventory Note Payable
     aggregating not more than $7,000,000 outstanding at any time, exclusive of
     Sav Max's existing indebtedness (but not any refinancing thereof) to each
     of IBM, G.E. Capital, USL Capital, GCC, and Sav Max's term loan
     indebtedness to Wells Fargo.

               (c) Cash Flow Coverage Ratio (defined as the aggregate of net
     income after taxes plus depreciation, amortization, interest expense, and
     operating equipment and store lease expense, divided by the aggregate of
     the current portion of long-term debt, interest expense, dividends, stock
     redemption, and operating equipment and store lease expense) of not less
     than the correlative amounts indicated below as of the end of Sav Max's
     fiscal quarters set forth below, measured on a cumulative year-to-date
     basis for Sav Max's 1997 fiscal year, and thereafter measured on a rolling
     four-quarters basis:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        Fiscal Quarter      Minimum Cash Flow Coverage Ratio (To 1.00)
        --------------      ------------------------------------------
                            1997  1998  1999  2000 and thereafter
                            ----  ----  ----  -------------------
     <S>                    <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>

     First fiscal quarter   --    .87   1.04         1.12

     Second fiscal quarter  .65   .92   1.06         1.13

     Third fiscal quarter   .78   .96   1.08         1.14

     Fourth fiscal quarter  .82   1.01  1.10         1.15
</TABLE>

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
               (d) Make any additional investment in fixed assets (other than
     (i) purchase at lease termination of any equipment presently leased under
     existing leases and (ii) office remodel expenses at Sav Max's Modesto store
     not to exceed $200,000) in any fiscal year in excess of an aggregate of
     $500,000.00; provided that to the extent investments in fixed assets in any
     fiscal year do not equal $500,000, 50% of the unutilized authorization may
     be carried over to the succeeding fiscal year.

               (e) Agreement with respect to the foregoing financial covenants
     was reached based, in part, upon a review of Sav Max's operating plan for
     the years 1997 through 2000.  That plan does not contemplate the
     disposition of Sav Max's San Jose store.  If Sav Max is successful in
     disposing of its San Jose store on a basis agreed to by Certified, the
     parties agree that the covenants will be adjusted to accommodate (i) the
     continued operation of the Company without the San Jose Store, and (ii) any
     one-time charges required to Sav Max's financial statements as a result of
     that disposition.

          5.2  Related Party Transactions.  Sav Max will not, and Webb will
               --------------------------                                  
cause Sav Max not to, make any payment or distribution to Webb, any officer,
director or shareholder of Sav Max, any family member of, associate of, or
entity affiliated with any such person except as is expressly permitted by this
Agreement or the agreements referred to herein and except for a continuation of
the presently existing arrangements described on Schedule 5.2 hereto.

          5.3  Compliance Reports.  Sav Max shall deliver to Certified and GCC
               ------------------                                             
quarterly, within forty-five (45) days of the end of each quarter, compliance
certificates as of the last day of each quarter signed by the Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Sav Max (a) setting forth computations
showing, in detail satisfactory to Certified, whether Sav Max is in compliance
with its obligations pursuant to Section 5.1; (b) stating that a review of the
activities of Sav Max during such Fiscal Quarter has been made under the
supervision of the certifying officers with a view to determining whether during
such Fiscal Quarter Sav Max performed and observed all its obligations and
covenants pursuant to this Agreement and the agreements referred to herein, and
either (i) stating that, to the best knowledge of the certifying officers,
during such Fiscal Quarter, Sav Max performed and observed each covenant of this
Agreement and the agreements referred to herein applicable to them, 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
and that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii)
if Sav Max has not performed and observed such covenants, or if a Default or
Event of Default exists and is then continuing, specifying all such Defaults and
their nature and status and the actions Sav Max is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto.

          5.4  Governance.  So long as amounts remain outstanding on the
               ----------                                               
Certified Inventory Note Payable or the Company remains in arrears with respect
to dividend or redemption obligations of the Series B Shares, (i) Sav Max shall
provide GCC at least five days' prior written notice of any regular or special
meeting of Sav Max's Board of Directors or any committee thereof, (ii) GCC shall
be entitled to designate a representative of GCC to attend any such meeting as
an observer, and (iii) the Board of Directors of Sav Max, any committee of the
Board, or the shareholders of Sav Max will not propose to take any action or
take any action by written consent without a meeting unless GCC provides its
prior written consent thereto.

