<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.1
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY


                         TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
                                     Issuer

                            TA OPERATING CORPORATION
                                    Guarantor

                                TA TRAVEL, L.L.C.
                                    Guarantor

                               TA LICENSING, INC.
                                    Guarantor

                         TRAVELCENTERS PROPERTIES, L.P.
                                    Guarantor

                           TRAVELCENTERS REALTY, INC.
                                    Guarantor

                12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009




                              --------------------

                                    INDENTURE

                          Dated as of November 14, 2000


                              ---------------------



                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                                     Trustee
<PAGE>   2
                              CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              TIA                                                                                              Indenture
            Section                                                                                             Section
            -------                                                                                             -------
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
            310(a)(1)              ..........................................................................   7.10
               (a)(2)              ..........................................................................   7.10
               (a)(3)              ..........................................................................   N.A.
               (a)(4)              ..........................................................................   N.A.
               (b)                 ..........................................................................   7.08; 7.10
               (c)                 ..........................................................................   N.A.
            311(a)                 ..........................................................................   7.11
               (b)                 ..........................................................................   7.11
               (c)                 ..........................................................................   N.A.
            312(a)                 ..........................................................................   2.05
               (b)                 ..........................................................................   13.03
               (c)                 ..........................................................................   13.03
            313(a)                 ..........................................................................   7.06
               (b)(1)              ..........................................................................   N.A.
               (b)(2)              ..........................................................................   7.06
               (c)                 ..........................................................................   13.02
               (d)                 ..........................................................................   7.06
            314(a)                 ..........................................................................   4.02; 4.10; 13.02
               (b)                 ..........................................................................   N.A.
               (c)(1)              ..........................................................................   13.04
               (c)(2)              ..........................................................................   13.04
               (c)(3)              ..........................................................................   N.A.
               (d)                 ..........................................................................   N.A.
               (e)                 ..........................................................................   13.05
               (f)                 ..........................................................................   4.10
            315(a)                 ..........................................................................   7.01
               (b)                 ..........................................................................   7.05; 13.02
               (c)                 ..........................................................................   7.01
               (d)                 ..........................................................................   7.01
               (e)                 ..........................................................................   6.11
            316(a)(last sentence)  ..........................................................................   13.06
               (a)(1)(A)           ..........................................................................   6.05
               (a)(1)(B)           ..........................................................................   6.04
               (a)(2)              ..........................................................................   N.A.
               (b)                 ..........................................................................   6.07
            317(a)(1)              ..........................................................................   6.08
               (a)(2)              ..........................................................................   6.09
               (b)                 ..........................................................................   2.04
            318(a)                 ..........................................................................   13.01
</TABLE>


                           N.A. means Not Applicable.

--------------------------
Note:  This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed
to be part of the Indenture.
<PAGE>   3
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           Page
                                                                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                                                                        <C>
                                    ARTICLE 1

                   Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
SECTION 1.01.  Definitions .............................................................................................     1
SECTION 1.02.  Other Definitions .......................................................................................     33
SECTION 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust
                  Indenture Act ........................................................................................     34
SECTION 1.04.  Rules of Construction  ..................................................................................     34

                                    ARTICLE 2

                                 The Securities
SECTION 2.01.  Form and Dating .........................................................................................     35
SECTION 2.02.  Execution and Authentication.............................................................................     36
SECTION 2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent...............................................................................     36
SECTION 2.04.  Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust......................................................................     37
SECTION 2.05.  Securityholder Lists ....................................................................................     37
SECTION 2.06.  Transfer and Exchange ...................................................................................     37
SECTION 2.07.  Replacement Securities ..................................................................................     38
SECTION 2.08.  Outstanding Securities ..................................................................................     38
SECTION 2.09.  Temporary Securities ....................................................................................     38
SECTION 2.10.  Cancellation ............................................................................................     39
SECTION 2.11.  Defaulted Interest ......................................................................................     39
SECTION 2.12.  CUSIP Numbers ...........................................................................................     39
SECTION 2.13.  Issuance of Additional Securities........................................................................     39

                                    ARTICLE 3

                                   Redemption
SECTION 3.01.  Notices to Trustee ......................................................................................     40
SECTION 3.02.  Selection of Securities To Be
                       Redeemed ........................................................................................     41
SECTION 3.03.  Notice of Redemption ....................................................................................     41
SECTION 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption...........................................................................     42
SECTION 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price..............................................................................     42
SECTION 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part..............................................................................     42
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
                                                                               2


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                          <C>
                                    ARTICLE 4

                                    Covenants
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities ....................................................................................     42
SECTION 4.02.  SEC Reports .............................................................................................     43
SECTION 4.03.  Limitation on Indebtedness...............................................................................     43
SECTION 4.04.  Limitation on Restricted Payments........................................................................     47
SECTION 4.05.  Limitation on Restrictions on
                       Distributions from Restricted
                       Subsidiaries ......................................................................................   52
SECTION 4.06.  Limitation on Sales of Assets and
                       Subsidiary Stock ..................................................................................   54
SECTION 4.07.  Limitation on Affiliate Transactions.......................................................................   58
SECTION 4.08.  Limitation on the Sale or Issuance of
                       Capital Stock of Restricted
                       Subsidiaries ......................................................................................   61
SECTION 4.09.  Change of Control .........................................................................................   61
SECTION 4.10.  Future Guarantors .........................................................................................   63
SECTION 4.11.  Compliance Certificate ....................................................................................   63
SECTION 4.12.  Further Instruments and Acts...............................................................................   63

                                    ARTICLE 5

                                Successor Company
SECTION 5.01.  When Company May Merge or Transfer
                       Assets ............................................................................................   63

                                    ARTICLE 6

                              Defaults and Remedies
SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default .........................................................................................   65
SECTION 6.02.  Acceleration ..............................................................................................   68
SECTION 6.03.  Other Remedies ............................................................................................   68
SECTION 6.04.  Waiver of Past Defaults....................................................................................   69
SECTION 6.05.  Control by Majority .......................................................................................   69
SECTION 6.06.  Limitation on Suits .......................................................................................   69
SECTION 6.07.  Rights of Holders To Receive Payment ......................................................................   70
SECTION 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee ................................................................................   70
SECTION 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim ..........................................................................   70
SECTION 6.10.  Priorities ................................................................................................   70
SECTION 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs .....................................................................................   71
SECTION 6.12.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws ..........................................................................   71
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5
                                                                               3

                                    ARTICLE 7

                                     Trustee
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                          <C>
SECTION 7.01.  Duties of Trustee .........................................................................................   72
SECTION 7.02.  Rights of Trustee .........................................................................................   73
SECTION 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee ..............................................................................   74
SECTION 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer ......................................................................................   74
SECTION 7.05.  Notice of Defaults ........................................................................................   74
SECTION 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders .............................................................................   74
SECTION 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity ................................................................................   74
SECTION 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee ....................................................................................   75
SECTION 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger ...............................................................................   76
SECTION 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification .............................................................................   77
SECTION 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims
                       Against Company ...................................................................................   77


                                    ARTICLE 8

                       Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
SECTION 8.01.  Discharge of Liability on Securities;
                       Defeasance ........................................................................................   77
SECTION 8.02.  Conditions to Defeasance...................................................................................   78
SECTION 8.03.  Application of Trust Money.................................................................................   80
SECTION 8.04.  Repayment to Company   ....................................................................................   80
SECTION 8.05.  Indemnity for U.S. Government
                       Obligations .......................................................................................   80
SECTION 8.06.  Reinstatement .............................................................................................   80


                                    ARTICLE 9

                                   Amendments

SECTION 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.................................................................................   81
SECTION 9.02.  With Consent of Holders....................................................................................   82
SECTION 9.03.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act........................................................................   83
SECTION 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents and
                       Waivers ...........................................................................................   83
SECTION 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities......................................................................   84
SECTION 9.06.  Trustee To Sign Amendments.................................................................................   84
SECTION 9.07.  Payment for Consent    ....................................................................................   84
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   6
                                                                               4


                                   ARTICLE 10

                                  Subordination

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                          <C>
SECTION 10.01.  Agreement To Subordinate..................................................................................   84
SECTION 10.02.  Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy......................................................................   85
SECTION 10.03.  Default on Senior Indebtedness of the
                       Company ...........................................................................................   85
SECTION 10.04.  Acceleration of Payment of
                       Securities ........................................................................................   87
SECTION 10.05.  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.......................................................................   87
SECTION 10.06.  Subrogation ..............................................................................................   87
SECTION 10.07.  Relative Rights ..........................................................................................   87
SECTION 10.08.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired by
                       Company ...........................................................................................   88
SECTION 10.09.  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent........................................................................   88
SECTION 10.10.  Distribution or Notice to
                       Representative ....................................................................................   88
SECTION 10.11.  Article 10 Not To Prevent Events of
                       Default or Limit Right To
                       Accelerate ........................................................................................   88
SECTION 10.12.  Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.............................................................................   89
SECTION 10.13.  Trustee Entitled To Rely..................................................................................   89
SECTION 10.14.  Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.......................................................................   89
SECTION 10.15.  Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders  of
                       Senior Indebtedness of the Company ................................................................   90
SECTION 10.16.  Reliance by Holders of Senior
                       Indebtedness of the Company on
                       Subordination Provisions ..........................................................................   90


                                   ARTICLE 11

                              Subsidiary Guarantees

SECTION 11.01.  Guarantees ...............................................................................................   90
SECTION 11.02.  Limitation on Liability...................................................................................   93
SECTION 11.03.  Successors and Assigns....................................................................................   93
SECTION 11.04.  No Waiver ................................................................................................   93
SECTION 11.05.  Modification .............................................................................................   93
SECTION 11.06.  Release of Subsidiary Guarantor...........................................................................   94


                                   ARTICLE 12

                     Subordination of Subsidiary Guarantees

SECTION 12.01.  Agreement To Subordinate..................................................................................   94
SECTION 12.02.  Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy......................................................................   95
SECTION 12.03.  Default on Senior Indebtedness of
                       Subsidiary Guarantor ..............................................................................   95
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   7
                                                                               5


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                          <C>
SECTION 12.04.  Demand for Payment .......................................................................................   96
SECTION 12.05.  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.......................................................................   96
SECTION 12.06.  Subrogation ..............................................................................................   96
SECTION 12.07.  Relative Rights ..........................................................................................   96
SECTION 12.08.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired by
                       Company ...........................................................................................   97
SECTION 12.09.  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent........................................................................   97
SECTION 12.10.  Distribution or Notice to
                       Representative ....................................................................................   97
SECTION 12.11.  Article 12 Not To Prevent Events of
                       Default or Limit Right To Demand
                       Payment ...........................................................................................   98
SECTION 12.12.  Trustee Entitled To Rely..................................................................................   98
SECTION 12.13.  Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.......................................................................   98
SECTION 12.14.  Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders  of
                       Senior Indebtedness of Subsidiary
                       Guarantor .........................................................................................   99
SECTION 12.15.  Reliance by Holders of Senior
                       Indebtedness of Subsidiary
                       Guarantors on Subordination
                       Provisions ........................................................................................   99


                                   ARTICLE 13

                                  Miscellaneous

SECTION 13.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls..............................................................................   99
SECTION 13.02.  Notices ..................................................................................................   99
SECTION 13.03.  Communication by Holders with Other
                       Holders ...........................................................................................  100
SECTION 13.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to
                       Conditions Precedent ..............................................................................  101
SECTION 13.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or
                       Opinion ...........................................................................................  101
SECTION 13.06.  When Securities Disregarded...............................................................................  101
SECTION 13.07.  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and
                      Registrar ..........................................................................................  102
SECTION 13.08.  Legal Holidays ...........................................................................................  102
SECTION 13.09.  Governing Law ............................................................................................  102
SECTION 13.10.  No Recourse Against Others................................................................................  102
SECTION 13.11.  Successors ...............................................................................................  102
SECTION 13.12.  Multiple Originals .......................................................................................  102
SECTION 13.13.  Table of Contents; Headings..............................................................................   103
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   8
                                                                               6

Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix

Exhibit 1 - Form of Initial Security

Exhibit A - Form of Exchange Security or Private Exchange
            Security
<PAGE>   9
                                    INDENTURE dated as of November 14, 2000,
                           among TravelCenters of America, Inc., a Delaware
                           corporation (the "Company"), TA Operating
                           Corporation, a Delaware corporation, TA Travel,
                           L.L.C., a Delaware corporation, TA Licensing, Inc., a
                           Delaware corporation, TravelCenters Properties, L.P.,
                           a Delaware Partnership, and TravelCenters Realty
                           Inc., a Delaware corporation (each of TA Operating
                           Corporation, TA Travel, L.L.C., TA Licensing, Inc.,
                           TravelCenters Properties, L.P. and TravelCenters
                           Realty, Inc, a "Subsidiary Guarantor"), and State
                           Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust
                           company (the "Trustee").


                  Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other
parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's
Initial Securities, Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Securities
(collectively, the "Securities"):

                                    ARTICLE 1

                   Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

                  SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

                  "Additional Assets" means any:

                  (1) property, plant, equipment or intellectual property used
         in a Related Business;

                  (2) Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted
         Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the
         Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

                  (3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any
         Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (2)
or (3) above is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

                  "Additional Securities" means, subject to the Company's
compliance with Section 4.03, 12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009
with a maximum aggregate
<PAGE>   10
                                                                               2

additional principal amount of $190 million issued from time to time after the
Issue Date under the terms of this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section
2.06, 2.07, 2.09 or 3.06 of this Indenture and other than Exchange Securities or
Private Exchange Securities issued pursuant to an exchange offer for other
Securities outstanding under this Indenture).

                  "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect
common control with, such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For
purposes of Sections 4.04, 4.06 and 4.07 only, "Affiliate" shall also mean any
beneficial owner of Capital Stock representing 10% or more of the total voting
power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights
or warrants to purchase such Capital Stock (whether or not currently
exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any such beneficial
owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof.

                  "Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease (other than an
operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of business), transfer or
other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or
dispositions) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any
disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each
referred to for the purposes of this definition as a "disposition"), of:

                  (1) any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary
         (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares required by
         applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a
         Restricted Subsidiary);

                  (2) all or substantially all the assets of any division or
         line of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

                  (3) any other assets of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or
         such Restricted Subsidiary

(other than, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3), (A) a disposition by a
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by
<PAGE>   11
                                                                               3

the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary; (B) any sale
of Capital Stock in, or indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted
Subsidiary; (C) a disposition of Temporary Cash Investments or obsolete or worn
out equipment in the ordinary course of business; (D) the disposition of all or
substantially all the assets of the Company in a manner permitted pursuant to
Section 5.01; (E) sales of assets received by the Company upon the foreclosure
on a Lien; (F) for purposes of Section 4.06 only, a disposition that constitutes
a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.04 or a Permitted Investment; (G)
any operating lease entered into in connection with a Synthetic Lease Financing
or any sale, transfer or other disposition of assets of the Company in
connection with a Synthetic Lease Financing; provided, however, that (x) any
asset sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in connection with a Synthetic
Lease Financing is leased to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
simultaneously with the consummation of such Synthetic Lease Financing or
immediately thereafter and (y) such sale, transfer or other disposition is part
of a Synthetic Lease Financing transaction containing customary terms for such a
financing arrangement (including with respect to the right of the Company to
repurchase the assets underlying such Synthetic Lease Financing; and (H) a
disposition of assets with a fair market value of less than $1 million).

                  "Attributable Debt" in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction
means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the
interest rate borne by the Securities, compounded annually) of the total
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the
lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for
which such lease has been extended).

                  "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with
respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing: (1) the sum of
the products of numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of
each successive scheduled principal payment of or redemption or similar payment
with respect to such Indebtedness multiplied by the amount of such payment by
(2) the sum of all such payments.

                  "Bank Indebtedness" means any and all Indebtedness and other
amounts payable under or in respect of the Credit Agreement or Hedging
Obligations related to the Credit Agreement, including principal, premium (if
any), interest (including interest accruing at the contract rate specified in
the Credit Agreement (including any rate applicable on
<PAGE>   12
                                                                               4

default) on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the
commencement of any similar state, Federal or foreign reorganization or
liquidation proceeding relating to the Company and interest that would accrue
but for the commencement of such proceeding whether or not a claim for
post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses,
reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder
or in respect thereof.

                  "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the
Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

                  "Business Day" means each day which is not a Saturday, a
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the
State of New York.

                  "Capital Lease Obligation" means an obligation that is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness
represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such
obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof
shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such
lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the
lessee without payment of a penalty.

                  "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person,
including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible
into such equity.

                  "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the
following events:

                  (1) prior to the first public offering of common stock of the
         Company, (i) the Holding Group Members cease to be the "beneficial
         owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act),
         directly or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the total
         voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, or (ii) the Permitted
         Holders cease to be the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3
         and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of at least
         45% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company,
         whether as a result of issuance of securities of the Company, any
         merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company, any
         direct
<PAGE>   13
                                                                               5

         or indirect transfer of securities by the Permitted Holders or
         otherwise (for purposes of this clause (1) and clause (2) below, the
         Permitted Holders shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock
         of a Person (the "specified Person") held by any other Person (the
         "parent entity") so long as the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as
         so defined), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of the
         voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent entity);

                  (2) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
         14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders,
         is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in clause (1) above,
         except that for purposes of this clause (2) such person shall be deemed
         to have "beneficial ownership" of all shares that any such person has
         the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or
         only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than
         35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;
         provided, however, that the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as
         defined in clause (1) above), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate
         a lesser percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of
         the Company than such other person and do not have the right or ability
         by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for
         election a majority of the Board of Directors (for the purposes of this
         clause (2), such other person shall be deemed to beneficially own any
         Voting Stock of a specified Person held by a parent entity, if such
         other person is the beneficial owner (as defined in this clause (2),
         directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of the
         Voting Stock of such parent entity and the Permitted Holders
         beneficially own (as defined in clause (1) above), directly or
         indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting power of
         the Voting Stock of such parent entity and do not have the right or
         ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate
         for election a majority of the board of directors of such parent
         entity);

                  (3) individuals who on the Issue Date constituted the Board of
         Directors (together with any new directors whose election by such Board
         of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of
         the Company was approved by a vote of 66-2/3% of the directors of the
         Company then still in office who were either directors on the Issue
         Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
         approved)
<PAGE>   14
                                                                               6

         cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors
         then in office;

                  (4) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
         dissolution of the Company; or

                  (5) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
         another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the
         Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the
         Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person (other
         than, in all such cases, a Person a majority of the Voting Stock of
         which is owned by the Permitted Holders), other than a transaction
         following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation
         transaction, securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of
         the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities
         into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or
         consolidation transaction) constitute at least a majority of the voting
         power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or
         consolidation transaction, and (B) in the case of a sale of assets
         transaction, the transferee Person becomes the obligor in respect of
         the Securities and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                  "Commodity Agreement" means, with respect to any Person, any
agreement for the protection against fluctuations in commodity prices or similar
agreements or arrangements to which such Person is a party or of which it is a
beneficiary.