          5.5  Other Agreements.  Certified and/or GCC and Sav Max are parties
               ----------------                                               
to the following agreements which remain in full force and effect except to
extent expressly waived herein and Sav Max shall be obligated to comply with the
covenants contained therein in accordance with their terms except to the extent
expressly waived herein:

Note of Sav Max Foods, Inc. dated October 2, 1995, in the original principal
amount of $750,000 payable to Grocers Capital Company;

Note of Sav Max Foods, Inc. dated October 2, 1995, in the original principal
amount of $750,000 payable to Grocers Capital Company;

Security Agreement dated October 2, 1995 between Grocers Capital Company and Sav
Max Foods, Inc.

Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Sav Max Foods, Inc. and
Grocers Capital Company dated as of December 17, 1993 ("Preferred Stock Purchase
Agreement");

Agreement Regarding Common Stock by and between Grocers Capital Company,

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
Michael A. Webb and Sav Max Foods, Inc. dated as of December 17, 1993;

Guaranty Indemnity Agreement executed by Certified Grocers of California, Ltd.
dated 4/27/94 and Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement executed by Sav
Max Foods, Inc. dated 4/27/94 with respect to Store 102

Guaranty Indemnity Agreement executed by Certified Grocers of California, Ltd.
dated 3/31/94 and Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement executed by Sav
Max Foods, Inc. dated 3/31/94 with respect to Store 103

Guaranty of Sublease executed by Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. dated
5/7/92 with respect to Sublease by Sav Max Foods, Inc. of Store 104

Guaranty of Lease executed by Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. dated Dec.
1991 and Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement executed by Sav Max Foods,
Inc. dated 1/13/92 with respect to Store 105

Guaranty of Lease executed by Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. dated
1/31/92 and Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement executed by Sav Max
Foods, Inc. dated 1/13/92 with respect to Store 106

Sublease by Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. to Sav Max Foods, Inc. dated
July 30, 1993 with respect to Store 107

Sublease by Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. to Sav Max Foods, Inc. dated
July 24, 1995 and Guaranty of Michael Webb in favor of Certified Grocers of
California, Ltd. dated 7/24/95 with respect to Store 108

          So long as the waiver set forth in Section 2 remains in effect, Sav
Max shall be relieved of the requirement to comply with the financial covenants
contained in the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (SS) 6.1(j) and (SS)
6.2(a)).

     6.  Neutral Sale.  Upon the occurrence of a "Designated Event of Default"
         ------------                                                         
under this Agreement, Sav Max and Webb agree, subject to the terms hereof, at
the request of Certified, to take all necessary action to cause a sale of the
business of Sav Max to a third party (the "Neutral Sale").  The Neutral Sale
shall be effected as 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
follows:

               (a) Certified and Sav Max shall select an independent and neutral
     third party to act as trustee with respect to the Neutral Sale (the
     "Trustee").  In the event Certified and Sav Max are unable to agree upon
     the designation of the Trustee, the Trustee shall be selected by the
     independent auditors of Sav Max.  The duties of the Trustee shall include
     (i) the selection and engagement of an investment banker or financial
     advisor to assist in effectuating the Neutral Sale, (ii) preparation of a
     confidential memorandum describing the business and operations of Sav Max
     (the "Memorandum"), (iii) distribution of the Memorandum in a manner
     designed to effect the Neutral Sale in a commercially reasonable manner,
     (iv) establishment of procedures for bids by interested parties based on a
     standard purchase agreement form, (v) obtaining the assistance of the
     investment banker or financial advisor engaged in connection with the
     Neutral Sale to evaluate bids and advise the Board of Directors of Sav Max
     and its shareholders with respect thereto, and (vi) obtaining a fairness
     opinion from the investment banker or financial advisor engaged in
     connection with the Neutral Sale with respect to the prevailing bid.  The
     goal of the Neutral Sale process is to realize "Going Concern" value in the
     Neutral Sale.  During the period specified in subsection 6(f) below and
     provided Webb has given notice of election to pursue a sale pursuant to
     subsection 6(f), the Trustee shall not distribute the Memorandum other than
     to Certified and members of Certified, and shall not receive bids pursuant
     to subparagraph (iv) above or evaluate such bids pursuant to subparagraph
     (v) above, except as bids may be received from Certified or a member of
     Certified.

               (b) The Neutral Sale may take the form of a merger, a sale of
     substantially all of the assets, or a sale of the stock of Sav Max.  Any
     such sale shall allocate sale consideration based on the relative seniority
     of the debt and equity interests in Sav Max.  Webb shall deliver at Closing
     an Irrevocable Proxy consenting to such sale recommended by the Trustee and
     on which a fairness opinion has been received from the investment banker
     selected by the Trustee.  The terms of such sale shall be as are customary
     for sales of this type provided that liability for Sav Max shareholders
     shall be in proportion to funds received as a result of the sale and no
     shareholder of Sav Max shall be obligated to indemnify the buyer in the
     Neutral Sale for breaches of representations and 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     warranties to the extent such indemnification obligations would exceed 100%
     of the sale proceeds received by such shareholder. In such sale, provided
     that the purchaser agreed to use its best efforts to obtain the release of
     Certified and its affiliates, from any lease obligation or guaranty of
     lease, Certified or its affiliate, as applicable, would agree to remain
     secondarily liable with respect to such lease obligation or guaranty as to
     which a release could not be obtained upon receipt at closing of
     indemnification from a financially responsible party reasonably acceptable
     to Certified with respect to all such obligations.

               (c) Any shareholder of Sav Max may bid in connection with the
     Neutral Sale.  Each shareholder of Sav Max agrees to indemnify the Trustee
     from liabilities in connection with acting as such, except as may result
     from the Trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

               (d) By signing this Agreement, each shareholder of Sav Max other
     than the parties hereto consents to this Section 6 and to the sale process
     and agrees to cooperate with the sale process.

               (e) Certified agrees that in the event it purchases the Wells
     Fargo Bank loans to Sav Max pursuant to the Loan Purchase Agreement, it
     will not pursue the personal guaranty given by Webb to Wells Fargo except
     with respect to the Stock of Sav Max pledged as Collateral for such
     guaranty so long as and to the extent that Webb cooperates with and does
     not attempt to interfere with the Neutral Sale process.  Webb hereby agrees
     (and agrees not to assert any defense to the contrary) that any purchase by
     Certified of Wells Fargo's loans to Sav Max (whether pursuant to the
     exercise of Certified's purchase option or on a mandatory basis) shall not
     reduce or otherwise affect Webb's liability under his continuing guaranty
     in favor of Wells Fargo or under the Stock Pledge Agreement between Webb
     and Wells Fargo which secures the full amount of such guaranty, whether
     based upon any claimed right of contribution against Certified, any claimed
     rights of co-sureties or principles of co-suretyship, or any other reason,
     except to the extent set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.

               (f) Notwithstanding the commencement of the Neutral Sale process
     or the exercise of other default rights and remedies, upon the occurrence

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     of a Designated Event of Default and notice to Sav Max of such default,
     Webb will have 120 days from the date of the notice of the Designated Event
     of Default in which to arrange and consummate a sale of Sav Max to a third
     party who would purchase the equity investment of GCC (with respect to
     Preferred Stock - at liquidation value plus accrued dividends; with respect
     to Common Stock - at GCC's cost of such Common Stock) for cash and pay off
     all indebtedness owing to Certified and its affiliates (without premium or
     prepayment penalty) and in such a sale Certified and GCC would agree: (i)
     to terminate the Supply Agreement as of the closing date, and (ii) provided
     that the purchaser agreed to use its best efforts to obtain the release of
     Certified and its affiliates from any lease obligation or guaranty of
     lease, to remain secondarily liable with respect to such release
     obligations or lease guaranty as to which a release could not be obtained
     upon receipt at closing of indemnification from a financially responsible
     party reasonably acceptable to Certified with respect to all such
     obligations. This 120 day period will be available only if Webb gives
     Certified notice of intent to pursue arranging such a sale within 15 days
     of the date of the notice of designated event of default. Within such 120
     day period, no sale shall be consummated pursuant to the Neutral Sale
     process or pursuant to the Stock Pledge Agreement referred to in Subsection
     10(e). The 120 day period referred to in this subsection shall be extended
     for the time necessary to allow passage of the waiting period under the
     Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act") or
     state governmental antitrust consent, if applicable, provided that within
     such 120 day period a binding agreement of purchase has been executed and
     delivered, a filing has been made under the HSR Act, and the only
     contingency remaining to be satisfied on the 120th day is compliance with
     the HSR Act or the receipt of such state governmental antitrust consent, if
     applicable. In no event shall the 120 days be extended to a period greater
     than 180 days.