                  "Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture
until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for
purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other
obligor on the indenture securities.

                  "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" as of any date of determination
means the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most
recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to the
date of such determination to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four
fiscal quarters; provided, however, that:

                  (1) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred
         any Indebtedness or Designated Preferred
<PAGE>   15
                                                                               7

         Stock since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if
         the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated
         Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness or Designated Preferred
         Stock, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
         period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to
         such Indebtedness and Designated Preferred Stock as if such
         Indebtedness and Designated Preferred Stock had been Incurred on the
         first day of such period;

                  (2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid,
         repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since
         the beginning of such period or if any Indebtedness is to be repaid,
         repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged (in each case other than
         Indebtedness Incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such
         Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) on
         the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the
         Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense
         for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such
         discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the
         Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had not earned the interest
         income actually earned during such period in respect of cash or
         Temporary Cash Investments used to repay, repurchase, defease or
         otherwise discharge such Indebtedness;

                  (3) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any
         Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition, EBITDA for
         such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to EBITDA (if positive)
         directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset
         Disposition for such period, or increased by an amount equal to EBITDA
         (if negative), directly attributable thereto for such period and
         Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an
         amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable
         to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid,
         repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the
         Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with
         such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any
         Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for
         such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such
         Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing
         Restricted
<PAGE>   16
                                                                               8

         Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such
         sale);

                  (4) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any
         Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an
         Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any person which becomes a
         Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition, including any acquisition
         occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to
         be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an
         operating unit of a business (it being understood that a TravelCenter
         constitutes such an operating unit), EBITDA and Consolidated Interest
         Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma
         effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if
         such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such
         period; and

                  (5) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that
         subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into
         the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such
         period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any Investment or
         acquisition that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause
         (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
         during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
         period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if
         such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition occurred on the first
         day of such period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an
acquisition, the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of
Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness and Designated
Preferred Stock Incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations
shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting
Officer of the Company. Any such pro forma calculations may include operating
expense reductions for such period resulting directly from the acquisition which
is being given pro forma effect that (1) are permitted by Regulation S-X
promulgated by the SEC or (2) have been realized or for which the steps
necessary for realization have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken
within 90 days following such acquisition, including, but not limited to, the
execution or termination of any contracts, the termination of any personnel or
the closing (or approval by the Board of Directors of any closing) of any
facility, as applicable;
<PAGE>   17
                                                                               9

provided, however, that such adjustments are set forth in an Officers'
Certificate signed by the Company's chief financial officer and another Officer
which states (a) the amount of such adjustment or adjustments, (b) that such
adjustment or adjustments are based on the reasonable good faith belief of the
officers executing such Officers' Certificate at the time of such execution and
(c) that any related Incurrence of Indebtedness and Designated Preferred Stock
is permitted pursuant to the Indenture. If any Indebtedness bears a floating
rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest of such
Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of
determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into
account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such
Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the
total interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted
Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense,
and to the extent incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries,
without duplication:

                  (1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease
         Obligations, interest expense attributable to leases constituting part
         of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction and the interest component of rent
         expense attributable to Synthetic Lease Financings;

                  (2) amortization of debt discount (it being understood that
         any discount associated with the warrants being issued in connection
         with the Securities will not be treated as debt discount);

                  (3) capitalized interest;

                  (4) non-cash interest expense;

                  (5) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed
         with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing;

                  (6) net payments pursuant to Hedging Obligations;

                  (7) Preferred Stock dividends in respect of all Preferred
         Stock held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
         (other than dividends payable solely in Capital Stock (other than
         Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the issuer of
         such Preferred Stock);
<PAGE>   18
                                                                              10

                  (8) interest incurred in connection with Investments in
         discontinued operations;

                  (9) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person
         to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by (or secured by the
         assets of) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

                  (10) cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan
         or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan
         or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company)
         in connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust.

                  "Consolidated Leverage Ratio" as of any date of determination
means the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (y) EBITDA for
the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior
to such date of determination (the "Reference Period"); provided, however, that:

                  (1) if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate
         the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, the
         amount of such Indebtedness shall be calculated after giving effect on
         a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness;

                  (2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid,
         repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness that was
         outstanding as of the end of such fiscal quarter or if any Indebtedness
         is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on the
         date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio (other than, in each case, Indebtedness
         Incurred under any revolving credit agreement), the aggregate amount of
         Indebtedness shall be calculated on a pro forma basis and EBITDA shall
         be calculated as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had not
         earned the interest income, if any, actually earned during the
         Reference Period in respect of cash or Temporary Cash Investments used
         to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Indebtedness;

                  (3) if since the beginning of the Reference Period the Company
         or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition,
         EBITDA for the Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to
         EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which
<PAGE>   19
                                                                              11

         are the subject of such Asset Disposition for the Reference Period or
         increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative) directly
         attributable thereto for the Reference Period;

                  (4) if since the beginning of the Reference Period the Company
         or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made
         an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes
         a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition, including any acquisition
         occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to
         be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of an
         operating unit of a business (it being understood that a TravelCenter
         constitutes such an operating unit), EBITDA for the Reference Period
         shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including
         the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or
         acquisition occurred on the first day of the Reference Period; and

                  (5) if since the beginning of the Reference Period any Person
         (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or
         into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of
         such Reference Period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any
         Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an
         adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company
         or a Restricted Subsidiary during the Reference Period, EBITDA for the
         Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect
         thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment of acquisition
         occurred on the first day of the Reference Period.

                  "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the sum of
(1) the net income of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and (2) to
the extent deducted in calculating net income of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries, (A) any non-recurring fees, expenses or charges
related to the Transactions and (B) any non-recurring charges related to
one-time severance or lease termination costs incurred in connection with the
<PAGE>   20
                                                                              12

Transactions; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such
Consolidated Net Income:

                  (1) any net income of any Person (other than the Company) if
         such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

                           (A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4)
                  below, the Company's equity in the net income of any such
                  Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated
                  Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually
                  distributed by such Person during such period to the Company
                  or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution
                  (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid
                  to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in
                  clause (3) below); and

                           (B) the Company's equity in a net loss of any such
                  Person for such period shall be included in determining such
                  Consolidated Net Income;

                  (2) any net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the
         Company or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any
         period prior to the date of such acquisition;

                  (3) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary if such
         Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or
         indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions
         by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company,
         except that:

                           (A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4)
                  below, the Company's equity in the net income of any such
                  Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in
                  such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of
                  cash that could be distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary
                  during such period to the Company or another Restricted
                  Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in
                  the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another
                  Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this
                  clause); and

                           (B) the Company's equity in a net loss of any such
                  Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall
<PAGE>   21
                                                                              13

                  be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

                  (4) any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other
         disposition of any assets of the Company, its consolidated Subsidiaries
         or any other Person (including pursuant to any sale-and-leaseback
         arrangement) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary
         course of business and any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or
         other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;

                  (5) extraordinary gains or losses; and

                  (6) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
         principles.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Section 4.04 only, there shall be
excluded from Consolidated Net Income any repurchases, repayments or redemptions
of Investments, proceeds realized on the sale of the Investments or return of
capital to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such
repurchases, repayments, redemptions, proceeds or returns increase the amount of
Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.04(a)(3)(D).

                  "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement to be entered
into by and among, the Company, the lenders referred to therein, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, and Credit Suisse First Boston, as
syndication agent, together with the related documents thereto (including any
guarantees, pledge agreements and security documents), as amended, extended,
waived, replaced, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced, renewed, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part, and without limitation
as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to
time, and any agreement (and related document) governing Indebtedness incurred
to Refinance, in whole or in part, the borrowings and commitments then
outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under such Credit Agreement or a
successor Credit Agreement, whether by the same or any other lender or group of
lenders and agents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term
"Credit Agreement" shall include any amendment, amendment and restatement,
renewal, extension, restructuring, supplement or modification to the Credit
Agreement and all refundings, restructurings, renewals, refinancings and
replacements of any facility provided for in the Credit Agreement, including any
agreement or agreements, (1) extending the maturity of any Indebtedness incurred
thereunder or contemplated
<PAGE>   22
                                                                              14

thereby, (2) adding or deleting borrowers or guarantors thereunder or (3)
increasing the amount of Indebtedness incurred thereunder or available to be
borrowed thereunder to the extent permitted under the Indenture.

                  "Currency Agreement" means in respect to a Person, any foreign
exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement designed
to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values.

                  "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage
of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

                  "Designated Noncash Consideration" means the fair market value
of noncash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated as
Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, setting
forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Temporary Cash Investments
received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash
Consideration.

                  "Designated Preferred Stock" means Preferred Stock of the
Company (other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust
established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as
Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, on the
issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the
calculation of amounts under Section 4.04(a)(3)(B).

                  "Designated Senior Indebtedness" with respect to a Person
means:

                  (1) the Bank Indebtedness; and

                  (2) any other Senior Indebtedness of such Person which, at the
         date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding
         of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof
         are committed to lend up to, at least $20 million and is specifically
         designated by such Person in the instrument evidencing or governing
         such Senior Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for
         purposes of this Indenture.

                  "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any
Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the
<PAGE>   23
                                                                              15

terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:

                  (1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking
         fund obligation or otherwise;

                  (2) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder
         for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

                  (3) is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the
         occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part;

in each case on or prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the
Securities; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any
employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its
Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be
repurchased by the Company in order to satisfy obligations as a result of such
employee's death or disability; and provided further, however, that any Capital
Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof
giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem
such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control"
occurring prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the
Securities shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if:

                  (1) the "asset sale" or "change of control" provisions
         applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders
         of such Capital Stock than the terms applicable to the Securities and
         described in Sections 4.06 and 4.09 of this Indenture; and

                  (2) any such requirement only becomes operative after
         compliance with such terms applicable to the Securities, including the
         purchase of any Securities tendered pursuant thereto.

                  "EBITDA" for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net
Income, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such
Consolidated Net Income:

                  (1) all income tax expense of the Company and its consolidated
         Restricted Subsidiaries;
<PAGE>   24
                                                                              16

                  (2) Consolidated Interest Expense;

                  (3) depreciation and amortization expense of the Company and
         its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding amortization
         expense attributable to a prepaid operating activity item that was paid
         in cash in a prior period);

                  (4) any non-recurring fees, expenses or charges related to any
         Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition or Incurrence of
         Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by the Indenture (in each case,
         whether or not successful), including any such fees, expenses or
         charges related to the Transactions, in each case not exceeding $5
         million in the aggregate for all such non- recurring fees, expenses and
         charges attributable to the same transaction or event (or group of
         related transactions or events);

                  (5) any extraordinary, one time or non-recurring charges
         related to one-time severance and relocation costs Incurred in
         connection with transactions or acquisitions consummated after the
         Issue Date, in each case not exceeding $2 million in the aggregate for
         all such charges attributable to the same transaction or acquisition
         (or group of related transactions or acquisitions);

                  (6) Transition Expenses not exceeding 3% of the value of the
         related acquisition or disposition and not exceeding $15 million in the
         aggregate; and

                  (7) all other non-cash charges of the Company and its
         consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such non-cash
         charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for
         cash expenditures in any future period);

in each case for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for
taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization
and non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated
Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion)
that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating
Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at
the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted
Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the
terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees,
orders, statutes, rules and
<PAGE>   25
                                                                              17

governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its
stockholders.

                  "Equity Offering" means a primary offering of common stock or
nonredeemable Preferred Stock of the Company to Persons who are not Affiliates
of the Company.

                  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                  "Excluded Contributions" means the Net Cash Proceeds received
by the Company after the Issue Date from (1) contributions to its common equity
capital and (2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any
employee ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees) of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company, in each case
designated at the time of receipt as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an
Officers' Certificate, the Net Cash Proceeds of which are excluded from the
calculation of amounts under Section 4.04(a)(3)(B).

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set
forth in:

                  (1) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
         Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public
         Accountants;

                  (2) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting
         Standards Board;

                  (3) such other statements by such other entity as approved by
         a significant segment of the accounting profession; and

                  (4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the
         inclusion of financial statements in periodic reports required to be
         filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions
         and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written
         statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

                  "Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing
<PAGE>   26
                                                                              18

any Indebtedness of any Person and any obligation, direct or indirect,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

                  (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the
         purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such Person (whether
         arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to
         keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to
         take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or
         otherwise); or

                  (2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other
         manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to
         protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in
         part);

provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term "Guarantor" shall mean any
Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

                  "Guaranty Agreement" means a supplemental indenture, in a form
satisfactory to the Trustee, pursuant to which a Subsidiary Guarantor Guarantees
the Company's obligations with respect to the Securities on the terms provided
for in this Indenture.

                  "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of
such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or
Commodity Agreement.

                  "Holder" or "Securityholder" means the Person in whose name a
Security is registered on the Registrar's books.

                  "Holding Group Members" means the Sponsor Group, Freightliner
LLC, each of their respective Affiliates, and members of management of the
Company who own common stock of the Company as of the Issue Date and after
giving effect to the Transactions.

                  "Incur" means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise
become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of
a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
(whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to
be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary. The
term "Incurrence" when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The
accretion of
<PAGE>   27
                                                                              19

principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be
deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.

                  "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date
of determination (without duplication):

                  (1) the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of such
         Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes,
         debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which
         such Person is responsible or liable, including, in each case, any
         premium on such indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due
         and payable;

                  (2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all
         Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered
         into by such Person;

                  (3) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
         deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations
         of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title
         retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in
         the ordinary course of business);

                  (4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of
         any obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar
         credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of
         credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in
         clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary course of
         business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not
         drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is
         reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on
         the letter of credit);

                  (5) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect
         to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified
         Stock of such Person or, with respect to any Preferred Stock of any
         Subsidiary of such Person, the principal amount of such Preferred Stock
         to be determined in accordance with the Indenture (but excluding, in
         each case, any accrued dividends);

                  (6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1)
         through (5) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the
         payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable,
         directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including
         by means of any Guarantee;
<PAGE>   28
                                                                              20

                  (7) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1)
         through (6) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or
         asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such
         Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of
         the value of such property or assets and the amount of the obligation
         so secured; and

                  (8) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition,
         Hedging Obligations of such Person.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the
maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the
obligation, of any contingent obligations as described above at such date.

                  "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented
from time to time.

                  "Interest Rate Agreement" means in respect of a Person any
interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial
agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in
interest rates.

                  "Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect
advance, loan (other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of
business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the
lender) or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar
arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or
other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account
or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness
or other similar instruments issued by such Person. Except as otherwise provided
for herein, the amount of an Investment shall be its fair value at the time the
investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

                  For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary",
the definition of "Restricted Payment" and Section 4.04:

                  (1) "Investment" shall include the portion (proportionate to
         the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market
         value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time
         that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
<PAGE>   29
                                                                              21

         provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a
         Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have
         a permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an
         amount (if positive) equal to (A) the Company's "Investment" in such
         Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (B) the portion
         (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of
         the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time
         of such redesignation; and

                  (2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted
         Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such
         transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company.

                  "Issue Date" means November 14, 2000.

                  "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest,
encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

                  "Moody's" means Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or any
successor to the rating agency business thereof.

                  "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash
payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of
deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or
otherwise and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities
received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any
other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person
of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to such properties or assets or
received in any other noncash form), in each case net of:

                  (1) all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and
         recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses
         incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes
         required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of
         such Asset Disposition;

                  (2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by
         any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the
         terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with
         respect to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to
         obtain a necessary consent to such Asset
<PAGE>   30
                                                                              22

         Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from
         such Asset Disposition;

                  (3) all distributions and other payments required to be made
         to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of
         such Asset Disposition; and

                  (4) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the
         seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities
         associated with the property or other assets disposed in such Asset
         Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
         after such Asset Disposition.

                  "Net Cash Proceeds", with respect to any issuance or sale of
Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of
attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees,
discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually
incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or
payable as a result thereof.

                  "Offering Circular" means the Offering Circular dated November
9, 2000 pursuant to which the Securities were originally sold.

                  "Officer" means the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or
any Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of the Company.

                  "Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by two
Officers.

                  "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal
counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

                  "Permitted Holders" means Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P., Oak
Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc. and
any investment fund managed directly by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P., Oak
Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. or Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc.

                  "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary in:

                  (1) the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that
         will, upon the making of such Investment,
<PAGE>   31
                                                                              23

         become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary
         business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business;

                  (2) another Person if as a result of such Investment such
         other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or
         conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a
         Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person's primary
         business is a Related Business;

                  (3) cash and Temporary Cash Investments;

                  (4) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business
         and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;
         provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary
         trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems
         reasonable under the circumstances;

                  (5) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that
         are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as
         expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary
         course of business;

                  (6) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course
         of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

                  (7) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of
         debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the
         Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

                  (8) any Person to the extent such Investment represents the
         non-cash portion of the consideration received for an Asset Disposition
         as permitted pursuant to Section 4.06;

                  (9) any Person to the extent such Investment existed on the
         Issue Date and any Investment that replaces, Refinances or refunds an
         existing Investment; provided, however, that the new Investment is in
         an amount that does not exceed the amount replaced, Refinanced or
         refunded and is made in the same Person as the Investment replaced,
         Refinanced or refunded;
<PAGE>   32
                                                                              24

                  (10) any Person to the extent such Investments have an
         aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments
         made pursuant to this clause (10), not to exceed $20 million at the
         time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment
         being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent
         changes in value);

                  (11) any Person where such Investment was acquired by the
         Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (A) in exchange for any
         other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such
         Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a
         bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer
         of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (B) as a result of a
         foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with
         respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with
         respect to any secured Investment in default;

                  (12) Hedging obligations permitted under Section 4.03(b)(9);

                  (13) any Person, where such Investment consists of the
         licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint
         marketing arrangements with such Person;

                  (14) performance bonds or similar Investments in connection
         with pledges, deposits or payments made or given in the ordinary course
         of business in connection with or to secure statutory, regulatory or
         similar obligations, including obligations under health, safety or
         environmental regulations;

                  (15) customers of the Company, where such Investments consist
         of payments to customers in consideration for such customers'
         agreements with the Company to purchase goods and inventory and which
         Investments are made in the ordinary course of business consistent with
         past practices of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

                  (16) any special purpose Subsidiary of the Company or any
         trust, special purpose entity or other Person (whether or not an
         Affiliate of the Company) in connection with a Synthetic Lease
         Financing that, in the good faith determination of the Board of
         Directors, is necessary or advisable to effect such Synthetic Lease
         Financing.
<PAGE>   33
                                                                              25

                  "Permitted Junior Securities" shall mean debt or equity
securities of the Company or any successor corporation issued pursuant to a plan
of reorganization or readjustment of the Company that are subordinated to the
payment of all then outstanding Senior Indebtedness of the Company at least to
the same extent that the Securities are subordinated to the payment of all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company on the Issue Date.