     7.  Purchase Rights.  For a period of two years from the date hereof and
         ---------------                                                     
provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Webb and/or
Sav Max (to the extent then legally permissible) shall have the right to acquire
the equity and indebtedness position of Certified and its affiliates on the
terms set forth in Subsection 6(f).

     8.  Refinance.  In the event that Sav Max obtains replacement refinancing
         ---------                                                            

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
with which it: (i) repays or refinances the entire amount owed under the Wells
Fargo Credit Agreement on terms which release Certified from all obligations
under its Loan Purchase Agreement, (ii) repays all amounts owing to Certified
under the Certified Inventory Note and all amounts owing to GCC on the October
2, 1995 Notes, and (iii) causes the obligations under the Preferred B Shares to
legally be brought current with respect to dividends and mandatory redemption
obligations, then Certified shall:

               (a) release Certified's security interest in the collateral
     described in the Security Agreement and cancel the Security Agreement;

               (b) release the pledge of stock in Sav Max owned by Webb pursuant
     to the Stock Pledge Agreement and cancel the Stock Pledge Agreement; and

               (c) Terminate the obligations of Sav Max and Webb pursuant to
     Section 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6 and the inclusion of any breach of such provisions
     as an Event of Default under Section 11.

No other refinancing or sale of the Sav Max indebtedness owing to Wells Fargo
Bank or Certified shall be made nor shall any commitment be made with respect
thereto without the prior written consent of Certified.

     9.  Closing.  The Closing pursuant to this Agreement shall take place on
         -------                                                             
May 15, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., in the offices of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter &
Hampton LLP, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California, or at such other
time and place as the parties shall mutually agree.  If the Closing shall not
have taken place or prior to May 15, 1997, this Agreement shall terminate and be
of no further force and effect and no party shall have any obligation with
respect thereto.

     10.  Conditions Precedent to Closing.  The Closing of this Agreement is
          -------------------------------                                   
subject to the prior satisfaction of each of the following conditions:


               (a) Amendment to Wells Fargo Credit Agreement.  Wells Fargo and
                   -----------------------------------------                  
     Sav Max shall have executed and delivered the Wells Fargo Amendment and the
     documents contemplated thereby;

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
               (b) Execution and Delivery of Loan Purchase Agreement.  Certified
                   -------------------------------------------------            
     and Wells Fargo shall have entered into the Loan Purchase Agreement;

               (c) Execution and Delivery of Certified Inventory Note Payable.
                   ----------------------------------------------------------  
     Certified shall have received the original Certified Inventory Note
     (Exhibit A) Payable, duly executed by Sav Max;

               (d) Execution and Delivery of Security Agreement.  Certified and
                   --------------------------------------------                
     GCC shall have received an original of a Security Agreement (Exhibit B),
     duly entered into between Sav Max, Certified and GCC;

               (e) Execution and Delivery of Stock Pledge Agreement.  Certified
                   ------------------------------------------------            
     shall have received an original Stock Pledge Agreement (Exhibit C) duly
     entered into between Webb and Certified with respect to Webb's common
     shares of Sav Max;

               (f) Execution and Delivery of Supply Agreement.  Certified shall
                   ------------------------------------------                  
     have received an original of the Supply Agreement (Exhibit F), duly
     executed by Sav Max;

               (g) Execution and Delivery of Employment Agreement.  Certified
                   ----------------------------------------------            
     shall have received an original of the Employment Agreement (Exhibit G),
     duly executed by Webb and Sav Max;

               (h) Execution and Delivery of Consulting Agreement.  Certified
                   ----------------------------------------------            
     shall have received an original of the Consulting Agreement (Exhibit H),
     duly executed by Sav Max and Consultant;

               (i) JDM Rent Agreement.  Sav Max and JDM shall have entered into
                   ------------------                                          
     the Amendment to the Vending Agreement (Exhibit I);

               (j) Execution and Delivery of Mutual Release of Claims.  The
                   --------------------------------------------------      
     parties shall have received a mutual general release duly executed by and
     among Certified, Sav Max, Webb and the Sav Max shareholders, in the form of
     Exhibit "J" hereto (the "Release").