                  "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof or any other entity.

                  "Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any
Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which
is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the
distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or
dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of
such Person.

                  "principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security
plus the premium, if any, payable on the Security which is due or overdue or is
to become due at the relevant time.

                  "Refinance" means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to
refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or
to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness.
"Refinanced" and "Refinancing" shall have correlative meanings.

                  "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that Refinances
any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the
Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with the Indenture, including Indebtedness
that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that:

                  (1) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no
         earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

                  (2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the
         time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or
         greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being Refinanced; and
<PAGE>   34
                                                                              26

                  (3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal
         amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue
         price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or
         if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value)
         then outstanding or committed (plus fees and expenses, including any
         premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (A)
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the
Company or (B) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that
Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and provided further that
clauses (1) and (2) of this clause will not apply to any refunding or
refinancing of any Senior Indebtedness.

                  "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement dated November 14, 2000, among the Company, Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, Chase Securities Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation.

                  "Related Business" means any business in which the Company was
engaged on the Issue Date and any business related, ancillary or complementary
to any business of the Company in which the Company was engaged on the Issue
Date.

                  "Representative" means, with respect to a Person, any trustee,
agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness of such
Person.

                  "Restricted Payment" with respect to any Person means:

                  (1) the declaration or payment of any dividends or any other
         distributions of any sort in respect of its Capital Stock (including
         any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving
         such Person) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of
         its Capital Stock (other than dividends or distributions payable solely
         in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and dividends or
         distributions payable solely to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,
         and other than pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a
         Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to minority
         stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a
         Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation));
<PAGE>   35
                                                                              27

                  (2) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or
         retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by any
         Person or of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any
         Affiliate of the Company (other than a Restricted Subsidiary),
         including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock
         (other than into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified
         Stock);

                  (3) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
         acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity,
         scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any
         Subordinated Obligations of such Person (other than the purchase,
         repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations purchased
         in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal
         installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the
         date of such purchase, repurchase or other acquisition or Indebtedness
         Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(4) and not subsequently
         transferred to a Person other than the Company or its Restricted
         Subsidiaries); or

                  (4) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted
         Investment) in any Person.

                  "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company
that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                  "Revolving Credit Facility" means the revolving credit
facility contained in the Credit Agreement and any other facility contained in
the Credit Agreement and any other facility or financing arrangement that
Refinances, in whole or in part, any such revolving credit facility.

                  "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to
property owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date or
thereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

                  "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "Secured Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company
secured by a Lien.
<PAGE>   36
                                                                              28

                  "Securities" means the Initial Securities, Exchange Securities
and Private Exchange Securities issued under this Indenture.

                  "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person:

                  (1) Bank Indebtedness;

                  (2) Indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the
         Issue Date or thereafter Incurred; and

                  (3) accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing
         on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
         reorganization relating to such Person to the extent post-filing
         interest is allowed in such proceeding) and premium (if any) in respect
         of (A) Indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B)
         Indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar
         instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or
         liable

unless, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3), in the instrument creating or
evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided
that such obligations are subordinate in right of payment to the Securities;
provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

                  (1) any obligation of such Person to any Subsidiary;

                  (2) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes
         owed or owing by such Person;

                  (3) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors
         arising in the ordinary course of business (including Guarantees
         thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities);

                  (4) any Indebtedness of such Person (and any accrued and
         unpaid interest in respect thereof) which is subordinate or junior in
         any respect to any other Indebtedness or other obligation of such
         Person; or

                  (5) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of
         Incurrence is Incurred in violation of the Indenture; provided,
         however, that such Indebtedness shall be deemed not to have been
         Incurred in violation of the Indenture for purposes of this clause (5)
         if (A)
<PAGE>   37
                                                                              29

         the holders of such Indebtedness or their Representatives or the
         Company shall have furnished to the Trustee an opinion of recognized
         independent legal counsel, unqualified in all material respects,
         addressed to the Trustee (which legal counsel may, as to matters of
         fact, rely upon an Officers' Certificate of the Company) to the effect
         that the Incurrence of such Indebtedness does not violate the
         provisions of the Indenture or (B) such Indebtedness consists of Bank
         Indebtedness, and the holders of such Indebtedness or their agent or
         Representative (x) had no actual knowledge at the time of the
         Incurrence that the Incurrence of such Indebtedness violated the
         Indenture and (y) shall have received an Officers' Certificate of the
         Company to the effect that the Incurrence of such Indebtedness does not
         violate the provisions of the Indenture.

                  "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means, with respect to a
Person, the Securities (in the case of the Company), a Subsidiary Guaranty (in
the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor) and any other Indebtedness of such Person
that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is to rank pari passu with the
Securities or such Subsidiary Guaranty, as the case may be, in right of payment
and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or
other obligation of such Person which is not Senior Indebtedness of such Person.

                  "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that
would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule
1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

                  "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Group (or any successor
to the rating agency business thereof).

                  "Sponsor Group" means the collective reference to Oak Hill
Capital Partners, L.P., Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P., Olympus
Executive Fund, L.P., Olympus Growth Fund III, L.P., Monitor Clipper Equity
Partners, L.P., Monitor Clipper Equity Partners (Foreign), L.P., UBS Capital
Americas II, LLC, Credit Suisse First Boston LFG Holdings 2000, LP and Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation.

                  "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the
date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of
principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any
mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the
repurchase of such security at the option
<PAGE>   38
                                                                              30

of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such
contingency has occurred).

                  "Subordinated Obligation" means with respect to a Person, any
Indebtedness of such Person (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter
Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Securities
or a Subsidiary Guaranty of such Person, as the case may be, pursuant to a
written agreement to that effect.

                  "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any
corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more
than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by: (1) such Person; (2) such
Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (3) one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person.

                  "Subsidiary Guarantor" means TA Operating Corporation, TA
Travel, L.L.C., and TA Licensing, Inc.

                  "Subsidiary Guaranty" means a Guarantee by a Subsidiary
Guarantor of the Company's obligations with respect to the Securities.

                  "Synthetic Lease Facility" means the Synthetic Lease Financing
evidenced by the Agreement for Lease and Leach Agreement, each dated September
9, 1999, among TCA Network Funding, L.P., TA Operating Corporation and National
Auto/Truckstops, Inc.

                  "Synthetic Lease Financing" means any synthetic lease
financing, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar
off-balance sheet financing product or arrangement designed to permit the lessee
to (1) obtain or retain the benefits of ownership of the property or asset that
is the subject of such lease for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and (2) treat
such lease as an operating lease or not to reflect the leased property or assets
on the lessee's balance sheet under GAAP.

                  "Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following:

                  (1) any investment in direct obligations of the United States
         of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the
         United States of America or any agency thereof;

                  (2) investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of
         deposit and money market deposits
<PAGE>   39
                                                                              31

         maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a
         bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United
         States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized
         by the United States, and which bank or trust company has capital,
         surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $50,000,000 (or
         the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which
         is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least
         one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined
         in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund
         sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor;

                  (3) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 90
         days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (1)
         above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in
         clause (2) above;

                  (4) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than
         one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other
         than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the
         laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized
         by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which
         any investment therein is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to
         Moody's or "A-1" (or higher) according to S&P; and

                  (5) investments in securities with maturities of one year or
         less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any
         state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by
         any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at
         least "A" by S&P or "A" by Moody's.

                  "Term Loan Facility" means the term loan facility contained in
the Credit Agreement and any other facility or financing arrangement that
Refinances in whole or in part any such term loan facility.

                  "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (15
U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

                  "Total Assets" means the total consolidated assets of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance
sheet of the Company available to management.
<PAGE>   40
                                                                              32

<PAGE>   41
                                                                              32


                  "Transactions" means the transactions contemplated by the
Recapitalization Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2000, as
amended, among TravelCenters of America, Inc., TCA Acquisition Corporation,
Clipper Capital Associates, L.P., National Partners, L.P., National Partners
III, L.P., Clipper/Merchant I, L.P., Olympus Private Placement Fund, L.P. and
Olympus Growth Fund II, L.P. and any financings related thereto.

                  "Transition Expenses" means, to the extent deducted in
determining Consolidated Net Income, transition costs in connection with
effecting the Company's conversion of acquired TravelCenters into the Company's
network of TravelCenters and the disposition of TravelCenters.

                  "TravelCenter" means a facility owned, operated or franchised
by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that provides fuel and nonfuel
products, services and amenities primarily to the trucking industry.

                  "Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture
until a successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor.

                  "Trust Officer" means any officer or assistant officer of the
Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

                  "Uniform Commercial Code" means the New York Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

                  "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means:

                  (1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of
         determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the
         Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and

                  (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including
any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary
unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other
Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so
designated; provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so
designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such
<PAGE>   42
                                                                              33


Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted
under Section 4.04.

                  The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately
after giving effect to such designation (A) the Company could Incur $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) and (B) no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall
be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the
resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
foregoing provisions.

                  "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations (or
certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the
United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for
the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America
is pledged and which are not callable at the issuer's option.

                  "Voting Stock" of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock
or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then
outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary all
the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by
the Company or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

                  SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Defined in
Term                                                                  Section
----                                                                  ----------
<S>                                                                   <C>
"Affiliate Transaction" ..........................................    4.07
"Appendix"........................................................    2.01
"Bankruptcy Law" .................................................    6.01
"Blockage Notice" ................................................    10.03
"Change of Control Offer" ........................................    4.09(b)
"covenant defeasance option" .....................................    8.01(b)
"Custodian" ......................................................    6.01
"Event of Default" ...............................................    6.01
"Exchange Securities".............................................    Appendix
"Initial Securities"..............................................    Appendix
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   43
                                                                              34


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Defined in
Term                                                                  Section
----                                                                  ----------
<S>                                                                   <C>
"legal defeasance option" ........................................    8.01(b)
"Legal Holiday" ..................................................    13.08
"Offer" ..........................................................    4.06(b)
"Offer Amount" ...................................................    4.06(c)(2)
"Offer Period" ...................................................    4.06(c)(2)
"pay its Subsidiary Guaranty" ....................................    12.03
"pay the Securities" .............................................    10.03
"Paying Agent" ...................................................    2.03
"Payment Blockage Period" ........................................    10.03
"Payment Default".................................................    10.03
"Private Exchange Securities".....................................    Appendix
"Purchase Date" ..................................................    4.06(c)(1)
"Registrar" ......................................................    2.03
"Successor Company" ..............................................    5.01(a)(1)
</TABLE>


                  SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture
Act. This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms have the following meanings:

                  "Commission" means the SEC;

                  "indenture securities" means the Securities;

                  "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder;

                  "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;

                  "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
Trustee; and

                  "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and
any other obligor on the indenture securities.

                  All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by
the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have
the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

                  SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context
otherwise requires:

                  (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
<PAGE>   44
                                                                              35


                  (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
         assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

                  (3) "or" is not exclusive;

                  (4) "including" means including without limitation;

                  (5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the
         plural include the singular;

                  (6) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be
         subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its
         nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

                  (7) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other
         discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof
         that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date
         prepared in accordance with GAAP;

                  (8) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i)
         the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the
         maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect
         to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater; and

                  (9) all references to the date the Securities were originally
         issued shall refer to the date the Initial Securities were originally
         issued.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                                 The Securities

                  SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the
Initial Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Exchange Securities
are set forth in the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix attached hereto (the
"Appendix") which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this
Indenture. The Initial Securities and the Trustee's certificate of
authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to the Appendix
which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The
Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Trustee's
certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A,
which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The
Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock
exchange rule,
<PAGE>   45
                                                                              36


agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any
such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company).
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the
Securities set forth in the Appendix and Exhibit A are part of the terms of this
Indenture.

                  SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall
sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

                  If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds
that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security
shall be valid nevertheless.

                  A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of
the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.
The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been
authenticated under this Indenture.

                  The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably
acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the
terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities
whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent
for service of notices and demands.

                  SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall
maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration
of transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar") and an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for payment (the "Paying Agent"). The Registrar
shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The
Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying
agents. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.

                  The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement
with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture,
which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify
the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to
maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and
<PAGE>   46
                                                                              37


shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07.
The Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary incorporated or organized within The
United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or
transfer agent.

                  The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and
Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.

                  SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. Prior to
each due date of the principal and interest on any Security, the Company shall
deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and
interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent
(other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in
trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the
Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities and
shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The
Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to
the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon
complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability
for the money delivered to the Trustee.

                  SECTION 2.05. Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve
in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available
to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders.

                  SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. The Securities shall be
issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a
Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the
Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar
shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture
and Section 8-401(1) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Securities are
presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them
for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the
<PAGE>   47
                                                                              38


Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.

                  SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security
is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the
Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of
Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies
any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or
the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the
judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the
Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them
may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the
Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

                  Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the
Company, but shall not otherwise count towards the total principal amount to
Securities issuable under this Indenture.

                  SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding
at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those
canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in
this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding
because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

                  If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases
to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory
to them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

                  If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in
accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money
sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect
to the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case
may be, and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the
Securityholders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on
and after that date such Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be
outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

                  SECTION 2.09. Temporary Securities. Until definitive
Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall
authenticate temporary
<PAGE>   48
                                                                              39


Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of
definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers
appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company
shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities and
deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.

                  SECTION 2.10. Cancellation. The Company at any time may
deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying
Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for
registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall
cancel and destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange
Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment
or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company
unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Securities to the
Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has
redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

                  SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a
payment of interest on the Securities, the Company shall pay defaulted interest
(plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful
manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are
Securityholders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or
cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail to each
Securityholder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date
and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

                  SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the
Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the
Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to
Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no
representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed
on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or
omission of such numbers.

                  SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Securities. The Company
shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03, to issue
Additional Securities under this
<PAGE>   49
                                                                              40


Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Securities issued on
the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price.
The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Securities and
all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in exchange
therefor shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this
Indenture.

                  With respect to any Additional Securities, the Company shall
set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors and an Officers'
Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the
following information:

                  (1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional
         Securities to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this
         Indenture;

                  (2) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of
         such Additional Securities; provided, however, that no Additional
         Securities may be issued at a price that would cause such Additional
         Securities to have "original issue discount" within the meaning of
         Section 1273 of the Code; and

                  (3) whether such Additional Securities shall be Transfer
         Restricted Securities and issued in the form of Initial Securities as
         set forth in the Appendix to this Indenture or shall be issued in the
         form of Exchange Securities as set forth in Exhibit A.


                                    ARTICLE 3

                                   Redemption

                  SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to
redeem Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the
Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities to
be redeemed and the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the redemption
will occur.

                  The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for
in this Section at least 60 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee
consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such
redemption will comply with the conditions herein.
<PAGE>   50
                                                                              41


                  SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed. If fewer
than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the
Securities to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or by a method that complies with
applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that the
Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate and in
accordance with methods generally used at the time of selection by fiduciaries
in similar circumstances. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding
Securities not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for
redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations
larger than $1,000. Securities and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be
in principal amounts of $1,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this
Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions
of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company
promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.

                  SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. At least 30 days but not
more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall
mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to
be redeemed at such Holder's registered address.

                  The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and
shall state:

                  (1) the redemption date;

                  (2) the redemption price;

                  (3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

                  (4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered
         to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

                  (5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be
         redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular
         Securities to be redeemed;

                  (6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such
         redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such
         payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Securities
         (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and
         after the redemption date; and
<PAGE>   51
                                                                              42


                  (7) that no representation is made as to the correctness or
         accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed
         on the Securities.

                  At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's expense. In such event,
the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this
Section 3.03.

                  SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of
redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on
the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon
surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption
price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the redemption date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on the related interest payment date). Failure to give
notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity
of the notice to any other Holder.

                  SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to the
redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the
Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust)
money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all
Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of
Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the
Trustee for cancellation.

                  SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a
Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company's expense) a new Security
equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                                    Covenants

                  SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Company shall
promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in
the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal and
interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or
the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this
<PAGE>   52
                                                                              43


Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and the
Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying
such money to the Securityholders on that date pursuant to the terms of this
Indenture.

                  The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the
rate specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

                  SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports. Notwithstanding that the Company
may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and
Securityholders and prospective Holders (upon request in the case of prospective
Holders) within 15 days after it files them with the SEC, copies of its annual
report and the information, documents and other reports that are specified in
Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, the Company shall
not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit
such filing, in which event the Company will make available such information to
the Trustee, Holders and prospective Holders (upon request in the case of
prospective Holders) within 15 days after the time the Company would be required
to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements shall be
deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offer or the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement by the filing with the SEC of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and/or Shelf Registration Statement,
and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies
Regulation S-X of the Securities Act. The Company also will comply with the
other provisions of Section 314(a) of the TIA.

                  In addition, the Company shall furnish to the Holders of the
Securities and to prospective Holders, upon the requests of such Holders, any
information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act so long as any Securities are not freely transferable under the
Securities Act.

                  SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or
indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entitled to Incur Indebtedness if, on the date
of such Incurrence and after
<PAGE>   53
                                                                              44


giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, (1) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio
exceeds 2.0 to 1.0 if such Indebtedness is Incurred on or prior to December 31,
2001, 2.25 to 1.0 if such Indebtedness is Incurred thereafter and on or prior to
December 31, 2002 and 2.4 to 1.0 if such Indebtedness is Incurred thereafter and
(2) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 5.0 to 1.0 if such Indebtedness
is Incurred on or prior to December 31, 2001, 4.75 to 1.0 if such Indebtedness
is Incurred thereafter and on or prior to December 31, 2002 and 4.4 to 1.0 if
such Indebtedness is Incurred thereafter.

                  (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company
and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entitled to Incur any or all of the
following Indebtedness:

                  (1) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any Revolving Credit
         Facility; provided, however, that, immediately after giving effect to
         any such Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness
         Incurred under this clause (1) and then outstanding does not exceed
         $100 million less the sum of all principal payments with respect to
         such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.06(a)(3)(A);

                  (2) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any Term Loan Facility;
         provided, however, that, after giving effect to any such Incurrence,
         the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding
         does not exceed $328.0 million less the aggregate sum of all principal
         payments actually made from time to time after the Issue Date with
         respect to such Indebtedness (other than principal payments made from
         and to the extent of any permitted Refinancings thereof) pursuant to
         Section 4.06(a)(3)(A);

                  (3) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Synthetic Lease
         Facility; provided, however, that, after giving effect to any such
         Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness then
         outstanding does not exceed $68.0 million less the aggregate sum of all
         principal payments actually made from time to time after the Issue Date
         with respect to such Indebtedness;

                  (4) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or a
         Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (A) any subsequent
         issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock which results in any such
         Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any
         subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the
<PAGE>   54
                                                                              45


         Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to
         constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the obligor thereon
         and (B) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such
         Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in
         cash of all obligations with respect to the Securities;

                  (5) the Securities (other than any Additional Securities) and
         the Subsidiary Guarantees;

                  (6) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than
         Indebtedness described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) of this
         Section 4.03(b));

                  (7) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and
         outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was
         acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection
         with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support
         utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related
         transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or
         was acquired by the Company); provided, however, that on the date of
         such acquisition and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Company
         would have been able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
         pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

                  (8) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness
         Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or pursuant to clause (5), (6),
         (7) of this Section 4.03(b) or this clause (8); provided, however, that
         to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness directly or indirectly
         Refinances Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to clause
         (7), such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by such
         Subsidiary;

                  (9) Hedging Obligations consisting of (A) Interest Rate
         Agreements directly related to Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by
         the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the Indenture, (B)
         Currency Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and
         not for the purpose of speculation or (C) Commodity Agreements entered
         into in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of
         speculation;

                  (10) Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations)
         Incurred by the Company or any of its
<PAGE>   55
                                                                              46


         Restricted Subsidiaries to finance the purchase, lease or improvement
         of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct
         purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such
         assets) in an aggregate principal amount which, when taken together
         with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding
         and Incurred pursuant to this clause (10), does not exceed the greater
         of (A) 2.0% of Total Assets at the time of Incurrence or (B) $15
         million;

                  (11) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a
         Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of
         purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in
         connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary
         of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, other
         than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any person acquiring all or
         any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of
         financing such acquisition;

                  (12) obligations in respect of performance, bid and surety
         bonds and performance or completion guarantees provided by the Company
         or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

                  (13) any Guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
         of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any of its
         Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness
         by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the
         terms of the Indenture;

                  (14) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other
         financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn
         against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;
         provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within three
         Business Days of its Incurrence; and

                  (15) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount which, when taken
         together with all other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of such Incurrence (other than
         Indebtedness permitted by clauses (1) through (14) above or paragraph
         (a)) does not exceed $25 million.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Company, any
Restricted Subsidiary or any Subsidiary
<PAGE>   56
                                                                              47


Guarantor will Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to the foregoing Section 4.03(b)
if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any
Subordinated Obligations of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any
Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the
Securities or the applicable Subsidiary Guaranty to at least the same extent as
such Subordinated Obligations.

                  (d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section
4.03, (1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more
than one of the types of Indebtedness described above, the Company, in its sole
discretion, will classify such item of Indebtedness at the time of Incurrence
and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one
of the above clauses (provided that any Indebtedness classified as Incurred
pursuant to clause (b)(15) above may later be reclassified as having been
Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) above to the extent that such reclassified
Indebtedness could be Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) above at the time of
such reclassification) and (2) the Company will be entitled to divide and
classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness
described above.

                  (e) Notwithstanding Section 4.03(a) or 4.03(b) above, neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor will Incur (1) any Indebtedness if such
Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any Senior
Indebtedness of such Person, unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness of such Person or (2) any Secured Indebtedness that is
not Senior Indebtedness of such Person unless contemporaneously therewith such
Person makes effective provision to secure the Securities equally and ratably
with such Secured Indebtedness for so long as such Secured Indebtedness is
secured by a Lien.

                  SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:

                  (1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would
         result therefrom);
<PAGE>   57
                                                                              48


                  (2) the Company is not entitled to Incur an additional $1.00
         of Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); or

                  (3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all
         other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date (the amount so expended,
         if other than in cash, to be determined in good faith by the Company,
         whose determination will be conclusive) would exceed the sum of
         (without duplication):

                           (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during
                  the period (treated as one accounting period) from the
                  beginning of the fiscal quarter immediately following the
                  fiscal quarter during which the Issue Date occurs to the end
                  of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days
                  prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such
                  Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such
                  deficit); plus

                           (B) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds (other
                  than Excluded Contributions) received by the Company from the
                  issuance or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
                  Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) subsequent to the Issue
                  Date (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the
                  Company and other than an issuance or sale to an employee
                  stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company
                  or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees)
                  and 100% of any cash capital contribution (other than Excluded
                  Contributions) received by the Company from its shareholders
                  subsequent to the Issue Date; plus

                           (C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company
                  or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the
                  Company's balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other
                  than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the Issue
                  Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
                  Restricted Subsidiaries convertible or exchangeable for
                  Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated
                  Preferred Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash,
                  or the fair market value of any other property, distributed by
                  the Company upon such conversion or exchange); plus
<PAGE>   58
                                                                              49


                           (D) an amount equal to the sum of (x) the net
                  reduction in the Investments (other than Permitted
                  Investments) made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
                  in any Person resulting from repurchases, repayments or
                  redemptions of such Investments by such Person, proceeds
                  realized on the sale of such Investment and proceeds
                  representing the return of capital (excluding dividends and
                  distributions), in each case received by the Company or any
                  Restricted Subsidiary, and (y) to the extent such Person is an
                  Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the
                  Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair
                  market value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary
                  at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a
                  Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing
                  sum shall not exceed, in the case of any Person or
                  Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments (excluding
                  Permitted Investments) previously made (and treated as a
                  Restricted Payment) by the Company or any Restricted
                  Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                  (b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:

                  (1) any Restricted Payment made by exchange of or for Capital
         Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated
         Preferred Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a
         Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a
         trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the
         benefit of their employees) subsequent to the Issue Date; provided,
         however, that such Restricted Payment shall be excluded in the
         calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

                  (2) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
         acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations made by
         exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent
         sale of, Indebtedness of the Company which is permitted to be Incurred
         pursuant to Section 4.03; provided, however, that such purchase,
         repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement
         for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
         Restricted Payments;
<PAGE>   59
                                                                              50


                  (3) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations
         from Net Available Cash to the extent permitted by Section 4.06;
         provided, however, that such purchase or redemption shall be excluded
         in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

                  (4) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of
         declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would
         have complied with this Section 4.04; provided, however, that such
         dividend shall be included in the calculation of the amount of
         Restricted Payments;

                  (5) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the
         repurchase or other acquisition of shares of Capital Stock of the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries from employees, former employees,
         directors or former directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
         (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees,
         directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements
         (including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto)
         approved by the Board of Directors under which such individuals
         purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares
         of such Capital Stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of
         such repurchases and other acquisitions shall not exceed $3 million in
         any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar year being
         permitted to be carried over for the two succeeding calendar years);
         provided further, however, that such amount may be increased by an
         amount not to exceed (A) the Net Cash Proceeds (other than Excluded
         Contributions) from sales of Capital Stock of the Company (other than
         Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) to members of
         management or directors or consultants of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries that occur after the Issue Date plus (B) the cash proceeds
         of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its
         Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (provided, however, that
         to the extent such amount is increased by the receipt of any such cash
         proceeds, such cash proceeds shall be excluded from the calculation of
         amounts under clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) above and the calculation
         of Consolidated Net Income); and provided further, however, that such
         repurchases and other acquisitions shall be excluded in the calculation
         of the amount of Restricted Payments;

                  (6) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions
         to holders of any class or series of
<PAGE>   60
                                                                              51


         Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
         issued or Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; provided, however,
         that, to the extent included in the calculation of Consolidated
         Interest Expense, such dividends or distributions shall be excluded in
         the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

                  (7) the payment of annual management, consulting, monitoring
         and advisory fees to the Sponsor Group and their Affiliates in an
         amount in any fiscal year not to exceed $1 million; provided, however,
         that such payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount
         of Restricted Payments;

                  (8) the payment of dividends on the Company's common stock
         following the first public offering of common stock of the Company,
         after the Issue Date, of up to 6% per annum of the net proceeds
         received by the Company from such public offering; provided, however,
         that (A) the aggregate amount of all such dividends shall not exceed
         the aggregate amount of net proceeds received by the Company from such
         public offering, (B) at the time of, and after giving effect to, any
         payment permitted under this clause (8), no Default or Event of Default
         shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence
         thereof and (C) any such payment shall be included in subsequent
         calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

                  (9) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise
         of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the
         exercise price of such options; provided, however, that such
         repurchases shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
         Restricted Payments;

                  (10) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof, the declaration and
         payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated
         Preferred Stock issued after the Issue Date; provided, however, that
         immediately after giving pro forma effect to such declaration and
         payment of dividends, the Company would be able to Incur an additional
         $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

                  (11) Investments that are made with Excluded Contributions;
         provided, however, that such Investments shall be excluded in the
         calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
<PAGE>   61
                                                                              52


                  (12) payments on or immediately following the Issue Date
         contemplated by (A) the Recapitalization Agreement and Plan of Merger,
         dated as of May 31, 2000, as amended, among TravelCenters of America,
         Inc., TCA Acquisition Corporation, Clipper Capital Associates, L.P.,
         National Partners, L.P., National Partners III, L.P., Clipper/Merchant
         I, L.P., Olympus Private Placement Fund, L.P., and Olympus Growth Fund
         II, L.P. and (B) the Stockholders' Agreement, to be dated as of the
         closing of the Transactions, between TravelCenters of America, Inc.,
         and the parties named therein; or

                  (13) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to
         exceed $10 million; provided, however, that such Restricted Payments
         shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
         Payments.

                  SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on
its Capital Stock to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company, (b) make any loans or advances to the Company
or (c) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company, except:

                  (1) any encumbrance or restriction contained in the Credit
         Agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

                  (2) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to applicable law
         or any applicable rule, regulation or order or an agreement in effect
         or entered into on the Issue Date;

                  (3) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a
         Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any
         Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the
         date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company
         (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide
         all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to
         consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant
         to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or
         was acquired by the Company) and outstanding on such date;
<PAGE>   62
                                                                              53


                  (4) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of
         customary non-assignment provisions in leases governing leasehold
         interests to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the
         lease or the property leased thereunder;

                  (5) in the case of clause (c) above, restrictions contained in
         security agreements, participation agreements or other similar
         financing documents, leases or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a
         Restricted Subsidiary (including with respect to Capital Lease
         Obligations, Synthetic Lease Financings and Attributable Debt) to the
         extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject
         to such security agreements, participation agreements or other similar
         financing documents, leases or mortgages;

                  (6) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary
         imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or
         disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of
         such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or
         disposition;

                  (7) any restriction on cash or other deposits or net worth
         imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary
         course of business;

                  (8) encumbrances and restrictions contained in agreements
         evidencing other Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to
         be Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to the provisions of
         Section 4.03; provided, however, that the encumbrances or restrictions
         apply only in the event of and during the continuance of a default
         contained in such Indebtedness or agreement;

                  (9) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other
         similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

                  (10) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any
         amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
         supplements or Refinancings of the contracts, instruments or
         obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (9) above; provided,
         however, that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,
         increases, supplements or Refinancings are, in the good faith judgment
         of the Board of Directors, no more restrictive with respect to such
         dividend and other payment or transfer restrictions than those
         contained
<PAGE>   63
                                                                              54


         in the dividend or other payment or transfer restrictions prior to such
         amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement or
         Refinancing.

                  SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary
Stock. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Disposition unless:

                  (1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives
         consideration at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to
         the fair market value (including as to the value of all non-cash
         consideration), as determined in good faith by the Company, of the
         shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition;

                  (2) at least 75% of the consideration thereof received by the
         Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or cash
         equivalents; provided, however, that the amount of (A) any liabilities
         (as shown on the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent
         balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated
         to the Securities) that are assumed by the transferee of any such
         assets (provided, however, that the Company or such Restricted
         Subsidiary is released from all liability with respect thereto), (B)
         any notes, other obligations or securities received by the Company or
         such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by
         the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of
         the cash received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset
         Disposition,(C) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the
         Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Disposition
         having an aggregate fair market value, when taken together with all
         other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause
         (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed $10 million at time
         of receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration (with the fair
         market value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being
         measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent
         changes in value)and (D) any real property or improvements received in
         exchange for real property or improvements having a comparable market
         value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors,
<PAGE>   64
                                                                              55


         shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision and for no
         other purpose; and

                  (3) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from
         such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted
         Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A) first, to the extent the Company
         elects (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness), to prepay,
         repay, redeem or purchase Senior Indebtedness or Indebtedness (other
         than any Disqualified Stock) of a Restricted Subsidiary (in each case
         other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the
         Company) within one year from the later of the date of such Asset
         Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; (B) second, to
         the extent the Company elects, to acquire Additional Assets within one
         year from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the
         receipt of such Net Available Cash; (C) third, to the extent of the
         balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with
         clauses (A) and (B), to make an Offer to the holders of the Securities
         (and to holders of other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the
         Company designated by the Company) to purchase Securities (and such
         other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) pursuant to and
         subject to the conditions of Section 4.06(b); and (D) fourth, to the
         extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in
         accordance with clauses (A), (B) and (C), for any general corporate
         purpose permitted pursuant to the terms of the Indenture; provided,
         however, that in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase
         of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A) or (C) above, the Company or
         such Restricted Subsidiary shall permanently retire such Indebtedness
         and shall cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently
         reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid
         or purchased.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.06,
the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any
Net Available Cash in accordance with this Section 4.06(a) except to the extent
that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions which is not
applied in accordance with this Section 4.06(a) exceeds $15 million. Pending
application of Net Available Cash pursuant to this Section 4.06(a), such Net
Available Cash shall be invested in Temporary Cash Investments or applied to
temporarily reduce revolving credit indebtedness.
<PAGE>   65
                                                                              56


                  (b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the
purchase of the Securities (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the
Company) pursuant to Section 4.06(a)(3)(C), the Company will purchase Securities
tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for the Securities (and such other
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness) (the "Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of
their principal amount (or, in the event such other Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company was issued with significant original issue discount,
100% of the accreted value thereof), without premium, plus accrued but unpaid
interest (or, in respect of such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the
Company, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness) in accordance with the procedures (including
prorating in the event of over subscription) set forth in Section 4.06(c). If
the aggregate purchase price of the securities tendered exceeds the Net
Available Cash allotted to their purchase, the Company shall select the
securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis but in round denominations, which
in the case of the Securities will be denominations of $1,000 principal amount
or multiples thereof. The Company shall not be required to make such an Offer to
purchase Securities (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company)
pursuant to this Section 4.06 if the Net Available Cash available therefor is
less than $15 million (which lesser amount shall be carried forward for purposes
of determining whether such an Offer is required with respect to the Net
Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition).

                  (c)(1) Promptly, and in any event within 10 days after the
Company becomes obligated to make an Offer, the Company shall deliver to the
Trustee and send, by first-class mail to each Holder, a written notice stating
that the Holder may elect to have his Securities purchased by the Company either
in whole or in part (subject to prorating as described in Section 4.06(b) in the
event the Offer is oversubscribed) in integral multiples of $1,000 of principal
amount, at the applicable purchase price. The notice shall specify a purchase
date not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice
(the "Purchase Date") and shall contain such information concerning the business
of the Company which the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders
to make an informed decision (which at a minimum will include (A) the most
recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (including audited consolidated
financial statements) of the Company, the most recent subsequently filed
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company
filed subsequent to such Quarterly Report, other than Current Reports
<PAGE>   66
                                                                              57


describing Asset Dispositions otherwise described in the offering materials (or
corresponding successor reports), (B) a description of material developments in
the Company's business subsequent to the date of the latest of such Reports, and
(C) if material, appropriate pro forma financial information) and all
instructions and materials necessary to tender Securities pursuant to the Offer,
together with the information contained in clause (3).

                  (2) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an
         Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided below, the Company shall
         deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate as to (A) the amount of
         the Offer (the "Offer Amount"), including information as to any other
         Senior Indebtedness Subordinated Indebtedness included in the Offer,
         (B) the allocation of the Net Available Cash from the Asset
         Dispositions pursuant to which such Offer is being made and (C) the
         compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(a)
         and (b). On such date, the Company shall also irrevocably deposit with
         the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its
         own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) in Temporary Cash
         Investments, maturing on the last day prior to the Purchase Date or on
         the Purchase Date if funds are immediately available by open of
         business, an amount equal to the Offer Amount to be held for payment in
         accordance with the provisions of this Section. If the Offer includes
         other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness, the deposit described in the
         preceding sentence may be made with any other paying agent pursuant to
         arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee. Upon the expiration of the
         period for which the Offer remains open (the "Offer Period"), the
         Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Securities or
         portions thereof which have been properly tendered to and are to be
         accepted by the Company. The Trustee shall, on the Purchase Date, mail
         or deliver payment (or cause the delivery of payment) to each tendering
         Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the
         aggregate purchase price of the Securities delivered by the Company to
         the Trustee is less than the Offer Amount applicable to the Securities,
         the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Company immediately after
         the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with
         this Section 4.06.

                  (3) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be
         required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly
         completed, to the Company at the
<PAGE>   67
                                                                              58


         address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to
         the Purchase Date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election
         if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day
         prior to the Purchase Date, a telex, facsimile transmission or letter
         setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the
         Security which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement
         that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Security
         purchased. Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part shall be
         issued new Securities equal in principal amount to the unpurchased
         portion of the Securities surrendered.