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
               (k) Execution and Delivery of Perfection Documents.  Certified
                   ----------------------------------------------            
     and GCC shall have received such California UCC-1 Financing Statements
     (including, without limitation, those which may be filed as "fixture
     filings") and deposit account security interest notification letters as
     Certified and GCC may require to perfect their security interests in the
     assets of Sav Max granted pursuant to the Security Agreement required by
     Section 8(d) above. In addition, Certified shall have received a control
     agreement duly executed by Wells Fargo and Webb, relating to the Stock
     Pledge Agreement required by Section 8 (e) above, in the form of Exhibit
     "K" hereto;

               (l) Opinion of Counsel to Sav Max.  Certified and GCC shall have
                   -----------------------------                               
     received an opinion of counsel to Sav Max, addressed to and issued in favor
     of Certified and GCC, in the form of Exhibit "L" hereto;

               (m) Due Diligence Materials.  Certified shall have received such
                   -----------------------                                     
     UCC, state and federal tax lien, litigation, judgments and other due
     diligence investigative search reports as Certified and its counsel may
     require; and

               (n) Additional Matters.  All other documents and legal matters in
                   ------------------                                           
     connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have
     been delivered or executed and shall be in form and substance acceptable to
     Certified and its counsel.

     11.  Events of Default.  The occurrence of any of the following Events
          -----------------                                                
shall constitute an "Event of Default" for the purposes of this Agreement:

               (a) Sav Max fails to make any payment of principal or interest to
     Certified or GCC pursuant to the Certified Inventory Note Payable or the
     GCC Notes listed in Section 5.5, within 5 days of its due date;

               (b) Sav Max fails to make any payment due to Certified pursuant
     to the Supply Agreement (except with respect to payables as to which a bona
     fide dispute exists in the ordinary cause of business with respect to
     pricing, delivery or order terms) within 5 days of its due date;

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
               (c) Any failure to enforce the terms of the Agreements referred
     to in Sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 hereof;

               (d) Any breach of the financial covenant set forth in
     Section 5.1;

               (e) Any breach of the Compliance Reports covenant set forth in
     Section 5.3 or in the financial reporting covenants contained in Section
     7.1 and 7.2 of the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, in each case which
     remains uncured for 15 days;

               (f) Any breach of the covenants contained in Sections 5.2 or 5.4;

               (g) Breaches of Wells Fargo Credit Agreement.  The occurrence of
                   ----------------------------------------                    
     any Event of Default under and as defined in the Wells Fargo Credit
     Agreement, as amended by the Fifth Amendment thereto, which causes Wells
     Fargo to give notice of election to require purchase pursuant to the Loan
     Purchase Agreement;

               (h) Sav Max or Webb institutes or consents to any proceeding
     under any debtor relief law, or is unable or admits in writing its
     inability to pay its debts as they mature, or makes an assignment for the
     benefit of creditors, or applies to or consents to the appointment of a
     receiver, trustee, trustee, custodian, conservator or similar officer for
     it or for all or any part of its property;

               (i) Sav Max or Webb fail to perform or observe any other covenant
     or agreement contained in this Agreement or any agreement with Certified or
     GCC referred to herein within 10 days of the date of notice given by
     Certified or GCC of such default provided that period shall be extended to
     60 days so long as Sav Max and Webb shall have commenced appropriate action
     to remedy such failure within 10 days of the date of such notice, shall
     diligently pursue such action and shall provide to Certified reports within
     such 10 day period of the steps being taken to cure such default within a
     sixty day period.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
               (j) Breach of Release.  The institution by Sav Max or Webb of any
                   -----------------                                            
     action or proceeding involving a claim released under the Release.

An Event of Default described in subparagraphs (a) through (g) and (i) shall be
deemed a "Designated Event of Default."