                  (4) At the time the Company delivers Securities to the Trustee
         which are to be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver
         an Officers' Certificate stating that such Securities are to be
         accepted by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of
         this Section. A Security shall be deemed to have been accepted for
         purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails
         or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering Holder.

                  (d) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with
the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to
this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue of its compliance
with such securities laws or regulations.

                  SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Affiliate Transactions. (a) The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into
or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of
any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (an
"Affiliate Transaction") unless: (1) the terms thereof are not materially less
favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be
obtained at the time of the Affiliate Transaction in arm's-length dealings with
a Person who is not an Affiliate; (2) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an
amount in excess of $5 million, the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are set
forth in writing and a majority of directors of the Company have determined in
good faith that the criteria set forth in clause (1) are
<PAGE>   68
                                                                              59


satisfied and have approved the relevant Affiliate Transaction as evidenced by a
resolution of the Board of Directors; and (3) if such Affiliate Transaction
involves an amount in excess of $25 million, the Board of Directors shall also
have received a written opinion from an investment banking, accounting or
appraisal firm of national prominence that is not an Affiliate of the Company to
the effect that such Affiliate Transaction is fair, from a financial standpoint,
to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

                  (b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not prohibit:

                  (1) any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) or
         other Restricted Payment, in each case permitted to be made pursuant to
         Section 4.04;

                  (2) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or
         grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of,
         employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans
         approved by the Board of Directors;

                  (3) loans or advances to employees or consultants in the
         ordinary course of business of the Company or its Restricted
         Subsidiaries, but in any event not to exceed $3 million in the
         aggregate outstanding at any one time;

                  (4) the payment of reasonable fees to officers, employees,
         consultants or directors of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries
         and indemnity provided on behalf of officers, employees, consultants or
         directors of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

                  (5) any transaction with a Restricted Subsidiary or joint
         venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate
         Transaction solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns
         an equity interest in or otherwise controls such Restricted Subsidiary,
         joint venture or similar entity;

                  (6) the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than
         Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

                  (7) the payment of annual management, consulting, monitoring
         and advisory fees to the Sponsor Group and their Affiliates in an
         amount in any fiscal year not to exceed $1 million and any related
         out-of-pocket expenses;
<PAGE>   69
                                                                              60


                  (8) any agreement as in effect on the Issue Date and described
         in the Offering Circular or any renewals or extensions of any such
         agreement (so long as such renewals or extensions are not less
         favorable to the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries) and the
         transactions evidenced thereby;

                  (9) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any
         of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of
         any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement
         or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the
         Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into
         thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the
         performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
         obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement
         or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall
         only be permitted by this clause (9) to the extent that the terms of
         any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous
         to the Holders of the Securities in any material respect;

                  (10) the payment by the Company or any of its Restricted
         Subsidiaries of fees to the Sponsor Group and their Affiliates in
         connection with any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or
         placement services including, without limitation, in connection with
         any acquisition transaction or divestiture entered into by the Company
         or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the aggregate
         amount of fees paid to the Sponsor Group and their Affiliates in
         respect of any acquisition transaction shall not exceed 1% of the total
         amount of such transaction;

                  (11) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or
         purchasers or sellers of goods or services in each case in the ordinary
         course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the
         Indenture which are fair to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries,
         in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior
         management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might
         reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;
         and

                  (12) the payment of all fees and expenses related to the
         Transactions, including fees to the Sponsor Group and their Affiliates,
         which are described in the Offering Circular.
<PAGE>   70
                                                                              61


                  SECTION 4.08. Limitation on the Sale or Issuance of Capital
Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company (1) shall not, and shall not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose
of any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person (other than the
Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary), and (2) shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to issue any of its Capital Stock (other than, if necessary, shares
of its Capital Stock constituting directors' or other legally required
qualifying shares) to any Person (other than to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary) unless (A) immediately after giving effect to such issuance, sale or
other disposition, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any
Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary or (B) in compliance with the
Section 4.06 and immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such
Restricted Subsidiary either continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary or if such
Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, then
the Investment of the Company in such Person (after giving effect to such
issuance and sale) would have been permitted to be made under Section 4.04 as if
made on the date of such issuance and sale.

                  SECTION 4.09. Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company
repurchase such Holder's Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of
the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), in
accordance with the terms contemplated in Section 4.09(b).

                  (b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the
Company has exercised its option to redeem the Securities as described in
paragraph 5 of the Securities, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder
with a copy to the Trustee (the "Change of Control Offer") stating:

                  (1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder
         has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder's
         Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal
         amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
         purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
         record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);
<PAGE>   71
                                                                              62


                  (2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change
         of Control (including information with respect to pro forma historical
         income, cash flow and capitalization, after giving effect to such
         Change of Control);

                  (3) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days
         nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

                  (4) the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent
         with this Section, that a Holder must follow in order to have its
         Securities purchased.

                  (c) Holders electing to have a Security purchased will be
required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to
the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the purchase date. Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election
if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to
the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was
delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased.

                  (d) On the purchase date, all Securities purchased by the
Company under this Section shall be delivered by the Company to the Trustee for
cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.

                  (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section,
the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth
in this Section 4.09 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company
and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.

                  (f) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with
the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to
this Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply
with the applicable
<PAGE>   72
                                                                              63


securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under this Section by virtue of its compliance with such securities
laws or regulations.

                  SECTION 4.10. Future Guarantors. The Company shall cause each
domestic Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company
or any other Restricted Subsidiary to, at the same time, execute and deliver to
the Trustee a Guaranty Agreement pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary
will Guarantee payment of the Securities on the same terms and conditions as
those set forth in Article 11 of this Indenture.

                  SECTION 4.11. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall
deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company an Officers' Certificate stating that in the course of the performance
by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally
have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default
that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the
Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).

                  SECTION 4.12. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of
the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and
do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more
effectively the purpose of this Indenture.


                                    ARTICLE 5

                                Successor Company

                  SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. (a)
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey,
transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, directly or
indirectly, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

                  (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the
         "Successor Company") shall be a Person organized and existing under the
         laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District
         of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall
         expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and
         delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the
         Trustee, all the
<PAGE>   73
                                                                              64


         obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

                  (2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such
         transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation
         of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such
         transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such
         Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing;

                  (3) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such
         transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur an additional
         $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a); and

                  (4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
         Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
         consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if
         any) comply with this Indenture;

provided, however, that clause (3) will not be applicable to (A) a Restricted
Subsidiary consolidating with, merging into or transferring all or part of its
properties and assets to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary or (B)
the Company merging with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose and
with the sole effect of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction or
changing the form of organization of the Company. The Successor Company shall be
the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and
may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, but the
predecessor Company in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease shall not be
released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the
Securities.

                  (b) The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to
consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one
transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets
to any Person unless: (1) except in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor (other
than TA Operating Corporation) that has been disposed of in its entirety to
another Person (other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company),
whether through a merger, consolidation or sale of Capital Stock or assets, if
in connection therewith the Company provides an Officers' Certificate to the
Trustee to the effect that the Company will comply with its obligations under
Section 4.06 in respect of such disposition, the resulting, surviving or
transferee Person (if not such Subsidiary) shall be a Person
<PAGE>   74
                                                                              65


organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such
Subsidiary was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, or
any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly
assume, by a Guaranty Agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the
obligations of such Subsidiary, if any, under its Subsidiary Guaranty; (2)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro
forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such transaction as
having been issued by such Person at the time of such transaction), no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing; and (3) the Company delivers to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer and such Guaranty Agreement, if any,
complies with this Indenture.


                                    ARTICLE 6

                              Defaults and Remedies

                  SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An "Event of Default" occurs
if:

                  (1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any
         Security when the same becomes due and payable, whether or not such
         payment shall be prohibited by Article 10, and such default continues
         for a period of 30 days;

                  (2) the Company (A) defaults in the payment of the principal
         of any Security when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated
         Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration or otherwise,
         whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article 10 or (B)
         fails to redeem or purchase Securities when required pursuant to this
         Indenture or the Securities, whether or not such redemption or purchase
         shall be prohibited by Article 10;

                  (3) the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01;

                  (4) the Company fails to comply with Sections 4.02, 4.03,
         4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09 or 4.10 (other than a failure to
         purchase Securities when required under Section 4.06 or 4.09) and such
         failure continues for 30 days after the notice specified below;
<PAGE>   75
                                                                              66


                  (5) the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor fails to comply with
         any of its agreements in the Securities or this Indenture (other than
         those referred to in clause (1), (2), (3) or (4) above) and such
         failure continues for 60 days after the notice specified below;

                  (6) Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
         is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or
         is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the
         total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $10
         million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time;

                  (7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or
         within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

                           (A) commences a voluntary case;

                           (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief
                  against it in an involuntary case;

                           (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it
                  or for any substantial part of its property; or

                           (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
                  creditors;

         or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to
         insolvency;

                  (8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
         decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

                           (A) is for relief against the Company or any
                  Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

                           (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any
                  Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its
                  property; or

                           (C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the
                  Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

         or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order
         or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
<PAGE>   76
                                                                              67


                  (9) any judgment or decree for the payment of money (other
         than judgments which are covered by enforceable insurance policies
         issued by solvent carriers) in excess of $10 million or its foreign
         currency equivalent at the time is entered against the Company or any
         Significant Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 days
         following the entry of such judgment or decree and is not discharged,
         waived or the execution thereof stayed within 10 days after the notice
         specified below; or

                  (10) (A) a Subsidiary Guaranty ceases to be in full force and
         effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary
         Guaranty) and such default continues for 10 days after the receipt of
         the notice specified herein or (B) a Subsidiary Guarantor denies or
         disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guaranty.

                  The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the
reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary
or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order
of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or
governmental body.

                  The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, United States Code,
or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

                  A Default under clauses (4), (5), (9) or (10)(A) is not an
Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the outstanding Securities notify the Company of the Default and the
Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of
such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied
and state that such notice is a "Notice of Default".

                  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after
the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate
of any Event of Default under clause (6) or (10)(B) and any event which with the
giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under
clause (4), (5), (9), or (10)(A), its status and what action the Company is
taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
<PAGE>   77
                                                                              68


                  SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than
an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the
Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by
notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued
but unpaid interest on all the Securities to be due and payable. Upon such a
declaration, such principal and interest shall be immediately due and payable
immediately; provided, however, that so long as any Bank Indebtedness remains
outstanding, no principal of and interest on the Securities shall be due and
payable until the earlier of (1) five Business Days after the giving of written
notice to the Company and the administrative agent (or similar agent if there is
no administrative agent) under the Credit Agreement and (2) the day on which any
Bank Indebtedness is accelerated. If an Event of Default specified in Section
6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the
principal of and interest on all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the Trustee or any Securityholders.

                  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its
consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree
and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except
nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of
acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair
any right consequent thereto.

                  SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the
payment of principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the
performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

                  The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not
possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.
A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right
or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy
or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
<PAGE>   78
                                                                              69


                  SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by notice to the
Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (1) a Default
in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Security, (2) a Default
arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Security when required
pursuant to this Indenture or (3) a Default in respect of a provision that under
Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Securityholder
affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

                  SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Securities may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may
refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this
Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly
prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders or would involve the Trustee
in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other
action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such
direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled
to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses
and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

                  SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right
to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no
Securityholder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the
Securities unless:

                  (1) such Holder gives the Trustee written notice stating that
         an Event of Default is continuing;

                  (2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
         outstanding Securities make a written request to the Trustee to pursue
         the remedy;

                  (3) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee reasonable
         security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

                  (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
         days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or
         indemnity; and
<PAGE>   79
                                                                              70


                  (5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
         outstanding Securities do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent
         with the request during such 60-day period.

                  A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the
rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over
another Securityholder.

                  SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder
to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Securities held by such
Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

                  SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the
Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust
against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with
interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided
for in Section 7.07.

                  SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee
may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary
or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Securityholders
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or
its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote
on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other
Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee
and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section
7.07.

                  SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or
property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in
the following order:

                  FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;
<PAGE>   80
                                                                              71


                  SECOND: to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and,
         if such money or property has been collected from a Subsidiary
         Guarantor, to holder of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary
         Guarantor, in each case to the extent required by Article 10 and 12;

                  THIRD: to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the
         Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or
         priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the
         Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

                  FOURTH: to the Company.

                  The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any
payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before
such record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder and the Trustee
a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

                  SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the
enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against
the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its
discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may
assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party
litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the
claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a
suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by
Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities.

                  SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company
(to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or
plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of,
any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in
force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and
the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives
all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede
the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and
permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
<PAGE>   81
                                                                              72


                                    ARTICLE 7

                                     Trustee

                  SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its
exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of such Person's own affairs.

                  (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

                  (1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
         such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no
         implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture
         against the Trustee; and

                  (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
         conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
         correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
         opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
         this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and
         opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements
         of this Indenture.

                  (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct,
except that:

                  (1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b)
         of this Section;

                  (2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
         made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the
         Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

                  (3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
         it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
         received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

                  (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates
to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
<PAGE>   82
                                                                              73


                  (e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

                  (f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.

                  (g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its
rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment
of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

                  (h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct
or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 and to the provisions of the TIA.

                  SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on
any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated
in the document.

                  (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not
be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on
the Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

                  (c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due
care.

                  (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its
rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee's conduct does not
constitute wilful misconduct or negligence.

                  (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or
opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and
the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from
liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in
good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
<PAGE>   83
                                                                              74


                  SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its
individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities
and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights
it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar
or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must
comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

                  SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be
responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company's
use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any
statement of the Company in the Indenture or in any document issued in
connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the
Trustee's certificate of authentication.

                  SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is
continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each
Securityholder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in
the case of a Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security
(including payments pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of such
Security, if any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a
committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the
notice is not opposed to the interests of Securityholders.

                  SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. As promptly as
practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of
this Indenture, and in any event prior to July 15 in each year, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of May 15 that
complies with TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section
313(b).

                  A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to
Securityholders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on
which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the
Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any
delisting thereof.

                  SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall
pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services.
The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a
trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon
request for all reasonable out-
<PAGE>   84
                                                                              75


of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in
addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the
reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee's agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify
the Trustee against any and all loss, liability or expense (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred by it in connection with the administration of this
trust and the performance of its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the
Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the
Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its
obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may
have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such
counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any
loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee's own
wilful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

                  To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section,
the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property
held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to
pay principal of and interest on particular Securities.

                  The Company's payment obligations pursuant to this Section
shall survive the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses
after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with
respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

                  SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign
at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and
may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

                  (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

                  (2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

                  (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
         Trustee or its property; or

                  (4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
<PAGE>   85
                                                                              76


                  If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do
not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in
the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred
to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee.

                  A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Securityholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all
property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien
provided for in Section 7.07.

                  If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days
after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the
Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

                  If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any
Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal
of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

                  Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to
this Section, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for
the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

                  SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee
consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially
all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall be the successor Trustee.

                  In case, at the time such successor or successors by merger,
conversion or consolidation into the Trustee succeed to the trusts created by
this Indenture, any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not
delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so
authenticated; and in case, at that time, any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any
<PAGE>   86
                                                                              77


successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of
any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in
all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere
in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the
Trustee shall have.

                  SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall
at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall
have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its
most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with
TIA Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other
securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of
the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in
TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.

                  SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against
Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned
or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.


                                    ARTICLE 8

                       Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

                  SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities;
Defeasance. (a) When (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding
Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for
cancellation or (2) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable,
whether at maturity or on a redemption date as a result of the mailing of a
notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof and the Company irrevocably
deposits with the Trustee funds sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption
all outstanding Securities, including interest thereon to maturity or such
redemption date (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and
if in either case the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the
Company, then this Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of
further effect. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company.
<PAGE>   87
                                                                              78


                  (b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any
time may terminate (1) all its obligations under the Securities and this
Indenture ("legal defeasance option") or (2) its obligations under Sections
4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09 and 4.10 and the operation of
Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8) and 6.01(9) (but, in the case of
Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) and the
limitations contained in Section 5.01(a)(3) ("covenant defeasance option"). The
Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior
exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

                  If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment
of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with
respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option,
payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default
specified in Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8) and 6.01(9) (but, in
the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Significant
Subsidiaries) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section
5.01(a)(3). If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant
defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from all its
obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guaranty.

                  Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon
request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge
of those obligations that the Company terminates.

                  (c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company's
obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 7.07 and 7.08 and in
this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full.
Thereafter, the Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall
survive.

                  SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance. The Company may
exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

                  (1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee
         money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of
         and interest on the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case
         may be;

                  (2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a
         nationally recognized firm of
<PAGE>   88
                                                                              79


         independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of
         principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the
         deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without
         investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will
         be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the
         Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

                  (3) 123 days pass after the deposit is made and during the
         123-day period no Default specified in Sections 6.01(7) or (8) with
         respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the
         period;

                  (4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other
         agreement binding on the Company and is not prohibited by Article 10;

                  (5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
         to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not
         constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under
         the Investment Company Act of 1940;

                  (6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company
         shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that
         (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
         Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this
         Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax
         law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion
         of Counsel shall confirm that, the Securityholders will not recognize
         income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
         such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
         amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
         the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

                  (7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company
         shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
         that the Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for
         Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and
         will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
         manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
         covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

                  (8) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers'
         Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each
<PAGE>   89
                                                                              80


         stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge
         of the Securities as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied
         with.

                  Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in
accordance with Article 3.

                  SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall
hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to
this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this
Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities. Money
and securities so held in trust are not subject to Article 10.

                  SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying
Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or
securities held by them at any time.

                  Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee
and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by
them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two
years, and, thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the
Company for payment as general creditors.

                  SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The
Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other
charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or
the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

                  SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is
unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this
Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or
judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this
Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee
or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the
Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities
because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights of the Holders
<PAGE>   90
                                                                              81


of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government
Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.


                                    ARTICLE 9

                                   Amendments

                  SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, the
Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities
without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:

                  (1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

                  (2) to comply with Article 5;

                  (3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or
         in place of certificated Securities; provided, however, that the
         uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of
         Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated
         Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

                  (4) to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities,
         including any Subsidiary Guarantees, or to secure the Securities;

                  (5) to add to the covenants of the Company or a Subsidiary
         Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or
         power herein conferred upon the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

                  (6) to make any change that does not adversely affect the
         rights of any Securityholder;

                  (7) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection
         with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture
         under the TIA; or

                  (8) to amend the Appendix to facilitate the transfer of
         Securities in any manner recommended by the Company consistent with
         applicable securities laws and market practice.

                  An amendment under this Section may not make any change that
adversely affects the rights under Article 10 or 12 of any holder of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or of
<PAGE>   91
                                                                              82


a Subsidiary Guarantor then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof authorized to give a
consent) consent to such change.

                  After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the
Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such
amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect
therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this
Section.

                  SECTION 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.  The Company,
the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the
Securities without notice to any Securityholder but with the written consent of
the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then
outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or
exchange for the Securities). However, without the consent of each
Securityholder affected thereby, an amendment may not:

                  (1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent
        to an amendment;

                  (2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of
        interest on any Security;

                  (3) reduce the principal amount of or extend the Stated
        Maturity of any Security;

                  (4) reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any
        Security or change the time at which any Security may be redeemed in
        accordance with Article 3;

                  (5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated
        in the Security;

                  (6) impair the right of any Securityholder to receive payment
        of principal of and interest on such Holder's Securities on or after the
        due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any
        payment on or with respect to such Holder's Securities;

                  (7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second
        sentence of this Section 9.02;

                  (8) make any changes in the ranking or priority of any
        Security that would adversely affect the Securityholders; or
<PAGE>   92
                                                                              83


                  (9) make any change in any Subsidiary Guaranty that would
         adversely affect the Securityholders.

                  It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under
this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but
it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

                  An amendment under this Section may not make any change that
adversely affects the rights under Article 10 or 12 of any holder of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor then outstanding unless
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof
authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

                  After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the
Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such
amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or
any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment
under this Section.

                  SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every
amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then
in effect.

                  SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A
consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the
Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security
that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if
notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such
Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder's
Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of
revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an
amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder. An
amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or
waiver by the Trustee.

                  The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record
date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their
consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be
taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then
notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were
Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only
<PAGE>   93
                                                                              84


those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent
previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons
continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or
effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

                  SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an
amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of
the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate
notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the
Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company
in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate
notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such
amendment.

                  SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall
sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does
not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the
Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such
amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully
protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

                  SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any
Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid
any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms
or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is
offered to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in
the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.


                                   ARTICLE 10

                                  Subordination

                  SECTION 10.01. Agreement To Subordinate. The Company agrees,
and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, that the Indebtedness
evidenced by the Securities is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent
and in the manner provided in this Article 10, to the
<PAGE>   94
                                                                              85


prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including the
obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement, and that the
subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness. The Securities shall in all respects rank pari passu with
all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and only Indebtedness
of the Company that is Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall rank senior to
the Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. All
provisions of this Article 10 shall be subject to Section 10.12.

                  SECTION 10.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any
payment or distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total
or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding
relating to the Company or its property:

                  (1) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be
         entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness
         before Securityholders shall be entitled to receive any payment or
         distribution of cash, securities or other property, except that
         Securityholders may receive and retain (A) Permitted Junior Securities
         and (B) payments made from a trust described in Sections 8.02 and 8.03
         so long as, on the date or dates the respective amounts were paid into
         the trust, such payments were made with respect to the Securities
         without violating this Article 10; and

                  (2) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in
         full in cash, any payment or distribution to which Securityholders
         would be entitled but for this Article 10 shall be made to holders of
         such Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear, except that
         Securityholders may receive and retain (A) Permitted Junior Securities
         and (B) payments made from a trust described in Sections 8.02 and 8.03
         so long as, on the date or dates the respective amounts were paid into
         the trust, such payments were made with respect to the Securities
         without violating this Article 10.

                  SECTION 10.03. Default on Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
The Company shall not pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
Securities or make any deposit pursuant to Section 8.01 and may not purchase,
redeem or otherwise retire any Securities whether pursuant to the terms of the
Securities or otherwise (collectively, "pay the Securities") if either of the
following (a "Payment
<PAGE>   95
                                                                              86


Default") occurs (1) any amount of principal of or premium or interest on any
Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid in full in cash when
due or (2) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company
occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in
accordance with its terms, unless, in either case, the Payment Default has been
cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Designated
Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash. Regardless of the foregoing,
the Company shall be entitled to pay the Securities if the Company and the
Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representatives
of all Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which the Payment Default
has occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any default (other
than a Payment Default) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of
the Company pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated without
further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such
acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company
shall not pay the Securities for a period (a "Payment Blockage Period")
commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the Company) of
written notice (a "Blockage Notice") of such default from the Representative of
such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment
Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter. The Payment Blockage Period
shall end earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated: (1) by written
notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such
Blockage Notice; (2) because all defaults with respect to the Designated Senior
Indebtedness that gave rise to such Blockage Notice are cured, waived or
otherwise no longer continuing; or (3) because such Designated Senior
Indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full in cash. Notwithstanding the
provisions described in the immediately preceding two sentences, unless a
Payment Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall be permitted
to resume payments on the Securities after the end of such Payment Blockage
Period. The Securities shall not be subject to more than one Payment Blockage
Period in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults
with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company during such
period. For purposes of this Section, no default or event of default which
existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment
Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness of the
Company initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis
of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the
Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness,
<PAGE>   96
                                                                              87


unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a
period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

                  SECTION 10.04. Acceleration of Payment of Securities. If
payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the
Company or the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated
Senior Indebtedness of the Company (or their Representative) of the
acceleration.

                  SECTION 10.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a
distribution is made to Securityholders that because of this Article 10 should
not have been made to them, the Securityholders who receive the distribution
shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pay
it over to them as their interests may appear.

                  SECTION 10.06. Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness of
the Company is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full,
Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior
Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to such Senior Indebtedness. A
distribution made under this Article 10 to holders of such Senior Indebtedness
which otherwise would have been made to Securityholders is not, as between the
Company and Securityholders, a payment by the Company on such Senior
Indebtedness.

                  SECTION 10.07. Relative Rights. This Article 10 defines the
relative rights of Securityholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

                  (1) impair, as between the Company and Securityholders, the
         obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay
         principal of and interest on the Securities in accordance with their
         terms;

                  (2) prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising
         its available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders
         of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to receive distributions
         otherwise payable to Securityholders; or

                  (3) affect the right of the Trustee to receive the
         compensation and indemnification to which it is entitled pursuant to
         Section 7.07 of this Indenture.
<PAGE>   97
                                                                              88


                  SECTION 10.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company.
No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce the
subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired
by any act or failure to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with
this Indenture.

                  SECTION 10.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.
Notwithstanding Section 10.03, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall continue to
make payments on the Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of facts that under this Article 10 would prohibit the making of any
such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such
payment, a Trust Officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to it that
such payments are prohibited by this Article 10. The Company, the Registrar or
co-registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to give the notice; provided,
however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Company has a
Representative, only the Representative shall be entitled to give the notice.

                  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity shall be
entitled to hold Senior Indebtedness of the Company with the same rights it
would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and co-registrar and the Paying
Agent shall be entitled to do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be
entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 10 with respect to any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company which may at any time be held by it, to the
same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in
Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing
in this Article 10 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under
or pursuant to Section 7.07.

                  SECTION 10.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative.
Whenever any Person is to make a distribution or give a notice to holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, such Person shall be entitled to make such
distribution or give such notice to their Representative (if any).

                  SECTION 10.11. Article 10 Not To Prevent Events of Default or
Limit Right To Accelerate. The failure to make a payment pursuant to the
Securities by reason of any provision in this Article 10 shall not be construed
as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article 10 shall have
any effect on the right of the
<PAGE>   98
                                                                              89



Securityholders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Securities.

                  SECTION 10.12. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds
of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article 8 by the Trustee for
the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities shall not be
subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or
subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 10, and none of the
Securityholders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or
any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any other creditor of the
Company.

                  SECTION 10.13. Trustee Entitled To Rely. Upon any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee and the Securityholders
shall be entitled to rely (1) upon any order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.02
are pending, (2) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other
Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the
Securityholders or (3) upon the Representatives of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in
such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and other
Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount
or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or
to this Article 10. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith,
that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company to participate in any payment or distribution
pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee shall be entitled to request such
Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to
the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which
such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other
facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 10, and, if such
evidence is not furnished, the Trustee shall be entitled to defer any payment to
such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to
receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be
applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to
this Article 10.

                  SECTION 10.14. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination. Each
Securityholder by accepting a Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his
behalf to take
<PAGE>   99
                                                                              90


such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the
subordination between the Securityholders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness
of the Company as provided in this Article 10 and appoints the Trustee as
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

                  SECTION 10.15. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any
fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and shall
not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute
to Securityholders or the Company or any other Person, money or assets to which
any holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled by virtue of
this Article 10 or otherwise.

                  SECTION 10.16. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of
the Company on Subordination Provisions. Each Securityholder by accepting a
Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions
are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of
any Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether such Senior Indebtedness was
created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire
and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such
holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied
on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in
continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.


                                   ARTICLE 11

                              Subsidiary Guarantees

                  SECTION 11.01. Guarantees. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably Guarantees, jointly and severally, to each
Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (a) the full and
punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Securities when due,
whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other
monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities and
(b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all
other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities (all
the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the "Obligations"). Each
Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Obligations may be extended or
renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such
Subsidiary Guarantor and that such
<PAGE>   100
                                                                              91


Subsidiary Guarantor will remain bound under this Article 11 notwithstanding any
extension or renewal of any Obligation.

                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of,
payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Obligations and also
waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice
of any default under the Securities or the Obligations. The obligations of each
Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any
Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or
remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the
Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of
any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the
terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement;
(d) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the
Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to
exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Obligations; or
(f) except as set forth in Section 11.06, any change in the ownership of such
Subsidiary Guarantor.

                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary
Guaranty herein constitutes a Guarantee of payment, performance and compliance
when due (and not a Guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require
that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for
payment of the Obligations.

                  Each Subsidiary Guaranty is, to the extent and in the manner
set forth in Article 12, subordinated and subject in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on
all Senior Indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantor giving such Subsidiary
Guaranty and each Subsidiary Guaranty is made subject to such provisions of this
Indenture.

                  Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 11.02 and
11.06, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be
subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason,
including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and
shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or
termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein
shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any
Holder
<PAGE>   101
                                                                              92


or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this
Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification
of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the
performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or
delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any
extent vary the risk of such Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as
a discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee
herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if
at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any
Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the
Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

                  In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any
other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any
Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay
the principal of or interest on any Obligation when and as the same shall become
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to
perform or comply with any other Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby
promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith
pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal
to the sum of (1) the unpaid amount of such Obligations, (2) accrued and unpaid
interest on such Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and
(3) all other monetary Obligations of the Company to the Holders and the
Trustee.

                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled
to any right of subrogation in respect of any Obligations Guaranteed hereby
until payment in full of all Obligations and all obligations to which the
Obligations are subordinated as provided in Article 12. Each Subsidiary
Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders
and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Obligations
Guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes
of such Subsidiary Guarantor's Subsidiary Guaranty herein, notwithstanding any
stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of
the Obligations Guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of
acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Obligations
(whether or not due and payable)
<PAGE>   102
                                                                              93


shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor for the
purposes of this Section.

                  Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Trustee or
any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section.

                  SECTION 11.02. Limitation on Liability. Any term or provision
of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount
of the Obligations Guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not
exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby Guaranteed without rendering this
Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable
law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally.

                  SECTION 11.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 11 shall
be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and
shall enure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the
Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder
or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this
Indenture and in the Securities shall automatically extend to and be vested in
such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this
Indenture.

                  SECTION 11.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the
part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or
privilege under this Article 11 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a
single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any
right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and
the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any
other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 11
at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

                  SECTION 11.05. Modification. No modification, amendment or
waiver of any provision of this Article 11, nor the consent to any departure by
any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the
same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for
which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case
shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further
<PAGE>   103
                                                                              94


notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

                  SECTION 11.06. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor. Upon the sale
(including any sale pursuant to any exercise of remedies by a holder of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company or of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or other
disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of a Subsidiary
Guarantor or upon the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets
of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case other than a sale or disposition to
the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be
released from all obligations under this Article 11 without any further action
required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. If for any reason a
Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a guarantor of the Credit Agreement, such
Subsidiary Guarantor shall also be released from all obligations under this
Article 11 without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any
Holder; provided, however, that such Subsidiary Guarantor shall not be so
released if it otherwise would then be required to enter into a Guaranty
Agreement under Section 4.10. At the request of the Company, the Trustee shall
execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release.


                                   ARTICLE 12

                     Subordination of Subsidiary Guarantees

                  SECTION 12.01. Agreement To Subordinate. Each Subsidiary
Guarantor agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, that
the Indebtedness evidenced by such Subsidiary Guarantor's Subsidiary Guaranty is
subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in
this Article 12, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary Guarantor, including the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor
under the Credit Agreement, and that the subordination is for the benefit of and
enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. The obligations of a
Subsidiary Guarantor shall in all respects rank pari passu with all other Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and only Senior
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including such Subsidiary Guarantor's
Guarantee of Senior Indebtedness of the Company) shall rank senior to the
obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions set
forth herein.
<PAGE>   104
                                                                              95


                  SECTION 12.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any
payment or distribution of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor to creditors
upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of such
Subsidiary Guarantor or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to such Subsidiary Guarantor or its
property:

                  (1) holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary
         Guarantor shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such
         Senior Indebtedness before Securityholders shall be entitled to receive
         any payment or distribution of cash, securities or other property
         pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty of such Subsidiary Guarantor,
         except that Securityholders may receive and retain debt or equity
         securities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are subordinated to such
         Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the Subsidiary
         Guaranty; and

                  (2) until the Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor
         is paid in full in cash, any payment or distribution to which
         Securityholders would be entitled but for this Article 12 shall be made
         to holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear,
         except that Securityholders may receive and retain debt or equity
         securities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are subordinated to such
         Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the Subsidiary
         Guaranty.

                  SECTION 12.03. Default on Senior Indebtedness of Subsidiary
Guarantor. No Subsidiary Guarantor shall make its Subsidiary Guaranty or
purchase, redeem or otherwise retire or defease any Securities (whether pursuant
to the terms of the securities or otherwise) or other Obligations (collectively,
"pay its Subsidiary Guaranty") if (1) any amount of principal of or premium or
interest on Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not
paid when due or (2) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary Guarantor occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms, unless, in either
case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been
rescinded or such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash.
Regardless of the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to pay
its Subsidiary Guaranty if such Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee receive
written notice approving such payment from the Representatives of all Designated
Senior
<PAGE>   105
                                                                              96


Indebtedness with respect to which the such default has occurred and is
continuing. No Subsidiary Guarantor may pay its Subsidiary Guaranty during the
continuance of any Payment Blockage Period after receipt by the Company and the
Trustee of a Payment Notice under Section 10.03. Notwithstanding the provisions
described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions
contained in the first sentence of this Section), unless the holders of such
Designated Senior Indebtedness giving such Payment Notice or the Representative
of such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall have accelerated the maturity of
such Designated Senior Indebtedness, any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be permitted
to resume payments pursuant to its Subsidiary Guaranty after the end of such
Payment Blockage Period.

                  SECTION 12.04. Demand for Payment. If a demand for payment is
made on a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Article 11, the Trustee shall
promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary Guarantor (or their Representatives) of such demand.

                  SECTION 12.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a
distribution is made to Securityholders that because of this Article 12 should
not have been made to them, the Securityholders who receive the distribution
shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness of the applicable
Subsidiary Guarantor and pay it over to them or their Representatives as their
interests may appear.

                  SECTION 12.06. Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness of a
Subsidiary Guarantor is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full,
Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior
Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary Guarantor. A distribution made under this Article 12 to holders of
such Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Securityholders
is not, as between the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor and Securityholders, a
payment by such Subsidiary Guarantor on such Senior Indebtedness.

                  SECTION 12.07. Relative Rights. This Article 12 defines the
relative rights of Securityholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of a
Subsidiary Guarantor. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

                  (1) impair, as between a Subsidiary Guarantor and
         Securityholders, the obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, which is
         absolute and unconditional, to pay
<PAGE>   106
                                                                              97


         its Subsidiary Guaranty to the extent set forth in Article 11; or

                  (2) prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising
         its available remedies upon a default by such Subsidiary Guarantor
         under its Subsidiary Guaranty, subject to the rights of holders of
         Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor to receive
         distributions otherwise payable to Securityholders.

                  SECTION 12.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company.
No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor to
enforce the subordination of the Subsidiary Guaranty of such Subsidiary
Guarantor shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by such Subsidiary
Guarantor or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

                  SECTION 12.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.
Notwithstanding Section 12.03, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall continue to
make payments on any Subsidiary Guaranty and shall not be charged with knowledge
of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments
unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a
Trust Officer of the Trustee receives written notice satisfactory to it that
such payments are prohibited by this Article 12. The Company, the relevant
Subsidiary Guarantor, the Registrar or co-registrar, the Paying Agent, a
Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor
shall be entitled to give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of
Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor has a Representative, only the
Representative shall be entitled to give the notice.

                  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity shall be
entitled to hold Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor with the same
rights it would have if it were not the Trustee. The Registrar and co- registrar
and the Paying Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be
entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 12 with respect to any
Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor which may at any time be held by
it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness; and
nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such
holder. Nothing in this Article 12 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07.

                  SECTION 12.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative.
Whenever any Person is to make a distribution or give a notice to holders of
Senior
<PAGE>   107
                                                                              98


Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor, such Person shall be entitled to make
such distribution or give such notice to their Representative (if any).

                  SECTION 12.11. Article 12 Not To Prevent Events of Default or
Limit Right To Demand Payment. The failure to make a payment pursuant to a
Subsidiary Guaranty by reason of any provision in this Article 12 shall not be
construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article 12
shall have any effect on the right of the Securityholders or the Trustee to make
a demand for payment on any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Subsidiary
Guaranty.

                  SECTION 12.12. Trustee Entitled To Rely. Upon any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article 12, the Trustee and the Securityholders
shall be entitled to rely (1) upon any order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 12.02
are pending, (2) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other
Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the
Securityholders or (3) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor for the purpose of ascertaining the
Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor,
the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed
thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 12. In the
event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with
respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of any
Subsidiary Guarantor to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to
this Article 12, the Trustee shall be entitled to request such Person to furnish
evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of
Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor held by such Person, the extent
to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution
and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 12,
and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee shall be entitled to defer
any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of
such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02
shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee
pursuant to this Article 12.