     12.  Default Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
          ----------------                                              
Certified and GCC may, at their option and in their sole discretion, acting
together or either acting alone and in addition to all of its other rights and
remedies under applicable law, exercise any and all of the following default
remedies:

               (a) Exercise of Remedies under the Security Agreement.   Exercise
                   -------------------------------------------------            
     any and all of its available rights and remedies under the Security
     Agreement but only if the event is a Designated Event of Default;

               (b) Exercise of Rights and Remedies Under the Stock Pledge
                   ------------------------------------------------------
     Agreement.  Exercise any and all of its available rights and remedies under
     ---------                                                                  
     the Stock Pledge Agreement but only if the event is a Designated Event of
     Default;

               (c) Exercise of Rights and Remedies with respect to the Preferred
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
     B Shares.  Exercise any of its default rights and remedies with respect to
     --------                                                                  
     the Preferred B Shares; and

               (d) Initiate Neutral Sale.  Initiate a Neutral Sale process
                   ---------------------                                  
     pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement but only if the Event of Default is
     a Designated Event of Default.

     13.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

               (a) Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding on
                   ----------------------                                     
     and inure to the benefit of Sav Max, Webb, Certified and GCC and their
     respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns.

               (b) Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be
                   ------------                                              
     prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be in
     effect if only to such extent, without invalidating the remainder of this
     Agreement.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
               (c) Amendments.  This Agreement may not be modified, altered or
                   ----------                                                 
     amended, except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties
     hereto

               (d) Integration.  This Agreement reflects the entire
                   -----------                                     
     understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
     hereby.

               (e) Choice of law.  The validity of this agreement, its
                   -------------                                      
     construction, interpretation and enforcement, and the rights of the parties
     hereunder shall be determined under, governed by, and construed in
     accordance with the internal laws (as opposed to the conflict of laws
     principles) of the State of California.

               (f) Attorneys' Fees.  In the event any action or proceeding is
                   ---------------                                           
     commenced to enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the
     prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be entitled to recover
     from the losing party therein, such prevailing party's reasonable
     attorneys' fees and court costs.

               (g) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple
                   ------------                                             
     counterparts, each of which, taken together shall constitute one and same
     instrument.

               (h) Mutual waiver of right to jury trial.  The parties hereby
                   ------------------------------------                     
     waive their respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of
     action based upon or arising out of this agreement or any other agreement
     entered into in connection herewith or any of the transactions contemplated
     herein, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and
     all other common law or statutory claims.  The parties represent that they
     have reviewed this waiver and knowingly and voluntarily waive their
     respective jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  In
     the event of litigation, a copy of this agreement may be filed as a written
     consent to a trial by the court.

               (i) Exhibits and Schedules.  All exhibits and schedules
                   ----------------------                             
          

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
      described herein are incorporated herein by this reference.



                  [BALANCE OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                                       SAV MAX FOODS, INC.,
                                       a California corporation


                                       By: ___________________________________


                                       MICHAEL A. WEBB, an individual


                                       _______________________________________


                                       CERTIFIED GROCERS OF CALIFORNIA, LTD.,
                                       a California corporation


                                       By: ___________________________________



                                       GROCERS CAPITAL COMPANY, a California
                                       corporation



                                       By: ___________________________________


                         
                         

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
     The shareholders of Sav Max named below hereby consent to the provisions of
Section 4 above and agree to be bound by the terms thereof.



Date:                    ________________________________

Date:                    ________________________________

Date:                    ________________________________

Date:                    ________________________________

Date:                    ________________________________

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                  FORBEARANCE AND DEBT RESTRUCTURE AGREEMENT
                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------

 
          Exhibit A      -       Certified Inventory Note
 
          Exhibit B      -       Security Agreement
          Exhibit C      -       Stock Pledge Agreement
          Exhibit D      -       Amendment No. 5 to the Wells Fargo Credit 
                                 Agreement
          Exhibit E      -       Loan Purchase Agreement
          Exhibit F      -       Supply Agreement
          Exhibit G      -       Webb Employment Agreement
          Exhibit H      -       Consulting Agreement
          Exhibit I      -       Amendment to Vending Agreement
          Exhibit J      -       General Release
          Exhibit K      -       Control Agreement re Pledge Stock
          Exhibit L      -       Opinion of Counsel
          Schedule 5.2   -       Schedule of Related Party Transactions
 

                                      -22-