                  SECTION 12.13. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination. Each
Securityholder by accepting a Security
<PAGE>   108
                                                                              99


authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between
the Securityholders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary
Guarantor as provided in this Article 12 and appoints the Trustee as
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

                  SECTION 12.14. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior
Indebtedness of Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any
fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor
and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or
distribute to Securityholders or the Company or any other Person, money or
assets to which any holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by
virtue of this Article 12 or otherwise.

                  SECTION 12.15. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of
Subsidiary Guarantors on Subordination Provisions. Each Securityholder by
accepting a Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination
provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to
each holder of any Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor, whether such
Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the
Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior
Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively
to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to
hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.


                                   ARTICLE 13

                                  Miscellaneous

                  SECTION 13.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision
of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is
required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision
shall control.

                  SECTION 13.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be
in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as
follows:
<PAGE>   109
                                                                             100


                  if to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

                           TravelCenters of America, Inc.
                           24601 Center Ridge Road
                           Suite 200
                           Westlake, Ohio 44145-5634

                           Attention of James W. George

                  with a copy to:

                           Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                           425 Lexington Avenue
                           New York, New York 10017-3954

                           Attention of Rise B. Norman, Esq.

                  if to the Trustee:

                           State Street Bank and Trust Company
                           225 Asylum Street, 23rd Floor
                           Hartford, CT 06103

                           Attention of Corporate Trust Administration
                           (TravelCenters 2000 Indenture)

                  The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice
to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent
notices or communications.

                  Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall
be mailed to the Securityholder at the Securityholder's address as it appears on
the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so
mailed within the time prescribed.

                  Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder
or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

                  SECTION 13.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar
and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
<PAGE>   110
                                                                             101


                  SECTION 13.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions
Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee:

                  (1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
         satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the
         signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
         Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

                  (2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably
         satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such
         counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

                  SECTION 13.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or
condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

                  (1) a statement that the individual making such
         certificate or opinion has read such covenant or
         condition;

                  (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
         examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
         contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

                  (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he
         has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable
         him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
         or condition has been complied with; and

                  (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
         individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

                  SECTION 13.06. When Securities Disregarded. In determining
whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have
concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company
or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under
direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver
or consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so
<PAGE>   111
                                                                             102


owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities
outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

                  SECTION 13.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
Securityholders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules
for their functions.

                  SECTION 13.08. Legal Holidays. A "Legal Holiday" is a
Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be
open in the State of New York. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment
shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no
interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a
Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

                  SECTION 13.09. Governing Law. This Indenture and the
Securities shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of New York.

                  SECTION 13.10. No Recourse Against Others. A director,
officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary
Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under
the Securities or this Indenture or of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its
Subsidiary Guaranty or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of
or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security,
each Securityholder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and
release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

                  SECTION 13.11. Successors. All agreements of the Company in
this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of
the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

                  SECTION 13.12. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any
number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but
all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to
prove this Indenture.
<PAGE>   112
                  SECTION 13.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of
contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of
this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only and are not
intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of
the terms or provisions hereof.


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed as of the date first written above.


                                        TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.,

                                          by  /s/ James W. George
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  James W. George
                                              Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer



                                        TA OPERATING CORPORATION,

                                          by /s/ James W. George
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  James W. George
                                              Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer



                                        TA TRAVEL, L.L.C.,

                                          by /s/ James W. George
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  James W. George
                                              Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer



                                        TA LICENSING, INC.,

                                          by /s/ Andrew Panaccione
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  Andrew Panaccione
                                              Title: Secretary

<PAGE>   113
                                        TRAVELCENTERS PROPERTIES, L.P.,

                                        By TA Operating Corporation,
                                        its General Partner

                                          by /s/ James W. George
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  James W. George
                                              Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer



                                        TRAVELCENTERS REALTY, INC.,

                                          by /s/ Andrew Panaccione
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  Andrew Panaccione
                                              Title: Secretary



                                        STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                                        as Trustee

                                          by /s/ Susan C. Merker
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  Susan C. Merker
                                              Title: Vice President
<PAGE>   114
                                                 RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX




                   PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL SECURITIES,
                           PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITIES
                             AND EXCHANGE SECURITIES

         1.  Definitions

         1.1      Definitions

         For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated below:

                  "Depository" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees
and their respective successors.

                  "Exchange Securities" means (1) the 12 3/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009 issued pursuant to the Indenture in
connection with Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to a Registration Rights
Agreement and (2) Additional Securities, if any, issued pursuant to a
registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.

                  "Initial Purchasers" means (1) with respect to the Initial
Securities issued on the Issue Date, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
Chase Securities Inc. and Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and
(2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities, the Persons
purchasing such Additional Securities under the related Purchase Agreement.

                  "Initial Securities" means (1) $190 million aggregate
principal amount of 12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009 issued on
the Issue Date and (2) Additional Securities, if any, issued in a transaction
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

                  "Private Exchange" means the offer by the Company, pursuant to
a Registration Rights Agreement, to the Initial Purchasers to issue and deliver
to each Initial Purchaser, in exchange for the Initial Securities held by the
Initial Purchaser as part of its initial distribution, a like aggregate
principal amount of Private Exchange Securities.

                  "Private Exchange Securities" means any 12 3/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009 issued in connection with a Private Exchange.

                  "Purchase Agreement" means (1) with respect to the Initial
Securities issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement dated November 9,
2000, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers, and (2) with respect to each
issuance of
<PAGE>   115
                                                                               2


Additional Securities, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among
the Company and the Persons purchasing such Additional Securities.

                  "QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in
Rule 144A.

                  "Registered Exchange Offer" means the offer by the Company,
pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial
Securities, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial
Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Securities registered
under the Securities Act.

                  "Registration Rights Agreement" means (1) with respect to the
Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement
dated November 14, 2000, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers, and (2)
with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities issued in a transaction
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the
registration rights agreement, if any, among the Company and the Persons
purchasing such Additional Securities under the related Purchase Agreement.

                  "Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

                  "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

                  "Securities" means the Initial Securities, the Exchange
Securities and the Private Exchange Securities, treated as a single class.

                  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.

                  "Securities Custodian" means the custodian with respect to a
Global Security (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person
thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

                  "Separation Date" means the earliest date to occur of: (i) the
commencement of a Registered Exchange Offer for the Securities, (ii) the
effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and (iii) such earlier date
after December 14, 2000, as may be determined by the Initial Purchasers, at
which date the Securities and the Warrants with which they were originally
issued may be separately traded.
<PAGE>   116
                                                                               3


                  "Shelf Registration Statement" means the registration
statement issued by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial
Securities or Private Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Rights
Agreement.

                  "Transfer Restricted Securities" means Securities that bear or
are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.3(b) hereto.

         1.2      Other Definitions


                                             Defined in
Term                                         Section
----                                         -------

"Agent Members" .......................       2.1(b)
"Global Securities"....................       2.1(a)
"Regulation S Global Securities".......       2.1(a)
"Restricted Global Security" ..........       2.1(a)
"Rule 144A Global Securities" .........       2.1(a)

         2.       The Securities.

         2.1      (a)      Global Securities. The Initial Securities offered and
sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A ("Rule 144A Global Securities") and the
Initial Securities offered and sold to non-U.S. persons (as defined in
Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S ("Regulation S Global Securities"), in
each case as provided in a Purchase Agreement, and Private Exchange Securities,
as provided in a Registration Rights Agreement, shall be issued initially in the
form of one or more permanent global Securities in definitive, fully registered
form without interest coupons with the global securities legend and restricted
securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto (each, a "Restricted Global
Security"). All Restricted Global Securities shall be deposited on behalf of the
purchasers of the Initial Securities represented thereby with the Trustee, at
its principal corporate trust office, as custodian for the Depository (or with
such other custodian as the Depository may direct), and registered in the name
of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company
and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Exchange Securities
shall be issued in global form (with the global securities legend but without
the restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto) or in
certificated form at the option of the Holders thereof from time to time.
Exchange Securities issued in global form and Restricted Global Securities are
sometimes referred to in this Appendix as "Global Securities."
<PAGE>   117
                                                                               4


                  (b)      Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall
apply only to a Global Security deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

                  (i)      The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in
         accordance with this Section 2.1(b), authenticate and deliver initially
         one or more Global Securities that (a) shall be registered in the name
         of the Depository for such Global Security or Global Securities or the
         nominee of such Depository and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to
         such Depository or pursuant to such Depository's instructions or held
         by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.

                  (ii)     Members of, or participants in, the Depository
         ("Agent Members") shall have no rights under this Indenture with
         respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository
         or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such
         Global Security, and the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the
         Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the
         absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the
         Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from
         giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
         authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the
         Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices
         of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of
         a beneficial interest in any Global Security.

                  (c)      Certificated Securities. Except as provided in
Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Restricted Global
Securities shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated
Securities.

         2.2      Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver:
(1) on the Issue Date, an aggregate principal amount of $190 million 12 3/4%
Senior Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009, (2) any Additional Securities for an
original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order
of the Company pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Indenture and (3) Exchange
Securities or Private Exchange Securities for issue only in a Registered
Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, respectively, pursuant to a Registration
Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Securities, in each
case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers. Such order
shall specify the amount
<PAGE>   118
                                                                               5


of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue
of Securities is to be authenticated and, in the case of any issuance of
Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture, shall certify
that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.03 of the Indenture.

         2.3      Transfer and Exchange.  (a)  Transfer and Exchange of Global
Securities.

                  (i)      The transfer and exchange of Global Securities or
         beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository,
         in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on
         transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository
         therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Security
         shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with
         the Depository's procedures containing information regarding the
         participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial
         interest in the Global Security. The Registrar shall, in accordance
         with such instructions instruct the Depositary to credit to the account
         of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in
         the Global Security and to debit the account of the Person making the
         transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Security being
         transferred.

                  (ii)     If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a
         beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Security under Regulation S
         or a transfer of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global
         Security pursuant to Rule 144A, the Registrar shall reflect on its
         books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of
         the Regulation S Global Security or the Rule 144A Global Security, as
         applicable, in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest
         to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
         records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount
         of the Rule 144A Global Security or the Regulation S Global Security,
         as applicable; provided, however, that the transfer is in accordance
         with the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the
         Initial Securities and with such other procedures as may from time to
         time be adopted by the company.

                  (iii)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix
         (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Security
         may not be transferred
<PAGE>   119
                                                                               6


         as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or
         by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of
         the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor
         Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

                  (iv)     In the event that a Global Security is exchanged and
         transferred for Securities in certificated registered form pursuant to
         Section 2.4 of this Appendix, prior to the consummation of a Registered
         Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement
         with respect to such Securities, such Securities may be exchanged only
         in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with
         the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification
         requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Securities
         intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A,
         Regulation S or such other applicable exemption from registration under
         the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as
         may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

                  (b)      Legend.

                  (i)      Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii),
         (iii) and (iv), each Security certificate evidencing the Global
         Securities (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or in
         substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the
         following form:

                  "THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A
                  TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
                  OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE
                  OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
                  REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH
                  PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER
                  OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE
                  PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE
                  144A THEREUNDER.

                  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
                  COMPANY THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR
                  OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) IN THE
                  UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES
                  IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A
                  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
<PAGE>   120
                                                                               7


                  TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III)
                  OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN
                  ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV)
                  PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
                  SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE)
                  OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
                  THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN
                  ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF
                  THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH
                  SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS
                  NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A)
                  ABOVE.

                  HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY
                  NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
                  SECURITIES ACT AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
                  ISSUED THEREUNDER."

                  Each Security certificate issued prior to the Separation Date
         will also bear the following legend (the "Separability Legend"):

                  "THE SECURITY EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WAS INITIALLY
                  ISSUED AS PART OF AN ISSUANCE OF UNITS, EACH OF WHICH CONSISTS
                  OF ONE 12 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE MAY 1, 2009 OF
                  TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. (THE "COMPANY") WITH A
                  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY OF $1,000 (A "NOTE") AND THREE
                  INITIAL WARRANTS AND ONE CONTINGENT WARRANT (THE "WARRANTS"),
                  EACH TO PURCHASE 0.36469 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE
                  $.00001 PER SHARE, OF THE COMPANY. THE NOTES AND WARRANTS WILL
                  NOT TRADE SEPARATELY UNTIL THE EARLIEST OF (A) THE
                  COMMENCEMENT OF A REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER FOR THE NOTES, (B)
                  THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH
                  RESPECT TO THE NOTES AND (C) SUCH DATE AFTER DECEMBER 14,
                  2000, AS THE INITIAL PURCHASERS MAY DETERMINE."

                  (ii)     Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted
         Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a
         Global Security) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the
         Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer
         Restricted Security for a certificated Security that does not bear the
         legends set forth in 2.3(b)(i) above (other than the Separability
         Legend, if applicable) and rescind any restriction on the transfer of
         such Transfer Restricted Security, if the Holder certifies
<PAGE>   121
                                                                               8


         in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made
         in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth
         on the reverse of the Security).

                  (iii)    After a transfer of any Initial Securities or Private
         Exchange Securities pursuant to and during the period of the
         effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such
         Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be,
         all requirements pertaining to legends set forth in 2.3(b)(i) above on
         such Initial Security or such Private Exchange Security will cease to
         apply, the requirements requiring that any such Initial Security or
         such Private Exchange Security issued to certain Holders be issued in
         global form will cease to apply, and a certificated Initial Security or
         Private Exchange Security or an Initial Security or Private Exchange
         Security in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer
         legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such
         Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities upon exchange of such
         transferring Holder's certificated Initial Security or Private Exchange
         Security or directions to transfer such Holder's interest in the Global
         Security, as applicable.

                  (iv)     Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer
         with respect to the Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to
         such Initial Securities that Initial Securities issued to certain
         Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to
         Holders of such Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial
         Securities, and Exchange Securities in certificated or global form will
         be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such
         Registered Exchange Offer.

                  (v)      Upon the consummation of a Private Exchange with
         respect to the Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to such
         Initial Securities that Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be
         issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such
         Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial Securities, and
         Private Exchange Securities in global form with the global securities
         legend and the restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1
         hereto will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial
         Securities in such Private Exchange.
<PAGE>   122
                                                                               9


                  (vi)     On or after the Separation Date, the Holder of a
         Security certificate containing a Separability Legend may surrender
         such certificate accompanied by a written application to the Registrar,
         duly executed by the Holder thereof, for a new Security certificate or
         certificates not containing the Separability Legend.

                  (c)      Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Security. At
such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been
exchanged for certificated Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such
Global Security shall be returned to the Depository for cancellation or retained
and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any
beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for certificated
Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Securities
represented by such Global Security shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be
made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Securities
Custodian for such Global Security) with respect to such Global Security, by the
Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

                  (d)      Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges
of Securities.

                  (i)      To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges,
         the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
         certificated Securities and Global Securities at the Registrar's or
         co-registrar's request.

                  (ii)     No service charge shall be made for any registration
         of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum
         sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar
         governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any
         such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable
         upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.09 and 9.05 of
         the Indenture).

                  (iii)    The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required
         to register the transfer of or exchange of any Security for a period
         beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer
         to repurchase or redeem Securities or 15 Business Days before an
         interest payment date.

                  (iv)     Prior to the due presentation for registration of
         transfer of any Security, the Company,
<PAGE>   123
                                                                              10


         the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar may
         deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is registered as the
         absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of
         principal of and interest on such Security and for all other purposes
         whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the
         Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any
         co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

                  (v)      All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange
         pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt
         and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the
         Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

                  (e)      No Obligation of the Trustee.

                  (i)      The Trustee shall have no responsibility or
         obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of,
         or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the
         accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any
         participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest
         in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant,
         member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of
         any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any
         amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and
         communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made
         to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon
         the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or
         its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial
         owners in any Global Security shall be exercised only through the
         Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the
         Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in
         relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to
         its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

                  (ii)     The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to
         monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on
         transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with
         respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any
         transfers between or among Depository participants, members or
         beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require
         delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as
         are expressly
<PAGE>   124
                                                                              11


         required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms
         of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial
         compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

                  (f)      No Registration of Transfer. The Company shall not,
and shall not cause the Registrar to, register any transfer of Securities not
made in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S, pursuant to registration
under the Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from
registration.

         2.4      Certificated Securities.

                  (a)      A Restricted Global Security deposited with the
Depository or with the Trustee as custodian for the Depository pursuant to
Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of
certificated Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of such Global Security, in exchange for such Global Security, only if
such transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depository notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such
Restricted Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a
"clearing agency" registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary
is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii) an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company, in its sole
discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance
of certificated Securities under this Indenture.

                  (b)      Any Restricted Global Security that is transferable
to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be
surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its principal corporate
trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so
transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of
such Restricted Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of
certificated Initial Securities of authorized denominations. Any portion of a
Restricted Global Security transferred pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be
executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $1,000 principal
amount and any integral multiple thereof and registered in such names as the
Depository shall direct. Any certificated Initial Security or Private Exchange
Security delivered in exchange for an interest in the Restricted Global Security
shall, except as otherwise
<PAGE>   125
                                                                              12


provided by Section 2.3(b), bear the restricted securities legend set forth in
Exhibit 1 hereto.

                  (c)      Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the
registered Holder of a Global Security shall be entitled to grant proxies and
otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may
hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

                  (d)      In the event of the occurrence of any of the events
specified in Section 2.4(a), the Company shall promptly make available to the
Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Securities in definitive, fully
registered form without interest coupons.
<PAGE>   126
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1
                                                                              to
                                                 RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX



                       [FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL SECURITY]


                  FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY IS BEING ISSUED WITH
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. FOR EACH $1,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SECURITY, THE
ISSUE PRICE ALLOCATED TO THE NOTE IS $928.22, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE
DISCOUNT IS $71.78, THE ISSUE DATE IS NOVEMBER 14, 2000 AND THE YIELD TO
MATURITY IS 13.70% PER ANNUM.


                              [Separability Legend]

                  THE NOTES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE INITIALLY ISSUED
AS PART OF AN ISSUANCE OF UNITS, EACH OF WHICH CONSISTS OF ONE 12 3/4% SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE MAY 1, 2009 OF TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. (THE
"COMPANY") IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $1,000 (A "NOTE") AND THREE INITIAL WARRANTS
AND ONE CONTINGENT WARRANT (TOGETHER, THE "WARRANTS"), EACH SUCH WARRANT TO
PURCHASE 0.36469 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.00001 PER SHARE, OF THE
COMPANY. THE NOTES AND WARRANTS WILL NOT TRADE SEPARATELY UNTIL THE EARLIEST OF
(A) THE COMMENCEMENT OF A REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER FOR THE NOTES, (B) THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF A SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE NOTES AND
(C) SUCH DATE AFTER DECEMBER 14, 2000, AS THE INITIAL PURCHASERS MAY DETERMINE.


                           [Global Securities Legend]

                  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"),
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER
USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS
THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

                  TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO
TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR
THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL
SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
<PAGE>   127
                                                                               2


RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

                         [Restricted Securities Legend]

                  THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF
THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5
OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

                  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON
WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION
FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF
AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER
WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS
SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

                  HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE
CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE RULES AND
REGULATIONS ISSUED THEREUNDER.
<PAGE>   128
                                                                               3


No. _____________                                                    $ _________

                12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009


                  TravelCenters of America, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to ____________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
____________ Dollars on May 1, 2009.

                  Interest Payment Dates:  May 1 and November 1.


                  Record Dates:  April 15 and October 15.

                  Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the
other side of this Security.


Dated:


                                        TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.,

                                          by
                                             ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                          by
                                             ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:



TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
  as Trustee, certifies
  that this is one of
  the Securities referred
  to in the Indenture.

 by
    ___________________________________
           Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>   129
                                                                               4


                    FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY


                12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Note Due May 1, 2009



1.       Interest

                  TravelCenters of America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; provided,
however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate of
0.50% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum after each
consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration
Default occurs, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.5% per annum) from
and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but
excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. The
Company will pay interest semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year,
commencing [May 1, 2001]. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from [                           ]. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


2.       Method of Payment

                  The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except
defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at
the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the interest
payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or
before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying
Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest
in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities
represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest)
will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts
specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in
respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest)
by mailing a check to the registered
<PAGE>   130
                                                                               5


address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a
certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account
maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects
payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying
Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately
preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee
may accept in its discretion).


3.       Paying Agent and Registrar

                  Initially, State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company (the "Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent and
Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or
co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.


4.       Indenture

                  The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as
of November 14, 2000 ("Indenture"), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors
and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the
Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa- 77bbbb) as in effect on
the date of the Indenture (the "Act"). Terms defined in the Indenture and not
defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The
Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to
the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

                  The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the
Company. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section
4.03 of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13
of the Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any
Additional Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities
issued in exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes
under the Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of
the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends
or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make investments;
issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in transactions with
affiliates; transfer or sell assets;
<PAGE>   131
                                                                               6


guarantee indebtedness; restrict dividends or other payments of subsidiaries;
and consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and
the assets of its subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important
exceptions and qualifications.


5.       Optional Redemption

                  Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled
to redeem the Securities at its option prior to November 1, 2005.

                  On and after November 1, 2005, the Company shall be entitled
at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities on one or more
occasions upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption
prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date),
plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on
November 1 of the years set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Redemption
                  Period                          Price
                  ----------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>
                  2005                          106.375%
                  2006                          104.250
                  2007                          102.125
                  2008 and thereafter           100.000
</TABLE>

                  In addition, at any time prior to November 1, 2005, the
Securities may also be redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice (but in no event more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of
Control), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof
plus the Applicable Premium at the time plus accrued interest, if any, to the
redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

                  "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Security at any
time, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Security and (2)
the excess of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of
such Security on November 1, 2005 plus (ii) all required interest payments due
on such Security through
<PAGE>   132
                                                                               7


November 1, 2005, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus
50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of such Security.

                  "Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of
computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as
compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release
H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior
to the date fixed for repayment (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer
published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly
equal to the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2005; provided,
however, that if the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2005 is not
equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a
weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear
interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly
average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are
given, except that, if the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2005
is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States
Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.


6.       Notice of Redemption

                  Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not
more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at his registered address. Securities in denominations larger than
$1,000 principal amount may be redeemed only in whole multiples of $1,000 and
not in part. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued
interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the
redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption
date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest
ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for
redemption.


7.       Put Provisions

                  Upon a Change of Control, each Holder of Securities will have
the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities
of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the Securities to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid
<PAGE>   133
                                                                               8


interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on
the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment
date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.


8.       Subordination

                  The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture,
Senior Indebtedness of the Company must be paid before the Securities may be
paid. The Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security
agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and
authorizes the Trustee to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as
attorney-in-fact for such purpose.


9.       Subsidiary Guarantees

                  The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium
and interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a
joint and several senior subordinated basis by each of the Subsidiary
Guarantors.


10.      Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

                  The Securities are in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder
may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The
Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law
or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of
or exchange any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a
Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed)
or any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.


11.      Persons Deemed Owners

                  The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the
owner of it for all purposes.
<PAGE>   134
                                                                               9


12.      Unclaimed Money

                  If money for the payment of principal or interest remains
unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to
the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to
the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.


13.      Discharge and Defeasance

                  Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall
be entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and
the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government
Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to
redemption or maturity, as the case may be.


14.      Amendment; Waiver

                  Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i)
the Indenture and the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding
(including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange of
the Securities) and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be
waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Securities then outstanding. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in
the Indenture, without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company, the
Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture
or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or
to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated
Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to add
Guarantees with respect to the Securities, including Subsidiary Guarantees, or
to secure the Securities, or to add additional covenants or surrender rights and
powers conferred on the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, or to comply with
any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the
Act, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
Securityholder.
<PAGE>   135
                                                                              10


15.      Defaults and Remedies

                  Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for
30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; (ii) default in payment of
principal on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to paragraph 5
of the Securities, upon acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to
redeem or purchase Securities when required; (iii) failure by the Company to
comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain
cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) certain accelerations (including
failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other
Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $10
million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments or decrees for
the payment of money in excess of $10 million; and (vii) certain defaults with
respect to Subsidiary Guarantees. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately;
provided, however, that so long as any Bank Indebtedness remains outstanding,
the Securities shall not be due and payable until the earlier of (1) five
Business Days after giving written notice to the Company and the administrative
agent (or similar agent if there is no administrative agent) under the Credit
Agreement and (2) the day on which any Bank Indebtedness is accelerated. Certain
events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in
the Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such
Events of Default.

                  Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the
Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to
enforce the Indenture or the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security
satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any
trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any
continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it
determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
<PAGE>   136
                                                                              11


16.      Trustee Dealings with the Company

                  Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee
under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the
owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect
obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal
with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were
not Trustee.


17.      No Recourse Against Others

                  A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the
Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee shall not have any liability
for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by
reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each
Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release
are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.


18.      Authentication

                  This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory
of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.


19.      Abbreviations

                  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT
(=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to
Minors Act).


20.      CUSIP Numbers

                  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on
Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers
to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP
numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Securities
<PAGE>   137
                                                                              12


or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers placed thereon.


21.      Holders' Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

                  Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges
and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the
obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the
indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.


22.      Governing Law

                  THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written
request and without charge to the Security holder a copy of the Indenture which
has in it the text of this Security in larger type. Requests may be made to:

                  TravelCenters of America, Inc.
                  24601 Center Ridge Road
                  Suite 200
                  Westlake, Ohio 44145-5634

                  Attention of James W. George
<PAGE>   138
                                                                              13

________________________________________________________________________________

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


         (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

         (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


and irrevocably appoint                           agent to transfer this
Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act
for him.


________________________________________________________________________________

Date: __________________________ Your Signature: _______________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this
certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance
of such Securities and the last date, if any, on which such Securities were
owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms
that such Securities are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

         (1)      [ ]      to the Company; or

         (2)      [ ]      pursuant to an effective registration statement under
                           the Securities Act of 1933; or

         (3)      [ ]      to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in
                           Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that
                           purchases for its own account or for the account of a
                           qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given
<PAGE>   139
                                                                              14

                           that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule
                           144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with
                           Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933;

         (4)      [ ]      outside the United States in an offshore transaction
                           within the meaning of Regulation S under the
                           Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the
                           Securities Act of 1933; or

         (5)      [ ]      pursuant to the exemption from registration provided
                           by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

                  If such transfer is being made pursuant to an offshore
transaction in accordance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act, the
undersigned further certifies that:

                  (i)      the offer of the Securities was not made to a person
         in the United States;

                  (ii)     either (a) at the time the buy offer was originated,
         the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person
         acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was
         outside the United States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on
         or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market
         and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the
         transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

                  (iii)    no directed selling efforts have been made in the
         United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903 or Rule
         904 of Regulation S, as applicable;

                  (iv)     the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to
         evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

                  (v)      we have advised the transferee of the transfer
         restrictions applicable to the Securities; and

                  (vi)     if the circumstances set forth in Rule 904(b) under
         the Securities Act are applicable, we have complied with the additional
         conditions therein, including (if applicable) sending a confirmation or
         other notice stating that the Securities may be offered and sold during
         the distribution compliance period specified in Rule 903 of Regulation
         S; pursuant to registration of the Securities under the Securities
<PAGE>   140
                                                                              15


         Act; or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration
         requirements under the Securities Act.

         Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register
any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person
other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4) or
(5) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering
any such transfer of the Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and
other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such
transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not
subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as
the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.




                                               _________________________________
                                               Signature

Signature Guarantee:

____________________________                   _________________________________
Signature must be guaranteed                   Signature

         Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership
or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
________________________________________________________________________________

              TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

                  The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing
this Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it
exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a
"qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in
reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information
regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or
has
<PAGE>   141
                                                                              16


determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the
transferor is relying upon the undersigned's foregoing representations in order
to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.


Dated: _____________________                   _________________________________
                                               NOTICE:  To be executed by
                                                        an executive officer
<PAGE>   142
                                                                              17


                      [TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]

              SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

                  The following increases or decreases in this Global Security
have been made:

<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>                     <C>                     <C>                      <C>
Date of                  Amount of decrease      Amount of increase      Principal amount         Signature of
Exchange                 in Principal            in Principal            of this Global           authorized officer
                         amount of this          amount of this          Security following       of Trustee or
                         Global Security         Global Security         such decrease or         Securities
                                                                         increase)                Custodian
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   143
                                                                              18


                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, check the box:

                                       [ ]

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture,
state the amount in principal amount: $


Date: _______________      Your Signature:  ____________________________________
                                            (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                            on the other side of this Security.)

Signature Guarantee: ___________________________________________
                         (Signature must be guaranteed)


         Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership
or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
<PAGE>   144
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                              to
                                                 RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX



                        FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY
                          OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY

                  FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY IS BEING ISSUED WITH
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT; FOR EACH $1,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SECURITY, THE
ISSUE PRICE ALLOCATED TO THE NOTE IS $928.22, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE
DISCOUNT IS $71.78, THE ISSUE DATE IS NOVEMBER 14, 2000 AND THE YIELD TO
MATURITY IS 13.70% PER ANNUM.


                  */ **/























____________________________

*/ If the Security is to be issued in global form add the Global Securities
Legend from Exhibit 1 to Appendix A and the attachment from such Exhibit 1
captioned "TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR
DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY".

**/ If the Security is a Private Exchange Security issued in a Private Exchange
to an Initial Purchaser holding an unsold portion of its initial allotment, add
the Restricted Securities Legend from Exhibit 1 to Appendix A and replace the
Assignment Form included in this Exhibit A with the Assignment Form included in
such Exhibit 1.
<PAGE>   145
                                                                               2


No. _____________                                                    $ _________


                12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2009


                  TravelCenters of America, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to __________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
____________ Dollars on May 1, 2009.

                  Interest Payment Dates:  May 1 and November 1.


                  Record Dates:  April 15 and October 15.

                  Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the
other side of this Security.


Dated:

                                        TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.,

                                          by
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  James W. George
                                              Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                     Chief Financial Officer

                                          by
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:  Steven C. Lee
                                              Title: Vice President and
                                                     General Counsel




TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
  as Trustee, certifies
  that this is one of
  the Securities referred
  to in the Indenture.

 by
     -------------------------------
           Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>   146
                                                                               3


                    FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY
                          OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY


                12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Note Due May 1, 2009


1.       Interest

                  TravelCenters of America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; provided,
however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate of
0.50% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum after each
consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration
Default occurs, up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.5% per annum) from
and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but
excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. The
Company will pay interest semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year,
commencing [May 1, 2001]. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from [           ]. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.


2.       Method of Payment

                  The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except
defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at
the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the interest
payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or
before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying
Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest
in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities
represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest)
will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts
specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in
respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest)
by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided,
however, that payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer
to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a
<PAGE>   147
                                                                               4


bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by
giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect
designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the
relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in
its discretion).


3.       Paying Agent and Registrar

                  Initially, State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company (the "Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent and
Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or
co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.


4.       Indenture

                  The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as
of November 14, 2000 ("Indenture"), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors
and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the
Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on
the date of the Indenture (the "Act"). Terms defined in the Indenture and not
defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The
Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to
the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

                  The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the
Company. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section
4.03 of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13
of the Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any
Additional Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities
issued in exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes
under the Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of
the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends
or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make investments;
issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in transactions with
affiliates; transfer or sell assets; guarantee indebtedness; restrict dividends
or other payments of subsidiaries; and consolidate, merge or transfer all or
substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries. These
covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications.
<PAGE>   148
                                                                               5


5.       Optional Redemption

                  Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled
to redeem the Securities at its option prior to November 1, 2005.

                  On and after November 1, 2005, the Company shall be entitled
at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities on one or more
occasions upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption
prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount, on the redemption date)
plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on
November 1 of the years set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Redemption
                  Period                          Price
                  ----------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>
                  2005                          106.375%
                  2006                          104.250
                  2007                          102.125
                  2008 and thereafter           100.000
</TABLE>

                  In addition, at any time prior to November 1, 2005, the
Securities may also be redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice (but in no event more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of
Control), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof
plus the Applicable Premium at the time plus accrued interest, if any, to the
redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

                  "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Security at any
time, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Security and (2)
the excess of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of
such Security on November 1, 2005 plus (ii) all required interest payments due
on such Security through November 1, 2005, computed using a discount rate equal
to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of such
Security.

                  "Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of
computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as
compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release
H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior
to the date fixed for repayment (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer
<PAGE>   149
                                                                               6


published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly
equal to the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2005; provided,
however, that if the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2005 is not
equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a
weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear
interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly
average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are
given, except that, if the period from the redemption date to November 1, 2005
is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States
Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.


6.       Notice of Redemption

                  Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not
more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at his registered address. Securities in denominations larger than
$1,000 principal amount may be redeemed only in whole multiples of $1,000 and
not in part. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued
interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the
redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption
date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest
ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for
redemption.


7.       Put Provisions

                  Upon a Change of Control, each Holder of Securities will have
the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities
of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the Securities to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of
repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record
date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) as provided
in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.


8.       Subordination

                  The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture,
Senior Indebtedness of the Company must be paid before the Securities may be
paid. The Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security
agrees,
<PAGE>   150
                                                                               7


to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the
Trustee to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such
purpose.


9.       Subsidiary Guarantees

                  The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium
and interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a
joint and several senior subordinated basis by each of the Subsidiary
Guarantors.



10.      Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

                  The Securities are in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder
may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The
Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law
or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of
or exchange any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a
Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed)
or any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.


11.      Persons Deemed Owners

                  The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the
owner of it for all purposes.


12.      Unclaimed Money

                  If money for the payment of principal or interest remains
unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to
the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to
the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.


13.      Discharge and Defeasance

                  Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time
shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations
<PAGE>   151
                                                                               8


under the Securities and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee
money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest
on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.


14.      Amendment; Waiver

                  Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i)
the Indenture and the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities then
outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or
exchange of the Securities) and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any
provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities then outstanding. Subject to certain
exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any
Securityholder, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee shall be
entitled to amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity,
omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture,
or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of
certificated Securities, or to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities,
including Subsidiary Guarantees, or to secure the Securities, or to add
additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or
the Subsidiary Guarantors, or to comply with any request of the SEC in
connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Act, or to make any change
that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.


15.      Defaults and Remedies

                  Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for
30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; (ii) default in payment of
principal on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to paragraph 5
of the Securities, upon acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to
redeem or purchase Securities when required; (iii) failure by the Company to
comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain
cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) certain accelerations (including
failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other
Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $10
million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments or decrees for
the payment of money in excess of $10 million; and (vii) certain defaults with
respect to Subsidiary Guarantees. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least
<PAGE>   152
                                                                               9


25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities to be
due and payable immediately; provided, however, that so long as any Bank
Indebtedness remains outstanding, the Securities shall not be due and payable
until the earlier of (1) five Business Days after giving written notice to the
Company and the administrative agent (or similar agent if there is no
administrative agent) under the Credit Agreement and (2) the day on which any
Bank Indebtedness is accelerated. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are
Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

                  Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the
Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to
enforce the Indenture or the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security
satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any
trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any
continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it
determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.


16.      Trustee Dealings with the Company

                  Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee
under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the
owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect
obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal
with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were
not Trustee.


17.      No Recourse Against Others

                  A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the
Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee shall not have any liability
for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by
reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each
Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release
are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
<PAGE>   153
                                                                              10


18.      Authentication

                  This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory
of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.


19.      Abbreviations

                  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT
(=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to
Minors Act).


20.      CUSIP Numbers

                  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on
Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers
to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP
numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on
the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be
placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.


21.      Holders' Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

                  Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges
and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the
obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the
indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.(1)


22.      Governing Law

                  THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written
request and without charge to the Security holder a copy

____________________________

         1.       Delete if this Security is not being issued in exchange for an
         Initial Security.
<PAGE>   154
                                                                              11


of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Security in larger type.
Requests may be made to:

                  TravelCenters of America, Inc.
                  24601 Center Ridge Road
                  Suite 200
                  Westlake, Ohio 44145-5634

                  Attention of James W. George
<PAGE>   155
                                                                              12


________________________________________________________________________________

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


         (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

         (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


and irrevocably appoint                           agent to transfer this
Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act
for him.


________________________________________________________________________________

Date: __________________________ Your Signature: _______________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.
<PAGE>   156
                                                                              13




                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, check the box:

                                       [ ]

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture,
state the amount in principal amount: $


Date: _______________      Your Signature:  ____________________________________
                                            (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                            on the other side of this Security.)

Signature Guarantee: ___________________________________________
                         (Signature must be guaranteed)


         Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership
or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or
such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar
in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.